Learning
About Computers
Windows tutorials and basic articles
This page
lists a number of Windows tutorials in Macromedia Flash format and
articles about some introductory principles.There is also some material
and references from classes taught at the Ewing, NJ Computer Learning Center.
I
have completely redone the site
Windows
for Beginners. Much of the material formerly given here has been moved
there.
Introduction to Computers (these pages have been moved to Windows
for Beginners)
- Slide show introducing computers
- Presents elementary concepts of how computers work and what the essential components such as the CPU, RAM, and the hard drive are. Briefly describes the concept of an operating system and what the file system is.
- A survey of some of the keys on a PC keyboard
- A tutorial in Macromedia Flash 6 format showing some of the different keys on a PC keyboard
- Mouse Tutorial and Exercises
- A group of entertaining interactive exercises for practicing elementary
operations such as the double-click and drag-and-drop. Also contains
an interactive drawing exercise. In Flash 6 format.
- Slide show introducing the file system
- Describes the basic concepts of how information is stored in files and
folders. Introduces the idea of different types of file formats requiring
different software
- Elementary window
operations
- An interactive Flash tutorial for practicing very basic operations with
the standard Windows menus.
- Using the Task Pane to copy a file
- Folders in Windows XP contain a handy area called the "Task Pane", where various file and folder operations can be carried out. This Flash demonstration shows how to copy a file.
- Using the Task Pane to move a file
- Another Flash presentation, this time showing how to move a file in Windows XP
- Copying multiple files
- Continuing the Flash presentations on simple file operations in Windows XP
- Tutorial on selecting text for copying or editing
- A Macromedia Flash presentation on how to use the mouse to select or highlight text designated for copying to another document window or for editing purposes
How to Use Windows (pages marked with * have been moved to Windows
for Beginners)
- *Tips on using Windows Explorer
- Shows some of the different features of Windows Explorer and its alter
ego My Computer
- *Outline for course on file management
- Describes how Windows organizes information into files and folders. How
to use Windows Explorer. Discusses basic operations copy, move, etc.
Discusses file extensions and associations. Discusses the right-click
context menu
- *Tutorial on
Windows file extensions
- Explains what file extensions are and what they do. Describes the way
file associations function
- *Tutorial on editing
file associations
- Details the procedure for changing file associations and for adding programs
and functions to the right-click context menu
- *Tutorial on the versatility of
the right-click
- Explains the many features of the right-click context menu. Describes
how to use and configure the "Send To" function and outlines the kind
of information to be found in "Properties Sheets"
- *Tutorial
on how to use System Restore in Windows XP
- A presentation in Macromedia Flash format on how to use this important accessory for backing up your system files
- *Tutorial on how to defragment your hard drive in Windows XP
- A presentation in Macromedia Flash format on how to perform a basic hard drive maintenance operation using the defragmenter console
- How to make shortcuts
- One way to use Windows XP better and more efficiently is
to have a quick path to your most common tasks. Here's how
to create useful shortcuts.
- Organize the Desktop, Taskbar,
and Start menu
- Zipped Word document describing how to more efficiently use the Desktop, Taskbar, and Start menu
- Customizing shortcuts
- A description of how to create shortcuts for shutdown, Internet Explorer
and other functions in order to make using Windows more effective
-
Ways to make your favorite folders more accessible
- How to edit the Places Bar, use "Send To", and configure the Favorites
folder to provide easy access to your personal folders
- Small free program to
make backing up very easy
- I know that many average PC users don't back up their data. I have written a small program to make backing up a folder as simple as possible. All you have to do is click a few times. Download the zipped file and unzip it anywhere convenient. It is a VBScript and therefore anti-virus programs will give a routine warning. However, the script is perfectly safe and makes no changes to your system. If you don't like it, simply delete it.
Internet Topics
Computer Administration and Management