INTRODUCTION TO ICT, COMPUTER AND WINDOWS

Introduction to I.C.T. and Computer

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (I.C.T) ICT is an acronym that stands for Information Communications Technology

Inform Informati ation on Commu Communic nicati ation on Tech Technol nology ogy (I.C.T (I.C.T)) is the study, study, desig design, n, development, development, implementation, implementation, support or management of computer-based computer-based informat information ion systems, systems, particu particularl larly y software software applicat applications ions and compute computer r hardware. A good way to think about ICT is to consider all the uses of digital technology that already exist to help individuals, businesses and organisations organisations use information. ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form. For example, personal computers, digital television, email, robots. So ICT is concerned with the storage, retrieval , manipulation , transmission or receipt of digital data. Importantly, it is also concerned with the way these different uses can work with each other. In business, ICT is often categorised categorised into two broad types of product: 1. The traditional computer-based technologies (things you can typically do on a personal computer or using computers at home or at work); and 2. The more more recent recent and fast-gr fast-growi owing ng range range of digital communication technologies (which allow people and organisations to communicate and share information digitally). Under these two categories, there are products and ideas that are covered by ICT. Traditional Computer Based Technologies


These types of ICT include: Application

Use

Standard Office Applications - Main Examples E.g. Microsoft Word: Write letters, reports etc Word processing Spreadsheet E.g. Microsoft Excel; Analyse financial information; calculations; create forecasting models etc s E.g. Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, Access; Managing data in Database many forms, from basic lists (e.g. customer contacts through software to complex material (e.g. catalogue) Presentation E.g. Microsoft PowerPoint; make presentations, either directly using a computer screen or data projector. Publish in software digital format via email or over the Internet I nternet Desktop publishing

E.g. E.g. Adobe Adobe Indesig Indesign, n, Quark Quark Express Express,, Microso Microsoft ft Publish Publisher; er; produce newsletters, magazines and other complex documents.

Graphics software

E.g Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator; Macromedia Freehand and Fireworks; create and edit images such as logos, draw drawin ings gs or pict pictur ures es for for use use in DTP, DTP, web web site sitess or othe other r publications

Specialist Applications - Examples E.g. Sage, Oracle; Manage an organisation's accounts Accounting including revenues/sales, purchases, bank accounts etc. A package wide range of systems is available ranging from basic packages suitable for small businesses through to sophisticated ones aimed at multinational m ultinational companies. Computer Aided Design Customer Relations Managemen t (CRM)

Computer Aided Design (CAD) is the use of computers to assist the design process. Specialised CAD programs exist for many types of design: architectural, engineering, electronics, roadways Software that allows businesses to better understand their customers by collecting and analysing data on them such as their product preferences, buying habits etc. Often linked to software applications that run call centres and loyalty cards


These types of ICT include: Application

Use

Standard Office Applications - Main Examples E.g. Microsoft Word: Write letters, reports etc Word processing Spreadsheet E.g. Microsoft Excel; Analyse financial information; calculations; create forecasting models etc s E.g. Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, Access; Managing data in Database many forms, from basic lists (e.g. customer contacts through software to complex material (e.g. catalogue) Presentation E.g. Microsoft PowerPoint; make presentations, either directly using a computer screen or data projector. Publish in software digital format via email or over the Internet I nternet Desktop publishing

E.g. E.g. Adobe Adobe Indesig Indesign, n, Quark Quark Express Express,, Microso Microsoft ft Publish Publisher; er; produce newsletters, magazines and other complex documents.

Graphics software

E.g Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator; Macromedia Freehand and Fireworks; create and edit images such as logos, draw drawin ings gs or pict pictur ures es for for use use in DTP, DTP, web web site sitess or othe other r publications

Specialist Applications - Examples E.g. Sage, Oracle; Manage an organisation's accounts Accounting including revenues/sales, purchases, bank accounts etc. A package wide range of systems is available ranging from basic packages suitable for small businesses through to sophisticated ones aimed at multinational m ultinational companies. Computer Aided Design Customer Relations Managemen t (CRM)

Computer Aided Design (CAD) is the use of computers to assist the design process. Specialised CAD programs exist for many types of design: architectural, engineering, electronics, roadways Software that allows businesses to better understand their customers by collecting and analysing data on them such as their product preferences, buying habits etc. Often linked to software applications that run call centres and loyalty cards


for example.

The C part of ICT refers to the communication of data by electronic means, usually over some distance. This is often achieved via networks of sending and receiving equipment, wires and satellite links. The technologies involved in communication tend to be complex. You certainly don't need to understand them for your ICT course. However, there are aspects of digital communications that you need to be aware of. typess of ne netw twor ork k and the ways of These These relat relatee prima primaril rily y to the type connecting connecting to the Internet. Types of Network Internal networks Usually referred to as a local area network (LAN), this involves linking a number of hardware items (input and output devices plus computer processing) together together within an office or building. The aim of a LAN is to be able to share hardware facilities such as printers or scanners, software applications and data. This type of network is invaluable in the office environment where colleagues need to have access to common data or programmes. programmes. External networks Often Often you you need need to commu communic nicat atee with with someo someone ne outsid outsidee your your inter internal nal network; in this case you will need to be part of a Wide Area Network (WAN). The Internet is the ultimate WAN - it is a vast network of networks.

ICT in a Broader Context


ICT will almost certainly cover the above examples of ICT in action, perhaps focusing on the use of key applications such as spreadsheets, databases, databases, presentation, presentation, graphics and web design software. It will also consider the following important topics that deal with the way ICT is used and managed in an organisation: The nature of information ( the the "I" in ICT): This covers topics such as the meaning and value of information; how information information is controlled; the limitations limitations of ICT; legal considerations considerations Management of information information:: This covers how data is captured, verified and stored for effective use; the manipul manipulatio ation, n, processin processing g and distribut distribution ion of informat information; ion; keeping keeping information information secure; designing networks to share information information Information systems strategy: strategy : This considers how ICT can be used within a business or organisation as part of achieving achieving goals and objectives

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER WHAT IS A COMPUTER


Computers are not very intelligent devices, but they handle instructions flawlessly and fast. They must follow explicit directions from both the user and computer programmer. Computers are really nothing more than a very powerful calculator with some great accessories. Applications like word processing and games are just a very complex math problem. A computer can be defined as an electronic device which is capable of accepting data as input, process the data with a set of prescribed instructions called a program to produce accurate results which is information in a short period of time. It has the added capability of storing the processed information, which could be retrieved when required for future reference. COMPUTER BOOTING Booting your computer is the process of powering it on and starting the operating system.

There are too types of booting in computer. These include: Cold booting: when the computer is started after having been

switched off. Warm booting: when the operating system alone is restarted (without being switched off) after a system crash or 'freeze.' Both types of booting clear out (for the time being) the bugs, bombs, memory conflicts, and other idiosyncrasies of the operating system.

DATA AND INFORMATION Data Think of data as a "raw material" - it needs to be processed before it can be turned into something useful. Hence the need for "data processing".


Data comes in many forms - numbers, words, symbols. Data relates to transactions, events and facts. On its own - it is not very useful. Think of the data that is created when you buy a product from a retailer. This might includes: – Time and date of transaction (e.g. 10:05 Tuesday 23 December 2003) – Transaction value (e.g. £55.00) – Facts about what was bought (e.g. hairdryer, cosmetics pack, shaving foam) and how much was bought (quantities) – How payment was made (e.g. credit card, credit card number and code) – Which employee recorded the sale – Whether any promotional discount applied At its simplest, this data needs processing at the point of sale in order for the customer to receive a valid receipt. So the data about the transaction is processed to create "information" - in this case a receipt. Information Information is data that has been processed in such a way as to be meaningful to the person who receives it. Similarly, information is a processed data. Data Processing Data processing is any process that uses a computer program to enter data and summarise, analyse or otherwise convert data into usable information. The process may be automated and run on a computer. It involves recording, analysing, sorting, summarising, calculating, disseminating and storing data. Because data is most useful when wellpresented and actually informative, data-processing systems are often referred to as information systems. CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS


Computers can be classified into three main groups namely; Mainframe Computer Mini Computer Micro or Personal Computer (PC) MAINFRAME COMPUTERS They are relatively Centralized large computers built to handle very large databases, thousands of user terminals with fast response times, and millions of transactions. Mainframes (often colloquially referred to as big iron) are large and "expensive" computers used mainly by government institutions and large companies for mission critical applications, typically bulk data processing such as censuses, industry/consumer statistics and bank transaction processing. MINI COMPUTERS Minicomputers (colloquially, mini) came after the Mainframes. Though centralized, they are smaller in size and capacity compared to the mainframes. It can also be referred to be a largely obsolete term for a class of multi-user computers which make up the middle range of the computing spectrum. MICROCOMPUTERS Microcomputers or PC's as they are often called, are abundant on our desks, tables, offices, suitcases, everywhere. This is the most visible form of computers in the present world and comes in all forms and breeds. There are many generations of particular design and technical specifications from the start of this particular design. Examples of micro computers are the Desktops and portable computers Desktop Computers Desktop computers are made up of individual components, such as a monitor, a keyboard, a system unit, and a printer. Desktop computers are not portable and are generally placed on the surface of a desk or a table. The components of desktop computers can easily be replaced or upgraded. Desktop computers usually have more memory, a larger hard


drive, more ports, and a bigger display than laptops and other portable computers. Desktop computers can run continuously for long periods of time. Portable Computers The main feature of laptop computers is that they are small and portable. As the name suggests, these can easily be placed on the lap of a user. Desktop computers run on electricity only, while laptop computers run on electricity or on batteries that can be recharged. However, laptop computers consume more power than desktop computers with a similar hardware setup. Laptop computers perform the same tasks as desktop computers, but laptop computers generally cost more than desktop computers. 

Laptop computers are lightweight personal computers. Laptop computers are smaller in size as compared to a desktop computer and are designed for travel. Laptop computers are also called notebook computers. Handheld (PALM) computers are devices used for specific everyday tasks, such as managing personal data. These are smaller than laptops and provide fewer features compared to desktop computers or laptops. These can also perform basic word-processing activities and help you access the Internet. Several handheld computer models can also work as cellular phones or digital cameras. Tablet computers are fully functional computers that allow you to write directly on the screen by using a tablet pen. You can also use the tablet pen to perform mouse functions. Tablet computers, therefore, do not need a keyboard and a mouse.

HARDWARE The hardware are the parts of computer itself including the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and related microchips and micro-circuitry, keyboards, monitors, case and drives (hard, CD, DVD, floppy, optical, tape, etc.). Other extra parts called peripheral components or devices


include mouse, printers, modems, scanners, digital cameras and cards (sound, colour, and video) etc. Together they are often referred to as a personal computer. Central Processing Unit The thinking part of the brain of the computer is the CPU or Central Processing Unit. This component provides all the control and manages calculations and manipulation of data.

Computer manufacturers are always trying to squeeze more speed and multiprocessing capability (doing multiple things at the same time) out of it. This has led to the dual core or multiple core CPU which is popular today. A core is basically a computer so that a dual core computer is really 2 computers in one. Computer speed is usually measured in GHz which means Gigahertz which in turn means billions of cycles per second. The basic idea is that the higher the number of cycles, the faster the computer is. Today the computer manufacturers are depending on the combined power of multiple cores to provide the power instead of the number of GHz. Though the term relates to a specific chip or the processor a CPU's performance is determined by the rest of the computer's circuitry and chips. Currently the Pentium chip or processor, made by Intel, is the most common CPU though there are many other companies that produce processors for personal computers. Examples are the CPU made by Motorola and AMD. Keyboard The keyboard is used to type information into the


computer or input information. There are many different keyboard layouts and. The standard keyboard has 101 keys. Notebooks have embedded keys accessible by special keys or by pressing key combinations (CTRL or Command and P for example). Ergonomically designed keyboards are designed to make typing easier. Hand held devices have various and different keyboard configurations and touch screens. Some of the keys have a special use. There are referred to as command keys. The 3 most common are the Control or CTRL, Alternate or Alt and the Shift keys though there can be more (the Windows key for example or the Command key). Each key on a standard keyboard has one or two characters. Press the key to get the lower character and hold Shift to get the upper. Removable Storage and/or Disk Drives All disks need a drive to get information off - or read - and put information on the disk - or write. Each drive is designed for a specific type of disk whether it is a CD, DVD, hard disk or floppy. Often the term 'disk' and 'drive' are used to describe the same thing but it helps to understand that the disk is the storage device which contains computer files - or software - and the drive is the mechanism that runs the disk. Digital flash drives work slightly differently as they use memory cards to store information so there are no moving parts. Digital cameras also use Flash memory cards to store information, in this case photographs. Hand held devices use digital drives and many also use memory cards. Mouse Most modern computers today are run using a mouse controlled pointer. Generally, the mouse has two buttons; the left one is used to select objects and text and the right one is used to access menus.


One type of mouse has a round ball under the bottom of the mouse that rolls and turns two wheels which control the direction of the pointer on the screen. Another type of mouse uses an optical system to track the movement of the mouse. Laptop computers use touch pads, buttons and other devices to control the pointer. Hand held’s use a combination of devices to control the pointer, including touch screens. Note: It is important to clean the mouse periodically, particularly if it becomes sluggish. A ball type mouse has a small circular panel that can be opened, allowing you to remove the ball. Mouse Techniques Mouse Pointer – Point – Left click – Right click – Drag – Double click

Monitors The monitor shows information on the screen when you type. This is called outputting information. When the computer needs more information it will display a message on the screen, usually through a dialog box. Monitors come in many types and sizes. The resolution of the monitor determines the sharpness of the screen. The resolution can be adjusted to control the screen's display.


To get the full benefit of today's software with full colour graphics and animation, computers need a colour monitor with a display or graphics card.

Printers The printer takes the information on your screen and transfers it to paper or a hard copy. There are many different types of printers with various levels of quality. The three basic types of printer are; dot matrix, inkjet, and laser. ✔

Dot matrix printers work like a typewriter transferring ink from a ribbon to paper with a series or 'matrix' of tiny pins.

✔

Ink jet printers work like dot matrix printers but fire a stream of ink from a cartridge directly onto the paper.

✔

Laser printers use the same technology as a photocopier using heat to transfer toner onto paper.

Modem A modem is used to translate information transferred through telephone lines, cable or line-of-site wireless.

The term stands for modulate and demodulate which changes the signal from digital, which computers use, to analogue, which telephones use and then back again. Digital modems transfer digital information directly without changing to analogue. Modems are measured by the speed that the information is transferred. The measuring tool is called the baud rate. Originally modems worked at speeds below 2400 baud but today analogue speeds of 56,000 are


standard. Cable, wireless or digital subscriber lines can transfer information much faster with rates of 300,000 baud and up. Anyone who has used the Internet has noticed that at times the information travels at different speeds. Depending on the amount of information that is being transferred, the information will arrive at it's destination at different times. The amount of information that can travel through a line is limited. This limit is called bandwidth. There are many more variables involved in communication technology using computers, much of which is covered in the section on the Internet. Scanners Scanners allow you to transfer pictures and photographs to your computer. A scanner 'scans' the image from the top to the bottom, one line at a time and transfers it to the computer as a series of bits or a bitmap. You can then take that image and use it in a paint program, send it out as a fax or print it.

Digital cameras allow you to take digital photographs. The images are stored on a memory chip or disk that can be transferred to your computer. Some cameras can also capture sound and video. The System Unit The case houses the microchips and circuitry that run the computer. Desktop models usually sit under the monitor and Tower models beside. They come in many sizes, including desktop, mini, midi, and full tower. There is usually room inside to expand or add components at a later time. By removing the cover off the case you may find plate covered empty slots that allow you to add cards. There are various types of slots including IDE, ASI, USB, PCI and Firewire slots.


Depending on the type notebook computers may have room to expand. Most Notebooks also have connections or ports that allow expansion or connection to exterior, peripheral devices such as monitor, portable harddrives or other devices. Cards Cards are components added to computers to increase their capability. When adding a peripheral device makes sure that your computer has a slot of the type needed by the device. Sound cards allow computers to produce sound like music and voice. Though the human ear can't distinguish the fine difference between sounds produced by the more powerful sound card they allow for more complex music and music production. Colour cards allow computers to produce colour (with a colour monitor of course). The first colour cards were 2 bit which produced 4 colours [CGA]. It was amazing what could be done with those 4 colours. Next came 4 bit allowing for 16 [EGA and VGA] colours. Then came 16 bit allowing for 1064 colours and then 24 bit which allows for almost 17 million colours and now 32 bit and higher allow monitors to display almost a billion separate colours. Video cards allow computers to display video and animation. Some video cards allow computers to display television as well as capture frames from video. A video card with a digital video camera allows computers users to produce live video. A high speed connection is required for effective video transmission. Network cards allow computers to connect together to communicate with each other. Network cards have connections for cable, thin wire or wireless networks. For more information see the section on Networks.


Cables connect internal components to the Motherboard, which is a board with series of electronic path ways and connections allowing the CPU to communicate with the other components of the computer.

SOFTWARE Computer software, or software, is the collection of computer programs and related data that provide the instructions telling a computer what to do. The term was coined to contrast to the old term hardware (meaning physical devices). In contrast to hardware, software is intangible, meaning it "cannot be touched". Software is also sometimes used in a more narrow sense, meaning application software only. TYPES OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE System Software (Operating System) Application Software (Programmes) System Software (Operating System) An Operating System is a suite of programs that acts as a platform or takes over the operation of the computer to the extent of being able to allow a number of programs to run on the computer without any human intervention. The process of loading the operating system to prepare the


computer for use is known as Booting the computer. The operating system provides an interface between the user or application progammes and Hardware itself to control and manage the operations of the computer. To run a programme, the first thing needed is to run the operating system. Examples of operating systems are MSDOS (Disk Operating System) and Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows NT, Novell NetWare and Unix etc. The two types of Operating system software are Graphical User Interface (GUI) e.g. Windows and Test Interface e.g. MS-Dos Application Software (Programmes) These are programmes that help the user to perform a task, such as creating documents, performing calculations, making presentations, sending mails and faxes etc. Examples of Application Software include Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Desktop Publishing/Graphics, Database, etc. THE MOTHER BOARD Even though the processor is the brain of the operation, without a Motherboard all you will have is a cluster of components, which do not fit each other. Consider the motherboard as the skeleton or a computer where parts, similar to human organs, fit within it. All motherboards share some basic elements. All motherboards must include an integrated chipset, which establishes the types of components that are compatible with it. All Motherboards must accommodate at least 1 CPU, capabilities for some type storage device, as well as some common input/output devices such as keyboard and mouse. Every motherboard includes BIOS (Basic Input/ Output System) chip, which performs system checks at boot-up time of the system. The BIOS also provides the means of communication between the processor and installed peripherals. Most BIOS’s allow a limited amount of customization such as power-saving functions and even password protection for the system even before the operating system (OS) loads as a method of protecting your computer from unauthorized users.


THE HARD DISK The function of the hard disk drive is to provide convenient persistent storage for data and programs. By persistent I mean that the information will survive when the power to the computer is turned off. Hard disks provide convenient storage for large amounts of data as it is always accessible. You don't have to find and insert the next floppy disk, or data storage tape. Be aware that hard drives do not provide permanent storage. Lots of things can go wrong and your data can be lost. You simply must look at it this way... If you don't backup your data, obviously you don't really want it! It can and ultimately will be lost without warning. THE FLOPPY DISK The floppy disk drive works on the same principals as a hard disk drive, however it cannot record at such high data densities as the hard disk drive. This is because of the nature of the disk material, and because it is not rigid, nor fixed to the drive motor.

Floppy disks are made of Mylar coated with a magnetic material and enclosed in a rigid plastic case. Earlier floppy disks were larger and had a much more flexible plastic case. They were truly floppy and could easily be damaged. Floppy disk drives are the slowest type of disk drive you can get. THE CD-ROM DRIVE CD-ROMs encode data by having small areas either strongly reflective to light or


non-reflective to light. To read this data, a CD-ROM drive employs a laser diode to emit an infrared light beam which is reflected onto a track on the CD-ROM by a mirror that is positioned by a motor. The light reflected by the disc is gathered and directed by a system of lenses to a photo detector that converts the reflected light pulses into an electrical signal, which is then decoded by the drive electronics and sent to the motherboard. These devices are slower than hard disks, but much faster than floppy disks. HOW COMPUTERS WORK S Information Data (RawDevice Material) (Output) Processing Memory/Storage Output Input Processor Device

CPU/Brain

Input Information and programs are entered into the computer through Input devices such as the keyboard, disks, or through other computers via network connections or modems connected to the Internet. The input device also retrieves information off disks. Output Output Devices displays information on the screen (monitor) or the printer and sends information to other computers. They also display messages about what errors may have occurred and brings up message or


dialog box asking for more information to be input. The output device also saves information on the disk for future use. Processing The CPU or central processing unit is sometimes called the Control Unit and directs the operation of the input and output devices. The Coprocessor or the Arithmetic-Logic Unit does arithmetic and comparisons. The memory or RAM temporarily stores information (files and programs) while you are using or working on them. The BIOS or basic input/output system controls the dialogue between the various devices.

Input Devices An input device is any peripheral (piece of computer hardware equipment) used to provide data and control signals to an information processing system (such as a computer). Input and output devices make up the hardware interface between a computer as a scanner. E.g. of input devices are Mouse, keyboard, microphone, webcam, etc. Output Devices An output device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to communicate the results of data processing carried out by an information processing system (such as a computer) to the outside world.

In computing, input/output, or I/O, refers to the communication between an information processing system (such as a computer), and the outside world. Inputs are the signals or data sent to the system, and outputs are the signals or data sent by the system to the outside. Examples of output devices:  Speaker  Headphones  Screen (Monitor)

Introduction to I.C.T. and Computer 

Printer

Storage Devices Storage Devices are the data storage devices that are used in the computers to store the data. The computer has many types of data storage devices. Some of them can be classified as the removable data Storage Devices and the others as the non removable data Storage Devices.

The storage devices are one of the most important components of the computer system. The memory is of two types; one is the primary memory and the other one is the secondary memory. The primary memory is the volatile memory and the secondary memory is the non volatile memory. The volatile memory is the kind of the memory that is erasable and the non volatile memory is the one where in the contents cannot be erased. Basically when we talk about the data storage devices it is generally assumed to be the secondary memory. The secondary memory is used to store the data permanently in the computer. The secondary storage devices are as follows: hard disk drives, floppy disk drives, the CD ROM, and the DVD ROM. The flash memory, the USB data card etc. The storage devices are used to record the data over any storage surface. The memories may also be of different types depending upon the architecture and the design like the optical data storage memory, magnetic media storage and the mechanical storage media etc and also the flash memory devices etc. The data in the storage devices can be in the form of the files, databases, digital video and the audio etc. The storage devices that are called as the non volatile can store the data permanently until otherwise erased purposely. This is in the case of the hard disk drives or the floppy disk drives.


The other kinds of the storage media like for example the CD and the DVD can even have again two types of the storage; the first one is that in which the data once written cannot be erased. It is stored permanently over it. While the second type of the CD’s or the DVD’s are called as the rewritable; where in the data that is once written can be erased completely and the same storage device can be used again for storing the different data.

DATA ENTRY ENTER or RETURN - Moves the cursor down one line and to the left margin. Enter also process commands such as choosing an option in a dialog (message) boxes and submitting a form.

DEL or DELETE - Deletes the character at cursor and/or characters to the right of the cursor and all highlighted (or selected) text. BKSP or BACKSPACE - Deletes the character to the left of cursor and all highlighted text. SPACE BAR - Moves the cursor one space at a time to the right SHIFT KEY - Use the shift keys to type capital letters and to type the upper character on keys with two characters on them CAPS LOCK - Locks the keyboard so it types capital letters (a light goes on when caps lock is on) TAB - Moves the cursor five spaces to the right (number of spaces are usually adjustable). Tab moves to the next field in a form or table (ShiftTab for previous field).


ESC or ESCAPE - Cancels a menu or dialog box ARROW KEYS - Moves the cursor around document without changing text FUNCTION KEYS or F KEYS - Access commands by themselves or in combination with the three command keys; CTRL, SHIFT, and ALT

COMMAND OR SPECIAL KEYS Command keys normally do nothing on their own but work in combination with other keys. Each piece of software uses the command keys differently though there is a move to standardize some functions. The Control key or Ctrl is often used to access commands. The Alternative key or Alt is often used to access menus. The Shift key is used to type CAPITAL LETTERS. As well the command keys are all used to move through documents and edit text faster and easier. As well many computers have Special keys design specifically for the particular computer. Apple computers have the Apple keys and Macs have Command keys. Many keyboards now have a Windows key specifically for Windows 9x and newer systems. Many older computers also have special keys used for a variety of different functions.

Some Notebook or Laptop keys are left out because of space limitations and they usually have a Special function key which allows other keys to double for the missing ones. BASIC TYPING RULES Place one space between each word, after a punctuation mark and at the end of a sentence. Always start a sentence with a capital letter. Use capitals for names, addresses, provinces and countries, places, organizations, businesses, associations, schools, colleges, universities,


days of the week, months, holidays, nationalities, ethnic groups and languages. Learning the keyboard is the first step to learning computers. Learning involves practice. It really is as simple as that. There are two kinds of typing. The first is called Touch Typing. The Touch Typist uses the Home Keys (ASDF for the left hand and JKL; for the right) and all the fingers on both hands as well as the thumbs for the Space Bar while typing. There are many commercial and public domain programs that are designed to teach this method. The other method is some times called 'Hunt and Peck' or depending on finger strength 'Search and Destroy'. This involves using one or more fingers on one or two hands to type. It is a perfectly acceptable way of using a computer and many people get along fine with this technique. PERIPHERAL DEVICES A peripheral is a device attached to a host computer but not part of it, and is more or less dependent on the host. It expands the host's capabilities, but does not form part of the core computer architecture.

Examples are computer printers, image scanners, tape drives, microphones, loudspeakers, webcams, and digital cameras. Whether something is a peripheral or part of a computer is not always clearly demarcated. A video capture card inside a computer case is not part of the core computer but is contained in the case. However, whether something can be considered a peripheral or not is a trivial matter of nomenclature, and is not a significant issue. THE COMPUTER MEMORY This is the part of the computer, which holds instructions and data within the computer or the electronic holding place for instructions and data that


your computer's microprocessor can reach quickly. It holds the computer’s thoughts and it is divided into two main parts namely the ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory).

Read Only Memory (ROM) This part of the memory remembers information permanently. The information in this part of the memory is remembered even when the power is turned off. One can only read the information but cannot change it. Random Access Memory (RAM) The data that the computer receives and the information that the computer processes are kept in the RAM during the work section. It remembers the information temporarily. When the computer is switched off the information in the RAM is deleted thus it is advisable to save the work on a disk to avoid losing ones work. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT The information stored in the computer is internally represented in the form of 0s and 1s. Each 0 or 1 is called a bit. A combination of eight bits is called a byte.

1 character (8 Bits)

=

1 byte

1024 bytes

=

1 Kilobytes

1024 Kilobytes

=

1 megabyte

1024 megabyte

=

1 Gigabyte

1024 Gigabyte

=

1 Terabyte


INTRODUCTION TO MICROSOFT WINDOWS Windows Operating System Microsoft Windows is a Graphical User Interface (GUI). This is a screen that appears when you start a computer, containing all the choices available to you. You interact with the GUI using a mouse to move an on-screen pointer. You choose an option by clicking the left mouse button once, sometimes twice in quick succession (a double-click). You can also use the pointer to mark bits of text or graphics that you want to copy, move or delete, to draw diagrams or pictures, to move items on the screen, and carry out various tasks in different applications (i.e. programs). Microsoft Windows is the GUI used by most IBM compatible PCs. The Windows Desktop


In the above figure, you can see an example of the Windows XP desktop. When you first switch on your machine and Windows XP loads, it will look similar to that shown in our example (although Windows XP by default has a picture for the desktop background). Desktop refers to the main background area (in our example the white area). You can customize your desktop in various ways, including adding a background picture, changing the background colour, and changing the size of the icons on the desktop. Desktop Icons Icons are small graphical images that can represent your computer's programs, files, folders and printers amongst other things as in the figure above.

To activate the program/file/folder that an icon represents you simply double click (two clicks in quick succession) on it with the left mouse button. This will activate the icon and either start a program or open a file/folder. The icons on your desktop can be renamed by right clicking on them and selecting rename. They can be deleted by right clicking and selecting delete. It's possible to create your own Windows desktop icons for programs, files, folders, etc. In our example we have two icons. The outlook icon is for example purposes only; you may have different icons including My Documents, My Computer, My Network Places and the recycle bin icon.


Recycle Bin When you delete a file, Windows XP will place the file into the recycle bin (instead of deleting it altogether), this allows you to restore the file in case you deleted it by mistake.

For example, if you deleted a file by accident you could double click on the recycle bin icon to see its contents. Inside you will see the file/folder that you deleted, to restore the file back to where you deleted it from, right click on it and then select restore from the menu that appears. Keeping your Windows Desktop Tidy

The more you use Windows XP the more your desktop may start to fill up with icons, either because you install more software or you create your own icons. Windows XP can automatically align and sort your desktop icons to keep the desktop tidy. To achieve this, click the right mouse button anywhere on the desktop and a menu will appear (similar to that shown in the figure above). Hover the mouse pointer over Arrange Icons By and a submenu will appear; from here you can sort your desktop icons by name, size, type and last


modified. Selecting the Auto Arrange option will automatically align your desktop icons every time one is added to the desktop. The Desktop Cleanup Wizard will remove any desktop shortcuts that have never been used. They get stored in a new folder on your desktop called Unused Desktop The Windows XP Start Button The start button is a very important part of Windows XP. Clicking on the start button opens up what is called the start menu; the start menu is used to access your programs, settings, printers and more. The Start button (at the bottom of the screen, on the Taskbar), allows you to run programs. A button appears on the Taskbar each time a program is started or a window opened.


The Start Button Menu Overview Here is an overview of the different options: Log off - Log off the current user. Turn off Computer - shutdown, restart and standby. All Programs - Access to installed programs. Run - Used to manually start executable files (programs). Search - Search your PC for pictures, music, documents, files and folders. Help and Support - Opens the built-in Windows help system, including various help and support topics. You can control windows updates and also request remote assistance from a friend/colleague via the internet or network. Printers and Faxes - Access to your printers and faxes folder, allows you to add and configure printers/faxes. Control Panel - The control panel is used to configure various Windows XP settings. We will be looking at the Win XP control panel in detail later in the tutorial. My Computer - Gives you access to your computer's disk drives and files. We will be looking more closely at the My Computer function later in the tutorial. My Music - Links to a folder created by Windows XP which is used (by default) to store any music files on your hard drive. My Pictures - Links to a folder (again created by Windows XP) used (by default) to store any pictures/images on your hard drive.


My Recent Documents - This folder contains any recently viewed documents. My Documents - Gives access to a folder created by Windows XP which is used (by default) to store any documents on your hard drive. Tour Windows XP - Starts the built-in tour of Windows XP's features. Windows Movie Maker - Opens Windows XP's movie editing software. Outlook Express - Opens the Outlook Express mail program. Files and Settings Transfer Wizard - Allows you to import or export your files and settings from or to a different installation of Windows XP. Note: some of the options have a small black arrow to their right, this means that another submenu will appear when you hover your mouse pointer over it The All programs Menu Overview When you hover the mouse over All Programs on the Start Menu, you will see a menu appear similar to that shown in the figure. The menu gives you access to the programs currently installed on your PC.

Your menu might be different from this example, as you will have different programs installed on your PC.


To open a program simply left click on it with the left mouse button. Notice some options have a small black arrow to the right hand side, this indicates that it contains another sub-menu. For example, the accessories folder in our example has a sub-menu, if you wanted to open a program from within the sub-menu, you would hover the mouse pointer over accessories and click on the program you want from the list that appears. You can rename any program on the menu by right clicking on it and selecting rename from the menu that appears. After installing new software it will (usually) appear on the programs menu. To remove a program from the All Programs menu simply right click on it and select delete. Note: if you want to uninstall a program then use the control panel to uninstall it. Overview of the TURN-OFF COMPUTER menu


If you click on the Turn Off Computer option on the start menu you will see a dialogue box like that shown in the figure. Below is a summary of the options available: Standby - This will put your computer into standby mode. Windows XP will power down components like the monitor and hard drive to preserve energy. Turn Off - Shuts down the PC, always use this option to turn off your PC. Restart - this will restart the computer.

The taskbar is another important part of the Windows XP operating system. One of its main uses is to switch between any open programs or documents; Window Tabs - The Windows tabs are used to switch between any open windows (programs, folders, documents, etc). In the figure above, we have 2 windows open (word and excel). You can switch between the windows by simply clicking on the corresponding window tab, clicking a second time on the same tab will minimise the window. Grouping Window Tabs - A nice feature of Windows XP is that, unlike previous versions of windows, when the taskbar fills up with window tabs it can group all files/windows within a single program into just one


window tab. In other words, if you have 2 documents open in Word; you will only have one tab on the taskbar (instead of 2). You can then access each document by left clicking on the tab and selecting the file/window you want from the menu that appears. This feature can be switched off by right clicking on the taskbar, clicking on properties and then unchecking the box next to Group similar taskbar buttons. System Tray - The system tray displays icons for programs that are loaded into memory, although not all programs place an icon in this tray. The Windows XP Clock The clock sits on the taskbar (see fig 1.1) and displays the system time. Hovering the mouse pointer over the clock will reveal the date, to learn how to change the time and date see our guide to changing the date/time in Win XP Changing the Date/Time in Windows The first thing to do is double click the clock on the taskbar; you will be presented with the Windows XP Date and Time Properties box.

In figure beside, you can see an example of a typical Windows XP Date and Time Properties box, we have pointed out the areas of interest. To adjust the date, use the monthly calendar (A) along with the month selector (B) and year selector (C).


To adjust the time, click on the part of the time you want to change (hour or minutes) (D) and then use the up and down arrows (E) to change it. To adjust the time zone click on the Time Zone tab (F) and then select your time zone from the selection tool provided. The Internet Time tab (G) allows you to synchronise your PC's clock with an internet server. The Program Window Every program window has a title bar, and a menu bar. The title bar identifies the contents of the window: it may be the name of a program running, or a file you are working on within a program (like a word processed document). If it is coloured, it shows that the window is active, i.e. that it is the one you are using right now. If it is grey, it shows that the window is inactive. You can also use the title bar to move windows on the screen. Put the pointer in the title bar, hold down the mouse button, and move the mouse, and the whole window will move.

At the right end of the title bar there are three buttons, a minimise button, a maximise/restore button and a close button. The minimise button will


reduce the window to a button on the taskbar. To change this button back to a window, click on the taskbar button. The maximise/restore button switches between a maximise button, which expands the window to fill the whole screen, and a restore button which returns the window to its original size. The close button closes the window, and quits the running program. The size of windows can be changed. When you place the pointer over the border of the window, it will change shape to a double-headed arrow; then the window border can be moved, by dragging (i.e. holding the left mouse button down and moving the mouse). The Menu Bar shows the headings for menus that will appear if the heading is clicked. A typical menu (File) options include Open, Save and Exit. If a window contains more information than can be displayed, a scroll bar will appear either at the side or bottom of the window, or both. The bar has arrow buttons at each end; clicking these will move the full contents of the window up and down or from side to side within the window, allowing all of it to be viewed. There is also a movable block on the scroll bar, which can be dragged to achieve the same end. Dialog Boxes Windows applications frequently have to ask the user for further information to complete an operation. Thus if you want to save a new file, you will be asked to supply a filename and to indicate the drive and directory where the file will be located. To make these requests, Windows applications use a dialog box. SAVE AND SAVE AS In most programs you will see a file drop down menu that has both a save and save as option on it. Most new computer users do not clearly see the difference between Save and Save as. They look very similar, sound like they do the same thing, but are not alike at all. They both are relating to


saving files onto your computer but can both have very different outcomes. When you are saving a file for the first time and press save you will see options on choosing a file name, file location, and file type. When you save a file that already has a previous version saved, with the exact filename, pressing save will overwrite that file. You will not see the same options as you did when you first pressed save on a new file. In fact you will most likely see absolutely nothing. It will just silently overwrite the original file. Pressing save as will again give you the options to change the file location, file type, and most importantly, the file name. This will allow you to save your file under a new name and avoid overwriting the original file. Savings a Document/File Saving your files keeps you from losing your work in the event of a crash or power failure, and lets you name your files so that you can easily find it again. You can also save the file in a format that is compatible with all versions of the application you plan on using to access it, later. 

Choose File => Save You can find File on the Menu bar near the top of the file that you want to save. If you’ve saved a document before, choosing File→Save saves the most recent changes to the document without having to go through the Save As dialog box settings again. However, if you want to save an existing document with another name or different settings (such as a new format), select File→Save As and enter the new information. The newly saved file doesn’t overwrite the original, but does create a new version.


Locate the folder where you want to save the file Locate the folder by using the Save In drop-down list or by clicking an icon along the left side, such as My Documents or My Computer.

If you’re saving a file and want to create a new folder to save it in, from within the Save As dialog box click the New Folder button, enter a folder name in the New Folder dialog box, click OK , and then Name the file In the File Name text box, enter a descriptive name for the file. Check the file's format If you want to save the file in the default application format, you don't have to do anything, but if you want to save the file in a format other than the default application format, open the Save as Type dropdown list and select the format. You might also look for a Save as Web Page command on many File menus. This allows you to publish a document in a format that will be readable by browsers if you post to a Web site. Click the Save button.


Clicking the Save button saves the file in the location you chose and with the name you specified.

WORD PROCESSING What Is Word-Processing? Word Processor is a Software package that enables you to create, edit, print and save documents for future retrieval and reference. Creating a document involves typing by using a keyboard and saving it. Editing a document involves correcting the spelling mistakes, if any, deleting or moving words sentences or paragraphs. Advantages of Word Processing One of the main advantages of a word processor over a conventional typewriter is that a word processor enables you to make changes to a document without retyping the entire document. Features of Word Processing Most Word Processor available today allows more than just creating and editing documents. They have wide range of other tools and functions, which are used in formatting the documents. The following are the main features of a Word Processor

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Text is typing into the computer, which allows alterations to be made easily. Words and sentences can be inserted, amended or deleted. Paragraphs or text can be copied /moved throughout the document. Margins and page length can be adjusted as desired. Spelling can be checked and modified through the spell check facility. Multiple document/files can be merged. Multiple copies of letters can be generated with different addresses through the mail-merge facility.

Some Common Word Processing Packages The followings are examples of some popular word processor available  SoftWord  WordStar  Word perfect  Microsoft word WINDOWS KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS General keyboard shortcuts  CTRL+C (Copy)  CTRL+X (Cut)  CTRL+V (Paste)  CTRL+Z (Undo)  DELETE (Delete)  SHIFT+DELETE (Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin)  CTRL while dragging an item (Copy the selected item)  CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item (Create a shortcut to the selected item)  F2 key (Rename the selected item)  CTRL+RIGHT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word)

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CTRL+LEFT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word) CTRL+DOWN ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph) CTRL+UP ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph) CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Highlight a block of text) SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document) CTRL+A (Select all) F3 key (Search for a file or a folder) ALT+ENTER (View the properties for the selected item) ALT+F4 (Close the active item, or quit the active program) ALT+ENTER (Display the properties of the selected object) ALT+SPACEBAR (Open the shortcut menu for the active window) CTRL+F4 (Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open simultaneously) ALT+TAB (Switch between the open items) ALT+ESC (Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened) F6 key (Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop) F4 key (Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer) SHIFT+F10 (Display the shortcut menu for the selected item) ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the System menu for the active window) CTRL+ESC (Display the Start menu) ALT + Underlined letter in a menu name (Display the corresponding menu) Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu (Perform the corresponding command) F10 key (Activate the menu bar in the active program) RIGHT ARROW (Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu)

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LEFT ARROW (Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu) F5 key (Update the active window) BACKSPACE (View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer) ESC (Cancel the current task) SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive (Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing) CTRL+SHIFT+ESC (Open Task Manager)

Microsoft natural keyboard shortcuts  Windows Logo (Display or hide the Start menu)  Windows Logo +BREAK (Display the System Properties dialog box)  Windows Logo + D (Display the desktop)  Windows Logo + M (Minimize all of the windows)  Windows Logo + SHIFT + M (Restore the minimized windows)  Windows Logo + E (Open My Computer)  Windows Logo + F (Search for a file or a folder)  CTRL+ Windows Logo +F (Search for computers)  Windows Logo+F1 (Display Windows Help)  Windows Logo+ L (Lock the keyboard)  Windows Logo +R (Open the Run dialog box)  Windows Logo +U (Open Utility Manager) THE INTERNET A global network connecting millions of computers. More than 100 countries are linked into exchanges of data, news and opinions. Unlike online services, which are centrally controlled, the Internet is decentralized by design. Each Internet computer, called a host, is independent. Its operators can choose which Internet services to use and which local services to make available to the global Internet community. Remarkably, this anarchy by design works exceedingly well. There are a variety of ways to access the Internet. Most online services, such as America Online, offer access to some Internet services. It is also possible to gain access through a commercial Internet Service Provider (ISP).


INTERNET ADVANTAGES There many advantages to using the internet such as:  Email Email is now an essential communication tools in business. It is also excellent for keeping in touch with family and friends. The advantages to email is that it is free (no charge per use) when compared to telephone, fax and postal services. 

Information There is a huge amount of information available on the internet for just about every subject known to man, ranging from government law and services, trade fairs and conferences, market information, new ideas and technical support. Services. Many services are now provided on the internet such as online banking, job seeking and applications, and hotel reservations. Often these services are not available off-line or cost more. Buy or sell products. The internet is a very effective way to buy and sell products all over the world.

Communities. Communities of all types have sprung up on the internet. It’s a great way to meet up with people of similar interest and discuss common issues. COMPUTER VIRUS Computer viruses are malicious computer programs. These are written with the sole intention of causing you grief or stealing your sensitive


information. A virus is a type of malware and this simply means that it's not beneficial for your computer. Not all computer programs are friendly. A virus is one example of nasty software which will make your computer less reliable and can even jeopardize your personal information. The Spread of Computer Viruses Computer viruses have been around for a long time. In the past they used to spread whenever people shared floppy disks. Before the internet, the sharing of programs and data on floppy disks was very common. Nowadays most viruses are spread through the internet. The internet has made viruses spread much quicker and what once took days now takes hours. Computer viruses can replicate themselves and infect other files on your computer. This means that if your PC is infected with a virus then whatever files you share with other people could contain the virus. Computer Virus Risk Computer viruses are a major concern for anyone using a computer. There are a number of serious risks caused by these programs. Computer viruses will start to make your computer misbehave. Some viruses are harmless and simply make your computer do something slightly annoying.

However, there are also a number of very dangerous viruses which can put your entire identity at risk. Identity theft is a major threat which can affect anyone when they least expect it. Computers know a lot about you and viruses can help share this information with criminals. A virus or Trojan could be all a hacker needs to learn all about you. They will be able to use this information to apply for credit cards and other loans in your name. Protecting your PC


It's essential that you protect your computer against viruses as this will help to protect your identity. To protect your computer it's important that you install a virus scanner. It's also essential that you keep your virus scanner updated regularly. Choosing a reliable antivirus application which offers a subscription will ensure your PC is fully protected. A firewall should also be used to ensure your PC is protected from hackers. The security of your computer is very important and isn't something that you should overlook.

FOLDER S Folders are the basic organizational building blocks of any computer system. Without folders it would be virtually impossible to keep track of all the files that are found on even the smallest system. New folders can be created just about anywhere, but three methods are shown below. Creating a Folder New Folder on Desktop  Right click anywhere on an open area of the desktop  Select New and then click Folder

Introduction to I.C.T. and Computer 

A new folder with the default name New Folder will be created on the desktop. Either accept the default name New Folder (bad idea) by hitting the enter key or type a new name for the folder (good idea) and then hit enter on the keyboard.

New Folder Using Windows Explorer in Hierarchical View There are two easy methods for creating a new folder in this view  On the Menu bar select File => New => Folder and the folder will be created in the right hand pane. The trick is to make sure that prior to making the selections from the Menu that you are located at the proper place in the hierarchical view in the left pane. The new folder will always be created as a subfolder of whatever location you have selected

Alternatively,


New Folder Using Windows Explorer in Task View Once again, make sure you're in the location where the new folder is to be created. 

In the File and Folder Tasks section, click the Make a New Folder selection.

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The New Folder is created in the right hand pane as shown in the screen capture below.


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Note that the File and Folder Tasks section also expands to include new entries relative to what can be done with the folder just created.

BACKING UP FILES Computer errors and software failures happen occasionally so it is important to backup your files and documents.

One simple way to backup your files is to copy them to a disk. If there are only a few small files a floppy disk will work but if you are backing up lots of large files a CD/DVD burner, a second hard drive or tape backup may be needed. You can use a software program to automate backups or do it manually. A manual backup usually involves dragging the files or folders to the backup disk or tape to create the duplicate backup. Store your backup files in a safe place out of the sun and away from electro-magnetic devices such as speakers and wires with strong electrical currents. Every file that you create and plan to keep should be backed up. This includes word processing documents, financial information, databases, photos, etc... COMPRESSION AND DECOMPRESSION


Most software you buy or get off the Internet is compressed. Computers store information in bytes which are made up of on or off signals. The software applications that uses these files need to have all the on and off signals (bytes) in place but when the file is stored they can be modified to take up less space on the storage disk or tape. There are commercial and shareware programs that will compress and decompressed files for you. The most popular form of data compression is called zip but there are others available as well. Programs are also available to compress and decompress your files as you or the application you are using requires them. This can be a way of making more space available on a hard drive. Windows comes with a program that will compress part of your hard disk. Be sure to read the documentation before embarking on a project like compressing a hard drive. 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. Musculoskeletal 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

INTRODUCTION TO ICT, COMPUTER AND WINDOWS

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