In describing the basics of networking technology, it will be helpful to explain the different types of networks in use.
Local Area Networks (LANS)
A net work is any collection of independent computers that exchange information with, each other over a shared communication medium. Local Area Networks or LANs are usually confined to a limited geographic area, such as a single building or a college campus. LANs can be small, linking as few as three computers, but can often link hundreds of computers used by thousands of people. The development of standard networking protocols and media has resulted in worldwide proliferation of LANs throughout business and educational organizations.
There is another advance LAN called the Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), used when we consider the distance covered to be between 1 to 10km unlike the LAN that spans within 1km.
Wide Area Networks (WANS)
Often elements of a network are widely separated physically. Wide area networking combines multiple LANs that are geographically separate. This is accomplished by connecting the several LANs with dedicated leased lines such as a T1 or a T3, by dial-up phone lines (both synchronous and asynchronous), by satellite links and by data packet carrier services. WANs can be as simple as a modem and a remote access server for employees to dial into, or it can be as complex as hundreds of branch offices globally linked. Special muting protocols and filters minimize the expense of sending data over vast distances.
Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANS)
Wireless LANs, or WLANs, use radio frequency (RF) technology to transmit and receive data over the air. This minimizes the need for wired connections. WLANs give users mobility as they allow connection to a local area network without having to be physically connected by a cable. This freedom means users can access shared resources without looking for a place to plug in cables, provided that their terminals are mobile and within the designated network coverage area. With mobility, WLANs give flexibility and increased productivity, appealing to both entrepreneurs and to home users. WLANs may also enable network administrators to connect devices that may be physically difficult to reach with a cable.
Intranet: A Secure Internet-Like Network for Organizations
With advancements in browser-based software for the Internet, many private organizations have implemented intranets. An intranet is a private network utilizing Internet-type tools, but available only within that organization. For large organizations, an intranet provides easy access to corporate information for designated employees.
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Computer Training Expert Solution Consults Computer Basics Extranet: A Secure Means for Sharing Information with Partners
While an intranet is used to disseminate confidential information within a corporation, an extranet is commonly used by companies to share data in a secure fashion with their business partners. Internet-type tools are used by content providers to update the extranet. Encryption and user authentication means are provided to protect the information, and to ensure that designated people with the proper access privileges are allowed to view it.
HISTORY OF THE INTERNET
More than just a technology, the Internet has become a way of life for many people, and it has spurred a revolution of sorts for both public and private sharing of information. The most popular source of information about almost anything is on the Internet as used daily by technical and non-technical users alike. With the meteoric rise in demand for connectivity, the Internet has become a major communications highway for millions of users. It is a decentralized system of linked networks that are worldwide in scope.
The development of computers and advances in the ability to link up several computer units within the same vicinity called the Local Area Network (LAN) and in remote locations called Wide Area Network (WAN) prepared the ground for the emergence of this powerful and awesome phenomenon which is known as Internet (INTERnational NETwork). The internet is a global network of computers linked together by telephone lines, microwave and satellite links to form a large single information pool. It is the most advanced, sophisticated and fastest growing information system available today.
The internet was as a result of some visionary thinking by people in the early 1960s who saw great potential value in allowing computers to share information on research and development in scientific and military fields. J.C.R. Licklider of MIT, first proposed a global network of computers in 1962, and moved over to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DAPGA) in late 1962 to head the work to develop it. Leonard Kleinrock of MIT and later UCLA developed the theory of packet switching, which was to form the basis of internet connections. Lawrence Roberts of MIT connected a Massachusetts computer with a California computer in 1965 over dial-up telephone lines. It showed the feasibility of wide area networking, but also showed that the telephone lineís circuit switching was inadequate. Kleinrockís packet switching theory was confirmed. Roberts moved over to DARP A in 1966 and developed his plan for ARP ANET .
The internet, then known as ARPANET, was brought online in 1969 under a contract led by the renamed Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARP A) which initially connected four major computers at universities in the Southwestern US (UCLA, Stanford Research Institute, UCSB, and the university of Utah). The contract was carried out by BBN of Cambridge, MA under Bob Kahn and went online in December, 1969.
In the 1970s, Arpanet grew, but in 1984, the National Science Foundation (NSF) of the US government built its own network research called the NSF net. Other US government agencies such as NASA followed and got their own networks. As the network grew, different internet domains were generated and standardized. They are com for commercial institutions, edu for education, gov for government, mil for military, net for network operations and services, org for nonprofit organizations while some are used for countries like za for South Africa ca for Canada, ng for Nigeria, fr for France, sa for Saudi Arabia and uk for United Kingdom, etc.
In 1993 the National Science Foundation, who had been running the network pulled out and the Net became open to anyone, anywhere.
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While an intranet is used to disseminate confidential information within a corporation, an extranet is commonly used by companies to share data in a secure fashion with their business partners. Internet-type tools are used by content providers to update the extranet. Encryption and user authentication means are provided to protect the information, and to ensure that designated people with the proper access privileges are allowed to view it.
HISTORY OF THE INTERNET
More than just a technology, the Internet has become a way of life for many people, and it has spurred a revolution of sorts for both public and private sharing of information. The most popular source of information about almost anything is on the Internet as used daily by technical and non-technical users alike. With the meteoric rise in demand for connectivity, the Internet has become a major communications highway for millions of users. It is a decentralized system of linked networks that are worldwide in scope.
The development of computers and advances in the ability to link up several computer units within the same vicinity called the Local Area Network (LAN) and in remote locations called Wide Area Network (WAN) prepared the ground for the emergence of this powerful and awesome phenomenon which is known as Internet (INTERnational NETwork). The internet is a global network of computers linked together by telephone lines, microwave and satellite links to form a large single information pool. It is the most advanced, sophisticated and fastest growing information system available today.
The internet was as a result of some visionary thinking by people in the early 1960s who saw great potential value in allowing computers to share information on research and development in scientific and military fields. J.C.R. Licklider of MIT, first proposed a global network of computers in 1962, and moved over to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DAPGA) in late 1962 to head the work to develop it. Leonard Kleinrock of MIT and later UCLA developed the theory of packet switching, which was to form the basis of internet connections. Lawrence Roberts of MIT connected a Massachusetts computer with a California computer in 1965 over dial-up telephone lines. It showed the feasibility of wide area networking, but also showed that the telephone lineís circuit switching was inadequate. Kleinrockís packet switching theory was confirmed. Roberts moved over to DARP A in 1966 and developed his plan for ARP ANET .
The internet, then known as ARPANET, was brought online in 1969 under a contract led by the renamed Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARP A) which initially connected four major computers at universities in the Southwestern US (UCLA, Stanford Research Institute, UCSB, and the university of Utah). The contract was carried out by BBN of Cambridge, MA under Bob Kahn and went online in December, 1969.
In the 1970s, Arpanet grew, but in 1984, the National Science Foundation (NSF) of the US government built its own network research called the NSF net. Other US government agencies such as NASA followed and got their own networks. As the network grew, different internet domains were generated and standardized. They are com for commercial institutions, edu for education, gov for government, mil for military, net for network operations and services, org for nonprofit organizations while some are used for countries like za for South Africa ca for Canada, ng for Nigeria, fr for France, sa for Saudi Arabia and uk for United Kingdom, etc.
In 1993 the National Science Foundation, who had been running the network pulled out and the Net became open to anyone, anywhere.
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Computer Training Expert Solution Consults Computer Basics Why the Internet?
The Internet is a fast, easy way to communicate. An email message can be sent anywhere in the world to any number of people and can arrive within minutes. Documents, pictures, sounds and video clips can be sent to anyone with internet access anywhere in the world. Software such as shareware packages, demos of commercial packages and games can be accessed. An enormous range of knowledge and data useful for research can be searched for and shared. Other advantages include News group (group on the internet that share news with one another about matters that interest individuals which range from commercial, business, sports, medical, etc.), Internet teleconference (people on the net that conduct real life discussion by typing your own contribution that others can read and reply), online training and learning (e.g. GRE, TOEFL, etc.), e-registration (e.g. WASSCE, NECO, JAMB, NYSC, etc.) and e-commerce/business.
Protocols (Rules of Networking)
Information is shared on the Internet by means of protocols. Protocols are rules that are followed by computers as standards of communications that allow them understand each other. Transferring data in the form of files is one of the most common uses of the internet. File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is one of the most popular method used for file transfer through the internet. The reason for its popularity is that it has the capability to transfer files between different types of computer. Computers that store information that can be transferred via FTP are called FTP servers. Those that store information that can be accessed by anybody are called anonymous servers. Some require a specific user name and password to login.
Table 3: Protocols
The Internet is a fast, easy way to communicate. An email message can be sent anywhere in the world to any number of people and can arrive within minutes. Documents, pictures, sounds and video clips can be sent to anyone with internet access anywhere in the world. Software such as shareware packages, demos of commercial packages and games can be accessed. An enormous range of knowledge and data useful for research can be searched for and shared. Other advantages include News group (group on the internet that share news with one another about matters that interest individuals which range from commercial, business, sports, medical, etc.), Internet teleconference (people on the net that conduct real life discussion by typing your own contribution that others can read and reply), online training and learning (e.g. GRE, TOEFL, etc.), e-registration (e.g. WASSCE, NECO, JAMB, NYSC, etc.) and e-commerce/business.
Protocols (Rules of Networking)
Information is shared on the Internet by means of protocols. Protocols are rules that are followed by computers as standards of communications that allow them understand each other. Transferring data in the form of files is one of the most common uses of the internet. File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is one of the most popular method used for file transfer through the internet. The reason for its popularity is that it has the capability to transfer files between different types of computer. Computers that store information that can be transferred via FTP are called FTP servers. Those that store information that can be accessed by anybody are called anonymous servers. Some require a specific user name and password to login.
Table 3: Protocols
Acronym
|
Full Name
|
Purpose
|
FTP
|
File Transfer Protocol
|
For transferring files
|
SMTP
|
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
|
For sending email
|
POP,IMAP
|
Post Office Protocol, Interactive Mail Access Protocol
|
For accessing email
|
MIME
|
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions
|
For enhancing email- especially for attachments
|
HTTP
|
HyperText Transfer Protocol
|
Used to transfer web pages
|
The World Wide Web
Developed by CERN in Geneva in 1990, the World Wide Web (www), also known as the web changed the face of the Internet to the extent that people mistakenly think the terms Internet and Web are synonymous. This hypertext system allows text, sound, video and pictures to be put on one page of information. These pages can, and often do, contain links to other pages whose source can be located anywhere in the world. The Web has made the internet much more user friendly and, as such infinitely more popular. It has brought about a time when anyone with the necessary resources can gain better access to information (to use the web to locate, read and download document stored on computer systems around the world). The Web is cross-platform, i.e. the same information can be viewed regardless of the type of computer you use. On the web however, the document are presented as a series of pages commonly known as web pages that are linked together to form a web site.
A web browser, such as Netscape, has the ability to enable access to many different forms of Internet distribution: FTP, the Web, Newsgroup and mail all through one application.
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Developed by CERN in Geneva in 1990, the World Wide Web (www), also known as the web changed the face of the Internet to the extent that people mistakenly think the terms Internet and Web are synonymous. This hypertext system allows text, sound, video and pictures to be put on one page of information. These pages can, and often do, contain links to other pages whose source can be located anywhere in the world. The Web has made the internet much more user friendly and, as such infinitely more popular. It has brought about a time when anyone with the necessary resources can gain better access to information (to use the web to locate, read and download document stored on computer systems around the world). The Web is cross-platform, i.e. the same information can be viewed regardless of the type of computer you use. On the web however, the document are presented as a series of pages commonly known as web pages that are linked together to form a web site.
A web browser, such as Netscape, has the ability to enable access to many different forms of Internet distribution: FTP, the Web, Newsgroup and mail all through one application.
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Computer Training Expert Solution Consults Computer Basics Web Server Addresses
Web pages that are accessible to all on the Internet are stored on special computers called as web server. Each web server is assigned a unique address e.g. www.state.gov.ng. Typically web addresses start with www. The name of the site is the name of the organization or person whose pages we are trying to access while ìtype of siteî is a two or three characters code indicating the nature of work.
Domain Names
A Domain Name is the name by which an individual or organization chooses to be known on the Internet. It is needed for email addresses and for the names of servers connected to the Internet. Once registered it is recognized throughout the world and cannot be used by anyone else. The uniqueness of a domain name is crucial to the working of the Internet because it ensures that email names and web addresses canít be duplicated. See the following table to see how domain names are used:
Table 4: Domain Names
Web pages that are accessible to all on the Internet are stored on special computers called as web server. Each web server is assigned a unique address e.g. www.state.gov.ng. Typically web addresses start with www. The name of the site is the name of the organization or person whose pages we are trying to access while ìtype of siteî is a two or three characters code indicating the nature of work.
Domain Names
A Domain Name is the name by which an individual or organization chooses to be known on the Internet. It is needed for email addresses and for the names of servers connected to the Internet. Once registered it is recognized throughout the world and cannot be used by anyone else. The uniqueness of a domain name is crucial to the working of the Internet because it ensures that email names and web addresses canít be duplicated. See the following table to see how domain names are used:
Table 4: Domain Names
Name Type
|
Example
|
Domain name
|
City.ac.uk
|
Personal name
|
Bilbo Baggins
|
User ID
|
Ab123
|
Email
|
Ab123@city.ac.uk or b.baggins@city.ac.uk
|
Website server
|
www.city.ac.uk
|
Personal web space
|
http://www.student.city.ac.uk/~ab123
|
Unix CPU Server
|
Swindon.city.ac.uk
|
Email Clients
There are special mail programs available to compose, receive and send mail. They are referred to as email client as they reside on the userís computer and are used to communicate with the email server. Email client also offer other facilities like maintaining an address book of email addresses that make emailing very simple. Examples are Outlook express, Eudora etc.
Electronic Mail (E-mail)
This is a popular resource on the Internet for sending and receiving information. It represents a large portion of all Internet traffic and is for many the only Internet resource they use. It can be use for business and personal correspondence and exchange of information. Just like normal mail, addresses are required for the exchange of email. Everyday person who wishes to use or receive email must have an email address. When a user applied for an email address, an account referred to as his email address is created for him on the email server. All email addressed to him is received into this account. Email accounts are password protected, thus preventing other users from accessing the mail. There are various companies or web sites that provide free email addresses that you can use at your convenience and that allow you to access your messages from any computer connected to the internet. Some of these companies are Yahoo, Netscape, Hotmail, Google, etc.
The email address is of this format username@domainname.com: The username is the identity of the user whose account it is. The symbol @ separates the Username and the domain name. The domain name is the unique name given to the email server e.g. pacific.com. Domain name have two components. Thus pacific is the name of the Organization while com is the type of organization (e.g. net, org, etc.). this is also referred to as the Uniform Resource Location (URL)
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There are special mail programs available to compose, receive and send mail. They are referred to as email client as they reside on the userís computer and are used to communicate with the email server. Email client also offer other facilities like maintaining an address book of email addresses that make emailing very simple. Examples are Outlook express, Eudora etc.
Electronic Mail (E-mail)
This is a popular resource on the Internet for sending and receiving information. It represents a large portion of all Internet traffic and is for many the only Internet resource they use. It can be use for business and personal correspondence and exchange of information. Just like normal mail, addresses are required for the exchange of email. Everyday person who wishes to use or receive email must have an email address. When a user applied for an email address, an account referred to as his email address is created for him on the email server. All email addressed to him is received into this account. Email accounts are password protected, thus preventing other users from accessing the mail. There are various companies or web sites that provide free email addresses that you can use at your convenience and that allow you to access your messages from any computer connected to the internet. Some of these companies are Yahoo, Netscape, Hotmail, Google, etc.
The email address is of this format username@domainname.com: The username is the identity of the user whose account it is. The symbol @ separates the Username and the domain name. The domain name is the unique name given to the email server e.g. pacific.com. Domain name have two components. Thus pacific is the name of the Organization while com is the type of organization (e.g. net, org, etc.). this is also referred to as the Uniform Resource Location (URL)
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Computer Training Expert Solution Consults Computer Basics News Group
Newsgroup allow for group discussion on specific topic. Some newsgroup focus on buying and selling, health, stamp collection, romance, politics etc. There are thousand of newsgroups, once a user gained access to newsgroup site there is no cost to subscribe to them. For example imagine that someone has joined a newsgroup involved in stamp collecting, as new message about this hobby are sent by other subscribing to his group the message become available to the newcomers. This person review not only what someone has sent to the newsgroup but also what others have written in response.
File Sharing and Topic Searching
One of the original Internet goal was global information sharing. File could be transfer between internet users located at different part of the globe within minutes. Search sites or search engines (e.g. yahoo, msn, ask, googles, etc.) can be used to locate resources on the internet. The user simply supplies a word or a phrase, the site then replies with a list of internet locations where the information can be found. Generally, the search is free and only takes a few seconds.
Browsers
A browser is a computer application that "understands" the languages (called protocols) of the internet used to view web pages. Examples include Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Mosaic, e.t.c. Browsers that only show textual information are called Text Based Browsers e.g. Lynx, Alynx, edbrowse (Line-mode browser), ELinks, Emacs/W3, Net-Tamer, w3m, and WebbIE. They make it easy to pick and follow links by selecting appropriate highlighted text. Graphical web browsers allow the user to just point and click to access information. They have the capability to support hypermedia i.e. sounds, movies, formatted text, and graphics. The most popular of graphical browsers are Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer, and Mosaic.
A browser is a window object made of five main sections: Title Bar, Menu bar, Toolbar, Address bar, and the viewing area.
This is a table of personal computer web browsers by year of release of major version, in chronological order.
Newsgroup allow for group discussion on specific topic. Some newsgroup focus on buying and selling, health, stamp collection, romance, politics etc. There are thousand of newsgroups, once a user gained access to newsgroup site there is no cost to subscribe to them. For example imagine that someone has joined a newsgroup involved in stamp collecting, as new message about this hobby are sent by other subscribing to his group the message become available to the newcomers. This person review not only what someone has sent to the newsgroup but also what others have written in response.
File Sharing and Topic Searching
One of the original Internet goal was global information sharing. File could be transfer between internet users located at different part of the globe within minutes. Search sites or search engines (e.g. yahoo, msn, ask, googles, etc.) can be used to locate resources on the internet. The user simply supplies a word or a phrase, the site then replies with a list of internet locations where the information can be found. Generally, the search is free and only takes a few seconds.
Browsers
A browser is a computer application that "understands" the languages (called protocols) of the internet used to view web pages. Examples include Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Mosaic, e.t.c. Browsers that only show textual information are called Text Based Browsers e.g. Lynx, Alynx, edbrowse (Line-mode browser), ELinks, Emacs/W3, Net-Tamer, w3m, and WebbIE. They make it easy to pick and follow links by selecting appropriate highlighted text. Graphical web browsers allow the user to just point and click to access information. They have the capability to support hypermedia i.e. sounds, movies, formatted text, and graphics. The most popular of graphical browsers are Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer, and Mosaic.
A browser is a window object made of five main sections: Title Bar, Menu bar, Toolbar, Address bar, and the viewing area.
This is a table of personal computer web browsers by year of release of major version, in chronological order.
Year
|
Web Browsers
|
Pre-browser: HyperCard, Gopher
| |
1991
|
Worldwide Web
|
1992
|
ViolaWWW, Erwise, MidasWWW, MacWWW
|
1993
|
Mosaic, Cello, Lynx 2.0, Arena, AMosaic 1.0
|
1994
|
IBM Web Explorer, Netscape Navigator, SlipKnot 1.0, MacWeb, IBrowse, Argo, Minuet
|
1995
|
Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator 2.0, OmniWeb, WebRouser, Internet Explorer 2, Grail
|
1996
|
Arachne 1.0, Internet Explorer 3.0, Netscape Navigator 3.0, Opera 2.0, PowerBrowser 1.5, Cyberdog, Amaya 0.9, AWeb, Voyager
|
1997
|
Internet Explorer 4.0, Netscape Navigator 4.0, Netscape Communicator 4.0, Opera 3.0
|
1998
|
Internet Explorer 5.0 Beta 1, iCab, Mozilla, Opera 4
|
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Computer Training Expert Solution Consults Computer Basics
1999
|
Amaya 2.0, Mozilla M3, Internet Explorer 5.0
|
2000
|
Konqueror, Netscape 6, Opera 4, Opera 5, K-Meleon 0.2
|
2001
|
Internet Explorer 6, Galeon 1.0, Opera 6
|
2002
|
Netscape 7, Mozilla 1.0, Phoenix 0.1, Links 2.0
|
2003
|
Opera 7, Safari 1.0, Epiphany 1.0
|
2004
|
Firefox 1.0, Netscape Browser, OmniWeb 5.0
|
2005
|
Safari 2.0, Netscape Browser 8.0, Opera 8, Epiphany1.8, Amaya 9.0, AOL Explorer1.0, Maxthon 1.0, Shiira 1.0
|
2006
|
SeaMonkey 1.0, K-Meleon 1.0, Galeon 2.0, Camino 1.0, Firefox 2.0, Avant 11, iCab 3, Opera 9, Internet Explorer 7, Sputnik
|
2007
|
Maxthon 2.0, Netscape Navigator 9, NetSurf 1.0, Flock 1.0, Safari 3.0, Conkeror
|
2008
|
Konqueror 4, Safari 3.1, Opera 9.5, Firefox 3, Amaya 10, Flock 2, Google Chrome 1
|
RC
|
Internet Explorer 8
|
Beta
|
Safari 4, Camino 2
|
Alpha
|
Opera 10, SeaMonkey 2, Google Chrome 2
|
Web Site/Web Page
A web page is an area of text and other fancy visual effects that you see when you get on the internet (actually it is a file but we haven't learned yet what a file is). A web site is a group of web pages that belong to one section of the internet, such as one person, one company, one school, or one government agency, etc (a web site is similar to a folder or directory but we haven't learned what a folder or directory are).
When you get on the internet, you actually access one or different web pages from one or different web sites. To access a web page, you must first get to the web site to which the web page belongs and you must know the name of the web page. The combination of a web page and the web site it belongs to is called its address. To get the address of a web page, you have four main options:
A web page is an area of text and other fancy visual effects that you see when you get on the internet (actually it is a file but we haven't learned yet what a file is). A web site is a group of web pages that belong to one section of the internet, such as one person, one company, one school, or one government agency, etc (a web site is similar to a folder or directory but we haven't learned what a folder or directory are).
When you get on the internet, you actually access one or different web pages from one or different web sites. To access a web page, you must first get to the web site to which the web page belongs and you must know the name of the web page. The combination of a web page and the web site it belongs to is called its address. To get the address of a web page, you have four main options:
- If you know the web site that published the web page, you must first go to that web site. To do this, after opening the browser, in the address box, you can type the (complete) address of the page
- If you have already been to that web page before, you may have book marked it. In this case, you can "recall" the web page using the main menu of the browser or a button on the browser
- If somebody sent you the address, on the document (such as an email) that was sent to you, you may just click the address that was sent to you (called a link) and the browser would automatically open the web page
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Computer Training Expert Solution Consults Computer Basics
If you are already on the internet and perform a search, the page that allowed you to do the search will present you with the address (called a link) of the page. You can just click it and you would be taken to that web page
A Link
A link is a word or a sentence that, when clicked, would lead you to a web page or produces an internet-related action. Because a link is meant for the internet, it is usually displayed in a different color although this depends on the person who created the link. There are two main ways you get a link:
If you are already on the internet and perform a search, the page that allowed you to do the search will present you with the address (called a link) of the page. You can just click it and you would be taken to that web page
A Link
A link is a word or a sentence that, when clicked, would lead you to a web page or produces an internet-related action. Because a link is meant for the internet, it is usually displayed in a different color although this depends on the person who created the link. There are two main ways you get a link:
- Somebody may send it to you as a reference or an indication
- If you are already on the internet, you may see some words or sentences that coincidentally all display in
the same color
The color of the link is not really what makes it a link. It is the result of what it produces that makes it a link. To distinguish a link from the other text on a document or a web page, when you position your mouse on it, the mouse pointer usually changes into a closed hand with a pointing finger. A link can also be created on a picture. To indicate that a picture holds a link, when you position your mouse on it, the pointing finger cursor appears.
Search Engines
Although the internet is highly rich with information, that information is not always organized the way you particularly expect. When "browsing", you may find it hard to get the particular information you want. To provide an alternative, there are some specialized sites that can perform the search for you, with more or less accuracy. These sites are referred to as search engines. Some of the most popular of them are Google.com, Yahoo.com, Alexa.com, MSN.com, Netscape.com, Altavista.com, and Search.com.
To do a search, first access a search engine site. Each one of them provides you with a convenient box in which you can type the word or sentence to search and press Enter. After a few seconds, the results would be displayed in a list. You can then click each link and check it. Most of the search engine sites provide more services than searching the web. For example, both Yahoo and MSN provide free email addresses and the ability to check your email messages. Some of them also allow you to look for a job, a relationship. Most of them allow you to shop. Many of them also provide news, etc.
Even though the internet simplifies accessing information, its vastness makes it a little difficult to find relevant information quickly. To make searching easier, search engines were developed. They are software on the web that help internet users to look for specific information. Search engines usually refer to websites that are used to search for data on the web. They search for information on the web on the basis of certain keywords specified by the user. The result of the search is a list of documents that contain the keywords. However, the list of found documents could be long, to narrow down the search; there are several options that can be applied. E.g. putting the phrase in quote, the plus and the minus sign.
Use the plus sign when you want to find articles that contain all of the words you enter. Example, to find article on rock and roll music, just type rock + roll + music. Use the minus sign to limit your results to articles with only the words you want. Example, if you want articles about pets, but you are not interested in dogs, just type pets-dogs. Do not leave any space between the signs (+, -) and the word you want to leave out.
Phrase it: Search for ideas and concepts instead of just word, using more than one word in your search. To find complete phrase, just put quotes around the words that you want to find together. For example, to find information on the small scale Business, typeî Small Scale Businessî (in quotes). Using quotes tells the search engines to look for that exact phrase.
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Computer Training Expert Solution Consults Computer Basics Downloading
Downloading is the ability to get something from the internet and put it in your computer. By default, downloading means that you decide when to get that thing. Unfortunately, some things get into your computer while using the internet. Some of these things don't bother your computer; some others do. This is why you should be restrictive with the sites you visit.
By default, sites of big corporations, government agencies, and schools are less harmful, almost not harmful because they are more accountable or more responsible. In fact, most responsible or accountable businesses run sites that are not harmful at all (you are extremely unlikely to get a disease, I mean a virus, from the web site of a big corporation or a government agency).
Like everything else in life, the internet was abused and is now the source of some bad behaviors. There is no strict list of things you should do or sites you should not visit. So, welcome to this world of the Internet.
Because of bad behaviors some people and corporations have witnessed on the internet, if you work for some corporations or government agencies, or if you are accessing the internet using a public or school's computer, you may not be able to just download anything you want, and these decisions are right (if you want to download harmful things, do it at home or using your own computer; create your own bad experience, be your own victim, learn from your own mistakes; don't do it on someone else's computer. This means that, if a school, an agency, a business, or a corporation prevents you from using the Internet any way you want, it is a valid decision they make and you should live with it).
Many big corporations offer free and safe things you can download (big corporations are more responsible and accountable; they can't take the risk of having their name dragged to the mud). For example, if you plan to get into programming, you can check offerings from http://www.sun.com/, http://www.borland.com/, or Dev- C++. I didn't cite Microsoft, not because I hate the company (I don't) but because most of its free offerings I can remember may be installed in your computer already, such as Internet Explorer, Microsoft Works (which is not really free, it is just that if you buy your computer in a store, it may have Microsoft Works already but if you don't have Microsoft Works and you nee it, you would have to purchase it) or the .NET Framework (the .NET Framework is not really free and it is not a program by itself anyway, it is a library whose job is to complete the operating system; fortunately, while doing that, it comes with free programs for programmers, not for casual users).
Chat or Internet Teleconference
Chat allows group of people to send messages to one another immediately in real time, once connected with a large number of other users form all around the world. Chat rooms are created in such that feature a particular theme, such as romance, politics, fictions, science, movies, sport etc. All the messages typed within a chat room appear almost simultaneously on the computer screens of all participants for that chat room.
A chat room is much like a party of people mingling and talking at the same general time, except that are typing short messages instead.
Telnet
This is a program that is designed to allow user to log into another computer on the internet as a user on that system. With this, a user can log into a server to access information stored on it. However, the only those users that have been allowed access by the organization can login to the server. Organizations make use of the telnet to make a part of their system available to outsiders.
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Downloading is the ability to get something from the internet and put it in your computer. By default, downloading means that you decide when to get that thing. Unfortunately, some things get into your computer while using the internet. Some of these things don't bother your computer; some others do. This is why you should be restrictive with the sites you visit.
By default, sites of big corporations, government agencies, and schools are less harmful, almost not harmful because they are more accountable or more responsible. In fact, most responsible or accountable businesses run sites that are not harmful at all (you are extremely unlikely to get a disease, I mean a virus, from the web site of a big corporation or a government agency).
Like everything else in life, the internet was abused and is now the source of some bad behaviors. There is no strict list of things you should do or sites you should not visit. So, welcome to this world of the Internet.
Because of bad behaviors some people and corporations have witnessed on the internet, if you work for some corporations or government agencies, or if you are accessing the internet using a public or school's computer, you may not be able to just download anything you want, and these decisions are right (if you want to download harmful things, do it at home or using your own computer; create your own bad experience, be your own victim, learn from your own mistakes; don't do it on someone else's computer. This means that, if a school, an agency, a business, or a corporation prevents you from using the Internet any way you want, it is a valid decision they make and you should live with it).
Many big corporations offer free and safe things you can download (big corporations are more responsible and accountable; they can't take the risk of having their name dragged to the mud). For example, if you plan to get into programming, you can check offerings from http://www.sun.com/, http://www.borland.com/, or Dev- C++. I didn't cite Microsoft, not because I hate the company (I don't) but because most of its free offerings I can remember may be installed in your computer already, such as Internet Explorer, Microsoft Works (which is not really free, it is just that if you buy your computer in a store, it may have Microsoft Works already but if you don't have Microsoft Works and you nee it, you would have to purchase it) or the .NET Framework (the .NET Framework is not really free and it is not a program by itself anyway, it is a library whose job is to complete the operating system; fortunately, while doing that, it comes with free programs for programmers, not for casual users).
Chat or Internet Teleconference
Chat allows group of people to send messages to one another immediately in real time, once connected with a large number of other users form all around the world. Chat rooms are created in such that feature a particular theme, such as romance, politics, fictions, science, movies, sport etc. All the messages typed within a chat room appear almost simultaneously on the computer screens of all participants for that chat room.
A chat room is much like a party of people mingling and talking at the same general time, except that are typing short messages instead.
Telnet
This is a program that is designed to allow user to log into another computer on the internet as a user on that system. With this, a user can log into a server to access information stored on it. However, the only those users that have been allowed access by the organization can login to the server. Organizations make use of the telnet to make a part of their system available to outsiders.
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Computer Training Expert Solution Consults Computer Basics DISADVANTAGES OF USING COMPUTER
The importance of computer cannot be overemphasized but there are lots to it than neglecting its demerits. Although, this aspect may be viewed based on where you are located in the world. In fact, the most efficient technology that has ever evolved is this information age that is based wholly on computer. Some of the negative points people raise about computer include computer fraud, security and privacy, and unemployment.
TYPING/KEYBOARDING
Now that you know how to use the mouse, the keyboard, and the Internet, you should learn keyboarding. Keyboarding is the ability to type professionally. Although it may appear as a waste of time, it absolutely is not. In fact, you should invest in learning it.
If you are taking a class at an institution, the school may (should) provide equipment to you to learn keyboarding. If you are on your own, you can go to a computer store and purchase software that would guide you with keyboarding. There are many sites that provide good lessons on keyboarding. On a search engine web site, do a search on "keyboarding". Check different sites to see what they offer. Besides, sites change all the time. The features to look for are that: the early lessons should show you how to position your fingers, the early lessons should start on the middle characters, for QWERTY keyboard, these should be asdf;lkjg and h. Other than that, the whole thing is about practicing and, unfortunately, no one else can do it for you.
USING HELP AND SUPPORT KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
If your mouse is unavailable or if you prefer using your keyboard, you can use the following keyboard commands to navigate within Help and Support Center.
Table 5: Help and Support keyboard shortcuts
The importance of computer cannot be overemphasized but there are lots to it than neglecting its demerits. Although, this aspect may be viewed based on where you are located in the world. In fact, the most efficient technology that has ever evolved is this information age that is based wholly on computer. Some of the negative points people raise about computer include computer fraud, security and privacy, and unemployment.
TYPING/KEYBOARDING
Now that you know how to use the mouse, the keyboard, and the Internet, you should learn keyboarding. Keyboarding is the ability to type professionally. Although it may appear as a waste of time, it absolutely is not. In fact, you should invest in learning it.
If you are taking a class at an institution, the school may (should) provide equipment to you to learn keyboarding. If you are on your own, you can go to a computer store and purchase software that would guide you with keyboarding. There are many sites that provide good lessons on keyboarding. On a search engine web site, do a search on "keyboarding". Check different sites to see what they offer. Besides, sites change all the time. The features to look for are that: the early lessons should show you how to position your fingers, the early lessons should start on the middle characters, for QWERTY keyboard, these should be asdf;lkjg and h. Other than that, the whole thing is about practicing and, unfortunately, no one else can do it for you.
USING HELP AND SUPPORT KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
If your mouse is unavailable or if you prefer using your keyboard, you can use the following keyboard commands to navigate within Help and Support Center.
Table 5: Help and Support keyboard shortcuts
Press
|
To
|
ALT+F4
|
Close Help and Support Center.
|
ALT+LEFT ARROW
|
Move back to the previously viewed topic.
|
ALT+RIGHT ARROW
|
Move forward to the next (previously viewed) topic.
|
ALT+SPACEBAR
|
Display the System window menu.
|
ALT+TAB
|
Switch between the open windows.
|
CTRL+A
|
Select all text in a pane.
|
CTRL+END
|
Move to the end of a topic.
|
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CTRL+HOME
|
Move to the beginning of a topic.
|
CTRL+P
|
Print a topic.
|
CTRL+SHIFT+T AB
|
Switch to the previous pane.
|
CTRL+T AB
|
Switch to the next pane.
|
DOWN ARROW
|
Move down one item in the Index, search results, or list of Help topics.
|
F6
|
Switch focus between the different panes in Help and Support Center.
|
PAGE DOWN
|
Move down one page in the Index, search results, or list of Help topics.
|
PAGE UP
|
Move up one page in the Index, search results, or list of Help topics.
|
SHIFT+F10
|
Display the Help and Support shortcut menu.
|
UP ARROW
|
Move up one item in the Index, search results, or list of Help topics.
|
UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW
|
Scroll through a topic.
|
Table 6: Index keyboard shortcuts
Table 7: Search keyboard shortcuts
Table 8: General keyboard shortcuts
Table 7: Search keyboard shortcuts
Table 8: General keyboard shortcuts
Press
|
To
|
ALT+D or ENTER
|
Display the associated topic.
|
TAB
|
Place the cursor in the list of keywords.
|
TAB to Index, and then press ENTER
|
Display the Index.
|
UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW
|
Select a keyword in the list.
|
Press
|
To
|
ALT+S
|
Start a search.
|
ENTER
|
Display the selected search result.
|
TAB or SHIFT+TAB
|
Select a search result in the list.
|
Press
|
To
|
ALT+ Enter
|
Displays the properties of the selected object.
|
AL T+ Underlined letter in a menu name
|
Display the corresponding menu.
|
ALT+ENTER
|
View properties for the selected item.
|
ALT+ESC
|
Cycle through items in the order they were opened.
|
ALT+F4
|
Close the active item, or quit the active program.
|
ALT+PRINT SCREEN
|
To make a copy of the active window
|
ALT+SPACEBAR
|
Opens the shortcut menu for the active window.
|
ALT+SPACEBAR
|
Display the System menu for the active window.
|
ALT+TAB
|
Switch between open items.
|
BACKSPACE
|
View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer.
|
CTRL while dragging an item
|
Copy selected item.
|
CTRL+A
|
Select all.
|
CTRL+C
|
Copy.
|
CTRL+DOWN ARROW
|
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph.
|
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CTRL+ESC
|
Display the Start menu.
|
CTRL+F4
|
Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously.
|
CTRL+LEFT ARROW
|
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word.
|
CTRL+RIGHT ARROW
|
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word.
|
CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item
|
Create shortcut to selected item.
|
CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
|
Highlight a block of text.
|
CTRL+UP ARROW
|
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph.
|
CTRL+V
|
Paste.
|
CTRL+X
|
Cut.
|
CTRL+Z
|
Undo.
|
DELETE
|
Delete.
|
ESC
|
Cancel the current task.
|
F10
|
Activate the menu bar in the active program.
|
F2
|
Rename selected item.
|
F3
|
Search for a file or folder.
|
F4
|
Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer.
|
F5
|
Refresh the active window.
|
F6
|
Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop.
|
LEFT ARROW
|
Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu.
|
PRINT SCREEN
|
To copy the entire screen as it appears on your monitor
|
RIGHT ARROW
|
Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu.
|
SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive
|
Prevent the CD from automatically playing.
|
SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
|
Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document.
|
SHIFT+DELETE
|
Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin.
|
SHIFT+F10
|
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
|
Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu
|
Carry out the corresponding command.
|
ALT + CTRL + DOWN [OR UP, LEFT OR RIGHT] ARROW
|
Changes the orientation of the wall paper to the selected direction
|
Table 9: Dialog box keyboard shortcuts
Press
|
To
|
ALT+ Underlined letter
|
Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option.
|
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Arrow keys
|
Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons.
|
BACKSPACE
|
Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box.
|
CTRL+SHIFT+T AB
|
Move backward through tabs.
|
CTRL+T AB
|
Move forward through tabs.
|
ENTER
|
Carry out the command for the active option or button.
|
F1
|
Display Help.
|
F4
|
Display the items in the active list.
|
SHIFT+TAB
|
Move backward through options.
|
SP ACEBAR
|
Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box.
|
TAB
|
Move forward through options.
|
You can use the following keyboard shortcuts with a Microsoft Natural Keyboard or any other compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key (WIN) and the Application key (APL).
Table 10: Natural keyboard shortcuts
Table 10: Natural keyboard shortcuts
Press
|
To
|
APL
|
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
|
CTRL+ WIN+F
|
Search for computers.
|
WIN
|
Display or hide the Start menu.
|
WIN + Shift + M
|
Restores minimized windows.
|
WIN + Tab Key
|
Circles through the taskbar buttons
|
WIN+ L
|
Lock your computer if you are connected to a network domain, or switch users if you are not connected to a network domain.
|
WIN+BREAK
|
Display the System Properties dialog box.
|
WIN+D
|
Show the desktop.
|
WIN+E
|
Open My Computer.
|
WIN+F
|
Search for a file or folder.
|
WIN+F1
|
Display Windows Help.
|
WIN+M
|
Minimize all windows.
|
WIN+R
|
Open the Run dialog box.
|
WIN+U
|
Open Utility Manager.
|
Table 11: Accessibility keyboard shortcuts
Table 12: Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts
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Table 12: Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts
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Press
|
To
|
Left ALT +left SHIFT +NUM LOCK
|
Switch MouseKeys on and off.
|
Left ALT +left SHIFT +PRINT SCREEN
|
Switch High Contrast on and off.
|
NUM LOCK for five seconds
|
Switch Toggle Keys on and off.
|
Right SHIFT for eight seconds
|
Switch Filter Keys on and off.
|
SHIFT five times
|
Switch Sticky Keys on and off.
|
Press
|
To
|
END
|
Display the bottom of the active window.
|
HOME
|
Display the top of the active window.
|
Computer Training Expert Solution Consults Computer Basics
LEFT ARROW
|
Collapse current selection if itís expanded, or select parent folder.
|
NUM LOCK+ASTERISK on numeric keypad (*)
|
Display all subfolders under the selected folder.
|
NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN on numeric keypad (-)
|
Collapse the selected folder.
|
NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN on numeric keypad (+)
|
Display the contents of the selected folder.
|
RIGHT ARROW
|
Display current selection if itís collapsed, or select first subfolder.
|
If you choose not to apply Windows key combinations to your Remote Desktop sessions, you can use these Terminal Server shortcut keys to perform many of the same functions.
Table 13: Terminal Server Keyboard shortcut
Table 13: Terminal Server Keyboard shortcut
Shortcut key
|
Description
|
ALT+DELETE
|
Displays the Windows menu.
|
ALT+HOME
|
Displays the Start menu.
|
ALT+INSERT
|
Cycles through the programs in the order they were started.
|
ALT+PAGE DOWN
|
Switches between programs from right to left.
|
ALT+PAGE UP
|
Switches between programs from left to right.
|
CTRL+ALT + END
|
Brings up the Windows Security dialog box.
|
CTRL+ALT+ Minus (-) symbol on the numeric keypad
|
Places a snapshot of the active window, within the client, on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing Print-Screen on a local computer.)
|
CTRL+ALT+ Plus (+) symbol on the numeric keypad
|
Places a snapshot of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing ALT+ Print-Screen on a local computer.)
|
CTRL+ALT+BREAK
|
Switches the client between a window and full screen.
|
FILE PROCESSING
We have learnt some few things about computing to include the basic knowledge and typing. At this point, any work done need to be preserved for future reference. Hence, either when we closed the application or shut down the computer, all our valuable work will be gone. Most of the time, after creating something using an application, you may want to keep it for later reference. You may even want to give or send it to someone else. File processing consists of creating something on a computer and keeping it. The thing you keep is called information or datum. The plural of datum is data. In some cases, the word data can be used in both singular and plural forms. There are various issues related and different techniques used to keep data.
A medium is an object used to hold information in a computer. The plural of medium is media. There are various kinds of them.
1. Internal Hard Drives
The primary object used to hold information in a computer is called the hard drive:
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We have learnt some few things about computing to include the basic knowledge and typing. At this point, any work done need to be preserved for future reference. Hence, either when we closed the application or shut down the computer, all our valuable work will be gone. Most of the time, after creating something using an application, you may want to keep it for later reference. You may even want to give or send it to someone else. File processing consists of creating something on a computer and keeping it. The thing you keep is called information or datum. The plural of datum is data. In some cases, the word data can be used in both singular and plural forms. There are various issues related and different techniques used to keep data.
A medium is an object used to hold information in a computer. The plural of medium is media. There are various kinds of them.
1. Internal Hard Drives
The primary object used to hold information in a computer is called the hard drive:
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Figure 10: A Typical Hard Drive
Everything (data) in your computer is stored in the hard drive. The hard drive is a rectangular box that contains some discs and other parts. The information stored in a hard drive is written on its discs. The information can be written to, erased from, copied or moved among discs. Although you will perform these operations, the operating system is in charge of deciding how the operations are carried out inside. You will not need to know what is going on inside.
The hard drive is inside of the computer, connected to another wide flat object called the motherboard, using cables. This type of hard drive is referred to as internal and this the most classic type.
When you purchase a computer, it already has a hard drive. Later on, you can either add a second one to your computer or replace the hard drive in your computer.
2. External Hard Drives
Until recently, the hard drive was traditionally thought of as a piece of hardware inside the computer. For this reason, it couldn't be carried away easily: you had to open the computer, disconnect the cables, and then remove the hard drive. Even then, some other issues were related (such as the type of cable, etc) so much that people were not in the habit of carrying a hard drive from one computer to another. Fortunately, another technology was developed to use another type of hard drive that stays outside the computer and it is referred to as external.
An external hard drive is usually connected to the computer using a cable to a port (USB) outside the computer. What makes it valuable is that, by simply disconnecting its cable, an external hard drive can easily be carried from one computer to another. And because the external hard drive doesn't have the same particularities of cables (IDE vs SATA), it can easily be connected to almost any common computer (PC). The external hard drive is fairly easy to install. You primarily connect a (USB) cable from the back of the hard drive to a (USB) port on the computer. In most cases, it should be ready to install (Plug n' Play) or it may quickly install the software (driver) it needs to function. In some cases, after inserting the cable and turning the device on, a window may come up asking you to install something (a driver), which you would also have received from the manufacturer. Install it and continue to use the drive.
3. Internal CD Drives
One of the problems with external hard drives is that, sometimes they can be heavy (not too heavy but still). Another problem is that, to use them on another computer, you must have the right cable and you must physically connect them. The remedy to this is to use an object that holds its information but can be ready by a recognizable drive. A CD drive is an object that can be used to store information on a disk called a compact disc (CD). It is also connected similar to that of the internal hard drives.
4. External CD Drives
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Everything (data) in your computer is stored in the hard drive. The hard drive is a rectangular box that contains some discs and other parts. The information stored in a hard drive is written on its discs. The information can be written to, erased from, copied or moved among discs. Although you will perform these operations, the operating system is in charge of deciding how the operations are carried out inside. You will not need to know what is going on inside.
The hard drive is inside of the computer, connected to another wide flat object called the motherboard, using cables. This type of hard drive is referred to as internal and this the most classic type.
When you purchase a computer, it already has a hard drive. Later on, you can either add a second one to your computer or replace the hard drive in your computer.
2. External Hard Drives
Until recently, the hard drive was traditionally thought of as a piece of hardware inside the computer. For this reason, it couldn't be carried away easily: you had to open the computer, disconnect the cables, and then remove the hard drive. Even then, some other issues were related (such as the type of cable, etc) so much that people were not in the habit of carrying a hard drive from one computer to another. Fortunately, another technology was developed to use another type of hard drive that stays outside the computer and it is referred to as external.
An external hard drive is usually connected to the computer using a cable to a port (USB) outside the computer. What makes it valuable is that, by simply disconnecting its cable, an external hard drive can easily be carried from one computer to another. And because the external hard drive doesn't have the same particularities of cables (IDE vs SATA), it can easily be connected to almost any common computer (PC). The external hard drive is fairly easy to install. You primarily connect a (USB) cable from the back of the hard drive to a (USB) port on the computer. In most cases, it should be ready to install (Plug n' Play) or it may quickly install the software (driver) it needs to function. In some cases, after inserting the cable and turning the device on, a window may come up asking you to install something (a driver), which you would also have received from the manufacturer. Install it and continue to use the drive.
3. Internal CD Drives
One of the problems with external hard drives is that, sometimes they can be heavy (not too heavy but still). Another problem is that, to use them on another computer, you must have the right cable and you must physically connect them. The remedy to this is to use an object that holds its information but can be ready by a recognizable drive. A CD drive is an object that can be used to store information on a disk called a compact disc (CD). It is also connected similar to that of the internal hard drives.
4. External CD Drives
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Computer Training Expert Solution Consults Computer Basics We also have another type of CD drive that stays outside the computer called an external CD drive. This type is
usually connected to the computer through an external port (USB). Here is an example:
Figure 11: An External CD Drive
Like the internal hard drive, the CD drive uses a round disc to store its data. While the hard drive holds its own many discs inside, the CD drive doesn't actually have a disc. You insert the disc when you think it necessary, and you can insert only one disc. The CD drive can read regular data but it can also play CD music.
In early days, the CD drive was used only to read the data on a disc. Most CD drives nowadays are also used to write to a disc. They are called CD writers or CD burners. As such, the CD writer can be used to both read from, and write to, a disc.
5. Internal DVD Drives
As you can expect, the CD has some limitations. For example, it can hold only a specify amount of information and it can play only music. To overcome some of its limitations, there is the DVD (Digital Video Disc) drive. This drive looks like the CD drive and they have the same dimensions.
6. External DVD Drives
There is also an external DVD drive. Like the hard and the CD drives, the external DVD drive connects to the computer using a (USB) cable connected to a port on the computer.
usually connected to the computer through an external port (USB). Here is an example:
Figure 11: An External CD Drive
Like the internal hard drive, the CD drive uses a round disc to store its data. While the hard drive holds its own many discs inside, the CD drive doesn't actually have a disc. You insert the disc when you think it necessary, and you can insert only one disc. The CD drive can read regular data but it can also play CD music.
In early days, the CD drive was used only to read the data on a disc. Most CD drives nowadays are also used to write to a disc. They are called CD writers or CD burners. As such, the CD writer can be used to both read from, and write to, a disc.
5. Internal DVD Drives
As you can expect, the CD has some limitations. For example, it can hold only a specify amount of information and it can play only music. To overcome some of its limitations, there is the DVD (Digital Video Disc) drive. This drive looks like the CD drive and they have the same dimensions.
6. External DVD Drives
There is also an external DVD drive. Like the hard and the CD drives, the external DVD drive connects to the computer using a (USB) cable connected to a port on the computer.
7. Flash Drives
A flash drive is a small drive that can be used to hold data.
To use it, you insert its metallic side in a USB port on the computer. Once you do, it turns itself on and a window may come up asking you what you want to do. In some cases, the drive would need to install something (a driver) for it to work.
8. Memory Cards and Card Readers
A flash drive is a small drive that can be used to hold data.
To use it, you insert its metallic side in a USB port on the computer. Once you do, it turns itself on and a window may come up asking you what you want to do. In some cases, the drive would need to install something (a driver) for it to work.
8. Memory Cards and Card Readers
Figure 12: The Flash Drive
The function of a memory card is similar to that of a flash drive except that the card needs a reader for it to be useful. You would buy them separately and insert the memory card into the card reader which is invariably connected to the computer via the USB port.
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Computer Training Expert Solution Consults Computer Basics SIMPLE DISK MANAGEMENT
When a drive has been installed in the computer or inserted on a port, the operating system must recognize it. Once it does, for a computer that runs Microsoft Windows, it assigns a letter to it. In Windows Explorer or My Computer, a drive is represented by a letter. Here are examples:
Figure 13: Window Explorer showing the drives on a Computer
Each letter, in this case A, C, D and E represents a drive. In some cases, a letter may not represent a real drive physical drive (it may represent a partition among many partitions on the same hard drive). To distinguish a letter of a drive from letters of normal words, the letter of a drive is always followed by a colon ":". In Windows Explorer or My Computer, the letter of a drive is also included in parentheses.
In most cases, you should accept the letters, In some cases, you may need to change them. For example, if you insert a flash drive, you hear a sound that the computer has recognized it, but the content of the drive doesn't show, or the drive letter is not (automatically) assigned (by the operating system). The problem could be that the letter the operating system attempted to assign to the drive is already taken but the operating system didn't attempt to assign another letter.
To manage the letters of the drives, you can open the Computer Management MMC. To do this, you can right-click My Computer click Manage in the left frame, click Disk Management. One of the actions you can perform here consists of changing a drive letter. To do this, you can right-click a drive letter in the top-right frame or a section in the lower-right frame click Change Drive Letter And Paths... This would open a dialog box that you can use to change the letter.
DOCUMENTS
When you open an application, such as a text editor, it displays an empty area with a blinking caret. In the same way, if you open a graphics application or a spreadsheet, it also displays an empty area, waiting for your work. You can then start performing the type of assignment that the application is expecting. For a graphics application, you can start drawing or loading pictures. For a spreadsheet, you can start entering numbers and performing calculations. When you start entering text in a text editor or a word processor, you are said to create, or work on, a document. If you start drawing shapes or manipulating pictures in a graphics application, you are said to work on a document. If you start entering numbers and performing calculations in a spreadsheet, you are said to work on a document.
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When a drive has been installed in the computer or inserted on a port, the operating system must recognize it. Once it does, for a computer that runs Microsoft Windows, it assigns a letter to it. In Windows Explorer or My Computer, a drive is represented by a letter. Here are examples:
Figure 13: Window Explorer showing the drives on a Computer
Each letter, in this case A, C, D and E represents a drive. In some cases, a letter may not represent a real drive physical drive (it may represent a partition among many partitions on the same hard drive). To distinguish a letter of a drive from letters of normal words, the letter of a drive is always followed by a colon ":". In Windows Explorer or My Computer, the letter of a drive is also included in parentheses.
In most cases, you should accept the letters, In some cases, you may need to change them. For example, if you insert a flash drive, you hear a sound that the computer has recognized it, but the content of the drive doesn't show, or the drive letter is not (automatically) assigned (by the operating system). The problem could be that the letter the operating system attempted to assign to the drive is already taken but the operating system didn't attempt to assign another letter.
To manage the letters of the drives, you can open the Computer Management MMC. To do this, you can right-click My Computer click Manage in the left frame, click Disk Management. One of the actions you can perform here consists of changing a drive letter. To do this, you can right-click a drive letter in the top-right frame or a section in the lower-right frame click Change Drive Letter And Paths... This would open a dialog box that you can use to change the letter.
DOCUMENTS
When you open an application, such as a text editor, it displays an empty area with a blinking caret. In the same way, if you open a graphics application or a spreadsheet, it also displays an empty area, waiting for your work. You can then start performing the type of assignment that the application is expecting. For a graphics application, you can start drawing or loading pictures. For a spreadsheet, you can start entering numbers and performing calculations. When you start entering text in a text editor or a word processor, you are said to create, or work on, a document. If you start drawing shapes or manipulating pictures in a graphics application, you are said to work on a document. If you start entering numbers and performing calculations in a spreadsheet, you are said to work on a document.
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Computer Training Expert Solution Consults Computer Basics Saving a Document
After creating a document, you may want to preserve it for later use. Preserving a document is referred to as saving it. You have many options and this may depend on the application you are using. In most cases, if an application was created using the standards described and recommended by Microsoft, to save the document, on the main menu, click File Save:
After creating a document, you may want to preserve it for later use. Preserving a document is referred to as saving it. You have many options and this may depend on the application you are using. In most cases, if an application was created using the standards described and recommended by Microsoft, to save the document, on the main menu, click File Save:
- If the document was never saved before, a dialog box would come to assist you
- If the document was saved previously, it would be saved behind the scenes and the new version would
include the new changes
A document can also be saved when you attempt to close an application:
- If you create a document or modify one, if you close the application (or the window), you will be asked whether you want to save it. If you want to save it, you should click Yes. If the document was not saved previously, a dialog box would come up.
- If you have modified a previously saved document and if you attempt to close the application (or the window), the computer would ask you whether you want to save the document. If you want to save it, you should click Yes. In this case, the new version of the document would keep the changes you made. If you click No, the document would revert back to what it was before it was opened or the previous time it was saved
When saving a document for the first time, you must give it a name and a location.
To make it possible to easily recognize its information in a computer that runs Microsoft Windows, a drive, such as those we have reviewed above, uses some units. The primary unit is called a directory. In Windows Explorer or My Computer, a directory is represented by a letter. When (the disc of) a drive is created, it doesn't contain directories. This is because the manufacturer doesn't decide how and on what type of computer the drive will be used. When a drive is installed on a computer, the operating system decides about the drive, creates it as a directory and assign a letter to it. You can store a document on a drive but this is not recommended.
Creating a Folder
To better organize the information that it contains, one or more units can be created on a drive. Each unit is called a folder. When (the disc of) a drive is created, it doesn't contain folders. When the operating system is installed, it creates a few folders. You also can create a folder and you have many alternatives.
When it comes to folders, a drive is called the root folder or simply, the root. To create a folder in the root, in Windows Explorer or My Computer:
- In the left frame, click the drive. On the main menu, click File New Folder and give it a name
- In the left frame, click the drive. In the right frame, right-click a white empty area position the mouse on
New click Folder. Then give it a name
You can also create a folder inside of another. The folder that will contain the new one is referred to as the parent folder. The other will be referred to as a child folder. To create a folder in another folder, in Windows Explorer or My Computer:
In the left frame, expand the drive by clicking its + button. Under the drive, click the folder name. If the new folder will be created inside of another folder that itself has a parent, expand it also and click the parent folder. On the main menu, click File New Folder and give it a name
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Computer Training Expert Solution Consults Computer Basics In the left frame, click the drive and click the parent folder. In the right frame, right-click the parent folder,
position the mouse on New and click Folder, then give it a name
You can also create a folder when saving a file. To do this, in the dialog box that comes up, click the Create New Folder button and give it a name.
Naming a Folder
There are some suggestions you should follow and various rules you must observe when naming a folder:
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position the mouse on New and click Folder, then give it a name
You can also create a folder when saving a file. To do this, in the dialog box that comes up, click the Create New Folder button and give it a name.
Naming a Folder
There are some suggestions you should follow and various rules you must observe when naming a folder:
- The name of a folder can be a single letter or a digit
- The name of a folder can also be a single special character except the following: | > / : \ < ? * and "
- The name of a folder can be a combination of letters, digits, and some special characters
As a suggestion, you should use a name that indicates what is stored in the folder. This makes it easy to find information.
Archive
Archives are files that contain other files. Typically the files in an archive are compressed. Archives usually have file names ending with ZIP, LZH, ARJ, or ARC, depending on how they were created. Archives make it easy to group files and make transporting and copying these files faster.
Typical Uses of Archives
- Most files available on the Internet and on electronic services like America Online are distributed as archives. Two benefits of using archives for electronic file distribution are that only one file transfer operation ("download") is required to obtain all related files, and file transfer time is minimized because the files in an archive are compressed.
- It is often useful to send a group of related files to an associate. Rather than distributing individual files it is often easier to distribute the files as an archive to benefit from the file grouping and compression.
- Some files are important but not used often. To save disk space simply compress these files into an archive when they are not used, and decompress them only when needed.
Self-Extracting Zip File
A self-extracting Zip file is an executable program file (.EXE file) that includes both a Zip file and software to extract or "unzip" the contents of the Zip file. Users can extract the contents of a self-extracting Zip file by simply running it. This is convenient, because the end user does not need an unzip program (like WinZipÆ) to extract files from these self-extracting archives.
WinZip Self-Extractor Personal Edition, included with WinZip, creates Windows self-extracting Zip files.
Archive formats:
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- TAR, Z, GZ, TAZ, and TGZ files are often found on Unix-based Internet sites. TAR stands for "Tape ARchive". The TAR format does not provide compression; it is used only to group files. GZ and Z files are gzip files. GZ and Z files cannot contain multiple files. TAZ and TGZ files are TAR files compressed in the gzip format. Since almost all new archives are created in Zip format, WinZip does not provide facilities to add to or create files in these formats (however, all other WinZip functions are supported). WinZip does not use external programs when working with files in these formats.
- File formats such as UUencoded, XXencoded, BinHex, and MIME are used primarily to transfer binary files by Internet e-mail. If you encounter one of these files, you can open it and extract its contents with WinZip. You can UUencode an archive using the UUencode entry in the WinZip Actions pull-down menu. WinZip does not use external programs when working with files in these formats.
- WinZip also handles most files in the old Microsoft Compress format (also known as LZEXPAND format). However, there are several variations on this format, and Microsoft has not released documentation on these variations. WinZip issues an appropriate message if you attempt to decompress a file not supported by your version of Windows. Microsoft Compress files usually end with a trailing underscore, for example, "commdlg.dl_". Like Z and GZ files, Microsoft Compress format files contain only one file. This format is used for many files on the Windows 3.1 distribution disks and many older Microsoft products. Note that not all files ending with an underscore are Microsoft Compress format files. WinZip does not use external programs when working with files in these formats.
- The Microsoft CAB (short for Cabinet) format is used by most Microsoft setup programs, including those used to install Windows. CAB files provide both file compression and file grouping. You can use WinZip to open and extract the contents of CAB files. WinZip will handle most self-extracting CAB files. WinZip does not use external programs when working with CAB files.
- ARC, ARJ, and LZH are older formats that provide both grouping and compression, like Zip files. Unlike other supported file formats, WinZip's optional support for these formats requires external programs that are not included as part of the WinZip distribution.
Files
In our introductions, we defined a document as what you create in an application. In a word processor, the characters you type constitute a document. For a graphics application, the drawings you perform or the picture you manipulate is called a document. In order to keep such a document for later use, you must store it somewhere. A file is an object used to hold a document. Put it another way, in order to have a file, you must save a document. We have mentioned how to save a document. Like a folder, you must name a file when saving a document. The name of a file follows the same rules we defined for a folder.
FILE MANAGEMENT
Bits and Bytes
To hold information, a medium such as a hard disk uses a system that resembles a combination of small boxes. Let's illustrate it as follows:
This box can hold only a small piece of information. It can only be either 0 or 1. When the box is empty, it holds a value of 0. When it is full, it holds a value of 1:
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0 1
You can represent a piece of information with one of two states. This box used to represent a value is called a binary digit; in its abbreviated form, it is called a bit (for binary digit).
You can represent a piece of information with one of two states. This box used to represent a value is called a binary digit; in its abbreviated form, it is called a bit (for binary digit).
0000, 0001, 0010,
0101, 0110, 0111,
1010, 1011, 1100,
1111
0101, 0110, 0111,
1010, 1011, 1100,
1111
0011, 0100
1000, 1001
1101, 1110
1000, 1001
1101, 1110
This produces the following binary combinations: 0000, 0001, 0010, 0011, 0100, 0101, 0110, 0111, 1000, 1001, 1010, 1011, 1100, 1101, 1110, 1111 = 16 combinations. When using the decimal system, these combinations can be represented as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15.
This combination is also a system that the computer uses to count bits internally. This technique is valuable and allows you to always identify a number as a divider of 4.
When all bits of a group of 4 are 0, the combination has the lowest value, which is 0000. Any of the other combinations has at least one 0 bit, except for the last one. When all bits are 1, this provides the highest value possible for a group of 4 bits. The lowest value, also considered the minimum value, can be represented as 0.
4The highest value, also considered the maximum, can be expressed in decimal value as 2 (2 represents the fact
that there are two possible states: 0 and 1; 4 represents the fact that there are four possible combinations), which
4 is16.Thisproduces16because2 =16.
A combination of 8 consecutive bits is called a byte. The bits are counted from right to left starting at 0:
You can represent a byte using a combination of 0s and 1s. If you have the patience to create combinations of bits using the boxes as we did for the group of 4, you would find out that there are 256 possible combinations. Another way to find it out is by using the base 2 technique:
76543210 2+2+2+2+2+2+2+2
= 128 + 64 + 32 + 16 + 8 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 255
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This combination is also a system that the computer uses to count bits internally. This technique is valuable and allows you to always identify a number as a divider of 4.
When all bits of a group of 4 are 0, the combination has the lowest value, which is 0000. Any of the other combinations has at least one 0 bit, except for the last one. When all bits are 1, this provides the highest value possible for a group of 4 bits. The lowest value, also considered the minimum value, can be represented as 0.
4The highest value, also considered the maximum, can be expressed in decimal value as 2 (2 represents the fact
that there are two possible states: 0 and 1; 4 represents the fact that there are four possible combinations), which
4 is16.Thisproduces16because2 =16.
A combination of 8 consecutive bits is called a byte. The bits are counted from right to left starting at 0:
You can represent a byte using a combination of 0s and 1s. If you have the patience to create combinations of bits using the boxes as we did for the group of 4, you would find out that there are 256 possible combinations. Another way to find it out is by using the base 2 technique:
76543210 2+2+2+2+2+2+2+2
= 128 + 64 + 32 + 16 + 8 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 255
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Therefore, the maximum decimal value you can store in a byte is 255. Remember that the byte with all bits having a value of 0 has its value set to 0. Since this byte also holds a valid value, the number of combinations = 255 + 1 = 256.
The only type of information you can store in a byte is a character or symbol, such as a readable letter from the alphabet: a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z. Besides these readable characters, a byte can also hold one digit: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. A byte can also hold a readable or non-readable symbols such as ` ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) - _ = +[{]}\|;:'<?./,>"
This means that a combination of 8 bits, called a byte, is enough to represent one symbol recognized in the English language. In this globalization word, a computer also needs to be able to store characters from other Latin-based languages such as letters from FranÁais or EspaÒol. To make this possible, instead of 8 bits, the operating system must use 16 bits. A combination of 16 consecutive bits is also called a word.
A group of 1000 bytes is supposed to be called a kilobyte but, based on the way the computer calculates the bits, a group of 1024 bytes is called a kilobyte or KB. A group of 1,000,000 bytes is called a megabyte but actually it is a group of 1,024,000 bytes that is called a megabyte or MB. A group of 1,000,000,000 bytes or actually a group of 1,073,741,824 bytes is called a gigabyte or GB.
The Size of a Drive
Because a drive cannot have unlimited space, it is recognized for its size. The size of a drive can be measured by, or specified in, MB or GB. For example, a typical CD can hold 700MB of data. A regular DVD can hold information up to 4.7GB in size. The sizes of hard drives are very varied. To find the size of a hard drive in your computer, from either Windows Explorer or My Computer, you can right-click the drive letter and click Properties.
The Size of a File
In order to keep track of the various files in a computer, each file has a size. The size of a file can be measured in bytes, kilobytes, or megabytes. To know the size of a file, in either Windows Explorer or My Computer, you can right-click it and click Properties.
The only type of information you can store in a byte is a character or symbol, such as a readable letter from the alphabet: a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z. Besides these readable characters, a byte can also hold one digit: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. A byte can also hold a readable or non-readable symbols such as ` ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) - _ = +[{]}\|;:'<?./,>"
This means that a combination of 8 bits, called a byte, is enough to represent one symbol recognized in the English language. In this globalization word, a computer also needs to be able to store characters from other Latin-based languages such as letters from FranÁais or EspaÒol. To make this possible, instead of 8 bits, the operating system must use 16 bits. A combination of 16 consecutive bits is also called a word.
A group of 1000 bytes is supposed to be called a kilobyte but, based on the way the computer calculates the bits, a group of 1024 bytes is called a kilobyte or KB. A group of 1,000,000 bytes is called a megabyte but actually it is a group of 1,024,000 bytes that is called a megabyte or MB. A group of 1,000,000,000 bytes or actually a group of 1,073,741,824 bytes is called a gigabyte or GB.
The Size of a Drive
Because a drive cannot have unlimited space, it is recognized for its size. The size of a drive can be measured by, or specified in, MB or GB. For example, a typical CD can hold 700MB of data. A regular DVD can hold information up to 4.7GB in size. The sizes of hard drives are very varied. To find the size of a hard drive in your computer, from either Windows Explorer or My Computer, you can right-click the drive letter and click Properties.
The Size of a File
In order to keep track of the various files in a computer, each file has a size. The size of a file can be measured in bytes, kilobytes, or megabytes. To know the size of a file, in either Windows Explorer or My Computer, you can right-click it and click Properties.
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