Computers are essential in the office, industry, publishing, medicine, banks, transport and the home. Personal computers consists of hardware such as a Power supply, Input devices, Processing devices, Storage devices and output devices as follows: 1. Power supply: To convert electricity to battery type power 2. Input devices A keyboard to type text and data. A mouse to select commands on the screen. A scanner which look a bit like photocopiers A digital cameras don't use film, but a sensor called a charge-coupled device A joystick. A Light Pen to input data. A microphone to input sound. A trackball similar to upside down mouse. 3. Processing devices: Central Processor unit mainly made by Intel either Pentium II or III or 4. Older computers were fitted with 286, 386, 486, Pentium and Pentium Pro Read only memory (ROM) is built into the computer at the factory to store essential specification on the computer parts and tell the computer what to do when it is turned on. ROM is not lost after the PC is turned OFF because a battery powers it. Random access memory RAM between 32 and 512 Megabytes to run the programmes. Old computers used to run on 4 to 16 megabytes of RAM. The computer looses its Ram if it is turned off. Built-in V90 modem to connect to the Internet. 4. Storage Devices A hard disk to store programmes and data their size varies between 8 and 100 Gigabyte to store large programmes and data. A floppy disk drives to store 1.43 MB of programmes and data. That is equivalent to 360 pages of A4 size. A CD-ROM drives to store large programmes and play audio disks. 5. Output Devices A minimum 15-inch monitor to display the processing units output into visual display usually in colour. Speakers to generate the audio sound. A printer to print the output of the processing unit on paper. 6. Computer software: Computers need programmes to operate it called software. There are two types of software or programmes called operating system software and application software. The Operating system software comes with the PC and it tells the computer what to do to check that all its part are operational when it is turned ON. The old computers used a disk operating system software called DOS for short but recent PC uses windows 95,98, 2000 and windows me. Applications software are complete, self-contained programmes that carry out a specific task directly for the user. Such as word processing, desktop publishing, spreadsheets etc. The most popular applications software is Microsoft Office, Lotus Smartsuite, WordPerfect, Star and Claris. 7. Computer Language: Computer has its own language and its alphabet is made up of 2 digits only. These are 0 and 1. Each digit is called bit and each 8 bits are called byte or Character. Each 1000 byte are called kilobyte and each one million bytes are called megabyte. Finally each one billion bytes are called gigabyte. Computer memory and disk capacity is measured in Bytes. Just to give some idea of how big this is, each full page of A4 size without styling takes about 4000 bytes or 4K. A standard 1.43 MB 3.5 inch floppy holds about 360 pages of text. A standard CD-ROM can hold 600-MB bits of text, which is about 150,000 pages of text. One of the important tools in the computer world is the mouse because it helps you to select commands on the screen. If you have not used the mouse before please click on the following address to start the practice and Have fun. http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/abbeg/abbeg.shtml absolute beginners guide http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/course computer tutor http://www.bbc.co.uk/computertutor/computertutortwo/index.shtml Tutor 2 http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/subjects/information_technology.shtml learn all http://www.pbclibrary.org/mousing/default.htm mouse practice http://www.pbclibrary.org/mousing/m34.htm certificate of achievement http://www.ckls.org/~crippel/computerlab/tutorials/mouse/page1.html Please read the instructions on the screen to follow the exercise. At the end of this exercise you will see congratulation on the screen. You may wish to print this page as follow Click on File, scroll down to Print and click. When the next screen appears click OK. Feel free to go and collect your print If you wish you can visit the following site for more mouse practice http://www.burlco.lib.nj.us/Classes/cns/Welcome.html Again follow the instructions on the screen. At the end of this practice you will have the option to play some games. You have developed your mouse skills. You are now ready to start your practice on two of the most the popular software made by Microsoft. These are Microsoft Word and Microsoft Publisher. Microsoft pioneered the development of the current computers operating systems known as Windows 98, 98, XP and Me. After completig this exercise you are expected to gain more confident with the mouse and you will be ready to load Microsoft Publisher and create greeting cards, calendars and labels. Free computer skills tutorials 1. keyboard & mouse http://www.buffalolib.org/computertraining/tutorials/index.asp http://www.teachnet.com/graphics/powertools/neattools/keyboard.pdf 2. Mouse practice http://www.lawrencegoetz.com/programs/mousepractice basics http://www.rpl.regina.sk.ca/desk/mousing.shtml basics http://www.burlco.lib.nj.us/Classes/cns/Welcome.html more basics http://www.ckls.org/~crippel/computerlab/tutorials/mouse/page1.html basic http://www.washoe.lib.nv.us/pub_mouse.html more basics / practice http://www.bored.com bubbles activities to practice http://www.starwarsspoofs.com games to practice 3. Computers engineering http://www.BTECComputerEngineering.co.uk/Freecourses.htm http://www.pctechguide.com/ http://www.tomshardware.com/ Lotus http://www-12.lotus.com/ldd/doc/domino_notes/6.5.1/help65_client.nsf/Main?OpenFrameSet 4. Microsoft software http://www.chalksoft.com/school Microsoft http://www.functionx.com Microsoft http://www.internet4classrooms.com/on-line_word.htm http://www.microsoft.com/communities/default.mspx Microsoft community 5. Paint Shop Pro 7.04 http://www.answers.com/topic/paint-shop-pro http://mardiweb.com/web/psp7 http://www.pracken.com/tutorials.html 6. Start IT 4248 http://www.city-and-guilds.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/SID-0AC0478C-64AF1016/cgonline/hs.xsl/1919.html 7. Touch type http://www.ababasoft.com/typing/speed_typing.html http://www.learn2type.com/TypingTest typing test/practice http://www.typeonline.co.uk http://www.typeonline.co.uk/safetyfirst.html typing practice These are links to essential computers sites Apple Mac http://www.apple.com/uk http://www.apple.com/uk/quicktime/win.html http://www.2ndchancepc.co.uk http://www.macupgrades.co.uk Batteries http://www.battery-force.co.uk discounted batteries Bootable DOS disks http://www.answers.com/Bootable%20DOS%20disks CD burning http://www.cdfreaks.com/reviews/Preview-Nero-Burning-ROM-6/conclusion.html http://www.nero.com/eng/index.html home http://www.nero.com/nero6/eng/Nero_6_Reloaded_Support.html support Components http://www.belkin.co.uk components http://www.benq.com CD writer formerly Acer http://www.photo.roxio.de easy CD writer http://www.drive-me-wild.co.uk Mouse http://www.hauppauge.co.uk TV cards http://www.iiyama.co.uk Monitors http://www.intel.co.uk UK Intel chips http://www.intel.com US Intel chips http://www.scan.co.uk graphic cards Dictionary http://www.computeruser.com/resources/dictionary/dictionary.html Digital cameras http://www.canon.co.uk http://www.canon.co.uk/for_home/product_finder http://www.kodak.co.uk http://www.hp.co.uk http://www.fuji.co.uk http://www.fujifilm.co.uk http://www.nikon.co.uk http://www.olympus.com/digital http://www.pentaximaging.com Digital imaging resources centres http://www.imaging-resource.com http://ir.webphotoschool.com web photo school http://www.steves-digicams.com http://www.shortcourses.com/guides/guides.htm http://www.shortcourses.com/bookstore/guide/guidev1.pdf Emoticons http://www.utopiaswdemon.co.uk/emoticon.html http://www.robelle.com/smugbook/smiley.htm Fairs http://www.computerfairs.com for all computer fairs in UK http://www.northeastcomputerfairs.com Computer Fair dates Graphics http://www.gifs.net http://www.arttodaycom http://www.clipart.com http://www.clipartconnection.com http://www.gifsnow.com Hardware http://www.bigrom.co.uk http://www.buyingguides.com Hard disk drive http://www.cbmstore.co.uk/Hard-Drives_B22J7A.aspx?gclid=CKLgtdLFu5QCFSTmlAod_F46UA Maxtor 6V300F0 History http://www.digitalcentury.com How to http://www.cryer.co.uk/brian/windows/howto.htm tips for MS Windows Laptops parts http://www.laptopbits.co.uk/database_files/Laptop_Stock.htm http://www.portables.co.uk http://www.val-u-computers.co.uk Learning http://www.actden.com Microsoft products & others http://www.addbalance.com/usersguide/index.htm MS word http://httpd.apache.org http://www.cant.ac.uk/title/tutorials/word.htm MS Word http://www.electricteacher.com/tutorials.htm MS Word http://www.fgcu.edu/support MS Office2000 http://www.geocities.com/~prof_al/WORD2/getstarted.html MS Word http://www.intelligentedu.com All Microsoft products http://www.nailitnow.com.au/word/index.html MS Word & Typing Tutor http://www.nailitnow.com.au/word/free/tocheadings.html Microsoft Tutorials http://www.computertim.com Microsoft & Palm OS http://www.chalksoft.com/school Microsoft training courses http://www.pinboard.org.uk Microsoft & HTML code, Clipart, ECDL http://www.trainingtutorials.com CD-ROM & video for sale http://www.insmkt.com/quest2000 Microsoft, New Century Marketing http://www.computer-training-manuals.com/word-tutorial.htm MS Word http://www.customguide.com/word2000.htm MS Word 2000 http://www.learnthat.com/courses/computer/word/word7.shtml certifications http://www.tipsdr.com/wordtips.html MS Word Tips http://www.computersoftomorrow.com/word.htm computer & products http://www.it.about.com/cs/microsoftword MS Word http://www.functionx.com Microsoft http://www.functionx.com/access/lesson01.htm MS access http://librarysupportstaff.com/ed4you.html Learn the Internet http://www.ala.org/ICONN/familiesconnect.html to learn the Internet Magazines http://www.computeractive.co.uk monthly magazine http://www.micromart.co.uk weekly magazine http://www.slashdot.org online news Manuals ftp://downloads.netgear.com/files/wgm124_setup_manual.pdf netgear router Manufacturer http://www.apple-uk.co.uk/ http://www.buyanicepc.co.uk http://www.compaq.com http://www.dell.co.uk http://www.evesham.com http://www.hp.com Bill Hewlett & Dave Packard (HP) USA http://welcome.hp.com/country/uk/en/welcome.html hp UK home http://welcome.hp.com/country/uk/en/prodserv.html hp UK products http://www.ibm.com http://www.medion.co.uk http://www.medionshop.co.uk http://www.medion.de/md8833/uk/flash.html http://www.meshcomputers.co.uk http://www.timecomputers.co.uk http://www.timeuk.com http://www.samsung.com http://www.samsungelectronics.co.uk Samsung electronics http://www.sony.co.uk http://www.cyberiasystems.co.uk Cyberia computers http://www.toshiba.co.uk Toshiba corporation http://www.toshiba.com Toshiba corporation http://www.gw2k.com Microsoft Office http://www.baycongroup.com/word.htm word 2002/03 http://training.beginners.co.uk/portal/id/272 Word XP Microsoft Windows tips http://www.activewin.com http://www.activewin.com/tips http://www.activewin.com/awin/default.asp http://www.activewin.com/reviews/hardware/misc/msfingprint http://www.cnet.com http://malektips.com/maillist/ http://www.internet4classrooms.com/practice_window_pc.htm http://www.winrag.com Monitors faults http://www.majorgeeks.com/download960.html Motherboard http://www.fjl.co.uk/answers/faq/q1.htm Motherboard sockets Problem solving http://www.allexperts.com http://www.analogx.com http://www.answers.com/topic/dr-dos http://www.bbc.co.uk/webguide http://www.cizone.com http://www.faqs.org http://www.fonerbooks.com/power.htm http://www.help-site.com http://www.modemhelp.com http://www.erols.com/amato1/ac http://www.pcmech.com http://www.pcshowandtell.com http://www.pctechguide.com http://www.protonic.com http://www.webopedia.com http://www.annoyances.org http://www.znet.com Recycling http://www.computer-aid.org/home.htm http://www.computer-recyclers.co.uk/ http://www.redeemplc.com/ http://www.recycling-it.co.uk Products review. http://www.productreviewnet.com/home.html Printers http://www.cannon.co.uk http://www.epson.co.uk http://www.hp.com http://www.lexmark.co.uk http://www.sharp.co.uk Printers cartridges http://www.cartridgeclub.co.uk http://www.choicestationery.com http://www.MadForInk.com http://www.printcartridge.net http://www.tonezoneuk.com http://www.xlshop.com Shops http://www.comet.co.uk http://www.currys.co.uk http://www.dixons.co.uk http://www.dabs.com http://www.epcbuyer.com http://www.globaldirect.co.uk http://www.itfactory.co.uk/ http://www.itfactory.co.uk/categories/Laptop-Accessories/Xircom-CEM56-100 http://www.microwarehouse.co.uk http://www.morgancomputers.co.uk http://www.pcworld.co.uk http://www.rdc.co.uk http://www.toysrus.co.uk http://www.webstore.computeractive.co.uk Security http://www.girosoft.com http://www.messagelabs.com for email security services http://www.neoworx.com http://www.scambusters.org http://www.star-force.com for copyright protection software http://www.symantic.com http://www.trend.com http://www.virusdatabase.com http://www.zonelabs.com/ Software publishers http://www.adobe.co.uk http://www.adobe.com http://www.apple.com/quicktime multimedia player http://www.digitalriver.com/textbridgeuser OCR http://www.gozilla.com/ Radiate GoZilla Free 4.11 http://www.globalscape.com/ GlobalSCAPE CuteFTP (32-bit) Transfer files easily with this popular FTP client. http://www.ipswitch.com/ WS_FTP LE (32-bit) 5.08 transfer file between computers on the Internet http://www.macromedia.com/ Flash Player (Internet Explorer) 6.0 http://www.microsoft.com Windows Media Player Play local and streaming multimedia content. http://www.microsoft.com/ms.htm Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/templategallery/ http://www.pandasoftware.co.uk antivirus http://www.photo.roxio.de easy CD creator http://www.pinnaclesys.com video editing http://www.real.com real multimedia player http://www.realnetworks.com/ Real Player 8.0 http://www.realaudio.com http://www.realguide.real.com http://www.serif.com UK office & graphics software http://www.shockwave.com animation viewer http://www.ulead.co.uk video studio 6 http://www.winamp.com/ Null-soft Winamp 2.78 http://www.winzip.com/ file compression http://www.zonelabs.com/ anti-hackers software Software suppliers http://www.brwserwatch.com http://www.davecentral.com http://www.download.cnet.com http://www.edream.co.uk large selection of family software http://www.freestuffcentre.com http://www.uforesources.com http://www.shareware.cnet.com http://www.softwareparadise.co.uk http://www.ttp.co.uk The Thompson Partnership, UK Software publisher http://www.tucows.com http://www.eeggs.com http://www.pkware.com http://www.bbc.co.uk/computertutor/