Personal Computer Skills

The basics explained

What is a PC or Personal Computer?

A computer or laptop have a number of functions they can perform, for example:

A storage device for documents, photo’s etc. A communication tool for e-mail An access device for internet communication A device to run specific applications or programs A games console for running simple to complex games software

We all use our computers for various things, and dependant on your individual needs will determine how much time you will spend on them, and how in depth you need to learn about their operation and use.

A personal computer or PC is a device which has Inputs and Outputs

Inputs

Inputs come from various sources, and different formats

Ways to input information:

Keyboard From the internet From an E-mail From a storage device ( CD, DVD, Flash drive) Camera Scanner

Outputs

Outputs come from various sources, and different formats

Ways to get information out:

Screen Printer To a storage device ( CD, DVD, Flash drive) Send an E-mail LCD projector

Hardware

PC hardware consists of various components

Screen/Monitor Console (Central Processing Unit) Mouse Printer Keyboard

Laptops

A laptop has all of the necessary components in one simple unit, this enables you to transport it easily and possibly use it in various places around your office or home. The laptops have an in-built mouse pad and keyboard, however you can plug in an external mouse or keyboard if you prefer.

There is no difference in the computing power of either a personal computer or laptop, but a pc or desktop as they are sometimes known, are a bit cheaper to buy due to the fact that they are not as transportable.

Keyboard Basics

Operating Systems (Microsoft Windows)

ESCAPE KEY

Will sometimes get you out of trouble – doesn’t always work but worth a try.

TAB KEY

For moving across the page at selected intervals

BACKSPACE KEY

Will delete the letter immediately to the left of the insertion point.

DELETE KEY

Will delete the letter immediately to the right of the insertion point.

CAPS LOCK KEY

For typing all capital letters

SHIFT KEY

Hold down to create a capital letter. Or symbols at the top of the keys i.e. £ % ? + &

CONTROL KEY

When pressed with another key performs a certain task. i.e. pressing Ctrl and Enter together will create a new page,

SPACEBAR

Used to create spaces between letters.

ENTER/RETURN KEY

For moving down the page. Can also be used when you see the OK button on the screen. It is quicker to use this than the mouse.

We are talking about the software system that tells the PC how to operate!!The operating system is “the Boss”

Perhaps the easiest way to explain how an operating system works is to relate it to a new born baby!!

When babies are first born they automatically realise that they have parts attached (legs, arms, hands, eyes etc.) and the body can move them, however they have to be taught the best way to use these great gifts.

This is the same as an operating system on a pc, the Bios or basic set up configuration in a PC knows it has hardware attached and can communicate, however the lovely graphics, backgrounds, and windows that appear are all in the operating system, without that you would have a black screen to type in commands. The operating system tells the PC how to use all of the hardware and software to full advantage.

Operating System functionality

The operating system has a number of functions to perform, for example:

Set up your printer and what printer to use Set up your communications to the Internet Add or delete software programs Create beautiful background graphics and colour schemes Improve the operation of hardware and mouse pointers etc. Store all of your files, programs and documents

Many other functions are coordinated using the operating system.

“WARNING”The place to find all of these wonderful features is in the “Control Panel” however, I would not recommend that you change or get involved in this area until you are conversant with the way the changes will effect your system, as they can completely reconfigure the way your pc works, and without in-depth knowledge, change completely the way it operates.

“Microsoft Windows”

The most common operating system used is “Microsoft Windows” this comes in various forms as it continually is being improved and updated, the latest version is Microsoft Windows Vista.

The reason it is called “Windows” is that it uses pop up windows to display various pages of information.

This is a typical example of a window showing a number of buttons (icons) that can be used with this window.

You are able to have several windows open at any one time to view various information or programs.

Storing information

Icons

Storing information and retrieving documents etc. can be very frustrating if you do not get organised and keep the information in categorised folders for easy access.

The way a computer stores information is by using Folders to keep all of your Files or Documents in, this again is a function of your operating system.

The way to see all of these is to use the Windows Explorer

I am using the “Windows Vista” operating system which may look very slightly different from your one if you are using a different operating system such as Windows XP, however the principles are just the same.

This is an example of my Windows Explorer, this shows a view of the folders on the left and if you click on anyone of these folders it will show you what documents you have in any of the chosen folders, on the right.

Creating your personal folders

Folders

Documents

You can create additional folders at any time to store information/documents, it is advisable that you start creating your personal folders to ensure you know where to save your own documents to, and therefore easy to find them again when needed. It is simple to create your own folders and you should name them to ensure you have the correct documents saved in them.

This is an example of creating a new folder in Windows Vista, however it is very similar to creating a folder in Windows XP.

In Windows Vista I single click my mouse on the organize button on the top left of my screen, then click on new folder, this then appears and I can give it a new name.

In Windows XP you would do a similar process, however in the XP operating system you would go up to the top left and click on “File” and then “New” to do the same thing.

Storage externally

New folder ready to be renamed

Storing information externally is becoming more popular as it is then transportable and therefore can be used on other PCs or laptops.

This is also a good way of securing your data or information and if your PC crashed (heaven forbid) the external storage device still has your copied documents.

As mentioned in the input output page there are a number of types of external storage devices:

Floppy Disk

Flash Drive

CD/DVD

External hard drive

Internet Search Engines ( etc.)

This last option gives you space on their sites to keep documents etc.

Applications

An application is a computer program written for a specific function, for example to create calculations and spreadsheets, or for editing and looking at photographs.

These applications are then sold to perform specific jobs the most obvious and common of these applications is the “Microsoft Office” suite of applications.

These are a good example to use as they are in common use, the Microsoft Office suite usually comes with three main applications:

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Excel was created to enable people to create spreadsheets, do complex calculations and create charts based on the figures.

Word was created to enable people to create letters, typed documentation and this handout is an example of using Microsoft Word.

PowerPoint was written to enable people to create presentations on-screen, that can be used to train, communicate messages, and present information using a screen or projector.

Games are another form of application written for computers and generally used outside of business for recreational purposes.

Another common form of application is the photograph editors, these are used to communicate from your pc through a lead into your digital camera, and this can then download the photographs into the pc.

When your photographs are on the pc you can use the application to edit them, for example change the size and colour of the photo etc.

Photoshop is a common photo editor, however, you would normally get a free version of a simple photo editor application with a new digital camera.