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

ESCAPE KEY BACKSPACE KEY DELETE KEY

Will sometimes get you out of Will delete the letter Will delete the letter
trouble – doesn’t always work immediately to the left of the immediately to the right of the
but worth a try. insertion point. insertion point.

TAB KEY

For moving across

the page at
selected intervals

CAPS LOCK KEY ENTER/RETURN KEY

For typing all capital For moving down the page.

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

SHIFT KEY SPACEBAR

Hold down to create a
capital letter. Or symbols at
the top of the keys i.e. £ % ?
+&
CONTROL KEY
Used to create spaces
When pressed with between letters.
another key performs a
certain task. i.e. pressing
Ctrl and Enter together
will create a new page,
Operating Systems (Microsoft Windows)

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.

Icons

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

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.

Documents

Folders

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

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.

New folder ready to be renamed

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

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.