ICT learning material

 

DETAILED COMPUTING CONCEPTS 

 

 

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my dear students Adventist Academicians, and every student who wants to actually know about the software and the hardware functions and uses of the computer.

Moreover who also wants to wants to use the computer with ease.

Acknowledgement

First and foremost goes to the almighty, the Supremacy, for allowing such knowledge in my brain. Second to my parents for their exclusive support, also Mr Asante Hammond for his support. I can not also forget my dear friend, Odzidzator Deborah for her advice. Gbati Courage for his support too.

Preface

This book is meant to be very useful for using and understanding the computer. It is also useful for students who prepare for their final examination.

Content

1. Computer

2. Folders and files

3. How to shut down the computer

4. How to launch an application

5. Features of the Microsoft word and their uses

6. Features of the keyboard and their functions

7. The computer mouse

8. Computer viruses

9. The internet

10. How to create an email account

11. Some artificial intelligent (ai) tools and their functions

12. Some keyboard shortcuts

13. Some general computer abbreviations

14. Some likely questions to meet in the examination.

15. Bibliography

 

COMPUTER

A computer is an electronic device used to access/collect process and retrieve date to information and can also store data. Examples are phones, watches, radio, television etc.

TYPES OF COMPUTERS

 Personal Computers (PCs): These are small and inexpensive, designed for individuals and businesses for personal use like coding, writing, surfing, and gaming. 

 Workstations: These are also designed for personal use, but for more complex tasks like 3D modelling, CAD, graphic design, and video editing. 

 Server: These computers mainly deal with data storage, management, and processing. They are used by organizations to host applications, websites, and databases. 

 Mainframe: These are large-scale computers that handle complex calculations and processing for multiple users. They are used by large organizations for heavy-duty processing like banking, government, and scientific research applications. 

 Supercomputer: These are among the most powerful computers in the world that can perform billions of calculations per second. They are used in scientific research, weather forecasting, and other data-intensive applications. 

 Embedded computers: These are computers embedded in other devices to control specific functions like music players, calculators, and smart TVs. 

 Wearable computers: These are computers that can be worn or carried by individuals, like smartwatches, fitness trackers, and health monitoring devices. 

 Gaming computers: These are specialized computers designed for gaming purposes that have high-end hardware like graphics cards and processors to offer an immersive gaming experience. 

 Tablet computers: These are mobile computers with a large touch screen display that can be used for browsing, reading, and streaming media. 

 Hybrid computers: These are computers that combine characteristics of both laptops and tablets, with detachable keyboards and touch screens.

USES OF COMPUTERS

Computers have become an essential part of modern life, and their uses are varied and widespread. Here are some of the most common uses of computers:

1. Communication: Computers are used extensively for communication purposes through email, instant messaging, social media, video conferencing, and other online platforms.

2. Education: Computers are used in education to enhance teaching and learning processes. They are used for online research, online courses, and to facilitate remote learning.

3. Business: Computers are used in the business world for various purposes such as accounting, inventory management, customer relationship management, and data analysis.

4. Entertainment: Computers are used for entertainment purposes such as gaming, streaming movies and TV shows, and listening to music.

5. Healthcare: Computers are used in healthcare to store patient records, manage appointments, and to perform medical research.

6. Research: Computers are used extensively in scientific research, such as in simulations, data analysis, and modeling.

7. Creative pursuits: Computers are used for creative pursuits such as graphic design, video editing, and music production.

8. Banking: Computers are used in banking for online transactions, managing accounts, and for fraud detection.

9. Transportation: Computers are used in transportation for managing logistics, tracking shipments, and for managing traffic.

10. Security: Computers are used for security purposes such as surveillance, access control, and for monitoring critical infrastructure.

The two main components of a computer

 Hardware

 Software

  

HARDWARE COMPONENTS

Hardware components of a computer are the physical components that make up the computer system. These components work together to process and store data. Some examples of hardware components of a computer include: the HDD, CPU, keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers etc.

  Central Processing Unit (CPU): This is the "brain" of the computer that performs calculations and executes instructions.

  Random Access Memory (RAM): This is the computer's temporary memory that stores data that the CPU is currently working on.

  Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or Solid State Drive (SSD): This is the computer's permanent storage that stores files and programs even when the computer is turned off.

  Motherboard: This is the main circuit board of the computer that connects all the components together.

  Power Supply Unit (PSU): This component supplies power to the computer, converting AC power from the wall outlet to DC power that the computer can use.

  Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): This is a specialized component that handles the rendering of graphics and images.

  Input devices: These are devices that allow the user to interact with the computer, such as keyboards, mice, and touchpads.

  Output devices: These are devices that display or output information from the computer, such as monitors, printers, and speakers.

  Optical drives: These are drives that can read or write CDs, DVDs, and other optical media.

  Network Interface Card (NIC): This is a component that allows the computer to connect to a network or the Internet.

There are many other hardware components that can be found in a computer, but these are some of the most common examples.

SOFTWARE COMPONENTS

Software components are the programs and applications that run on a computer. They include the operating system, system utilities, drivers, and applications. Here are some examples of software components:

  Operating System (OS): This is the software that manages the computer's hardware and provides a platform for other software to run on. Examples of operating systems include Windows, macOS, and Linux.

  System Utilities: These are software programs that perform maintenance and optimization tasks on the computer, such as disk cleanup, defragmentation, and virus scanning.

  Drivers: These are software programs that allow the computer to interact with hardware components, such as printers, scanners, and cameras.

  Applications: These are software programs that are designed to perform specific tasks, such as word processing, spreadsheet management, and photo editing. Examples of applications include Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, and Google Chrome.

  Programming Languages: These are software tools that allow developers to create their own software programs, websites, and applications. Examples of programming languages include Java, Python, and C++.

  Libraries and Frameworks: These are collections of pre-written code that developers can use to build software programs more quickly and easily.

  Multimedia Software: These are software programs that are designed to work with multimedia files, such as audio and video. Examples of multimedia software include VLC Media Player and iTunes.

  Games: These are software programs that are designed for entertainment purposes, such as computer games and mobile apps.

These are just a few examples of the many different software components that can be found on a computer.

How to create a folder

A folder, also known as a directory, is a container used to store files and other folders on a computer. It is a way to organize and manage files and folders in a hierarchical structure.

STEP-BY-STEP WAY TO CREATE A FOLDER

1. Right-click on an empty space on your desktop screen.

2. Move your mouse over "New" in the context menu that appears.

3. Click on "Folder"   from the submenu that appears.

4. Type a name for the new folder and press Enter.

And that's it! You should now see the new folder on your desktop screen. You can also create a new folder on the desktop screen by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + N.

USING THE FILE EXPLORER

1. Open File Explorer  by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar or by pressing the Windows key + E.

2. Navigate to the location where you want to create the new folder.

3. Right-click on an empty space in the location and select "New" from the context menu.

4. Click on "Folder" from the submenu that appears.

5. Type a name for the new folder and press Enter.

USES OF FOLDERS

1. Organizing files: Folders are used to organize files into logical groups based on their content, purpose, or usage. This makes it easier to find and access files when needed and to keep track of files that belong together.

2. Managing files: Folders are used to manage files by moving, copying, renaming, and deleting them. This helps to keep files organized and up-to-date and to avoid clutter and duplication.

3. Sharing files: Folders are used to share files with others by setting permissions and access controls. This allows multiple users to access and edit files in a collaborative environment.

4. Backing up files: Folders are used to back up files by copying them to an external storage device or cloud storage service. This helps to protect files from loss or damage due to hardware failure, theft, or other disasters.

5. Archiving files: Folders are used to archive files by storing them in a separate location for long-term storage. This helps to free up space on the computer's hard drive and to preserve important files for future use.

FILES

A file is a collection of data that is stored on a computer or other digital device. It can contain any type of information, such as text, images, audio, video, or software code. Files are typically stored on a hard drive, solid-state drive, or other storage medium and are accessed and manipulated by the computer's operating system and applications.

DISTINGUISH A FOLDER FROM A FILE

FOLDER FILE

a folder contains files and other folders A file contains data, such as text, images, audio, or video

a folder is used to organize and manage multiple files and folders. A file is used to store and manage a single piece of data

a folder is identified by a unique name only. A file is identified by a unique name and extension

a folder has a size that is determined by the total size of its contents, including files and other folders.

A file has a specific size that is determined by the amount of data it contains

a folder can be created, renamed, moved, copied, and deleted using the computer's file manager or other tools.

A file can be opened, edited, saved, and deleted using various software applications

HOW TO RENAME A FILE OR FOLDER

1. Locate the file or folder that you want to rename in File Explorer.

2. Right-click on the file or folder and select "Rename" from the context menu.

3. The file or folder name will be highlighted, and you can type a new name for it.

4. Press Enter to save the new name

Alternatively, you can also rename a file or folder by selecting it and pressing the F2 key on your keyboard.

COMPUTER BOOTING AND REBOOTING

Booting is the process of starting up a computer or other digital device and loading the operating system and other software components into memory. 

STEPS IN BOOTING

1. Click on the "Start" button in the bottom left corner of the screen.

2. Click on the "Power" button in the bottom left corner of the Start menu.

3. Click on "Shut down" from the options that appear.

4. Wait for the computer to finish shutting down. You may see a message that says "Shutting down" or "Restarting," depending on the option you selected.

Alternatively, you can also shut down a Windows computer by pressing the power button on the computer case or by pressing the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys on your keyboard and selecting "Shut down" from the options that appear.

NOTE

It's important to properly shut down your computer to avoid data loss and other issues. Make sure to save any open work and close any running applications before shutting down your computer.

Rebooting, also known as restarting, is the process of turning off a computer or device and then turning it back on again.

HOW TO REBOOT A COMPUTER

1. Click on the "Start" button in the bottom left corner of the screen.

2. Click on the "Power" button in the bottom left corner of the Start menu.

3. Click on "Restart" from the options that appear.

4. Wait for the computer to finish restarting. You may see a message that says "Restarting" or "Shutting down and restarting," depending on the option you selected.

Alternatively, you can also restart a Windows computer by pressing the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys on your keyboard and selecting "Restart" from the options that appear.

APPLICATION

An application, also known as an "app," is a software program designed to perform a specific function or set of functions on a computer, mobile device, or other electronic device. 

Examples of applications include word processors, web browsers, games, email clients, and social media apps. Applications can be installed on a device either through an app store or by downloading them from the internet.

How to launch an application

1. Click on the "Start" menu   or the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of your screen.

2. Scroll through the list of installed applications or type the name of the application you want to launch in the search bar.

3. Click on the application icon to launch it.

Alternatively, you can also launch an application from the desktop or taskbar if it has been pinned there.

MICROSOFT WORD 

Microsoft Word is a popular word processing program developed by Microsoft Corporation. It is part of the Microsoft Office suite of applications and is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems. Microsoft Word provides a wide range of features for creating, editing, and formatting text documents such as letters, reports, resumes, and other types of professional or personal documents.

FEATURES OF THE MICROSOFT WORD

1. Ribbon: The Ribbon is a central feature in Microsoft Word that provides quick access to commonly used commands and tools. It is organized into tabs, which group related commands together.

2. File Tab: This is where you can perform common file management tasks such as opening, saving, and printing a document. The File Tab also houses additional features such as the option to protect a document, inspect one for hidden information, and access the version history.

3. Quick Access Toolbar: The Quick Access Toolbar is a customizable toolbar that provides one-click access to frequently used commands, such as Save, Undo, and Redo. The toolbar can be positioned above or below the Ribbon.

4. Insert Tab: The Insert Tab provides access to various tools that allow you to add different types of content to your document, such as pictures, tables, and hyperlinks.

5. Review Tab: The Review Tab is designed for reviewing and editing documents. It includes tools such as Spell Check, Track Changes, and Comments.

6. View Tab: The View Tab allows you to change the way your document is displayed. You can switch between different layouts, such as Print Layout, Web Layout, and Outline View. You can also adjust the Zoom level and enable other features such as the Ruler and Gridlines.

7. Home Tab: The Home Tab provides quick access to frequently used formatting options, such as font style, size, and colour. It also includes tools for applying styles, formatting paragraphs, and creating lists.

8. Navigation Pane: The Navigation Pane is a feature that allows you to quickly and easily navigate through your document. It provides an overview of the document's headings and sections, making it easy to jump to a specific section of the document.

9. WordArt: WordArt is a text formatting feature that allows you to create stylized text in your document. You can choose from a variety of different styles and effects to make your text stand out.

10. Page Layout Tab: The Page Layout Tab is designed for formatting your pages, including page orientation, margins, and page borders. It also includes tools for adding headers and footers, page numbers, and watermarks.

THE HOME TAB

 

FEATURES OF THE HOME TAB

1. Save: This feature allows you to save your document to your desired location on your computer or cloud storage.

2. Undo/Redo: These features allow you to undo or redo your previous actions in your document, useful when you make a mistake or want to go back to a previous version of your document.

3. Cut/Copy/Paste: These features allow you to cut, copy or paste text or other objects within your document or between different documents.

4. Bold/Italic/Underline: These features allow you to emphasize text by making it bold, italicized or underlined.

5. Font and Font size: These features allow you to change the font and size of your selected text or the default font and size for your document.

6. Bullet and Numbering: These features allow you to create lists with bullets or numbers for better organization.

7. Alignment: These features allow you to change the alignment of your text to left, centre, right or justified.

8. Line spacing: This feature allows you to change the spacing between lines in your document to make it easier to read.

9. Page setup: This feature allows you to change the margins, orientation, size and layout of your document.

10. Insert: This feature allows you to insert tables, pictures, shapes, charts, hyperlinks, headers and footers, and other objects in your document.

HOW TO LAUNCH THE MICROSOFT WORD

1. Click on the "Start" menu or the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of your screen.

2. Scroll through the list of installed applications or type "Microsoft Word" in the search bar.

3. Click on the Microsoft Word icon to launch it.

Alternatively, you can also launch Microsoft Word from the desktop or taskbar if it has been pinned there.