Computer Basics

Chapter One: The Essentials

• Hardware, Software, and Information Technology (IT)
• Computer Overview
• The Front of a Computer and Peripheral Devices
• The Inside of a Computer
• The Back of a Computer (Ports)
• System Bus and Expansion Cards
• Memory Cache
• Computer Performance
• Buying a Desktop Computer
• Buying a Notebook Computer
• Upgrading a Computer
• Chapter One Review

Chapter Two: Understanding Hardware

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Memory
• RAM and ROM
• Mouse
• Keyboard
• Digital Cameras and Web Cams
• Other Input Devices
• Monitor
• Graphics Card
• Printer Basics
• Types of Printers
• Sound and Speakers
• Modem
• Input/Output Devices
• Hard Drive
• Hard Drive Maintenance
• CD-ROM Drive
• DVD Drive
• Floppy Drive
• Zip and Jaz Drives
• Other Storage Devices
• Formatting a Disk
• Chapter Two Review

Chapter Three: Understanding Software

• Understanding Graphical User Interfaces
• Types of Software
• Operating Systems
• Word Processing
• Spreadsheets
• Databases
• Presentation Software
• Accounting
• Web Browsing
• Web Authoring
• Programming Languages
• Systems Development
• Chapter Three Review

Chapter Four: Information Networks

• Introduction to Networks
• The Internet
• Intranets and Extranets
• Telephones and Networks
• Chapter Four Review

Chapter Five: Introduction to Windows XP

• Starting and Logging On to Windows XP Home
• Starting and Logging On to Windows XP Professional
• Understanding the Windows XP Screen
• A Look at the New Windows XP Start Menu
• Using the Mouse: Pointing, Clicking and Double clicking
• Using the Mouse: Clicking and Dragging
• Using the Mouse: Right-clicking
• Using the Keyboard
• Exiting Windows and Turning Off Your Computer
• Chapter Five Review

Chapter Six: Working with a Window

• Starting a Program
• Understanding the Parts of a Window
• Minimizing, Maximizing, and Restoring a Window
• Closing a Window
• Moving a Window
• Sizing a Window
• Switching Between Windows
• Chapter Six Review

Chapter Seven: Working with Programs

• Using Menus
• Using Toolbars
• Filling Out a Dialog Box
• Entering Text in the WordPad Program
• Editing Text
• Saving and Opening a File
• Selecting, Replacing, and Deleting Text
• Using Undo
• Printing a File
• Cutting, Copying and Pasting Text
• Changing the Font Type and Size
• Using Bold, Italics and Underline
• Changing Paragraph Alignment
• Getting Help by Contents
• Getting Help with the Help Index and Search
• Saving and Opening Files in Different Locations
• Chapter Seven Review

Chapter Eight: Working with Files and Folders

• Understanding Storage Devices, Folders and Files
• Using My Computer to See What’s in Your Computer
• Opening a Folder
• Creating and Renaming a Folder
• Copying, Moving and Deleting a Folder
• Opening, Renaming and Deleting a File
• Copying and Moving a File
• Restoring a Deleted File and Emptying the Recycle Bin
• A Closer Look at Files and Folders
• Changing How Information is Displayed
• Selecting Multiple Files and Folders
• Finding a File Using the Search Companion
• Managing the Search Companion
• Using Windows Explorer
• File Management Using Windows Explorer
• Using MS-DOS
• Creating and Using a Compressed Folder
• Chapter Eight Review

Chapter Nine: Exploring the Internet

• Introduction to the Internet
• Connecting to the Internet
• Displaying a Specific Web Page
• Browsing the Web
• Searching the Web
• Adding a Web Page to Favorites and Changing Your Home Page
• Displaying a History of Visited Web Pages
• Clearing the History of Visited Web Pages
• Downloading Pictures and Files
• Understanding the Information Bar
• Using the Pop-up Blocker
• Understanding Information Security
• Understanding Windows Firewall
• Introduction to E mail
• Composing and Sending E-mail
• Adding a Name to the Address Book
• Receiving E-mail
• Replying to a Message
• Forwarding and Deleting a Message
• Chapter Nine Review