Intro to Computers

University City Public Library

Welcome!

Some Things to Keep in Mind: 

1. You are smarter than the computer. 2.  There's too much information out there for you to learn everything on your first try. (So keep trying!)  

3.  Nobody is born knowing how to work a computer.  4. Don't be afraid to ask questions!

What is a Computer? 

com·put·er (km-pytr) NOUN: 1. A device that computes, especially a programmable

electronic machine that performs high-speed mathematical or logical operations or that assembles, stores, correlates, or otherwise processes information.

2. One who computes. Source: American Heritage Dictionary

Wait a minute!Does that mean our brains are computers?

(Yes, it does!)

Hardware: What Computers Are Made Of

Image sources: Wikimedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page)

Tower This is a box that includes: -disk drive-CD drive-hard drive-memory-modem and/or wireless card

Monitor

Keyboard

Mouse

Peripherals: Fun Things You Can Connect to Your Computer 

Examples: • digital camera

 • MP3 player

 • scanner

 • printer

 • storage

            -USB drive            -floppy disk            -CD ROM 

Image Source: Free Images (www.freeimages.co.uk) 

Software: The Cool Stuff a Computer Can Do 

Examples of software:• Word processors (Microsoft Word, WordPerfect,

AppleWorks)• Spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel, Base, Claris)• Presentations (Microsoft PowerPoint)• Web browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera)• Games (Solitare, FreeCell, World of Warcraft)

Software is... A program of instructions that directs the operation of a

computer. Source: Science Lobby's Dictionary of Electronics.  (

http://www.sciencelobby.com/dictionary/s.html)

Operating Systems 

Operating Systems (OS) are special kinds of software that help your computer to run more efficiently and help you work with your computer.  

Examples of Operating Systems• Windows• Mac OS X• Linux• UNIX

Which operating system is the best?It's really a matter of personal preference.  Practically all operating systems allow their users to do the same things.

Windows is by far the most popular operating system. 

3 Things a Computer Cannot Function Without 

Processor (also called chip or CPU) The master chip (circuit) in a computer that controls the execution

of program instructions, arithmetic functions, and access to memory and peripherals.

 Hard Drive Like a floppy disk, flash drive, or CD drive, only much bigger and

usually part of your computer tower. Memory (also called Random Access Memory, or RAM) Operating memory of a computer-- temporarily stores programs

that are currently being used. 

Source: Computer Hardware and Micro-Scope Glossary, (http://www.micro2000uk.co.uk/hardware_glossary.htm) 

 

Mouserobics! 

Working on this website can help you learn to use a mouse more easily. So, go here:http://www.wauclib.org/mouserobics.htm Or here:http://www.ckls.org/~crippel/computerlab/tutorials/mouse/page1.html Don't worry, they go to the same place.