BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS
On any given day, most of what you do will involve computer systems. The
Television channels you watch, the radio stations that you listen to, the car
that you drive in, and even the cash register at the local grocery store are all
controlled in some way by computer systems! They help us perform tasks,
keep track of a great deal of information, and even control the airplanes that
fly above us. During the course of this class, you will learn about how they
work, how to perform simple tasks, and much, much more.
For more information on the Library and programs, visit www.bcpls.org
BCPLS 09/10/2010 PEMA
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Identifying Major Computer Components
As with most products, computers are designed in a variety of ways. There are, however,
major similarities regardless of brand. All computers have the following components and
mechanisms:
THE MONITOR:
The monitor looks like a television screen and is where you see what is happening on your
computer. By using shadows and graphics with over a million colors, much of what you
see will appear 3-dimensional.
THE TOWER/CPU:
“CPU” stands for “Central Processing Unit” and houses the machinery that allows your
system to work correctly. In a laptop, all the pieces are squished under the keyboard, but
in a desktop it is usually a separate unit
THE KEYBOARD:
The keyboard is one of two ways to input data into your computer. It has been modeled
after a traditional typewriter.
THE MOUSE:
This is another way to input commands into your computer. Most mice have two buttons,
but some feature up to five! On laptops, they are often designed as a “touch pad” with two
buttons.
Desktop Computer Laptop Computer
The following things are important to consider when appraising a computer system:
*How fast can it perform tasks?
*How much data can it store?
*How many programs (i.e. software) can it run simultaneously?
BCPLS 09/10/2010 PEMA
On any given day, most of what you do will involve computer systems. The
Television channels you watch, the radio stations that you listen to, the car
that you drive in, and even the cash register at the local grocery store are all
controlled in some way by computer systems! They help us perform tasks,
keep track of a great deal of information, and even control the airplanes that
fly above us. During the course of this class, you will learn about how they
work, how to perform simple tasks, and much, much more.
For more information on the Library and programs, visit www.bcpls.org
BCPLS 09/10/2010 PEMA
, 2
Identifying Major Computer Components
As with most products, computers are designed in a variety of ways. There are, however,
major similarities regardless of brand. All computers have the following components and
mechanisms:
THE MONITOR:
The monitor looks like a television screen and is where you see what is happening on your
computer. By using shadows and graphics with over a million colors, much of what you
see will appear 3-dimensional.
THE TOWER/CPU:
“CPU” stands for “Central Processing Unit” and houses the machinery that allows your
system to work correctly. In a laptop, all the pieces are squished under the keyboard, but
in a desktop it is usually a separate unit
THE KEYBOARD:
The keyboard is one of two ways to input data into your computer. It has been modeled
after a traditional typewriter.
THE MOUSE:
This is another way to input commands into your computer. Most mice have two buttons,
but some feature up to five! On laptops, they are often designed as a “touch pad” with two
buttons.
Desktop Computer Laptop Computer
The following things are important to consider when appraising a computer system:
*How fast can it perform tasks?
*How much data can it store?
*How many programs (i.e. software) can it run simultaneously?
BCPLS 09/10/2010 PEMA
