Computer Fundamentals: Input and Output Devices

Input and Output Devices

• Input devices allow us to send information to the computer. Examples include a mouse and keyboard.
• Output devices allow us to receive information from the computer. Examples include a printer, speakers, and a monitor.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• The CPU controls all the input and output devices connected to it.
• The CPU is not an input or output device.
• The CPU takes information from input devices, processes it, and sends the result to the output devices.

Start Up

• A computer requires electricity to operate, including its CPU, monitor, mouse, and keyboard.
• Start up is the process of turning on the computer using the power button.
• The initial booting sequence starts when the power button is pressed.

Activities Using a Mouse

• The desktop displays icons for different activities and folders.
• The mouse allows for manipulating icons using drag and drop actions.
• New folders can be created using the mouse.
• Folders help to organize files on the computer and keep related files together.
• Drag and drop functionality can be used to move files into folders.

Activities Using a Keyboard

• Caps Lock is used to type letters in uppercase.
• Backspace is used to delete the letter before the cursor.
• Delete is used to delete the letter to the right of the cursor.
• Directional arrow keys, Page Up, and Page Down keys are used to move the cursor within a text file.

Authentication - Login and Logout

• If multiple users share a computer, user accounts can be created with usernames and passwords for access.
• Windows allows multiple user accounts on the same device, allowing each user to have their own settings, documents, and applications.
• Separate user accounts help maintain a clear distinction between personal files and files related to work or school.

How To Add a User Account

• Navigate to the Settings app on your Windows device and select Accounts > Family & Other Users.
• Select "Add account" under "Add other user".
• Enter the account information for the person you want to add.
• If the person has an existing Microsoft account, enter their email address.
• If the person doesn't have a Microsoft account, select the option to create a new one using their email address.
• Alternatively, select the option to create a new local account without a Microsoft account.
• Follow the provided instructions to complete the setup process.
• It is recommended to use a Microsoft account for better integration with Microsoft services, enhanced security, and device synchronization.

How To Remove a User Account

• Navigate to the Settings app on your Windows device and select Accounts > Family & Other Users.
• Locate the account you want to remove under "Other Users".
• Select "Remove" next to "Account and data".

Authentication - Login and Logout

• The username is also called the login.
• Each username has a password which is a secret key for accessing the computer.
• The username and password ensure that only authorized users can access the computer.
• Login occurs when the correct username and password are entered.
• Logout is the action of closing your access to the computer.

Shut Down

• Shut down is the process of closing all activities and stopping the computer.
• To shut down a computer, click the Start button, select the Power button, and then select Shut down.
• It is important to switch off the power supply only after shutting down the computer.

Text Editing

• A text editor is a software application used for creating and editing plain text files.
• In addition to typing text, text editors can cut, copy, paste text from other sources, and find and replace text quickly.
• Text editors lack the formatting features of word processors.

Notepad

• Notepad is a simple text editing tool on Windows operating systems. It creates and opens plain text files with the .txt file extension.
• To open Notepad, press the Windows key, type "notepad" into the search bar, and click on the Notepad program.

Components of Notepad

• Notepad has several components:
  • Title Bar: Displays the name of the text file and program.
  • Status Bar: Shows the column number and current line.
  • Menu Bar: Contains tabs for File, Edit, Format, View, and Help.
  • Text Area: The empty area used for typing text.

Tabs

• The menu bar in Notepad contains several tabs:
  • File Tab : Includes options like New window, Save, Save as, Page set up, Print, Exit, etc.
  • Edit Tab: Includes options like Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete, Find, Find Next, Replace, etc.
  • View Tab: Includes options for zooming and enabling/disabling the status bar.
  • Format Tab: Includes options for Word Wrap and font selection.

How To Create a Text File Using Notepad

• Open Notepad on your computer.
• Type the text you want to save in the file.
• Go to the File option and click on it.
• Select Save or Save as.
• Ensure the file is saved with a “.txt” extension.

Printing a Notepad Document

• Open the document you want to print in Notepad
• Click File, and select Print.
• Select the desired printer.
• Click Print.

Uses of Notepad

• Creating documents in plain text or .txt format.
• Used for programming.
• Saving files with various file extensions like .txt, .bat, .html, and .css.
• Used for typing practice.

Input and Output Devices

• Input devices send information to the computer.
• Output devices receive information from the computer.
• Examples of input include mouse clicks and keyboard typing.
• Examples of output include printouts, sounds, and images on the monitor.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• The CPU controls the input and output devices connected to it.
• The CPU is not an input or output device.
• It receives information from input devices, processes it, and sends the result to output devices.

Start Up

• Booting or Start Up is the process of the computer initializing itself after being switched on.

Activities using a Mouse

• Icons on the desktop can be rearranged using drag and drop.
• New folders can be created and moved.
• Folders keep related files together for easy access.
• Files can be moved into folders using drag and drop.

Activities using Keyboard

• The Caps Lock key is used to type uppercase letters.
• The Backspace key deletes the letter before the cursor.
• The Delete key deletes the letter after the cursor.
• Directional arrow keys, Page Up, and Page Down keys move the cursor around in a text file.

Authentication – Login and Logout

• User accounts are managed using usernames and passwords.
• Multiple user accounts on the same computer allow for individual settings, documents, and applications.
• User accounts create a boundary between personal and work/school files and activities.

How to add a user account

• Open the Windows Settings app and select Accounts > Family & Other users.
• Select Add account.
• Enter the account information, which can include an existing Microsoft account, a new Microsoft account, or a new local account.

How to remove a user account

• Open the Windows Settings app and select Accounts > Family & Other users.
• Select the flyout for the account to be removed.
• Select Remove next to Account and Data.

Authentication – Login and Logout

• The username is also known as the login.
• Each username has a password, a secret key for accessing the computer.
• Only authorized users with the correct username and password can log in.
• Logging out closes access to the computer.

Shut Down

• Shut down is the process of closing all activities and stopping the computer.
• To shut down a computer, click Start, select Power, then select Shut down.
• The power supply should only be switched off after the computer shuts down.

Text Editing

• A Text Edit is a program for creating and editing plain text files.
• In addition to typing, they can cut, copy, paste, and find/replace text.
• Unlike word processors, text editors lack formatting features.

Notepad

• Notepad is a simple text editor on Windows that creates and edits plain text files with a .txt extension.
• Its components include the Title Bar, Status Bar, Menu Bar, and Text Area.

Notepad Components

• Title Bar: Shows the file name, program name, and controls for minimizing, maximizing, and closing the window.
• Status Bar: Shows the column number and current line.
• Menu Bar: Contains tabs for File, Edit, Format, View, and Help.
• Text Area: This is the area where you type text.

Notepad Tabs

• File: Contains options such as New, Save, Save as, Page Setup, Print, and Exit.
• Edit: Includes options like Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete, Find, Find Next, and Replace.
• View: Includes zoom and status bar enabling/disabling options.
• Format: Contains options for word wrap and fonts.

How to Create a Text File Using Notepad

• Open Notepad and type the desired text.
• Go to the File menu and select Save or Save as.
• Ensure the file is saved with a .txt extension.

How to Print a Notepad Document

• Open the document you want to print.
• Go to the File menu and select Print.
• Choose the desired printer.
• Click Print.

Uses of Notepad

• Creating documents in plaintext (.txt) format.
• Programming.
• Saving files in .txt, .bat, .html, and .css formats.
• Typing practice.

Research Hint: Advantages and Disadvantages of Personal User Accounts

• Consider the benefits and drawbacks of having a separate account for each user on a computer or laptop.
• Think about privacy, security, file organization, and customization options.