Basic Computer Functions
& Terms
Main Parts of a Computer
• Monitor – Display information
• CPU – Brains of the computer
• Keyboard – Used to input text
• Mouse – Used to point and click
• Speakers – Used to play sound
• Printer – Used to create hard copies
1.
Four Main Functions of a
Computer
Input
-Words, articles, pictures, music
Devices: Keyboard, mouse, microphone
2. Processing
-Computers can rapidly solves all types of
numerical problems (Excel formulas)
3. Storage
-Photos, documents, spreadsheets
Devices: Hard drive, cd-rom, flash/thumb
drives
4. Output
-Spreadsheets, music, presentation slides, papers
Devices: Speakers, monitor, printer
Programs
• Microsoft Word – Used to create documents, type papers
& primarily used for word processing
• Microsoft Publisher –Used to create brochures, flyers,
invitations, certificates, newsletters, etc…
• Microsoft Excel – Used to create spreadsheets with
numbers and has a massive amount of different formulas
• Microsoft Movie Maker – Used to create films
• Microsoft Power Point – Used to create slide
presentations
Computer Terms
Internet/World Wide Web – Provide us w/ search engines (Google,
Yahoo, Bing) and connect us to a worldwide network of computers known as
the internet
Web browser – A program you use to navigate between pages on the www
Bandwidth – How quickly information travels
Word Processing – One of the oldest uses of a computer
Spreadsheets – Lists, but so much more
Virus/Malware/Spyware– All programs that can harm your computer
Case sensitive – Often used for passwords (example)
Firewall – A piece of software that helps to prevent unauthorized material into
the computer that may harm it
Freeware – Software that can be downloaded and used without a cost
Icons – Buttons on the desktop used to open a program
Default – The preset format of the computer or program
Common Keyboard
Commands
• Windows key + M
Minimizes all open windows
• Windows key + Tab
Cycle through programs
• Windows key + Left arrow
Maximize the window on the
left side of the screen
• Window key + Right arrow
Maximize the window on the
right side of the screen
Keyboard Shortcuts for
Microsoft Products
• CTRL + C
Copies the selected text (right click)
• CTRL + V
Pastes the copied or cut text
• CTRL + X
Cuts the selected text
• CTRL + Z
Undo
• CTRL + B
Bold
• CTRL + U
Underline
• CTRL + I
Italic