LESSON I COMPUTER BASIC

Computer is an automatic high speed electronic data processing and digital machine designed to
manipulate data and generate useful information.

CAPABILITIES OF A COMPUTER
 It is self-directing – this means that the user provides all the instructions to the computer at the
start and then later proceeds without any human intervention.
 Saves and retrieved information – it can store voluminous data and gives out the same data when
needed.
 Computes complex formulas and generate accurate data – it can process calculations at high
speed and produce fast and precise output.
 It performs logical operations – it is an efficient tool in analyzing and solving problems that involve
decisions. It can logically manipulate data with correct input and instructions from the user.
 Communicates with the users and other machine – it can display error messages on the screen
about the user’s instructions or data thereby avoiding incorrect output or results.

LIMITATIONS OF COMPUTER
 It cannot correct erroneous input data – if mistakenly given incorrect data or instruction, it does
not have the ability to correct. A computer fed with wrong data will produce wrong information or
in computer term, GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage Out).
 It can only do what it is instructed or programmed to do – the computer executes and follows only
the set of instructions that has been given/entered by the user.
 It cannot generate information without any correct data or set of instructions entered by the user.
 It is subject to occasional breakdown – like any other machines, a computer malfunction due to
worn out components such as cards, storage devices and others.

ELEMENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM

1. HARDWARE – computer itself and all of its physical parts.
2. SOFTWARE – refers to instructions or programs that control the functionality of computer
3. PEOPLEWARE – refers to personnel or computer users
4. PROCEDURE – steps or process that computer users follows as they work within computer
information system
5. DATA – raw materials of information stored in a system.

PARTS OF A COMPUTER
 INPUT DEVICES – tools from which the computer can accept data for processing.
 CPU – silicon chip that process data and programs. It is also called “the brain of computer”
 STORAGE DEVICES- stores data temporarily or permanent.
 OUTPUT DEVICES – translate processed data into human readable form.

PARTS OF A CPU
 Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) – is where the math operations, logical comparison and operational
decisions are performed. These also inclue comparing, sorting and rearranging of data
 Control Unit (CU) – directs the flow of data and instructions to the various components of
computer.
 Main Memory – is the storage unit that holds and manages all data processed by computer.

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KEYBOARD

PARTS OF A KEYBOARD
 Alphanumeric Keypad – allows the user to type letters, numbers and punctuation marks.
 Numeric keypad – located at the right side of the keyboard. Enables the user to enter large
amount of numeric data efficiently.
 Cursor key – allows the user to move the cursor up, down, left and right.
 Function key – include Esc, F1 – F12, Print screen, scroll, Pause/break. These keys have
special functions in most software application.

SPECIAL KEYS
 Shift Keys - press together with any letter you want to type in uppercase
 Caps Lock key – press to type all character in uppercase
 Spacebar – use to enter space between character or word.
 Enter Key – use to move a word or sentence to the next line.
 Backspace key – is used to erase a character to the left of the cursor.
 Delete key – used to erase a character to the right of the cursor
 Home key – pressed to move the cursor to the beginning of the line
 End key – pressed to move the cursor to the end of the line.
 Page Up – is used to move to the previous page/s or screen/s in a document
 Page Down – is used to move to the next page/s or screen/s in a document.

USAGE OF A KEYBOARD
1. Designed for input of data
2. Control operations of computer
3. Mainly used to enter text into word processor or text editors.
4. Used to type commands in a computer
5. Used to control some computer games.

MOUSE

MOUSE ACTIONS
 Point – position the mouse pointer over an item or area
 Click – Press and release LEFT button
 Right Click – press and release RIGHT button
 Double Click – press Click two times in rapid succession
 Drag – press LEFT button and move the mouse to desired location.
 Right Drag – use RIGHT button in dragging
 Drag and Drop – Perform drag then release the button.

MOUSE POINTERS
 Normal Select – Click on something
 Help select – point at an object and you get pop up help message
 Working in background – Wait
 Busy – windows is working in your most recent command
 Precision Select- select an area for your graphics
 Text Select – where you want your text to appear
 Unavailable – currently unavailable
 Resizing – move your mouse in the direction to shrink or grow
 Move – drag the currently selected object to a new position
 Link Select – select hypertext.

Reference: Journey to computer learning IV (5-8)

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LESSON II OPERATING SYSTEM
Operating System - is the software on a computer that manages the way different programs use its
hardware, and regulates the ways that a user controls the computer. – wikipedia

FUNCTIONS
An operating system is a set of programs that controls and manages the computer hardware. The
computer hardware does not have the ability to communicate directly to the users.
It needs a communication medium that can understand and translate the user’s requirements or needs.
It’s like an interpreter between different software programs and the computer.

TYPE OF OPERATING SYSTEM

 multi user – allows multiple user to run programs simultaneously
 multiprocessing – allows a program to run on more than one CPU at the same time
 multi tasking – allows running more than one task/program simultaneously
 multi threading – permit the varied parts of one program to be used simultaneously

OPERATING SYSTEM FOR PERSONAL COMPUTER

In selecting any software to buy, you usually check the operating system which it can run. For
example: Word Perfect is designed to run on IBM cannot run on Apple.
75 % uses Windows, 12% uses Mac/Linux.

FEATURES OF WINDOWS
 Graphical User Interface (GUI) – visual computer environment that presents you with pictorial
representation of computer function, programs files and data.
 Multi tasking.

WINDOWS XP
Booting the system – process of loading the operating system into computer memory.

THREE IMPORTANT PARTS OF DESKTOP

 Start – used to start programs in Windows Xp
 Taskbar – contains start button, quick launch, time in system tray
 Icons – small graphical images.

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WINDOW

ELEMENTS OF WINDOW
 Title bar – displays the name of the software application or document
 Menu Bar – shows the names of pull-down menus that contain commands used for programs.
 Status bar – displays the commands being used in the program and all the information about the
application or document.
 Work Area – space where information is displayed and entered
 Minimized button – reduces an applications window in taskbar
 Maximized button – enlarges the window size to fill the entire screen
 Restore button – is displayed when a windows has been maximized.
 Close button – closes a document windows or terminates the applications and removes the
window in taskbar.
 Scroll Bars – used to display the unseen parts of the work area into view.
 Resize tab – used to resize the window

THE MENU BAR

 File – used to perform file-related task
 Edit – used for editing task
 View – used for changing the appearance of the windows.
 Help – provides help or assistance

Dialog box – used to provide the information needed to send commands to the computer
 Button – starts an action or command when clicked
 Text box – used to enter information that maybe needed by a command
 Check box – used to select options
 Radio button – provide list of option
 Collapsible list – also called drop down list
 What’s this button – show info about the dialog box option.

References:
a. Journey to computer learning I (51-64)
b. Operating System and Office Applications I (2-10)

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 LESSON III EXPLORING MS WINDOWS
STARTING UP WINDOWS
The operating system has to be active or currently operational before you can do any activity on
computer. Windows, like must operating system starts itself automatically whenever you turn on your
computer.

Desktop - it is the largest area of the window that contains icons and pictures representing shortcuts to
programs. It is also referred to as the background or wallpaper.
Start – the button located on the left hand side of the Taskbar. Used to start programs in windows.
Taskbar – it is the horizontal bar located at the bottom of the Windows XP desktop. It shows the buttons
of the currently open programs and other information such as time, etc. on the right side. It also displays a
Quick Launch toolbar which contains shortcuts to different useful programs like IE, WMP, etc.
Icons - Small pictures or buttons that represent programs, folders or tools that you can use.

BASIC ICONS
My Computer – It provides the access to work with different components such as the disk drives hard
disk drives. You can view the contents (files and folders) stored on these drives.
Recycle Bin – it acts as a trash bin where all the temporarily deleted files and folders are present.
My Documents - this icon represent all the files, pictures, music etc. currently used in the computer.
Network Neighborhood - is used to assist user in setting up the network and access the internet.

EXPLORING WINDOWS
 OPENING AND CLOSING PROGRAMS
 SAVING A FILE
 QUITTING WINDOWS (Turn off)

MANAGING FILES AND FOLDERS

Managing windows, user must learn how to use Windows Explorer.
 Right Click My Computer>Explore
o Creating a folder
o Naming a folder and files
o Renaming a files and folder
o Copying files and folder
o Deleting files and folder
 Restoring deleted file from Recycle Bin

References:
a. Operating System and Office Applications I (14-22)

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Lesson IV  Getting Familiar with Microsoft Word 2007
Microsoft Word is a word processing software package. You can use it to type letters, reports, and other
documents.

The Microsoft Office Button

In the upper-left corner of the Word 2007 window is the Microsoft Office button. When you click the
button, a menu appears. You can use the menu to create a new file, open an existing file, save a file, and
perform many other tasks.

The Quick Access Toolbar

Next to the Microsoft Office button is the Quick Access toolbar. The Quick Access toolbar provides you
with access to commands you frequently use. By default Save, Undo, and Redo appear on the Quick
Access toolbar. You can use Save to save your file, Undo to rollback an action you have taken, and Redo
to reapply an action you have rolled back.

The Title Bar

Next to the Quick Access toolbar is the Title bar. The Title bar displays the title of the document on which
you are currently working. Word names the first new document you open Document1. As you open
additional new documents, Word names them sequentially. When you save your document, you assign
the document a new name.

The Ribbon

You use commands to tell Microsoft Word what to do. In Microsoft Word 2007, you use the Ribbon to
issue commands. The Ribbon is located near the top of the screen, below the Quick Access toolbar. At
the top of the Ribbon are several tabs; clicking a tab displays several related command groups. Within
each group are related command buttons. You click buttons to issue commands or to access menus and
dialog boxes. You may also find a dialog box launcher in the bottom-right corner of a group. Clicking the
dialog box launcher gives you access to additional commands via a dialog box.

The Ruler

The ruler is found below the Ribbon.

You can use the ruler to change the format of your document quickly. If your ruler is not visible, follow the
steps listed here:
1. 1. Click the View tab to choose it.
2. Click the check box next to Ruler in the Show/Hide group. The ruler appears below the Ribbon.

The Text Area

Just below the ruler is a large area called the text area. You type your document in the text area. The
blinking vertical line in the upper-left corner of the text area is the cursor. It marks the insertion point. As
you type, your text displays at the cursor location. The horizontal line next to the cursor marks the end of
the document.

The Vertical and Horizontal and Vertical Scroll Bars

The vertical and horizontal scroll bars enable you to move up, down, and across your window simply by
dragging the icon located on the scroll bar. The vertical scroll bar is located along the right side of the

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screen. The horizontal scroll bar is located just above the status bar. To move up and down your
document, click and drag the vertical scroll bar up and down. To move back and forth across your
document, click and drag the horizontal scroll bar back and forth. You won't see a horizontal scroll bar if
the width of your document fits on your screen.

The Status Bar

The Status bar appears at the very bottom of your window and provides such information as the current
page and the number of words in your document. You can change what displays on the Status bar by
right-clicking on the Status bar and selecting the options you want from the Customize Status Bar menu.
You click a menu item to select it. You click it again to deselect it. A check mark next to an item means it
is selected.

Understanding Document Views

In Word 2007, you can display your document in one of five views: Draft, Web Layout,Print Layout, Full
Screen Reading, or Online Layout.
Draft View
Draft view is the most frequently used view. You use Draft view to quickly edit your document.
Web Layout
Web Layout view enables you to see your document as it would appear in a browser such
as Internet Explorer.
Print Layout
The Print Layout view shows the document as it will look when it is printed.
Reading Layout
Reading Layout view formats your screen to make reading your document more comfortable.
Outline View
Outline view displays the document in outline form. You can display headings without the text. If
you move a heading, the accompanying text moves with it.

Reference:
http://www.baycongroup.com/word2007/01_word2007.html