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.

This quiz covers the essential components of computer operations, focusing on input and output devices, the CPU, and the startup process. Understand how these elements interact to form a functioning computer system. Test your knowledge with questions related to mouse actions and desktop operations.