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It did this by keeping keys as far apart as possible. The Dvorak keyboard layout was designed for computers, where this is obviously not a problem, and thus places the most commonly used keys where they are easy to reach, and because of that, quicker. It is generally advised that you use a QWERTY keyboard, as even though Dvorak users gain significantly faster typing speeds, the rarity of the layout makes it hard for people who use Dvorak to use most other computers.
Keyboards vary in appearance. Those attached to a desktop computer are frequently large with an additional number pad built in on the right side, while laptop keyboards are attached to the computer and are often much smaller. Some keyboards also offer special buttons to play music, open common programs such as the web browser or email program. These multimedia keys tend to be put above the F keys and make the keyboard bigger as a result.
Smaller keyboards combine keys or shrink the keys. They are commonly used as an accessory for a laptop - a small size makes them easier to travel with. There are wired and wireless keyboards and mice.
Wired keyboards usually plug into a USB slot. Older style keyboards use the PS2 socket at the back of a desktop. PS2 to USB adapters are available. Bluetooth is built into most laptops so a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse can connect with no extra equipment. Most desktops do not have bluetooth built in but a USB Bluetooth key can be used to add it. RF keyboards and mice need a receiver plugged into the computer, the transmitter is usually built into the keyboard or mouse.
The mouse is an input device which is primarily used by physically moving the device across a surface. This causes a pointer symbol, called a "cursor", to move across the screen.
The other input comes from pressing a button while the cursor is over an object on the monitor, or "clicking". All mice have at least one button, with the most common layout having three. Gaming mice may have 7 buttons.
This is how the mouse tells where it is, with the laser measuring the distance it crosses when it is moved, and the ball measuring how it rotates. The laser is generally more accurate and less of a hassle to use, and can be used on more surfaces, but the ball mouse is cheaper. Ball mice are rarely seen today. The last important consideration when buying a mouse is size.
You should always try to put your hand on a mouse and move it around, to see how well it feels in your hand.
If it feels awkward, small, big, long, or short, look for something better! Not only will your hands thank you, but you will be more efficient. A trackball is very similar to a mouse but has a ball instead of the middle button. This ball allows you to move the mouse up, down or side to side.
There are usually 2 or more buttons as well. Many users find they cause less pain than a traditional mouse. A Touchpad is often found on a laptop instead of a mouse. This pad is found under the keyboard in most laptops i. Moving a finger across it moves the pointer. Multiple fingers can be used to send other commands e. These devices carry data, in the same way that a hard drive does, but are much more portable.
They are the primary method of storing data outside of a computer, and the main method of transferring information between computers without the use of a network, such as the Internet. The monitor is the main method for the computer to produce output, in the same way a book has pages. A book filled with letters, but in a way you can't possibly understand or even see is of no use to you, and the same is true for a computer. They work on the same principle as a television.
They were generally heavy, had a lower image quality, and were in general less reliable than an LCD. They come in two forms, the normal version, which has a curved monitor, and "Flat Screen", where the display is completely level although it still has the bulky back end.
It is suggested that if you plan to remove a CRT, it is better for the environment to safely dispose of it not just into a bin, an electronic waste bin , as CRT's contain high levels of toxic chemicals. The most common type of monitor today is an LCD, or Liquid Crystal Display, which is much lighter, although slightly more expensive.
They have a smaller form, a higher image quality, and are overall better than CRT monitors. To take proper care of your monitor, always be sure that the screen is not left on a static image for long periods of time. This can "burn" the image into the monitor, meaning that it will have a ghosting effect, even when that image is not displayed.
This can not only be highly annoying, but in some cases, make it so the monitor needs to be replaced. To avoid this, either set a moving screensaver, which will trigger after a set amount of time, or simply turn the monitor off. If you have a printer attached to your computer you can print your information and keep a physical copy of data. Depending on what type of printer you have, you can print in color, double-sided or book form.
Follow these links to learn more about computer basics: You should also pay attention to your computer, and be ready to turn the power off immediately if there are any problems, such as the fans not starting. It enables the computer to connect to the Internet. This allows information held in memory to quickly interact with the CPU. They are much smaller, and yet have seen extreme performance gains. Casual computer users can also consider printing out important documents.
The output quality of some printers goes from draft to save ink all the way to photo quality. Printers come in all price ranges and in many types. The most common for home use are ink jets bubble jets and laser. There are specialized printers for data plotting mapping , photos only, labels and more. A lot of printers are "all-in-ones" which simply means they combine more than one function. They can be any combination of printer, copier, fax and scanner. If you are looking to buy an all-in-one make sure it has all the features you are looking for.
You don't want to get it home and find out you still need a separate fax machine or scanner that you thought was included! Computer software, or simply software, also known as computer programs, is the non-tangible component of computers. Computer software contrasts with computer hardware, which is the physical component of computers. Computer hardware and software require each other and neither can be realistically used without the other. Computer software includes all computer programs regardless of their architecture; for example, executable files, libraries and scripts are computer software.
Yet, it shares their mutual properties: Software is stored in computer memory and cannot be touched, just as a 3D model shown in an illustration cannot be touched. At the lowest level, executable code consists of machine language instructions specific to an individual processor — typically a central processing unit CPU. A machine language consists of groups of binary values signifying processor instructions that change the state of the computer from its preceding state. For example, an instruction may change the value stored in a particular storage location inside the computer — an effect that is not directly observable to the user.
An instruction may also indirectly cause something to appear on a display of the computer system — a state change which should be visible to the user. The processor carries out the instructions in the order they are provided, unless it is instructed to "jump" to a different instruction, or interrupted.
Software is usually written in high-level programming languages that are easier and more efficient for humans to use closer to natural language than machine language. Software may also be written in a low-level assembly language, essentially, a vaguely mnemonic representation of a machine language using a natural language alphabet. Assembly language is converted into object code via an assembler.
Programming tools are software in the form of programs or applications that software developers also known as programmers, coders, hackers or software engineers use to create, debug, maintain i. Software is written in one or more programming languages; there are many programming languages in existence, and each has at least one implementation, each of which consists of its own set of programming tools. These tools may be relatively self-contained programs such as compilers, debuggers, interpreters, linkers, and text editors, that can be combined together to accomplish a task, much as one might use multiple hand tools to fix a physical object, or they may be an integrated development environment IDE , which combines much or all of the functionality of such self-contained tools.
An IDE may do this either by invoking the relevant individual tools on behalf of the programmer, or by reimplementing their functionality in a new way. Almost all programming language implementations a notable exception being Smalltalk provide the option of using individual tools rather than an IDE, because some programmers prefer not to use IDEs for various reasons, and IDEs usually take longer to be developed to an "acceptable" standard than individual tools - indeed, initially, new programming languages which are created every year would not typically have IDEs available for them.
The first thing to do after taking your computer out of the box is to set it up. While many stores offer at home installation, this is generally unneeded for anyone able to operate a computer, as a computer can be hooked up with about the same effort as a television and components. You may want Speakers, microphones and webcams to be able to hear sound, input sound or input film clips.
Simply place the case wherever you wish to have it, plug the monitor's cable into the appropriate slot on the back of the computer should have a monitor picture on the slot , place the monitor where you wish to have it, plug the monitor's cable into the monitor the ends are usually a white DVI-D or blue VGA, being phased out , plug the keyboard and mouse into the appropriate slots on your computer USB , and lastly plug the power cable into the power supply on the back of the computer, and into a standard wall outlet.
You should consider using a surge protector to protect the delicate electronics inside a computer from any power surge, or loss. You may also consider using a power backup, which will allow you time to shut your computer down safely during a blackout, or even continue to use it until the power is restored, in some cases. In that case you need only plug in your battery and power cord. Some additional models differ from the above two designs.
For example, the iMac series of Apple computers have the internals and monitor housed in one case, with only the keyboard and mouse separate. Please refer to your instruction manual for setup instructions Apple usually has very clear instructions.
Many of the instructions in this Wikibook require a Windows computer. After everything is assembled, proceed to turn on your computer and your peripherals. It is important to turn the monitor and speakers on first so that you can hear and see any error sounds or messages.
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You should also pay attention to your computer, and be ready to turn the power off immediately if there are any problems, such as the fans not starting. Though you should be careful, as computer fans can be extremely quiet, if the fans do not start, immediately turn the computer off to prevent the CPU and other delicate components from overheating. The major software application on a computer is called the operating system.
The operating system is like the driver of a car. While it might seem like it's only telling the car computer what to do, it is in fact also interfacing with the different parts of it, as well as taking any new input say, a map, or instructions on where to go- which equates to other software and performing these tasks to the best of its ability. Although many things are compatible across platforms, more involved programs, such as photo editing tools and games, will not work across all platforms, in the same way that if you started giving your cab driver directions in French, he'd probably tell you to get out, unless you were of course, in France!
An operating system, aka "OS", is the middleman between you and the computer. It creates an environment where the user can interact with the computer in an efficient manner. The mouse controls the movement of an on-screen pointer, called the cursor, that often appears as a small white arrow. When you move the mouse, the pointer on-screen moves too, usually in the same direction as the mouse.
In other words, move the mouse toward you to move the on-screen pointer toward the bottom of the screen, you move the mouse to the away from you and the arrow moves to the top, and so on. You indicate to the computer what parts of the screen you want to interact with by placing the pointer over those areas on the screen. The keyboard is used for inputting text into the computer. It is designed so that users can type all the letters of the alphabet without moving their hands. Many programs from word processors to media players utilize the keyboard.
The GUI is really just a front for the command line, which is what does the actual process and such. While almost all Windows and Mac users do not need to worry about this, it is important for users of Linux to know, as they will use the command line for tasks which either cannot be done or are more efficient to do through the command line terminal. The boring process of booting up will begin. Booting is just starting up the computer. Remember to turn on peripherals first! This may take a few minutes, so be patient.
Your computer is testing itself and running a bunch of internal functions that you'll probably never have to worry about. You don't care what's happening inside when you turn on your TV. You just want it on. It's the same with the computer. Just let it do its thing!
If it is the first time booting up the computer running XP operating system, a prompt asking you to choose a user name and password will appear; you may enter up to five different users. In Windows XP Home edition, different users have the same programs installed, but may choose different backgrounds for their desktop more on this later , and have different program icons on it as well; if you have Windows XP Professional, the differences are much fewer.
Passwords should be secure, but not as secure as if it were an online password, as you only need to prevent people accessing the actual computer itself- make sure if you choose a password you can remember and write it down , as this is one password you simply cannot afford to lose. DON'T ever tape your password to a keyboard or other part of your system. That's the first place everyone looks! There will be some questions that show up on the screen. Answer them the best you can and if you're not sure, use the default.
You may be asked to activate your software if the installer has not done so. Microsoft requires you to activate XP. If you don't activate it will quit working and you'll have to install it all over. Activation is usually done over the Internet but can also be done by phone. The number will appear on the screen. Now Windows XP has booted up, hopefully, and is running. You should now be looking at a rolling green hillside with a blue sky and clouds. This view is called the desktop , which makes sense.
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