If you are experienced, also stay tuned as there may be things that you have forgotten or not come across.
As is often the case, people are "thrown into the deep end" and I hope that these articles will help you quickly come to terms with your PC. More experienced users may find the "If only I had known that when I started" kind of situation covered here as well. You could say there is something for everyone here!
A Quick Tour
First of all - what makes up a computer? In simple terms, you can expect your computer to have the following:
· The computer "box" itself. This is the boring grey box that everything connects to - more about this in a minute.
· A monitor that looks like a TV screen. This is what you look at to see "what the computer is doing"
· A keyboard. This is used to type in text for such things as a letter. The layout is just the same as a typewriter but it does have extra keys that a typewriter doesn't. These keys give you a way of telling the computer to do things that a typewriter cannot.
· A mouse. A small "cigarette packet"-sized piece of plastic with two or more buttons. It is moved around on a flat surface. On the computer screen, a small "arrow" will reflect the movements you make. It is used to select things on screen such as which program you want to run.
· Speakers. These may be separate "boxes" or built into your monitor. They give your PC the ability to play sounds
· Wires. Computers just LOVE wires and cables! All these components need to be connected to your PC somehow. Take a look at the back of most PCs and a veritable "rats nest" of cables can be found. Make sure you don't stretch these wires and place them in such a way that you don't trip over them!
· A Printer. An optional extra (known as a peripheral) that lets you print what appears on your computer screen. Letters, reports, pictures, your bank balance can all printed on to paper (often known as hard copy). A printer really makes your computer "useful" and PC packages often include a printer into the bargain.
