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• Here are your study notes, good luck!

Web Browsers

• Popular web browser brands include Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari.
• Tabbed browsing enables having multiple home pages open in different tabs.
• The home page can be set to multiple pages when using tab browsing.
• HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is used to build web pages.
• FTP (File Transfer Protocol) transfers large files.
• Downloading retrieves files from a remote location to a local device.
• Uploading sends files from a local device to a remote location, such as social media.
• Pop-up blockers prevent unwanted windows from opening.
• Refresh/Reload updates the content of a webpage.
• Bookmarks/Favorites allow for quick access to pages.
• Hyperlinks are clickable links that direct to other pages or files.
• Web servers host webpages.
• Mail servers handle email.

Search Engines

• Spiders are web crawlers that gather information.
• Crawling is the process of indexing web pages.
• Boolean operators narrow or broaden searches: AND (more restrictive), OR (less restrictive), NOT (excludes).
• The search operator "site:" limits searches to a specific domain.
• The search operator "filetype:" searches for a specific file type.
• A search engine finds websites (e.g., Google).
• A web browser displays websites (e.g., Chrome).

Electronic Mail

• Emails have designated fields for recipients: To (primary recipient), Cc (carbon copy, visible to all), Bcc (blind carbon copy, hidden from recipients).
• "Reply" sends an email only to the original sender.
• "Reply All" sends an email to everyone on the email thread.
• Filters organize and manage emails.
• POP (Post Office Protocol) downloads emails from the server to a local device and typically deletes them from the server, best for single device access.
• IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) stores emails on the server, allowing access from multiple devices while keeping messages synchronized.
• Web-based email is accessed via a web browser and stored in the cloud, for access from any internet connection (e.g., Gmail, Outlook.com).
• Phishing refers to fraudulent emails attempting to steal information.
• Spam is unwanted email.
• ALL CAPS signifies emphasis or shouting.

Windows Basics

• Menu Conventions are standard ways menus function in software applications.
• The File Menu is for creating, opening, saving, printing, or closing files.
• The Edit Menu allows undoing, redoing, cutting, copying, pasting, and finding/replacing text.
• The View Menu adjusts display settings, zoom levels, toolbars, or layout options.
• The Help Menu provides access to documentation, support, and software information.
• Context Menus (Right-Click Menus) offer quick access to relevant options depending on where you click.
• Applications are programs used for specific tasks.
• Right-clicking opens additional options menus.
• Left-clicking is the primary mouse action for selecting and interacting with items.
• Left-Click Common functions: Select item, open program/file, click buttons/links/menu options, drag/drop item.
• Cross-Platform Applications can work on multiple operating systems (OS).
• A Dimmed Command appears grayed out in a menu or toolbar.
• A dimmed command indicates the option is currently unavailable based on the system's context.
• The "Paste" option is dimmed when there is nothing copied to the clipboard.
• The "Print" option may be dimmed if no printer is installed.
• GUI (Graphical User Interface) are user-friendly icons, menus, and buttons.
• The Operating System (OS) is the master controller for the computer.
• A file stores data and has an extension.
• A folder organizes files.
• Quick Launch is a toolbar (found in older Windows versions) that allows for quickly opening frequently used programs, usually found on the taskbar next to the Start button.
• Pin to Taskbar on modern versions of Windows serves a similar function.
• Minimize shrinks a window to the taskbar without closing it.
• Maximize expands a window to fill the entire screen.
• Restore returns a maximized window to its previous smaller size.
• The Taskbar is the bottom bar displaying pinned apps and notifications.
• Pin keeps a frequently used program/file on the taskbar/start menu for quick access.
• Unpin removes an item from the taskbar or start menu, but does not delete from computer.
• The Notification Area, also called the system tray, is found on the right side of the taskbar.
• Notification area displays system icons like battery, volume, Wi-Fi, time/date, and background applications.
• Some notification area icons can be hidden or expanded for more options.
• Apply saves changes without closing the window.
• OK saves and closes the window.
• An icon is a small graphical representation of a program, etc. to help user quickly identify and open stuff.
• Icons are found on the desktop, taskbar, Start menu, and file explorer.
• Examples icons: Recycle Bin, File Explorer, Web Browser, & Shortcut Icons.

File Management

• Selecting Files:

• Contiguous (Shift): selects multiple files in sequence

• Non-Contiguous (Ctrl): selects multiple files separately

• Expand shows the folder/menu's contents (right-facing arrow turns downward).

• Collapse condenses the folder/menu, hiding its contents.

• Folder (or Directory) is a container used to organize and store multiple files or subfolders.

• File: A single unit of digital data, such as document/pic/program, stored inside a folder.

• Copy duplicates the file.

• Move transfers the file location.

• Save overwrites the file.

• Save As creates a new version.

• Dragging Files (With Shift/Copy):

• Same Drive: drags the file within same drive, which moves to the new location.

• Different Drive: drags the file between different drives, copies the file instead of moving it.

• Recycle Bin:

• Removable Drive: permanent delete

• Non-removable Drive: moves to Recycle Bin

• Shortcut (What, Not How):

• A small file points to another file/folder/program.

• Is identified with a small blue arrow on the icon.

• Contains target file/application's address (path).

• Disk Volume (Internal Label)

• partition or section of a storage device

• has a label (name)

• Zip reduces file size.

• Unzip restores file to original form.

• Log File is events/errors/actions record.

• Adds time stamp when opened/updated.

• Invert Selection deselects selected items and selects everything instead.

• File Extensions identify file types.

• Rename is changing a file or folder's name.

• If a file is renamed with an incorrect extension, program may not recognize the format.

• The Root Directory is the top-level in a file system. e.g. C: in Windows.

• Subdirectory is inside another folder.

• File Details include: file name, file type/extension, size, date created/modified, permissions.

• Permissions are users authorized to access or modify the file.

Computing Concepts

• LAN (Local Area Network).

• RAM (Temporary Memory).

• ROM (Permanent Memory).

• GUI (Graphical User Interface).

• DOS (Disk Operating System).

• Gen 1 (1951-1958): Used vacuum tubes, bulky & expensive, examples: ENIAC, UNIVAC.

• Gen 2 (1959-1963): Replaced vacuum tubes with transistors.

• Gen 3 (1964-1970): integrated circuits.

• Gen 4 (1971-present): VLSI/personal computers/microprocessors.

• Charles Babagge designed Analytical Engine.

• Ada Lovelace wrote first algorithm.

• Herman Hollerith: tabulation machine using punch cards data processing.

• Alan Turing break Enigma code, pioneer AI

• John Mauchly & J. Presper Eckert – Developed ENIAC

• Computer Hardware is physical components.

• Software is programs and applications.

• Microcomputers is small, personal, desktops, laptops, tablets.

• Minicomputers is used by business and organisations

• Mainframe Computers are large, powerful systems used by enterprises for bulk data processing and complex stuff.

• Embedded Computers are Specialized systems integrated into devices.

• Magnetic Storage uses hard drives.

• Types of Optical Discs:

• CD/DVD-ROM (Read Only)

• CD/DVD-R (Write once)

• CD/DVD-RW (Rewritable)

• Binary System: 1s and 0s representing data

• Bit is the smallest unit of data in computing, represented as 0 or 1

• Byte is a group of 8 bits, used to store a single character of data.

• OS is a software that manages hardware and software resources.

• Platform is CPU + operating system that runs on the hardware.

• System Software manages computer resources.

• Application Software is programs designed for user tasks.

• Open Source Software is free use/modify

• IP Address identifies a device online

• Web Page is a single document

• Web Site is collection of web pages

• Storage Medium is physical material where data is stored. e.g. CDs, DVDs, hard disks.

• Storage Device are things that reads and writes data. e.g. DVD drive, USB flash drive, hard drive.

• Optical Storage uses pits and lands on the disc surface.

• Resolution is image clarity

• Dot Pitch is pixel spacing

• Device Driver allows OS to communicate with hardware devices. .exe is for Windows.