Basic Computer Knowledge for Beginners

Jumping on a computer for the first time can be fun and easy as long as you keep in mind that computers were designed to make life easier, not more complex. Unlike technology of the past, which was based on the all-in-one concept, PC systems usually come in parts, divided into hardware and software, although Mac systems are all-in-one. Hardware makes up the physical elements of the computer, such as the hard drive, whereas software provides the operating system and the programs that allow you to create computer files.

Multiple Brands

1. Since the 1990s, the most popular operating system has been Microsoft Windows, which appeals to the business community, while Apple MacIntosh (aka "Mac") has been a favorite among graphic artists, musicians and other high-end media users. Windows and its offspring (XP, Vista) run on a PC, which has come to mean any personal computer besides a Mac. Both Macs and PCs are powered by a chip known as the central processing unit or CPU. Intel and AMD are leading manufacturers of computer chips. Other popular PC brands include Hewlett Packard and Dell.

Files and Folders

2. The most basic product that can be created on a computer is a file. A file can be a letter, a report, a photo, a song, a video and anything else that can be produced digitally. A file is expressed by its file name followed by a dot and an extension. The extension makes it easy to recognize what type of file it is. For example, many documents are saved with the ".doc" extension, so "calendar.doc" would be an example of a file named "calendar" saved as a Word document. There are many different file extensions. You can organize files by putting them in folders, just like how a filing cabinet is a storage unit for folders filled with files. You can also store folders within folders.

Creating Files

3. Creating a computer file is a very simple procedure. It involves a few clicks. At the top of every program is usually an option called "File." Click "File" and then you'll see a drop-down menu that includes choices such as "New," "Open" and "Save." By clicking "New" you can start a new file. When you click "Open" you'll be able to open an existing file. "Save" is what you click as soon as you decide you want to archive the file for later use. Once you know how to create and store files you will want to learn more about specific software programs that will speed up your work. Microsoft Office is a suite of programs commonly used for general office functions.

Section One: Learning Computer Basics

By getting acquainted with the basic parts of a computer you can become familiar with some of the
common terms people use when they talk about computers. Here are the simple parts of a
computer. These parts are commonly known as hardware.
Cards
These are the little boards made of plastic that connect or plug into the Motherboard. They are small,
specialized little computers that each do a different job. Sometimes you may have to connect cables
and other things into the card. Connecting cables into a card is often called plugging the card. Just
like you plug a lamp into an electrical outlet you plug your speakers into the sound card.
CD-Rom
This looks like an ordinary CD-Rom you would use to play music except these store
programs.
CD-Rom Drive
This is where you put the CD-Rom you want to use. It opens when you press the button on the front.
When the tray comes out, place the CD on it, label up, then push the tray back into the computer.
On most CD-Rom Drives pressing the button will also close the tray automatically.
Disk Drive
This is the small slot on the front of your computer with a button under it. You insert ‘Floppy disks”
into it. To retrieve the disk just press the button.
Floppy Disk
These are flat, square things with a metal centre that looks a lot like a plastic coaster in
shape anyway. They are used to save the things you do on the computer to file for later
use or maybe to use to transfer data from your computer to another, etc.
Hard Drive
This is like a larger floppy except that you can’t see it or take it out of the computer because it is
build inside of the computer case and stores all the information needed to operate your computer.
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Keyboard
The keyboard is designed much like the typewriter and it also works just like
one. Type the letters and/or numbers and they appear on the screen.
Microphone
Your computer may or may not have a microphone connected to it but if you do, it plugs into the
“Sound Card” receptacle on the back of your computer. You can use it to record sounds.
Modem
The modem makes the connection with the Internet. Plug it into your telephone jack on the wall
where your phone normally is plugged in. The phone then plugs into the back of the modem. The
other end of the modem is built right into your computer. Some modems can also be used a fax
machines and others can even be used as a voice mail system.
Monitor
This is what looks like a television set and works almost exactly the same way. The
main difference is that its special cord plugs into the back of your computer.
Motherboard
Everything inside of your computer - the CPU (Case), the Sound Card, etc. plugs into this big, flat
board that is also inside. The Motherboard is thought of as the backbone of the computer.
Mouse
This is the small hand-held device you roll around on a mouse pad. It has two or
sometimes three buttons on it, most have a small ball in the bottom of it and a long wire
coming out of it that plugs into the back of the computer. There are also wireless ones
available. You will use the mouse to move things around the computer screen and to give
commands to the computer.
Printer
This is the device that you put paper into and it prints the work you have
done on the computer onto the paper. Some printers have the capability to
print in color as well as black and white. If you are not sure whether you can
or not, take a quick look to see if your printer has the word “color” written
somewhere on the front of its case.
Programs
A program is the term used for anything special your computer does for you. There are programs
that enable you to do just about anything - from playing games to making posters. Programs are
also referred to as Software.
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Software
This is a fancy name for “Programs”. Some software comes pre-installed on your computer. You
can find software to do thousands of jobs.
Scanner
Some computers have a device connected to them called a scanner. I look at it as a
camera for the computer. You place things on the glass surface of the scanner, close
the lid and the scanner takes a picture that shows up on your computer.
Sound Card
This is one of the little boards that plugs into the motherboard. It is the part that makes all the sounds
you hear when you are using the computer. This is the card that enables you to play a music CD
on your computer. The speakers and the microphone all plug into the sound card.
Speakers
These are much like the ones you have on your stereo but probably a little more compact.
They make the sounds and play the music you hear from your computer. Some speakers
are built right into your monitor and others are separate.
Video Card
Your monitor plugs into a video card. It is the part of the computer that puts up the images you see
on the screen and makes the pictures move.
Word Processor
This is a specialized program used to create letters and other typed documentation. The more
expensive word processors can help you with spelling and grammar.
Viruses
A virus is a special type of program that is meant to cause your computer to do something bad.
Some viruses can wipe out all the information on your computer and others are like an April Fools’
joke and make strange or annoying messages appear on your screen. You can get viruses by
sharing disks, CDs or programs with others or you can get them by downloading files or programs
off of the Internet. There are special programs you can install that will help you find and remove any
viruses you may have on your computer.
OVERVIEW
Take some time reviewing the terms we just went over and soon you will feel comfortable with the
parts of your computer and their locations. Now when one of these terms is referred to later on you
will know what it is and what it is used for. That is all there really is to your computer. You don’t need
to know anything more technical than this to use and enjoy a computer.

Health and Safety

Health and Safety is crucial to the effective operation of a computer. Stress is widely accepted as a common and possibly the most dangerous aspect of using a computer.

It is possible to use a computer safely if a few simple rules are maintained.

Musculoskelatal problems can occur when improper office equipment is used. Chairs should be adjustable so that legs are at a right angle. The back should have good support for the spine and lower back. The seat should swivel and be made from fabric that is porous.

Eye strain can be caused by staring at a fix object for extended periods of time (like a computer). People who use glasses may have to get their prescriptions changed and people who use bifocals can find that the line interferes with the screen and trifocals triple the problem. Regular users of computers may develop focusing problems. Temporary colour distortion has also been reported.

A safe working environment is crucial. Ventilation is an integral part of the new technological workplace. Though standards are set by the manufacturer of computer equipment the modern office has many different pieces of equipment. All electronic equipment emit some level of electromagnetic field which, on it's own, most likely isn't a concern but when combined with other equipment can create hazardous working environments. Pregnant women should take extra care when working around electromagnetic fields. Like any piece of equipment, computers should have scheduled maintenance.

Stress is caused by many things including poor or inadequate training, monitoring, fear of new technology, lack of control over work, physical problems, hardware problems causing delays, poor layout of work space and the myriad of other problems that people experience that combine to create stressful situations.

Time away from the computer during the work day is crucial! This gives the body a chance to stretch and gives the eyes a chance to rest. Breaks should be scheduled and followed with great discipline. Computers, even more so than television, have a mesmerizing effect on the user so that it is easy to work right through breaks without noticing.

There are many other issues to be discussed around computer health and safety but it is important to understand that there are problems and solutions to those problems that the user, administrator and manager must address.

Keyboard Symbols

The following chart displays the character symbols, name and Latin-1 number on a standard keyboard in their approximate position on the keyboard. Most characters from any Roman based language can be created on any computer using the American Standard Code for Information Interchange or ASCII using a single byte. Most computers and software also recognized American National Standards Institute's (ANSI) formatting standards as well. View the entire ISO Latin -1 Character Set.

~
Tilde
&#126:

!
Exclamation Point
!

@
At
@

#
Number
#

$
Dollar
&#;36

%
Percent
%

^
Caret
&#;94

&
Ampersand
&

*
Asterisk
*

(
Open or Left Parenthesis
(

)
Close or Right Parenthesis
)

_
Underscore or
Horizontal Bar
_

+
Plus
+

`
Acute
`

-
Dash or Hyphen
-

=
Equals
=

{
Open or Left Curly Brace
&#;123

}
Close or Right Curly Brace
}

|
Or or
Vertical Bar
|

[
Open or Left Square Bracket
[

]
Close or Right Square Bracket
]

\
Reverse Solidus or Backslash
\

:
Colon
:

"
Quote
"

;
Semi Colon
;

´
Apostrophe or Single Quote
&#;39

<
Less Than
<

>
Greater Than
>

?
Question Mark
?

,
Comma
,

.
Dot, Period or Full Stop
.

/
Solidus or Forward Slash
/