Computing Concepts and Definitions

Open A process to open (display/load/run) one or more files or programs in a computer.

Open

Close A process to close (end/terminate/stop running) files or programs when someone is done using it.

Close

Copy A simple method of reproducing text or other data from a source to a destination.

Copy

Cut To move one file in to another path or location.

Cut

Paste - used to join files horizontally (parallel merging) by outputting lines consisting of the sequentially corresponding lines of each file specified, separated by tabs, to the standard output.

Paste

Rename means to change the name of the file. Select the folder or file to be renamed then click File > Rename. The editing box will appear surrounding the filename. Complete the edit and hit Enter.

rename

Delete

to

remove

the

files

from

the

folder

or

into

the

desktop.

Delete

Web Browser - A software application used for retrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web.

Examples of Web Browser as of 2010:

1. Internet Explorer 2. Chrome 3. Safari

4. 5. 6. 7.

Opera SeaMonkey Camino Firefox

Directory - A virtual container within a digital file system, in which groups of computer files and other folders can be kept and organized. Web Page - A document or resource of information that is suitable for the World Wide Web and can be accessed through a web browser and displayed on a computer screen.

Web Site - A collection of related web pages, images, videos or other digital assets that are addressed with a common domain name or IP address in an Internet Protocol-based network. A web site is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network.

Microsoft Windows
Operating system designed and produced by Microsoft Corporation. Similar to other operating systems, Windows makes a computer system user-friendly by providing a graphical display and organizing information so that it can be easily accessed. The operating system utilizes icons and tools that simplify the complex operations performed by computers. Estimates suggest that 90% of personal computers use the Windows operating system. Microsoft introduced the operating system in 1985 and it has continued to be widely used despite competition from Apple's Macintosh operating system.

Parts of a Window: To display the Title Bar, open My Computer by double-clicking on it. The Title Bar contains the name of the application or folder. It also contains the standard Windows 98 control buttons. Drag the title bar to move a window by holding down the left mouse button as you drag the window. Control-Menu Icon allows you to minimize, maximize, restore, or close a window. Right click on the Control button to see the drop down list. Left click on the title bar to close the drop down menu. Menu Bar provides pull down menus to access Windows 98 commands. Icons are graphic symbols used to represent an application or folder. Control Buttons allow you to minimize, maximize, restore, or close a window. o Minimize reduces a window so it no longer appears on the screen. o Maximize expands a window to fill the screen. o Restore restores a maximized window to be previous size. o Close-closes a window. Window Border is a frame around a window that allows you to resize a window. You can drag a window's border to resize a window.

Windows Desktop: Desktop-The Windows desktop contains applications, folder, and file icons, the taskbar, and the system tray. Icons-A picture or graphics symbol used to represent an application or folder. Start button-The start button provides access to applications, accessories, documents, help options, and system tools. Taskbar-This panel contains the start button, task buttons (open windows), and the system tray. System Tray-The tray shows the time and the status of system components. Pointer small object that moves on the screen when the mouse is moved. Date/ Time control/ System Clock shows the current time and lets you set the clock. Tray/ Notification displays icons corresponding to services running in the background. Quick launch toolbar provides shortcuts to several often-used features such as the desktop, web browser, outlook express and channels. Screen Tip tips that will tell the purposes or function of an object when the mouse pointer is positioned over certain objects.

Icons on the Desktop: My Computer allows you to control and view disk drives, set up printers, assess the control panel and control dial-up networking features. o Double-click on My Computer and view its components. o Close the window by clicking on the x in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

Network Neighborhood shows servers, workstations, and other devices that are connected to a particular workgroup on a network. The Recycle Bin is a storage area for deleted files and icons. Other icons will be covered at a later time.

Moving, Resizing, Minimizing, Maximizing, Restoring, and Closing a Window: Double click on the My Computer icon. Place the mouse over any border of a window, and then click and drag the border to enlarge or reduce the window size. To move a window, move the mouse over the title bar, and then click and drag the window to a new location. Place the mouse over any corner of a window, and then click and drag the corner to enlarge or reduce the window horizontally and vertically at the same time. Click on the Minimize button to reduce the window to a button on the taskbar. Click the window's button on the taskbar to make the window reappear. Click on the Maximize button to enlarge the window to fill the screen. Click on the Restore button to restore a maximized window back to its previous size. Click the Close button to close a window.

Arranging Windows on the Desktop: Double click My Computer icon. Double-click on any drive to open it. Open two other drives by double clicking My Computer, and choosing any two drives. You should have three windows open on the desktop. Point to a blank area on the taskbar, and then click the right mouse button. Choose Cascade Windows to arrange the windows so they overlap and are resized so they are all the same size. Choose Tile Horizontally to arrange windows so that they are the same size and aligned horizontally. Choose Tile Vertically to arrange windows so that they are the same size and aligned vertically.

Using the Windows Toolbar: Double-click on the My Computer icon. Open the C: drive by double-clicking on it. Then choose My Documents. Choose the View menu, and then click on Toolbar to turn it on. The toolbar is turned on if a checkmark appears on the left. View the different toolbars that are available. Choose Standard if it is not checked. Buttons on the Windows Toolbar: o Go to a previous level. Goes up one drive. From My Documents, when you click previous level, it will return you to the C drive. Double click on My Documents to return to the file. o Cut (delete and place on Clipboard) the current selection. o Copy the current selection to the Clipboard. o Paste places the material currently on the Clipboard in the file at the current location. o Reverse the most recent command. Place the program in the state it was in before executing the last command. It is the one you turn to if you make a mistake, then you would click this button. It is also called the undo button. o Delete a file or folder. o Properties of items selected. Select large icon view. Select small icon view. Select list view to see file/folder information. Select details view to see details on files and folders.

Manipulating the Windows Taskbar:

Taskbar Options: Click on the Start button, and then select Settings Options from the drop-down list. Click on Taskbar and Start Menu. (Shortcut: Right click on a blank area of the taskbar, and then click on Properties to access the taskbar options. o Always on top keeps the taskbar always showing on top of windows. o Auto hide hides the taskbar. You must move to the area where the taskbar normally appears to view it. o Show small icons in Start Menu display small icons next to Start menu options. o Show clock shows the clock on the taskbar.

Keyboard shortcuts for Windows

Windows system key combinations

F1: Help CTRL+ESC: Open Start menu ALT+TAB: Switch between open programs ALT+F4: Quit program SHIFT+DELETE: Delete item permanently Windows Logo+L: Lock the computer (without using CTRL+ALT+DELETE)
Windows program key combinations

CTRL+C: Copy CTRL+X: Cut CTRL+V: Paste CTRL+Z: Undo CTRL+B: Bold CTRL+U: Underline CTRL+I: Italic

Mouse click/keyboard modifier combinations for shell objects

SHIFT+right click: Displays a shortcut menu containing alternative commands SHIFT+double click: Runs the alternate default command (the second item on the menu) ALT+double click: Displays properties SHIFT+DELETE: Deletes an item immediately without placing it in the Recycle Bin

General keyboard-only commands

F1: Starts Windows Help F10: Activates menu bar options SHIFT+F10: Opens a shortcut menu for the selected item (this is the same as right-clicking an object CTRL+ESC: Opens the Start menu (use the ARROW keys to select an item) CTRL+ESC or ESC: Selects the Start button (press TAB to select the taskbar, or press SHIFT+F10 for a context menu) CTRL+SHIFT+ESC: Opens Windows Task Manager ALT+DOWN ARROW: Opens a drop-down list box

ALT+TAB: Switch to another running program (hold down the ALT key and then press the TAB key to view the task-switching window) SHIFT: Press and hold down the SHIFT key while you insert a CD-ROM to bypass the automatic-run feature ALT+SPACE: Displays the main window's System menu (from the System menu, you can restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the window) ALT+- (ALT+hyphen): Displays the Multiple Document Interface (MDI) child window's System menu (from the MDI child window's System menu, you can restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the child window) CTRL+TAB: Switch to the next child window of a Multiple Document Interface (MDI) program ALT+underlined letter in menu: Opens the menu ALT+F4: Closes the current window CTRL+F4: Closes the current Multiple Document Interface (MDI) window ALT+F6: Switch between multiple windows in the same program (for example, when the Notepad Find dialog box is displayed, ALT+F6 switches between the Find dialog box and the main Notepad window)

Shell objects and general folder/Windows Explorer shortcuts For a selected object:

F2: Rename object F3: Find all files CTRL+X: Cut CTRL+C: Copy CTRL+V: Paste SHIFT+DELETE: Delete selection immediately, without moving the item to the Recycle Bin ALT+ENTER: Open the properties for the selected object

To copy a file Press and hold down the CTRL key while you drag the file to another folder. To create a shortcut Press and hold down CTRL+SHIFT while you drag a file to the desktop or a folder. General folder/shortcut control

F4: Selects the Go To A Different Folder box and moves down the entries in the box (if the toolbar is active in Windows Explorer) F5: Refreshes the current window. F6: Moves among panes in Windows Explorer CTRL+G: Opens the Go To Folder tool (in Windows 95 Windows Explorer only) CTRL+Z: Undo the last command CTRL+A: Select all the items in the current window BACKSPACE: Switch to the parent folder SHIFT+click+Close button: For folders, close the current folder plus all parent folders

Windows Explorer tree control

Numeric Keypad *: Expands everything under the current selection Numeric Keypad +: Expands the current selection Numeric Keypad -: Collapses the current selection.

RIGHT ARROW: Expands the current selection if it is not expanded, otherwise goes to the first child LEFT ARROW: Collapses the current selection if it is expanded, otherwise goes to the parent

Properties control CTRL+TAB/CTRL+SHIFT+TAB: Move through the property tabs Accessibility shortcuts

Press SHIFT five times: Toggles StickyKeys on and off Press down and hold the right SHIFT key for eight seconds: Toggles FilterKeys on and off Press down and hold the NUM LOCK key for five seconds: Toggles ToggleKeys on and off Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK: Toggles MouseKeys on and off Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN: Toggles high contrast on and off

Microsoft Natural Keyboard keys

Windows Logo: Start menu Windows Logo+R: Run dialog box Windows Logo+M: Minimize all SHIFT+Windows Logo+M: Undo minimize all Windows Logo+F1: Help Windows Logo+E: Windows Explorer Windows Logo+F: Find files or folders Windows Logo+D: Minimizes all open windows and displays the desktop CTRL+Windows Logo+F: Find computer CTRL+Windows Logo+TAB: Moves focus from Start, to the Quick Launch toolbar, to the system tray (use RIGHT ARROW or LEFT ARROW to move focus to items on the Quick Launch toolbar and the system tray) Windows Logo+TAB: Cycle through taskbar buttons Windows Logo+Break: System Properties dialog box Application key: Displays a shortcut menu for the selected item

Microsoft Natural Keyboard with IntelliType software installed

Windows Logo+L: Log off Windows Windows Logo+P: Starts Print Manager Windows Logo+C: Opens Control Panel Windows Logo+V: Starts Clipboard Windows Logo+K: Opens Keyboard Properties dialog box Windows Logo+I: Opens Mouse Properties dialog box Windows Logo+A: Starts Accessibility Options (if installed) Windows Logo+SPACEBAR: Displays the list of Microsoft IntelliType shortcut keys Windows Logo+S: Toggles CAPS LOCK on and off

Dialog box keyboard commands

TAB: Move to the next control in the dialog box

SHIFT+TAB: Move to the previous control in the dialog box SPACEBAR: If the current control is a button, this clicks the button. If the current control is a check box, this toggles the check box. If the current control is an option, this selects the option. ENTER: Equivalent to clicking the selected button (the button with the outline) ESC: Equivalent to clicking the Cancel button ALT+underlined letter in dialog box item: Move to the corresponding item

Typing Techniques
Typing Training should be based on 'how' your hand works, and the training of small muscle movement / motor learning! Ergonomics & Positioning The positioning of your body as well as the physical layout of the work environment and equipment will significantly impact your overall efficiency of typing, your productivity and ultimately your long term health. Much emphasis has been placed in recent years, on the types of repetitive strain injuries and problems caused by poor working posture and mechanics. This has arisen partly due to the increasingly static nature of work being performed in the computer and information age. Many more people are spending longer hours sitting at a computer, in front of a screen and working with keyboards, mice and other input devices. The longer we sit in the same positions and perform the same movements over and over again for an extended period of time, the more susceptible we are to overuse injuries, strains and reduced work performance. Brief information about the importance of ergonomics and positioning is included here since it has such an important influence on typing skills. Movement vs. Stability Good typing technique depends on a balance between movement and stability of the fingers, hands, arms, body, AND head / eyes! This is an extremely important point which is often overlooked in the process of training typing skills. Movement: should occur primarily at the finger joints, with some forward and backward movement of the hands to reach for keys. Stability: your whole body should be seated and supported in the most stable position possible, with your feet rested securely on the floor, forearms supported on the desk (or preferably keyboard wrist support), hands held over base of keyboard with wrists in neutral position and fingers flexed over keys. In addition, your head and neck needs to be an area of stability. Typing should NOT include much head and eye movement. Vision should, at most times, be focused on the screen. If copying from a document is required, make sure the document is placed upright in line with the screen, which will reduce the amount of head and eye movement away from the screen to see the document. Touch Typing True touch typing; typing on a keyboard with no need for looking at fingers or keys and a trained 'finger-position' sense for the physical location of keys, is the basis for development of fast and accurate typing. Developing the technique initially of knowing where all the keys are on the keyboard and which fingers to use is the initial, and most challenging, phase. It is during this stage that you should start moving away from using your vision to 'find' the keys. Once you've learned the location of keys, challenge your fingers to find the correct keys, without looking, even if you need to make frequent corrections.

It is this initial challenge, goal direction, focus and discipline of training your fingers to use the correct placement and learn the position of each key that forms the basis for ongoing improvement of typing skill. Getting Started

Position your hands according to diagram above. The color coding shows which finger to use to reach each key (you can also view our interactive demonstration). For instance, the left index finger is used to reach all red keys. The green and purple keys are known as the "hard to type" keys because they use the fingers that are not designed for finely controlled movement. As you work on your typing, you will want to give these keys extra attention. The middle row of the keyboard (A, S, D, F, etc.) is known as the "home row". As you type, press each key gently with the correct finger and then return your hands and fingers back to the home row position, as shown above. Most keyboards have small bumps on the F and J keys. These can be used as guides to allow you to position your fingers on the home row keys without having to look at the keyboard. Once you feel the bumps on your index fingers, you know your fingers are in the right place. Some important rules to follow: Don't look at the keyboard as you type. Keeping your eyes focused on your monitor, instead of moving them between the monitor and keyboard, will save you time and allow you to focus more on your work. When using the "shift" key to type a capital letter or punctuation symbol, always use the shift key on the opposite side of the keyboard. For instance, to type a capital "Q", use your left hand to type the Q and the right hand to press the right shift key. Don't move your hand and other fingers any more than necessary to reach each key. These speeds up youre typing by keeping your hands and fingers close to the home row, and also reduce strain. Be patient and practice often. While the rules of touch typing are simple, developing the technique and building speed take time. In the beginning you may have to force yourself to type using the correct technique, but over time you will adjust and start to see your speed and productivity improve

Types of Keyboard
Wireless Keyboards The wireless keyboards use three basic types of connections, viz.

Bluetooth Keyboards Infrared (IR) Keyboards Radio Frequency Keyboards

The radio frequency keyboards get the required power from batteries or have a USB cable to charge the keyboard. The infrared keyboards are to be kept in the line of sight of the receiver. On the other hand, the radio frequency keyboard provides a greater range than the infrared keyboards. The Bluetooth keyboards use a Bluetooth technology, which provides a greater range than the radio frequency keyboard and infrared keyboards. The radio frequency keyboards offer a greater mobility than the Bluetooth and the infrared keyboards. Wired Keyboards The PS/2 and USB are the two wired connections that connect the keyboards to your desktop computers. The PS/2 keyboards are very commonly used and they are called so because they use the PS/2 connection. They are one of the cheapest keyboards that are available in the market. The USB keyboards use a USB (Universal Serial Bus) to connect to the CPU. The PS/2 and USB keyboards are usually plug and play. Other types of keyboards are a bit expensive and require expensive software applications to be installed. Ergonomic Keyboards The ergonomic keyboards are designed considering the ergonomic aspect of the keyboards. It is specially designed as per the comfort of the hands and wrist of the keyboard user. The ergonomic keyboards are designed to prevent the carpal tunnel syndrome, which causes numbness and tingling sensation in hands and fingers after typing for a long duration. These keyboards also help the keyboard user maintain a comfortable position. Compact Keyboard The sizes of keyboard goes on increasing, especially, those of the ergonomic keyboards. The ergonomic keyboards are designed bigger to accommodate many keys that perform special functions. The compact keyboards are slim and usually do not have the numeric keypad that is present on the right side of the other keyboards. Some compact keyboards even include a rubber pad that can be used instead of the mice. These keyboards are not very small in size, but offer portability during travel and storage. Internet Keyboards The internet keyboards are designed to increase the comfort level of the internet user. The internet keyboards have hot-keys for the home page of the web browser, inbox and the favorites menu on your computer. Multimedia and Gaming Keyboards The multimedia and gaming keyboards are designed for playing audio and has hot-keys for volume control, play, stop and mute operations. The gaming keyboards are designed for the

convenience of the gamers and these types of keyboards provide the required controls on the keyboards like backlighting. Virtual Keyboards The virtual keyboards are not actually physical keyboards, but they are simulated using software. Usually, the virtual keyboards are used in the PDA.

QWERTY keyboards The most used modern-day keyboard layout on English-language computer and typewriter keyboards. It takes its name from the first six characters seen in the far left of the keyboard's top row of letters. The QWERTY design is based on a layout designed by Christopher Latham Sholes in 1874 for the Sholes and Glidden typewriter and sold to Remington in the same year, when it first appeared in typewriters. It was designed to minimize type bar clashes, became popular with the success of the Remington No. 2 of 1878,[1] and remains in use on electronic keyboards due to the network effect of a standard layout and the failure of alternatives to provide very significant advantages.