Computer Applications and Definitions

Computer Applications

• Computer history traces back to early devices like the Abacus, then the Pascaline (mechanical calculator), and later Charles Babbage's mechanical computer, considered the "father" of computing.
• John V. Atanasoff and Clifford Berry created the first electronic digital computer in 1939.
• Konrad Zuse developed an early computer in 1941.
• Bill Gates and Paul Allen were instrumental in developing operating systems like DOS in 1975.
• Modern computers evolved from these early designs, shrinking in size and increasing in power.

Computer Definition

• A computer is an electronic device programmed to perform arithmetic and logical operations.
• It processes data (input) and produces information (output).
• Data is unstructured raw input, needing processing to become information.

Computer Components

• Hardware: The physical components of a computer (e.g., RAM, hard drive).
• Software: The non-physical instructions (e.g., operating systems, apps).
• User: The person interacting with the computer.

Computer Performance Factors

• CPU speed (measured in gigahertz) significantly affects processing speed.
• RAM capacity impacts overall system speed, reducing reliance on the hard drive.
• Hard disk speed and capacity influence overall performance and file access speed.
• Solid State Drives (SSDs) are faster than traditional hard drives.

Operating Systems

• Operating systems manage the computer's resources (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux).
• Common computer file system terminology includes files, folders, storage capacity units (bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes).

Basics of Windows

• Powering on/off involves activating the power button on the computer or laptop.
• Shutting down/restarting a PC is done through the start menu.

Creating, Renaming, and Deleting Folders

• Right-clicking on the desktop, selecting New, and then choosing Folder creates a new folder.
• Right-clicking a folder, selecting Rename, and typing a new name changes the folder's title.
• Right-clicking a folder, selecting Delete, and confirming deletes the folder.
• Keyboard shortcut (ALT+F4) minimizes a window.

Microsoft Office Word 2016/2019

• The application's interface (ribbon) contains file menus, home menus, and tool groups (like Clipboard, Fonts and Paragraph).
• Using the File menu enables file operations (like Create, Open, Save, Save As, Print, Close).
• Short keys are keyboard shortcuts for specific actions (e.g., Ctrl+N for new document, Ctrl+O for open, etc...).

Paragraph, Insert, Styles etc

• Paragraph tools include bulleted lists, numbering, alignment, spacing, indents, direction, sorting, and shading.
• Insert options include cover page, blank page, page break, tables, pictures, shapes, icons, charts, SmartArt and more.
• Styles are pre-defined formats for text and formatting.

Illustrations, Editing etc.

• Illustrations encompass pictures, shapes, SmartArt, and charts.

• Editing tools let users find, replace, and insert text or other items in the document.

• Page numbers and headers and footers are for content structuring and organization

• File management involves operating on files and folders within the computer.

References & Table of Contents

• References are used to cite sources in academic or professional writing.
• Tables of contents create structured outlines of a document, making it easier to navigate.