Basic Computer Skills: Handout

“10 Top Tips for Computer Beginners”

(Originally published online at http://digitalunite.com/guides/computer-basics/10-top-tips-computer-beginners)

1. Be patient with yourself – everyone finds it difficult and frustrating to learn how to use computers.

2. Ask for help at any time, but especially if you:

- can’t see the screen clearly

- can’t use the mouse

- haven’t used a keyboard before.

3. Computers are there to enhance your life. Think: what would I like to do better, do easier or do more of in my life? Then ask someone for advice on how a computer can help you achieve that goal.

4. Try to be selective about who you listen to. Those who are negative about computers may be scared themselves or

maybe the digital world is just not for them. Don’t let your enthusiasm be dampened by them. 5. Go at your own pace – don’t compare yourself with anyone else. Everyone comes to computers with a different

background and experience, and everyone learns to use them at a different pace.

6. Set yourself small, realistic goals. If you’re not sure what these should be, discuss them with a friend or with a computer mentor or tutor if you have access to one. Better to be able to find one useful website or send one short email than to end up with a head full of instructions and no results.

7. Practice makes perfect: don’t shy from repeating the things you’re learning time and time again until you feel you’ve got it. And don’t be scared about making mistakes.

8. If you start dreaming about mice, and email, and keyboards, you probably need to take a break!

9. Computers are also for fun. Find out about playing games: crosswords, cards, chess, Suduko, solitaire … And look into using computers to listen to music and the radio and to watch TV and films.

10. Don’t panic! It really will all make sense in the end. You’ll get there...

Gaston County Public Library Basic Computer Skills – Handout.docx Revised 23 May 2013

Computer Word Lists

UserComputerHardwareDesktop ComputerNotebook ComputerLaptopTabletMobile DeviceKeyboardCaps Lock KeyShift KeyControl KeyBackspace KeyDelete KeyNum Lock KeyPrint Screen Key

MouseRight ClickLeft ClickScroll WheelMonitorScreenScreenshotOperating System (OS)User InterfaceShut DownRebootLoginLog outDesktopIconTrash

Start MenuRight-Click MenuSoftwareProgramApplicationAppWindowsToolbarScrollbarCopyCutPasteSaveStorageFlash Memory CardMemory Stick

Flash DriveUSB DriveThumb DriveCDCD RomDVDPrinterPrintPiracyMalwareSpywareVirusAnti-Virus

**Practice**

http://www.computerhope.com/jargon.htm

Using a Mouse

Your mouse interacts with your computer by means of a cursor on your screen. The cursor shape changes depending on how it can interact with what is currently on your screen.

An “I” indicates that you can enter text. An “ ” means you can point and click. Arrows going in different directions show that you can move an object in the directions indicated.

**Practice**

http://www.seniornet.org/howto/mouseexercises/mousepractice.html http://www.skillfulsenior.com/skills/mouse/index.php http://www.minimouse.us/

Gaston County Public Library Basic Computer Skills – Handout.docx Revised 23 May 2013

Scroll Wheel

Right Mouse ButtonLeft Mouse Button

The Keyboard

Image Source: http://digitalunite.com/sites/default/files/images/keyboard850.jpg

Typing on the Keyboard

**Practice**

http://www.typeonline.co.uk/lesson1.html http://bigbrownbear.co.uk/learntotype/

Gaston County Public Library Basic Computer Skills – Handout.docx Revised 23 May 2013

http://games.sense-lang.org/

Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Windows Operating System:

“+” indicates that multiple keys should be pressed at the same time.

Apple computers run a Mac Operating System and will have different keyboard shortcuts.

Command KeysGet Help F1Undo Ctrl + ZSave Ctrl + SPrint Ctrl + P

Move the cursor up, down, right, or left of current position ↑↓→←Scroll Up Page Up

↑Scroll Down Page Down

↓Scroll to the end EndScroll to the beginning Home

Remove characters to the left of the cursor BackspaceRemove characters to the right of the cursor Delete

Select Shift + ↑↓→←Select all Ctrl + ACopy selected text/image Ctrl + CCut selected text/image Ctrl + XTake a screenshot Print ScreenPaste selected text/image or a screenshot Ctrl + V

Bold selected text Ctrl + BItalicize selected text Ctrl + IUnderline selected text Ctrl + U

TYPE ENTIRELY IN UPPER CASE LETTERS Caps Lock (toggle on/off)

Use Number Pad Num Lock (toggle on/off)

Gaston County Public Library Basic Computer Skills – Handout.docx Revised 23 May 2013

The Internet Browser

Internet Explorer:

**Practice**

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/internet

Further Reading

004.165 MIL. Easy Computer Basics Windows 7 Edition. 004.16 MIL. Easy Computer Basics Windows 8 Edition. 004.16 LAP. Laptops in Easy Steps. 004.16 GOO. PCs for Dummies. 004 COM. Computer Resources for People with Disabilities.

Gaston County Public Library Basic Computer Skills – Handout.docx Revised 23 May 2013

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