basic skills for bigginners

Tendai. M. Daka, Munali Girls special Unit.Tendai. M. Daka, Munali Girls special Unit. 11

BASIC SKILLSBASIC SKILLS

Lesson 1 and 2Lesson 1 and 2


LESSON INDEXTLESSON INDEXT

IntroductionIntroduction Turning On and OffTurning On and Off Windows DesktopWindows Desktop Using the MouseUsing the Mouse Folders and Files Folders and Files

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Basic skills is a lesson that gives Basic skills is a lesson that gives computer users an idea (s) of how computer users an idea (s) of how to make use of a computer program to make use of a computer program or application. It gives learners a or application. It gives learners a view of how the software for a view of how the software for a particular computer can be used particular computer can be used effectively. An example of software effectively. An example of software can be Microsoft Windows XP or can be Microsoft Windows XP or Vista.Vista.



TURNING ON AND OFFTURNING ON AND OFF

Turning OnTurning On– An on button or power button is An on button or power button is

used- pressing the button gently.used- pressing the button gently.– After the button is pressed, a After the button is pressed, a

computer boots before it one can computer boots before it one can see an object (s).see an object (s).

Sample On ButtonPower Button

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Turning OffTurning Off– This action involves the use of the This action involves the use of the

start menustart menu. Often this menu is found . Often this menu is found at the bottom left of the screen.at the bottom left of the screen.

– Moving the cursor using either the Moving the cursor using either the mouth or touchpad and clicking will mouth or touchpad and clicking will bring up a menu that will allow you bring up a menu that will allow you to turn off or shut down the to turn off or shut down the computer.computer.

Start Menu

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– Choosing turn off or shut down will Choosing turn off or shut down will give you another menu that will give give you another menu that will give you a chance to confirm and specify you a chance to confirm and specify your action.your action.

NoteNote: Using the turn off or shut : Using the turn off or shut down button can even allow you to down button can even allow you to restart, put a computer standby or restart, put a computer standby or turning it off or shutting it down.turning it off or shutting it down.

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Difference between turn off, standby Difference between turn off, standby or restart computeror restart computer

1.1. Turn of or shut down means that you Turn of or shut down means that you want to completely stop all the want to completely stop all the applications a computer has from applications a computer has from working. working.

2.2. Standby is making a go off without Standby is making a go off without stopping the applications a computer. stopping the applications a computer. This is also known as This is also known as sleepingsleeping or or hibernatinghibernating.. Return to index


– Restart is when a computer is made Restart is when a computer is made to reload its settings. This will cause to reload its settings. This will cause a computer to turn off and turn on a computer to turn off and turn on without you using the power button.without you using the power button.

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When a start menu is clicked a menu appears

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Clicking on turn off or shut down will result in a menu like the one below.

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WINDOWS DESKTOPWINDOWS DESKTOP

This is a first page that comes the when This is a first page that comes the when a computer finishes loading or booting.a computer finishes loading or booting.

It is were most of the programs and It is were most of the programs and applications of a computer are found for applications of a computer are found for easy access. In short, is acts as a desk easy access. In short, is acts as a desk of a normal and real life office.of a normal and real life office.

A desktop is a starting point were most A desktop is a starting point were most of the activities performed start from of the activities performed start from usually using the start menu.usually using the start menu.

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COMMON DESKTOP COMMON DESKTOP FEATURESFEATURES

Below are some of the common Below are some of the common desktop features.desktop features.– Icons (Folders, files, programs etc.)Icons (Folders, files, programs etc.)– Background Background – TaskbarTaskbar

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Icons

Background represented by a picture

Taskbar

System trayQuick launch area

Start Menu

Current running application area

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Start menuStart menu– It is were all installed programs are It is were all installed programs are

found and can be accessed from.found and can be accessed from.– Under this menu, there are options Under this menu, there are options

that have other sub-menus and that have other sub-menus and others don’t. others don’t.

– Options having sub-menus are have Options having sub-menus are have an arrow that shows that other an arrow that shows that other menus exists. menus exists.


Pinned programs

Recently used shortcuts

All programs representingInstalled programs

Log off & Turn offbuttons

Common folders, files And Networks

User Name


Start menu including submenus


USES OF A START USES OF A START MENUMENU Starting or opening a programs Starting or opening a programs

and files.and files. Find help on how to use certain Find help on how to use certain

features using features using help and supporthelp and support.. Creating program, file, or Creating program, file, or

application shortcut for easy application shortcut for easy future access. future access.


A WINDOWA WINDOW

This is a frame were files This is a frame were files including programs are viewed. including programs are viewed.

All frames have a common All frames have a common feature i.e. they have a title bar feature i.e. they have a title bar at the top. This is the name of at the top. This is the name of window viewed at that particular window viewed at that particular moment.moment.

It has also has a menu bar and a It has also has a menu bar and a viewing area.viewing area. Return to indexReturn to index


The following can be done to a The following can be done to a window;window;– DraggedDragged– Resized i.e. minimise, restored and Resized i.e. minimise, restored and

maximise.maximise. Minimise reduces a window to the Minimise reduces a window to the

taskbar.taskbar. Restore makes smaller but does not Restore makes smaller but does not

take the page to the taskbar.take the page to the taskbar. Return to indexReturn to index


Maximise causes a window to fit that Maximise causes a window to fit that whole screen.whole screen.

– Closed and opened.Closed and opened.

The next slide shows a windows.The next slide shows a windows.




Title area

Standard Buttons

Address bar

Viewing area

System Buttons


1.1. System button;System button;• Consists of the minimise, restore and Consists of the minimise, restore and

maximise and close buttons.maximise and close buttons.

2.2. Title area;Title area;• Shows the name of a program, file or folder Shows the name of a program, file or folder

that is being viewed.that is being viewed.

3.3. Standard buttons;Standard buttons;• Has menus such as the back and forward, a Has menus such as the back and forward, a

button for search, favorites button and these button for search, favorites button and these buttons are shortcuts that can be added or buttons are shortcuts that can be added or removed or activated or deactivated.removed or activated or deactivated.Return to indexReturn to index


4.4. Address bar;Address bar;• It enables a user to search for a folder It enables a user to search for a folder

or file.or file.

5.5. Viewing area;Viewing area;• This is the are were the content is This is the are were the content is

displayed.displayed.



Programs minimised to the taskbar



My Computer Window is restoredReturn to indexReturn to index


My Computer Window is now maximised



USING THE MOUSEUSING THE MOUSE

A mouse is an input device that can A mouse is an input device that can either be part of a computer or be either be part of a computer or be plugged on to a computer using a plugged on to a computer using a cable.cable.

A mouse is the one responsible for A mouse is the one responsible for the movement of an object on the movement of an object on screen called cursor.screen called cursor.

When a mouse is part of a computer it is When a mouse is part of a computer it is called a touch pad. Here no cables are called a touch pad. Here no cables are required.required.

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On the other hand, a mice can be a On the other hand, a mice can be a peripheral device that requires peripheral device that requires plugging. These usually are made to fit plugging. These usually are made to fit a palm of a user with buttons called a palm of a user with buttons called mouse buttons already fitted and a mouse buttons already fitted and a wheel to allow the movement. wheel to allow the movement.

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Mouse wheel

Left mouse button

Right mouse buttonTouchpad

Left mouse button

Right mousebutton

Image 1. Mouse Image 2. Touchpad

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Uses of a mouseUses of a mouse

It is used for communication between It is used for communication between a user and a computer. a user and a computer. Communication is done when you Communication is done when you point and click on something on the point and click on something on the screen.screen.– Pointing means taking the cursor and Pointing means taking the cursor and

placing it on the text or object.placing it on the text or object.– Clicking on the other hand involves Clicking on the other hand involves

pressing the mouse buttons or on of the pressing the mouse buttons or on of the two buttons next to a touch pad. two buttons next to a touch pad. Return to index


Clicking can be left clicking or right Clicking can be left clicking or right clicking.clicking.

– Left clicking is in two ways. Clicking which is Left clicking is in two ways. Clicking which is pressing the left button once, double clicking pressing the left button once, double clicking which is pressing the button twice quickly which is pressing the button twice quickly and triple clicking which is pressing the and triple clicking which is pressing the button three times quickly. This button is button three times quickly. This button is used for;used for;

Selecting text or objects. Opposite for Selecting text or objects. Opposite for selecting is deselecting.selecting is deselecting.

Dragging or moving text or objects.Dragging or moving text or objects. Opening programs or applications.Opening programs or applications.Return to index


Closing programs or applications.Closing programs or applications.– Right clicking involves pressing the right Right clicking involves pressing the right

mouse button once. This button does the mouse button once. This button does the following;following;

Brings up a Popup menu. This can be Brings up a Popup menu. This can be when you click on a program or in the when you click on a program or in the blank space any where on the computer.blank space any where on the computer.

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It allows an arrow on the screen called It allows an arrow on the screen called a cursor to move.a cursor to move.– Using this arrow you can drag an Using this arrow you can drag an

object or textobject or text

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PracticePractice

1.1. Selecting;Selecting;a.a. Move the cursor and point on an Move the cursor and point on an

object called My Computer.object called My Computer.

b.b. Press the left mouse button once or Press the left mouse button once or click once.click once.

The object is selected.The object is selected.

c.c. Move the cursor away and deselect Move the cursor away and deselect by pressing the left mouse button. by pressing the left mouse button.

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2.2. Dragging or moving;Dragging or moving;a.a. Move the cursor on and point on Move the cursor on and point on

My Computer.My Computer.b.b. Press down the left mouse and Press down the left mouse and

without releasing it move the without releasing it move the mouse. If you are using a touchpad mouse. If you are using a touchpad move your finger on it to allow the move your finger on it to allow the cursor drag to My Computer to a cursor drag to My Computer to a different position.different position.

c.c. Release the mouse button.Release the mouse button.Return to index


3.3. Opening a program or Opening a program or application #1A;application #1A;

a.a. Move the cursor to My Computer.Move the cursor to My Computer.

b.b. Double-click. My Computer opens.Double-click. My Computer opens.

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3.3. Closing a program or application Closing a program or application #1B;#1B;

a.a. Move the cursor and point on the Move the cursor and point on the X X sign found at right top corner of My sign found at right top corner of My Computer.Computer.

b.b. Click or press the left mouse Click or press the left mouse button once. My Computer closes.button once. My Computer closes.

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4.4. Opening a program or Opening a program or application #2A;application #2A;

a.a. Move the cursor to My Computer.Move the cursor to My Computer.

b.b. Right-click. A menu appears. Right-click. A menu appears.

c.c. On the menu move to open and On the menu move to open and click. My Computer opens.click. My Computer opens.

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12

3

Right-click a target + left-click a target on the menu = Open=1 + 32

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4.4. Closing a program or application Closing a program or application #2B;#2B;

a.a. Move the cursor and point on the Move the cursor and point on the X X sign found at right top corner of My sign found at right top corner of My Computer.Computer.

b.b. Click or press the left mouse Click or press the left mouse button once. My Computer closes.button once. My Computer closes.

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FOLDERS AND FILESFOLDERS AND FILES

FolderFolder– This is a container like object that is This is a container like object that is

used as a storage media for files and used as a storage media for files and other folders called subfolders.other folders called subfolders.

– For example My Documents folder. It For example My Documents folder. It contains subfolders and files.contains subfolders and files.

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An example of a folder.


Files

Folders



FileFile– It is a collection of numbers, letters, It is a collection of numbers, letters,

symbols that are connected or symbols that are connected or related.related.

– A file as shown in the My Documents A file as shown in the My Documents image above can either be musical, image above can either be musical, word document, PowerPoint word document, PowerPoint presentation etc.presentation etc.



Creating a folder;Creating a folder;– On the desktop where there is no On the desktop where there is no

icon or anything, right-click.icon or anything, right-click.– On the popup menu choose New.On the popup menu choose New.– From New click on folder. A selected From New click on folder. A selected

folder with a default name folder with a default name new new folderfolder appears. appears.

– Do not click anywhere. On the Do not click anywhere. On the keyboard type the name.keyboard type the name.



– Once you finish click enter or click away Once you finish click enter or click away from the folder in the empty space.from the folder in the empty space.

Renaming a folder;Renaming a folder;– Right-click the you want to rename.Right-click the you want to rename.– On the menu click move down to On the menu click move down to

rename and click. The current is rename and click. The current is selected.selected.

– Type the new name and press enter on Type the new name and press enter on the keyboard.the keyboard. Return to indexReturn to index

basic skills for bigginners

Documents

computer window

index power button

restored return

maximised return

computer program

computer standby

restart computer

particular computer