SENIORS LOOKOUT CENTRE
The Community Centre that links Seniors to computers
Why Computer for Seniors ?
A Rich and Rewarding Resource, ABBREVIATIONS and TERMS Welcome to the rewarding resource to Computer Skills What is a Computer? : -A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions sorted in its own memory unit that can accept data, manipulate the data according to specified rules, produce information from the processing, and store the results for future use. It is used to describe a collection of devices that function together as a system. A desktop computer consists of Hardware & software to operate Commonly called a hard drive or the tower. CPU: - (central processing unit) is the brain of the computer, which contains the processing chips and Electronic circuits. The Hard Disk: -A hard disk consists of rigid metal platters coated with metal oxide material that allows data to be recorded magnetically on the surface of the platters. Hard disk comes installed in the computer and cannot be removed. It will store all your data and in turn it is saved onto storage such as floppy disk, CD-rom, or other external resources. Floppy Disk: - A floppy disk or diskette is a portable inexpensive storage medium that consists of a thin, circular, flexible plastic disk with a magnetic coating enclosed in a square-shaped shell. The most disks widely used are 10cm wide, and can store up to 1.44 megabytes of data. Compact Disk: - Also called CD, is a flat rounded, portable metal storage that usually comes in approximately 11cm in diameter less than 1/20th of a centimetre thick. CD-Rom: - This is a compact disk read only memory. It can contain text, graphics and video. You can only read the contents of these disks; they cannot be erased or modified. These disks can hold about 650 megabytes of data, instructions and information, about 450times more than you can store on a floppy disk. CD-RW: -This disk is an erasable disk you can write on, in multiple times. DVD-Rom: - A technology that can be used to store large amounts of text and videos Computer software is the key to productive use of computers. Software can be categorised into two types. The application software and the system software THE MONITOR Known as the Monitor which is the surface of the Screen, and is composed of individual picture elements called PIXELS. A screen set to a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels has a total of 480,000 pixels; each pixel can form parts of character or a graphic shape on the screen. THE SPEAKERS to hear sounds THE KEYBOARD the use of keys to type commands. This is an input device that contains keys that you press to enter data. A computer keyboard includes keys that allow you to type letters of the alphabet, numbers, spaces, punctuation marks and other symbols. THE MOUSE an implement that shows a symbol of a pointer or an icon on Screen for movements and actions It is a pointing device that fits comfortably under the palm of your hand. You can control the movement of the pointer on the screen and helps you make selections. The mechanical mouse contains a small ball to help it move around easily. It has two buttons, one to the left and the other to the right. Some has a wheel in the centre this is to scroll up or down onto the screen. THE PRINTER Another piece of hardware commonly used with the computer is the Printer A printer used with a computer by striking an inked ribbon against paper. The number of pages per minute measures the speed. It converts data from the computer into a beam of light that is focused on the drum forming character and images to be printeD. Then of course there are other additions such as Microphone, camera, etc. But we will talk about those later on in this book What does a Computer do? Small or large, computers can perform four general operations. These operations comprise the information processing cycle and they are INPUT / PROCESS, OUTPUT / STORAGE. What is Data? Data is a collection of raw facts, figures and symbols. Computers manipulate data to create information. Information is data that is organised, meaningful and useful. Why is a computer so Powerful? A computer derives its power from its capability to perform the information processing cycle with amazing speed, reliability and accuracy; its capacity to store huge amounts of data and information, and its ability to communicate with other computers. How does a computer know what to do? For a computer to perform operations, it must be given a detailed set of instructions that tells it exactly what to do. These instructions are called Computer Programs and also come as software. The computer program is stored in the computer memory. Once a program is stored the computer begins to operate. Email Mary OR Please click the links below to read more just point your mouse cursor and click Microsoft Word adds to its reputation as the world’s leading work-processing p rogram. A program with many features, and can be used to write anything from shopping lists to large publications. A Word document is a sequence of characters that exists in a computer’s memory. Once a new document is created, a large number of actions can be carried out, such as Saving a Document, Printing, or sending a document as an Email.
Need more information Basic Computer for the Absolute Beginner
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New Document
To Create a New Document
- First you need to open Microsoft Word
- Go to File at the top left and scroll down to NEW. Click to open Blank Document.
Choice One: START> All Programs> At the top of the Sub menu that opens click NEW OFFICE DOCUMENT
Choice Two: START> All Programs> Microsoft Word
What is a Computer? A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions sorted in its own memory unit, that can accept data, manipulate the data according to specified rules, produce information from the processing, and store the results for future use. It is used to describe a collection of devices that function together as a system. T
A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions sorted in its own memory unit, that can accept data, manipulate the data according to specified rules, produce information from the processing, and store the results for future use. It is used to describe a collection of devices that function together as a system. The brain of the computer is called CPU (central processing unit.). It contains the processing chips electronic circuits.
What is Data? Data is a collection of raw facts, figures and symbols. Computers manipulate data to create information. Information is data that is organized, meaningful and useful.
A computer derives its power from its capability to perform the information processing cycle with amazing speed, reliability and accuracy; its capacity to store huge amounts of data and information, and its ability to communicate with other computers.
For a computer to perform operations, it must be given a detailed set of instructions that tells it exactly what to do. These instructions are called Computer Programs and also come as software. The computer program is stored in the computer memory. Once a program is stored the computer begins to Operate.
Keyboard -
This is an input device that contains keys that you press to enter data. A computer keyboard includes keys that allow you to type letters of the alphabet, numbers, spaces, punctuation marks and other symbols.
Monitor: -
The surface of the screen is composed of individual picture elements called PIXELS. A screen set to a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels has a total of 480,000 pixels; each pixel can form parts of character or a graphic shape on the screen,
Mouse: -
This is a pointing device that fits comfortably under the palm of your hand. You can control the movement of the pointer on the screen and helps you make selections. The mechanical mouse contains a small ball to help it move around easily. It has two buttons, one to the let and the other to the right.
Printer: -
A printer used with a computer by striking an inked ribbon against paper. The number of pages per minute measures the speed. It converts data from the computer into a beam of light that is focused on the drum forming character and images to be printed.
Floppy Disk: -
A floppy disk or diskette is a portable inexpensive storage medium that consists of a thin, circular, flexible plastic disk with a magnetic coating enclosed in a square-shaped shell. The most disks widely used are 10cm wide, and can store up to 1.44 megabytes of data.
Hard Disk: -
A hard disk consists of rigid metal platters coated with metal oxide material that allows data to be recorded magnetically on the surface of the platters. Hard disk comes installed in the computer and cannot be removed. It will store all your data and in turn it is saved onto a floppy disk.
Compact Disk: -
Also called CD, is a flat rounded, portable metal storage that usually comes hi approximately 11cm in diameter less than 1/20th of a centimeter thick.
CD-ROM: -
This is a compact disk read only memory. It can contain text, graphics and video. You can only read the contents of these disks; they cannot be erased or modified. These disks can hold about 650 megabytes of data, instructions and information, about 450times more than you can store on a floppy disk.
CD-RW: -
This disk is an erasable disk you can write on, in multiple times.
DVD-ROMs: -
This is technology that can be used to store large amounts of text and videos. Computer software is the key to productive use of computers. Software can be categorized into two types.
The application software and The system software
Toolbar: -
A toolbar is used like a tool with individual buttons to do work and achieve results.
Icons
Are small symbols of a task representing the item as File, Folder, and program Icons? In the browse for printers dialog box, it displays an icon to help you distinguish between different types of items Icons in my Network places; window represents displays icons to help you. A small icon can set the view and contents of the desktop windows represents free floating labeled window.
Reminders, definitions and Tips: -
Sliding the mouse across your disk moves the pointer on the screen.
Clicking means to point the pointer on the screen at something and press once on the left button on your mouse
Double clicking means to point at something and press the left button on your mouse twice.
Right clicking means to point the pointers of your mouse then press the right button of the mouse.
A Dialog Box is a small window display that the computer provides to help you with more information
Window: -
A window is a rectangle on your screen that displays computer. It is a temporary area opened on the screen displaying the activity of program. A window will be active at any one time. You can run several activities on the screen at the same time, each will be in separate window but only one can be worked on at a time. A window, can be divided into two parts, these are called Panes. Forming part of a window that can be used separately such as headers and footers in a document. Windows can close a document, Icons, maximizing, minimizing, resize, and scroll through and sort items.
With Word 2000 you can create as many documents as you like but take care not to overload and this can happen easily. To see more than one document on the screen you need to first - open - window menu then choose the - Arrange All Command.
You know you can see different parts of your same documents at the same time, this can be done by splitting the window into panes like a sheet in a frame forming parts of a wall, like a line dividing the window. Double click the - Split Box - or open the - Window menu and choose the - Split command. To control the area, click -panes - as you would request.
Accessibility Wizard & Utilities
Accessibility Wizard and Utilities The Accessibility Wizard can help new users quickly and easily set up groups of accessibility options that address visual, hearing and dexterity needs all in one place. The Accessibility Wizard asks questions about accessibility needs. Then, based on the answers, it configures utilities and settings for individual users. The Accessibility Wizard can be run again at any time to make changes, or changes can be made to individual settings through Control Panel. To learn about the Accessibility Wizard, see:
Windows XP Accessibility Utilities:
- Magnifier—a display utility that makes the computer screen more readable by creating a separate window that displays a magnified portion of the screen.
- Narrator—a text-to-speech utility that reads what is displayed on the screen—the contents of the active window, menu options, or text that has been typed.
- On-Screen Keyboard—displays a virtual keyboard on the computer screen that allows people to type data by using a pointing device or joystick.
- Utility Manager—enables administrator-level users to check an accessibility program's status and start or stop an accessibility programs—automatically, if required.
Related Accessibility Links:
Keyboard and Mouse
In Windows XP you can choose a number of options to make your keyboard and 
mouse faster and easier to use. Options you can adjust include:
Mouse Options:
- Double-Click Speed—choose how fast to click the mouse button to make a selection.
- ClickLock—highlight or drag without holding down the mouse button.
- Pointer Speed—set how fast the mouse pointer moves on screen.
- SnapTo—move the pointer to the default button in a dialog box.
- Cursor Blink Rate—choose how fast the cursor blinks—or, if it blinks at all.
- Pointer Trails—follow the pointer motion on screen.
- Hide Pointer While Typing—keep pointer from hiding text while typing.
- Show Location of Pointer—quickly reveal the pointer on screen.
- Reverse the function of the right and left mouse buttons—reverse actions controlled by the right and left mouse buttons.
- Pointer schemes—choose size and color options for better visibility.
Keyboard Options:
- Character Repeat Rate—set how quickly a character repeats when a key is struck.
- Dvorak Keyboard Layout—choose alternative keyboard layouts for people who type with one hand or finger.
- StickyKeys—allow pressing one key at a time (rather than simultaneously) for key combinations.
- FilterKeys—ignore brief or repeated keystrokes and slow down the repeat rate.
- ToggleKeys—hear tones when pressing certain keys.
- MouseKeys—move the mouse pointer using the numerical keypad.
- Extra Keyboard Help—get ToolTips or other keyboard help in programs that provide it.
Sounds and Speech Windows XP includes options to make computer sounds easier to hear or distinguish—or, visual alternatives to sound. A variety of speech-to-text options are also available. Options you can adjust include:
A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions sorted in its own memory unit, that can accept data, manipulate the data according to specified rules, produce information from the processing, and store the results for future use. It is used to describe a collection of devices that function together as a system. T
A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions sorted in its own memory unit, that can accept data, manipulate the data according to specified rules, produce information from the processing, and store the results for future use. It is used to describe a collection of devices that function together as a system. The brain of the computer is called CPU (central processing unit.). It contains the processing chips electronic circuits. What is Data? Data is a collection of raw facts, figures and symbols. Computers manipulate data to create information. Information is data that is organized, meaningful and useful. A computer derives its power from its capability to perform the information processing cycle with amazing speed, reliability and accuracy; its capacity to store huge amounts of data and information, and its ability to communicate with other computers. For a computer to perform operations, it must be given a detailed set of instructions that tells it exactly what to do. These instructions are called Computer Programs and also come as software. The computer program is stored in the computer memory. Once a program is stored the computer begins to Operate. Keyboard - This is an input device that contains keys that you press to enter data. A computer keyboard includes keys that allow you to type letters of the alphabet, numbers, spaces, punctuation marks and other symbols. Monitor: - The surface of the screen is composed of individual picture elements called PIXELS. A screen set to a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels has a total of 480,000 pixels; each pixel can form parts of character or a graphic shape on the screen, Mouse: - This is a pointing device that fits comfortably under the palm of your hand. You can control the movement of the pointer on the screen and helps you make selections. The mechanical mouse contains a small ball to help it move around easily. It has two buttons, one to the let and the other to the right. Printer: - A printer used with a computer by striking an inked ribbon against paper. The number of pages per minute measures the speed. It converts data from the computer into a beam of light that is focused on the drum forming character and images to be printed. Floppy Disk: - A floppy disk or diskette is a portable inexpensive storage medium that consists of a thin, circular, flexible plastic disk with a magnetic coating enclosed in a square-shaped shell. The most disks widely used are 10cm wide, and can store up to 1.44 megabytes of data. Hard Disk: - A hard disk consists of rigid metal platters coated with metal oxide material that allows data to be recorded magnetically on the surface of the platters. Hard disk comes installed in the computer and cannot be removed. It will store all your data and in turn it is saved onto a floppy disk. Compact Disk: - Also called CD, is a flat rounded, portable metal storage that usually comes hi approximately 11cm in diameter less than 1/20th of a centimeter thick. CD-ROM: - This is a compact disk read only memory. It can contain text, graphics and video. You can only read the contents of these disks; they cannot be erased or modified. These disks can hold about 650 megabytes of data, instructions and information, about 450times more than you can store on a floppy disk. CD-RW: - This disk is an erasable disk you can write on, in multiple times. DVD-ROMs: - This is technology that can be used to store large amounts of text and videos. Computer software is the key to productive use of computers. Software can be categorized into two types. The application software and The system software Toolbar: - A toolbar is used like a tool with individual buttons to do work and achieve results. Icons Are small symbols of a task representing the item as File, Folder, and program Icons? In the browse for printers dialog box, it displays an icon to help you distinguish between different types of items Icons in my Network places; window represents displays icons to help you. A small icon can set the view and contents of the desktop windows represents free floating labeled window. Reminders, definitions and Tips: - Sliding the mouse across your disk moves the pointer on the screen. Clicking means to point the pointer on the screen at something and press once on the left button on your mouse Double clicking means to point at something and press the left button on your mouse twice. Right clicking means to point the pointers of your mouse then press the right button of the mouse. A Dialog Box is a small window display that the computer provides to help you with more information Window: - A window is a rectangle on your screen that displays computer. It is a temporary area opened on the screen displaying the activity of program. A window will be active at any one time. You can run several activities on the screen at the same time, each will be in separate window but only one can be worked on at a time. A window, can be divided into two parts, these are called Panes. Forming part of a window that can be used separately such as headers and footers in a document. Windows can close a document, Icons, maximizing, minimizing, resize, and scroll through and sort items. With Word 2000 you can create as many documents as you like but take care not to overload and this can happen easily. To see more than one document on the screen you need to first - open - window menu then choose the - Arrange All Command. You know you can see different parts of your same documents at the same time, this can be done by splitting the window into panes like a sheet in a frame forming parts of a wall, like a line dividing the window. Double click the - Split Box - or open the - Window menu and choose the - Split command. To control the area, click -panes - as you would request.
Accessibility Wizard & Utilities
Accessibility Wizard and Utilities The Accessibility Wizard can help new users quickly and easily set up groups of accessibility options that address visual, hearing and dexterity needs all in one place. The Accessibility Wizard asks questions about accessibility needs. Then, based on the answers, it configures utilities and settings for individual users. The Accessibility Wizard can be run again at any time to make changes, or changes can be made to individual settings through Control Panel. To learn about the Accessibility Wizard, see: Windows XP Accessibility Utilities: Related Accessibility Links:
Keyboard and Mouse
In Windows XP you can choose a number of options to make your keyboard and mouse faster and easier to use. Options you can adjust include:
Mouse Options:
- Double-Click Speed—choose how fast to click the mouse button to make a selection.
- ClickLock—highlight or drag without holding down the mouse button.
- Pointer Speed—set how fast the mouse pointer moves on screen.
- SnapTo—move the pointer to the default button in a dialog box.
- Cursor Blink Rate—choose how fast the cursor blinks—or, if it blinks at all.
- Pointer Trails—follow the pointer motion on screen.
- Hide Pointer While Typing—keep pointer from hiding text while typing.
- Show Location of Pointer—quickly reveal the pointer on screen.
- Reverse the function of the right and left mouse buttons—reverse actions controlled by the right and left mouse buttons.
- Pointer schemes—choose size and color options for better visibility.
Keyboard Options:
- Character Repeat Rate—set how quickly a character repeats when a key is struck.
- Dvorak Keyboard Layout—choose alternative keyboard layouts for people who type with one hand or finger.
- StickyKeys—allow pressing one key at a time (rather than simultaneously) for key combinations.
- FilterKeys—ignore brief or repeated keystrokes and slow down the repeat rate.
- ToggleKeys—hear tones when pressing certain keys.
- MouseKeys—move the mouse pointer using the numerical keypad.
- Extra Keyboard Help—get ToolTips or other keyboard help in programs that provide it.
Sounds and Speech Windows XP includes options to make computer sounds easier to hear or distinguish—or, visual alternatives to sound. A variety of speech-to-text options are also available. Options you can adjust include: