 |
| Keys on a Keyboard |
It is true that there are hundreds of thousands of different things that a related to using computers, however the average user never needs more than a handful to become proficient.
So I'll cover the basics again, this time focusing on what makes up a computer and what they look like.
PC/Computer/Laptop/Notebook
 |
| A Computer "Tower" or "Box" |
Computers come in thousands of formats and are used for almost everything in the modern world. It is a wonder of the modern age.
CD's & DVD's
 |
| A typical DVD |
These little discs can be transported easily, are relatively tough, are both the same size, can hold videos, sound or any other data needed and are very cheap!
Used to sell movies, games, Software and music.
 |
| Monitors look similar to TV's |
Monitor/Screen/Display
This is the "TV" looking thing that you are looking at right now! Computers mostly output video as the main form of controlling them, so a monitor is as essential to a computer as hands are to a human.
They act like a TV in that they show a video of the computer's interface, which is what you see when you are interacting with the computer. There is other stuff going on inside, but most people never need to see this. The big difference is of course you cant interact with a TV, but you can on a computer.
 |
| Keyboard |
 |
| Mouse |
Keyboard & Mouse
These again are rather essential as input methods, however take note that there are other methods of controlling a computer such as a trackball or joystick. These are normally for those who have difficulty with their hands etc... The good old keyboard and mouse combination is the most popular around the world however.
A keyboard is basically a large set of buttons that represent symbols such as letters and numbers. You press them and they appear on the screen where the cursor is (The blinking line when you click on something you can write in is the cursor, the arrow that moves with the mouse is the pointer). There are many different shapes of keyboard for all needs, but most follow the same pattern of buttons so you can use a different one quickly.
A mouse is used to move the pointer around the screen of the computer. You move it around in real life and the pointer follows on the screen. Normally (computer) mice have 2 buttons and a wheel in the middle. the left button is normally select or do. the right button normally brings up a menu by the pointer or cancels. Programs can control what the pointer does so it does vary.
Why is is called a mouse? because if you turn it round it looks like a mouse!
 |
| Email icons look like envelopes |
E-Mail
Electronic Mail is very similar to normal mail where you post a letter or package to someone. However E-mail is far more powerful!
Once you have an E-mail account you can send and receive mail from anyone, anywhere, instantly. alongside that is the ability to attached files on your computer to the email (Like a package!). The fact that most E-mail services are completely free has made the medium a global success.
Files & Folders
 |
| A folder icon on a computer |
The basis of many computer systems, files and folders are something every computer used will have to use at some point. This is the way a computer organises your photos and music and other things, and its own systems which themselves are files.
A file is a collection of data stored in one unit. It can be text, music, photos, videos, application or anything. Files are manipulated by programs in order to perform tasks. Example: You have a file on a computer, it is a photo file. This is how the computer remembers things. To look at the photo you will open the file with a photo viewer program.
Folders are just like their real life equivalents, they sort things so its easier to find, except its files not paper. Instead of having every single file on your computer screen (A new computer will have thousands already just for itself!) files are split into folders. Example: photos folder, music folder, etc...
We will cover the structure of folders and the different file types in a later post, so keep a look out!
Software is the opposite of hardware, it is something that is not physical, so its not hard! Hardware like a mouse or keyboard is something you can touch so its hardware. Computer programs are what you use to interact with computer files. Example: Your most likely using an Internet program right now!
Programs are a list of instructions for the computer to carry out in that order. These instructions depend on what the designer of the program wanted it to do. So a photo viewer program might have instructions like "Find photo file" then "Read the file" then "Translate file into a picture".
There are millions and millions of computer programs available. Trying to List them would be an exercise in futility.
Software/Programs/Applications
 |
| Software can be bought on a CD or downloaded. |
Programs are a list of instructions for the computer to carry out in that order. These instructions depend on what the designer of the program wanted it to do. So a photo viewer program might have instructions like "Find photo file" then "Read the file" then "Translate file into a picture".
There are millions and millions of computer programs available. Trying to List them would be an exercise in futility.
These are the absolute basics of a computer, as mentioned before, they can get very complex very quickly. So we will leave it there for now, and I think we will also stop with the lists of definitions too! Its turning into a dictionary around here. Don not worry if some of this doesn't make sense to you right now, it is only to build a foundation for the tutorials in later posts.
I'll cover things like why you cant just switch a computer off at the wall and what you should be doing. Don't worry if you have been doing this, its not the end of the world.
The most common problem people face when they first start learning about using computers is the torrent of Acronyms! "PC" is one example.
Extra reading:
Credits:
No comments:
Post a Comment