TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................................... 1

CHAPTER ONE: COMPUTING HISTORY ......................................................................................... 6

1.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 6

1.2 ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTERS ............................................................................................................ 6

1.3 DISADVANTAGES OF COMPUTERS ....................................................................................................... 6

1.4 COMPUTER DEFINITION ...................................................................................................................... 8

1.4.1 Speed ......................................................................................................................................... 8

1.4.2 Accuracy .................................................................................................................................... 8

1.4.3 Storage ...................................................................................................................................... 8

1.4.4 Versatile .................................................................................................................................... 8

1.4.5 Diligence ................................................................................................................................... 8

1.4.6 Automatic?................................................................................................................................. 8

1.5 COMPUTING HISTORY ........................................................................................................................ 8

1.5.1 Abacus ....................................................................................................................................... 9

1.5.1.1 Addition using Abacus ........................................................................................................ 9

1.5.1.2 Subtraction using abacus...................................................................................................... 9

1.5.2 Napier’s bones ......................................................................................................................... 10

1.5.3 Genaille Rods .......................................................................................................................... 10

1.5.4 Slide rule.................................................................................................................................. 10

CHAPTER TWO: COMPUTER GENERATIONS ............................................................................. 11

2.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 11

2.2 FIRST GENERATION COMPUTERS ...................................................................................................... 11

2.3 SECOND GENERATION COMPUTERS .................................................................................................. 11

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 2.4 THIRD GENERATION COMPUTERS ..................................................................................................... 12

2.5 FORTH GENERATION COMPUTERS .................................................................................................... 12

2.6 FIFTH GENERATION COMPUTERS...................................................................................................... 12

CHAPTER THREE: CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS ............................................................ 13

3.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 13

3.2 PROCESSING SPEED .......................................................................................................................... 13

3.2.1 Personal Computers ................................................................................................................. 13

3.2.1.1. Desktop Computers .......................................................................................................... 13

3.2.1.1.2 Handheld Computers ...................................................................................................... 13

3.2.2 Workstation Computers ............................................................................................................ 13

3.2.3 Mainframe computers .............................................................................................................. 14

3.2.4 Supercomputers ....................................................................................................................... 14

3.3 ACCORDING TO TECHNOLOGY ......................................................................................................... 14

3.3.1 Analog Computers ................................................................................................................... 14

3.3.2 Digital Computers .................................................................................................................... 14

3.3.3 Hybrid Computers .................................................................................................................... 14

3.4.2 Specific purpose Computers ..................................................................................................... 15

3.5 ACCORDING TO ROLES ON A NETWORK CONNECTION ....................................................................... 15

3.5.1 Servers ..................................................................................................................................... 15

3.5.2 Clients ..................................................................................................................................... 15

3.5.3 Peer-Peer................................................................................................................................. 15

3.5.4 Stand Alone .............................................................................................................................. 15

3.6 PHYSICAL SIZE ................................................................................................................................ 15

3.7 COMPUTER ORGANIZATION ............................................................................................................. 16

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 3.7.1 Input Unit ................................................................................................................................ 16

3.7.2 Memory unit............................................................................................................................. 16

3.7.3 Processing Unit ....................................................................................................................... 17

3.7.3.1 CU..................................................................................................................................... 17

3.7.3.2 ALU .................................................................................................................................. 17

3.7.4 Output unit ............................................................................................................................... 17

3.7.5 Secondary storage unit ............................................................................................................. 17

CHAPTER FOUR: COMPUTER PARTS ........................................................................................... 18

4.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 18

4.2 COMPUTER CASE ............................................................................................................................. 18

4.2.1 ATX Form Factor..................................................................................................................... 18

4.2.1.1 Vertical Tower................................................................................................................... 19

4.2.1.2 Flat Desktop/ Pizza Box .................................................................................................... 19

4.2.1.3 Micro-ATX Form Factor ................................................................................................... 19

4.2.1.3.1 Full-Size Tower Case................................................................................................. 19

4.2.1.3.2 Mid-tower cases ......................................................................................................... 19

4.2.1.3.3 Mini-tower cases ........................................................................................................ 19

4.3 POWER SUPPLY ............................................................................................................................... 19

4.4 POWER SWITCH ............................................................................................................................... 21

4.5 DRIVE BAYS .................................................................................................................................... 21

4.6 REAR PANEL ................................................................................................................................... 21

4.7 FRONT PANEL.................................................................................................................................. 21

4.8 MOTHERBOARD ............................................................................................................................... 21

4.9 CPU SOCKET .................................................................................................................................. 21

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 4.10 RAM SOCKETS.............................................................................................................................. 22

4.11 RIBBON CABLES ............................................................................................................................ 22

4.12 PCI SLOTS ..................................................................................................................................... 23

4.13 AGP SLOTS ................................................................................................................................... 23

4.14 PCI EXPRESS SLOT ........................................................................................................................ 23

4.15 MOTHERBOARD CONNECTOR ......................................................................................................... 23

4.16 USB PORTS ................................................................................................................................... 23

4.17 VGA PORTS .................................................................................................................................. 23

4.18 AUDIO JACKS ................................................................................................................................ 23

4.19 BATTERY ...................................................................................................................................... 23

CHAPTER FIVE: BASIC PC SECURITY ISSUES ............................................................................ 25

5.1 BOOT PASSWORD ............................................................................................................................. 25

5.2 ADMINISTRATIVE PASSWORD ........................................................................................................... 25

5.3 LOGIN PASSWORD ............................................................................................................................ 25

5.4 DISABLING PASSWORDS ................................................................................................................... 25

CHAPTER SIX: DESKTOP MANAGEMENT ................................................................................... 26

6.1 STARTING A DESKTOP PC................................................................................................................. 26

6.2 NORMAL MODE ............................................................................................................................... 26

6.3 SAFE MODE ..................................................................................................................................... 26

6.4 STARTING MAC IN SAFE MODE ........................................................................................................ 27

6.5 MANAGING ICONS ........................................................................................................................... 27

6.5.1 Creating New Folder/Briefcase ................................................................................................ 27

6.5.2 Opening a Folder/Briefcase ..................................................................................................... 27

6.5.3 Deleting a Folder/Briefcase ..................................................................................................... 27

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 6.5.4 Hiding/Re-hiding icons ............................................................................................................ 27

6.5.5 Transferring Icons ................................................................................................................... 27

6.5.5.1 Copying an Icon from Desktop to another Location ........................................................... 28

6.5.5.2 Copying an Icon from another Location to a Desktop ........................................................ 28

6.5.5.3 Cutting an Icon from Desktop to another Location ............................................................. 28

6.5.5.4 Cutting an Icon from another Location to a Desktop .......................................................... 28

6.5.6 Viewing Icon Properties ........................................................................................................... 28

6.2 PERSONALIZING YOUR PC ................................................................................................................ 28

6.6.1Changing desktop’s background ............................................................................................... 28

6.6.2 Creating a Screen Saver........................................................................................................... 28

6.7 CONFIGURING THE MOUSE ............................................................................................................... 28

6.7.1 Switching Primary and Secondary Buttons ............................................................................... 29

6.7.2 Clicking Speeds ........................................................................................................................ 29

6.7.3 Click-lock................................................................................................................................. 29

6.8 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................... 29

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 CHAPTER ONE: COMPUTING HISTORY
1.1 Introduction

o At present we rely on computers almost in every sector.

o This is so because it can perform activities needed by human more efficiently and an amazing
speed.

o Computers can be used in organizations to perform various tasks such as:

 Prepare letters, documents and reports.

 Book rooms; prepare bills and providing inquiry services.

 Reserve and print tickets.

 Diagnose illness and treatment of diseases.

 Map designing and city planning.

 Weather forecasting.

 Etc.

o Because of its massive effects on human beings several field studies related to computers have
evolved that includes:

 Databases  Artificial intelligence

 Programming Languages  Etc

 Computer Networks
1.2 Advantages of computers


 



1.3 Disadvantages of computers

 

 

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

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1.4 Computer definition

o A computer is an electronic machine that accepts input, stores it, processes it and gives
output all according to a set of built in instruction.

o It constitutes the following properties/characteristics:

1.4.1 Speed

o Computers work at an electronic speed capable of performing more than million simple
instructions per second.
1.4.2 Accuracy

o Computers are free from errors. Errors that occur are likely to be attributed to human errors
such as: inaccurate data entry (a concept known as GIGO), poorly designed systems, faulty
instructions/programs written by the programmers.
1.4.3 Storage

o Computers can store large volumes of data that can be retrieved immediately.
1.4.4 Versatile

o Computers can be used to perform different types of work at same time.

o Thus its presence can be seen almost in every sphere such as banks, hotels, weather stations,
schools, hospitals etc.
1.4.5 Diligence

o Computers can work for many hours without creating errors or breaking.

o Humans get tired and bored the more they work.

1.4.6 Automatic?

o Computers require little intervention. Once activated/initialized, it can perform remaining

tasks automatically.
1.5 Computing history

o Humans need counting aids to keep track of their records.

o Today this process is way simple because of the inventions of computers.

o Multiple tasks can be performed within a blink of an eye which otherwise would have
taken hours/days.

o Before the invention of computers people used things like pebbles, beads and sticks mainly
to perform basic calculations.

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 o Later on manual calculators were invented.

o Some of them will be outlined below.

1.5.1 Abacus

o Calculating device that consists of beads mounted on sticks inside a frame with each bead
representing a specific quantity.

o Its early version constituted of the following features:

 Each of the upper beads represents the quantity 5.

 Each of the lower right most beads represents a 1.

 Each weight, or place value for the lower beads is ten times that of the one to the
immediate right.

 So, we have a ones place, a tens place, a hundreds place, a thousand place, and so on,
working from right to left

 The required number is represented centrally.

 Always used the minimum number of beads.

Figure 1: Abacus

1.5.1.1 Addition using Abacus

o Using the same bead substitution algorithm two numbers can be added.

o See the following demonstration:

1.5.1.2 Subtraction using abacus

o Using the same bead substitution algorithm two numbers can be added.

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 o See the following examples demonstration:

1.5.2 Napier’s bones

o A manual calculator that could perform mathematical calculations by manipulating

numbered bones. (Particularly a single number from 0-9 by another number of any
magnitudes).

o This device was invented by John Napier using bones hence the name Napier’s bones.

o Later on its name changed to Napier’s rods.

1.5.3 Genaille Rods

1.5.4 Slide rule

o Constructed of 3 rulers like bars.

o The outer bar is fixed.

o The inner bar can slide back and forth between the outer bar.

o The remaining bar is a small glass like piece and slides on top of the inner bar.

o Slide rule is used to multiple numbers.

o Later on came the mechanical calculators which required no or very little thinking.

o Some of the early ones are listed below.

Table 1: Early mechanical calculators

TOOL INVENTOR YEAR

Schickard’s calculator Wilhelm Schickard 1623

Pascal Blaise Pascal 1642

o All these inventions lead to the evolution of computers.

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 CHAPTER TWO: COMPUTER GENERATIONS

2.1 Introduction

o Majority of experts divide computers into 4 or 5 generations.

Criteria to change one generation to the other were mainly based on the following factors:

 Processing speed  Cost

 Storage  Reliability

 Power consumption  Software development

 Size

2.2 First Generation Computers

o First generation computers used vacuum tubes to process and store data and magnetic
drums for memory.

o These tubes consumed a lot of power, big in size, expensive and unreliable.

o They were slow in speed and stored fewer amounts of data in comparison with other
generations.

o Total cost was high as the technology required around 18,000 vacuum tubes and apart
from that these tubes were not reliable as they consumed a lot of power thus burning out
quickly.

o Software development: Operating systems were very slow. Each application program
required its own set of instructions to complete its task.

o Computers ran the binary numbers of machine language.

2.3 Second Generation Computers

o Second generation computers used transistors and magnetic core.

o Transistors were speedier, stored more data, smaller in size, cheaper, less power hungry and
thus more reliable compared to the previous generation that used vacuum tubes.

o Software development: operating systems were invented in this era which provided
standardized routines for input, output, memory management, storage and other resource
management activities. Resource management routines were no longer required to be
written when developing an application program.

o Computers ran programming language compilers.

o This allowed programmers to write instructions using English like commands (instead of
the binary numbers of the machine language.)

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2.4 Third Generation Computers

o Third generation computers used integrated circuits (IC) which were speedier, stored more
data, smaller in size and weight, less expensive and consumed less power in comparison
to the second generation.

o They were thus more reliable in comparison to the second generation.

o Software development: Portable Operating Systems were invented that provided similar
operating system commands across hardware platforms. (Each computer model).

2.5 Forth Generation Computers

o Computers of fourth generation used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits.
o These circuits had about 5000 transistors and other circuit elements and their associated
circuits on a single chip.
o Fourth generation computers became more powerful, compact, reliable, and affordable.
o As a result, it gave rise to personal computer (PC) revolution.
o In this generation time sharing, real time, networks, distributed operating system were
used.
o High level languages like C, C++, and DBASE etc were used in this generation.

2.6 Fifth Generation Computers

o In this generation, the VLSI technology became ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration)
technology, resulting in the production of microprocessor chips having ten million
electronic components.

o This generation is based on parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial Intelligence)

software which includes: neural networks, robotics, game playing, Natural language
understanding and generation and other expert systems that make real life decisions.

o AI is an emerging branch in computer science, which interprets means and method of

making computers think like human beings.

o Object oriented languages evolved from the high level languages.

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 CHAPTER THREE: CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS

3.1 Introduction

 Computers are versatile machines that can perform various tasks.

 Some types of computers are well suited for certain tasks compared to other computers.

 Categorizing computers is a way of providing an indication of its best potential use.

 They can be categorized according to:

o Physical size o Technology

o Processing speed o Roles on the Network

o Purpose

 To reflect today’s technology categorizing them according to speed would be more

suitable.

3.2 Processing speed

3.2.1 Personal Computers

 PCs are microcomputers designed to meet the computing needs of an individual such as
computing applications and internet access.

 Personal Computers are available as desktop computers and handheld.

 PCs have the slowest processing speeds and costs compared to other computers under this
category.

3.2.1.1. Desktop Computers

 These are computers small enough to fit on a desk.

 Its monitors, keyboards, mice and systems case are connected by cables.

 Not portable, bigger in size than handheld computers and loose power where power goes
off.

3.2.1.1.2 Handheld Computers

 Small, lightweight portable computers.

 Its keyboards, monitors and mice pads are usually built in together with the system case.

 It can run on power supplied by an electric outlet or on its own battery power.

3.2.2 Workstation Computers

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  These are powerful desktop computers designed for specialized tasks such as medical
imaging (X-ray) and video game computers.

3.2.3 Mainframe computers

 These are large, fast and expensive computer.

 They are capable of simultaneously processing data for thousands of users.

 Generally used by large businesses to provide centralized storage, processing and

management for large amounts of data.

 Its main circuitry is big enough to fit in a single room.

3.2.4 Supercomputers

 These are the fastest and most expensive computer at time of construction.

 They can tackle complex tasks such as breaking codes and modeling worldwide weather
systems.

3.3 According to Technology

3.3.1 Analog Computers

 These are computers that recognize data as a continuous measurement of a physical

property (voltage, pressure, speed and temperature).

 Example: Automobile speedometer.

3.3.2 Digital Computers

 These are high speed programmable electronic devices that perform mathematical
calculations, compare values and store results.

 They recognize data by counting discrete signal representing either a high or low voltage
state of electricity.
3.3.3 Hybrid Computers

 These are computer that processes both analog and digital data.

3.4 According to Purpose

3.4.1 General purpose computers

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  These are machines that are capable of carrying out some general data processing under
program control.

 Thus virtually all computers from micro to mainframe are general purpose.

3.4.2 Specific purpose Computers

 These are computers that are designed to operate on a restricted class of problems.

3.5 According to Roles on a Network Connection

 A computer network is a collection of two or more computers connected for the purpose of
sharing resources.

 Computer classifications according to network include servers, clients, peer-peer and

standalone.

3.5.1 Servers

 These are computers that provide resources to other computers.

3.5.2 Clients

 These are computers that receive resources from other computers.

3.5.3 Peer-Peer

 Computers that provide resources to other computers and receive resources from other
computers at the same time.
3.5.4 Stand Alone

 A computer not connected to the network at all.

3.6 Physical size

 Very old classification based on physical size.

o Microcomputers

o Minicomputers

o Workstation

o Mainframe

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3.7 Computer Organization
 Majority of computers, regardless of their differences, may be divided into five( or six)
logical units or sections.

Figure 2: Logical units of a computer

Figure 3: Logical units of a computer

3.7.1 Input Unit

 Input is the process of entering data and programs into the computer system.
 This is done by the input devices.
 The Input Unit is the “receiving” section that receives data/instructions from an input
device.

3.7.2 Memory unit

 A.k.a memory or primary memory.

 Retains data/instructions that have been entered through the input unit.
 Rapid-access, relatively low-capacity “warehouse” section.
 It also retains processed information until it can be placed on output devices by the output
unit.
 Information in the memory unit is typically lost when the computer’s power is lost.

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3.7.3 Processing Unit

 A.k.a CPU.
 Processing is the task of performing operations like arithmetic and logical operations.

3.7.3.1 CU

 This is the “administrative” section.

 It coordinates and supervises the operations of the other sections.
 It tells the input unit when information should be read into the memory unit, tells the ALU
when information from the memory unit should be used in calculations and tells the output
unit when to send information from the memory unit to certain output devices.

3.7.3.2 ALU

 This is the “manufacturing” section.

 Takes data and instructions from the memory unit and performs computations based on the
instructions given and the type of data provided.
 Sends the result of computations back to the storage unit.

3.7.4 Output unit

 Output is the process of producing computed results from the data for getting useful
information.
 Output unit is the “shipping” section.
 It takes information that the computer has processed and places it on various output
devices to make the information available for use outside the computer.

3.7.5 Secondary storage unit

 Long-term, high-capacity “warehousing” section.

 Programs or data not actively being used by the other units normally are placed on
secondary storage devices until they are again needed.
 Information in secondary storage takes much longer to access than information in primary
memory, but the cost per unit of secondary storage is much less than that of primary
memory.

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 CHAPTER FOUR: COMPUTER PARTS

4.1 Introduction

 A computer is a system consisting of several parts working together to achieve the

purpose intended by the user.

 They mainly consist of Input/ Output devices, Processing devices and Storage devices.

 Here we will discuss some of those parts.

4.2 Computer Case

Figure 2: Computer case

 It is also known as a computer chassis, cabinet, box, tower, enclosure, housing,

'"system unit'" or simply a case.

 It is the enclosure that contains most of the components of a computer .

 Cases come in many different sizes (known as form factors)

4.2.1 ATX Form Factor

 A case designed for an ATX form factor takes on several external forms, which include
the following:

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4.2.1.1 Vertical Tower

 They are designed to sit on the floor, height > width.

4.2.1.2 Flat Desktop/ Pizza Box

 They are designed to sit on the desk under the computer's monitor.

 Flat desktop (height < width) while Pizza Box (height ≤ 2 inches)

4.2.1.3 Micro-ATX Form Factor

 Desktop designed for the reduced micro-ATX form factor.
 They are popular in business environments where space is at a premium.
 Tower cases under this category come in Mini-tower, Mid-tower, and Big-tower/Full
tower sizes.

4.2.1.3.1 Full-Size Tower Case

 These are typically large in volume with more room for drive bays and expansion slots.

 Full tower cases are typically 22 inches or more in height and intended to stand on the
floor.
 They have anywhere from six to ten externally accessible drive bays, and several extra
expansion slots.

4.2.1.3.2 Mid-tower cases

 Mid-tower cases are smaller, about 18" high with two to four external bays

4.2.1.3.3 Mini-tower cases

4 A Mini-tower case will typically have only one or two external bays and stand from 14"
to 16" tall.

5 Almost equivalent to a desktop

4.3 Power Supply

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Figure 3: Power supply

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  The power supply unit is often housed at the top rear of the case; attached with
four screws to support its weight.

 The desktop computer power supply changes alternating current from a wall socket to low-
voltage direct current to operate the processor and peripheral devices.

 It consists of cables for________________________, power button switch for

_____________________, built in fan for ______________________ and
_____________________

4.4 Power switch

 Turns on/off the computer system.
 Sets the required input voltage of the computer.

4.5 Drive Bays

 Space in a computer where a storage device such as a disk drive or CD drive can be
located.

4.6 Rear Panel

 Back plate of the case which accommodates ports protruding from the motherboard

4.7 Front Panel

 Front side of the case which accommodates reset/power buttons and CD/DVD

4.8 Motherboard
 Computer’s main circuit board.
 Holds several crucial components such as the CPU slot, slots and most of the circuitry.
 Different adapter cards plug into motherboard disk bays.

4.9 CPU Socket

Figure 5:CPU socket

 A mechanical component built in the motherboard that

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  Provides mechanical and electrical connections between a microprocessor and a printed
circuit board (PCB).

 Accommodates the CPU chip/card

 It’s made of plastic, a metal lever or latch, and metal contacts for each of the pins that
lands on the CPU.

4.10 RAM Sockets

Figure 6: RAM sockets

 Rectangular slots built into the motherboard used to:

o Place expansion cards in it, such as RAM cards to increase the amount of RAM that is
on the computer.

o Provide mechanical and electrical connections between a RAM and a printed circuit
board (PCB).

4.11 Ribbon Cables

Figure 7: Ribbon cable

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  Flat, thin cable containing many parallel wires.
 Designed to be used in the installation of internal floppy and hard drives.
 It is used within a computer chassis to connect disk drives and disk drive controllers.

4.12 PCI slots

 Peripheral Component Interphase.

 These slots accept many breeds of cards such as modem cards, TV tuner cards, network
adapters etc.

 They also provide mechanical and electrical connections between these cards and the
circuit board.

4.13 AGP slots

 Accelerated Graphics Port.

 They are meant for faster video cards that PCI s can’t catch up with

4.14 PCI Express slot

 Meant for even faster video cards that AGP slots can’t cope with.
 Motherboard power connector.

4.15 Motherboard connector

 Receives power from the power supply then distributes it to other components.

4.16 USB ports

 Ports used to connect peripheral devices and input/output devices such as to mouse,
keyboards, game pad, digital cameras, printers, scanners etc.

4.17 VGA ports

 Allow connection of the display devices to the computer system

4.18 Audio Jacks

 These are inputs which one connects speakers or headphones to.

4.19 Battery

 Small battery on the system board that provides power to the Complementary Metal Oxide
Semiconductor (CMOS) chip, even while the computer is turned off.

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 The CMOS battery allows the CMOS to preserve system configurations (e.g., hard disk
type, floppy drive types, date and time, passwords and the order in which the computer will
look for bootable disk.

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 CHAPTER FIVE: BASIC PC SECURITY ISSUES

5.1 Boot password

5.2 Administrative password

5.3 Login password

5.4 Disabling passwords

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 CHAPTER SIX: DESKTOP MANAGEMENT

6.1 Starting a desktop PC

 There are several ways to start up a computer.

 The two most common are in normal mode and safe mode.

 Normal mode allows for everyday use, without restriction (apart from restrictions you may
have set up on your computer, such as parental or administrative controls and rules).

 Safe mode is used for diagnosis purposes.

 When working in this mode, there is limited functionality, usually confined to programs
and tools necessary to find and fix problems.

 The steps below outline how to start a computer in normal mode and in safe mode.

 Proper timing is necessary for successful start up in Safe Mode.

6.2 Normal Mode

i. Plug in your computer and all required peripherals.

ii. Connect the keyboard, mouse and any other necessary peripheral devices to the system
case through the USB ports or otherwise.

iii. Connect the power cable to the system and to the surge protector.

iv. Turn on the power source followed by the surge protector.

v. Press the power button on the computer.

vi. Press the screen/monitor button

6.3 Safe Mode

i. Follow the steps outlined in Normal Mode above.

ii. Press and hold the F8 key immediately when the computer boots.

iii. This action will launch the boot menu.

iv. If you do not press F8 fast enough to start your PC in Safe Mode, you can allow the PC to
continue to boot and then restart from the start menu or log in window.

v. If your computer automatically displays a boot menu before starting up, there is no need of
pressing F8.

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vi. Highlight the “Safe Mode” option using the arrow key.

vii. Press the Enter key.

6.4 Starting Mac in Safe Mode

i. Press the power button on the Mac.

ii. Hold down the Shift key once the start-up sound is heard or otherwise.

iii. Release the Shift key when the Apple icon is observed

6.5 Managing icons

 Several tasks may be performed on the desktop and some of them are outlined shortly
below. Before we see these tasks let’s take a brief tour on the following definitions:

Icon: symbol or graphical representation on a screen or program. All documents, folders and
briefcases or anything seen on a desktop are referred to as icons.

Configure: Arrange or order (a computer system) so as to fit it for a designated task according
to users wish.

Personalize: Design or produce something to meet someone’s individual requirements

 The following few lines explains on how a user can interact with icons

6.5.1 Creating New Folder/Briefcase

6.5.2 Opening a Folder/Briefcase

6.5.3 Deleting a Folder/Briefcase

6.5.4 Hiding/Re-hiding icons

6.5.5 Transferring Icons

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6.5.5.1 Copying an Icon from Desktop to another Location

6.5.5.2 Copying an Icon from another Location to a Desktop

6.5.5.3 Cutting an Icon from Desktop to another Location

6.5.5.4 Cutting an Icon from another Location to a Desktop

6.5.6 Viewing Icon Properties

6.2 Personalizing your PC

 Individual preferences differ widely and as such each personal computer will vary widely
on the way its desktop is set up. Some of the settings are elaborated below:

6.6.1Changing desktop’s background

6.6.2 Creating a Screen Saver

6.7 Configuring the Mouse

 By default the left mouse button is the one that is used in the majority of activities such as
clicking, dragging etc.

 Other users especially those lefties feel more comfortable using the right side for such
activities.

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  These few notes among other things, shows how to reverse left and right mouse button
activities.
6.7.1 Switching Primary and Secondary Buttons

6.7.2 Clicking Speeds

6.7.3 Click-lock

6.8 Conclusion

 This laboratory session discussed basic security precautions and basic activities involved
on the desktop.

 The mentioned lists are not all inclusive and others may be obtained through further
practice.

 At this point though one should be able to:

o Create user accounts as well as user passwords.

o Limit users on when to use the computer (parental control).

o Manage icons on the desktop.

o Personalize the desktop

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 CHAPTER SEVEN: MICROSOFT WORD APPLICATION

7.1 Parts of a Microsoft word

7.1.1 Title bar

Figure 8: MS Word Title Bar

 This is a horizontal bar placed at the top of a window.

 It displays the name of the document and the Application program being used.
 It also does the following:
o Moves the window to another position
 This is achieved by clicking and holding down the mouse button, then
dragging the window to a convenient position.
o Maximizes the window
 This is achieved by double clicking on an empty space on the title bar
when it is in restore mode.
o Restores the window
 This is achieved by Double clicking on an empty space on the title bar
when it is in maximum mode.
o Resizing the window
 The borders of the title bar and all the other edges can be used to resize
the window restore state.
 This is achieved when:
o The window is in a restore state.
o The mouse pointer is moved to one of the boarder until it
turns into a double arrow.
o The boarders are dragged up or down for top and bottom
boarders and left or right for left and right boarders to
change the restore dimensions.
o Dragging the title bar
 This is achieved when:
o The window is in a restore state.
o The mouse pointer is moved to one of the boarders
maintaining its original shape.
o The boarders are dragged up or down for top and bottom
boarders and left or right for left and right boarders to drag
the window to a new position.
 The title bar may also contain other useful features that depend on the operating system
and program showing the title bar. Some of these features are listed below.

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7.1.1.1 Parts of the title bar

o The title bar typically has several buttons located on the right side, window menu option and Comment [u1]: Nearly all open
windows in a graphical user interface
some other extra features and functions that may vary from one ms word version to another. (GUI) have resizing options.

Figure 9: title bar buttons

7.1.1.1.1 Minimize button

o This button reduces the current window to a Taskbar button. Comment [u2]: oClicking
the button on the Taskbar
7.1.1.2 Close button restores the window to its former
state.
o Furthest button on the upper right corner of a Window with an "x" in it.

o When clicked, it closes the program running in the current window. Comment [u3]: If any changes
were made to a document without
saving them the before closing a pop
7.1.1.3 Maximize button up menu asking to save current changes
will appear.
o This is the middle button on the upper right corner of a Window that has a single square
in it.

o When clicked, it fills the entire screen or the program window in which it is Comment [u4]: When a window is
maximized, it cannot be moved until it
contained. is reduced in size using the
Restore button
7.1.1.4 Restore button
o This is the middle button on the upper right corner of a Window that has two squares in Comment [u5]: In a LINUX OS,
restore and maximize buttons are
it. represented by a + sigh.

o When clicked, it returns the window to its previous size. Comment [u6]: oWhen the
window is at its previous size,
the restore button switches to the
maximize button, which returns
the window to its maximum size.

Figure 10: Window restore button

7.1.1.5 Window menu option

o This is a hidden window on the title bar that can be activated by:
 Right clicking on an empty space on the title bar.
 Pressing the Alt+ spacebar keyboard buttons.

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 Figure 11: window menu option
7.1.2 Office button

o This button replaced the file menu from 2007 versions but contains the same basic
menu commands available on the File menu from earlier versions.

o It is usually located on the upper left corner of the application.

Figure 12: Office button

o It contains several drop-down menus that perform different tasks.

o Some will be outlined below:

7.1.2.1 New

 This submenu option creates a new document.

7.1.2.2 Open

 This submenu option opens an existing document.

7.1.2.3 Save

 This submenu option automatically saves an opened document that has been modified
without changing its original location.

7.1.2.4 Save as

 This submenu option allows one to save an opened document under a different name,
location and type.

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7.1.2.5 Print

 This submenu option allows one to print an open document.

7.1.2.6 Prepare

 This submenu option prepares the document for distribution through various tasks
such as signature, encryption etc.

7.1.2.7 Send

 This submenu option sends a document to another user.

7.1.2.8 Publish

 This submenu option makes a document publicly available via server or public web
space.

7.1.2.9 Close

 This submenu option exits an open document just like the close button

7.1.3 Tabs

 Within each tab there are things called ribbons.

 A ribbon is a logical group containing a number of related tools, commands, buttons,

check boxes, combo boxes, toolbars, menus and so on which is labeled with a ribbon
name.

 Ribbons have replaced the traditional drop-down menus and toolbars in Microsoft Comment [u7]: Notably in 2007
and 2010
Office.

 They are designed to help quickly find, understand and use commands needed to
complete a task efficiently and directly with minimum number of clicks.

 It organizes a program's features into a series of tabs at the top of a window.

 Using a ribbon increases discoverability of features and functions, enables quicker
learning of the program as a whole, and makes users feel more in control of their
experience with the program.
7.1.3.1 Home tab

 The home tab is a tab or button in an application that returns a user to the
home section.
 The home tab contains most commonly used commands/tools in MS word.

 The home tab contains several ribbons outlined below.

7.1.3.1.1 Clipboard

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  The clipboard is a facility used for short-term data storage and/or data
transfer between documents or applications, via copy and paste operations.

 In this ribbon, one can find the cut, copy, paste and format painter.

 It also shows the office clipboard task pane when activated.

7.1.3.1.2 Font

 A group where one can find tools related to the manipulation of fonts/texts. Comment [u8]: i.Font face
ii.Font size
iii.Bold, italic, underline,
7.1.3.1.3 Paragraph strikethrough
iv.Text background color
 A group where a user can find tools for bullets and numbering, multi-level v.Text color
vi.Clear formatting leaving plain text
lists, tabs, alignments, line spacing, shading and borders, sort and
indentations.

7.1.3.1.4 Styles

 A predetermined set of formats that one can use repeatedly throughout all a
document.

7.1.3.1.5 Editing

 A ribbon where the find, replace and select commands can be found.

7.1.3.2 Insert tab

 The insert tab allows users to add a table, clip art or a chart to a document.

 The insert tab contains several ribbons outlined below.

7.1.3.2.1 Pages

 This ribbon contains commands to create a preformatted cover page,

insert a blank page or initiate a page break in the current document.

7.1.3.2.2 Tables

 This ribbon contains commands to insert or draw a new table or insert

an existing table from an excel spreadsheet.

7.1.3.2.3 Illustrations

 This ribbon contains commands needed to insert pictures, clip art,

shapes, graphics or charts into a document.

7.1.3.2.4 Links

 This ribbon provides the ability to insert links and cross-references to

external items or other locations within the current document.

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7.1.3.2.5 Header & Footer

 This group allows a user to insert, format, modify or delete headers,

footers and page numbers.

7.1.3.2.6 Text

 This group contains various options to insert or modify different types

of text fields in a document that includes text boxes, word art,
signatures, date/time stamps etc.

7.1.3.2.7 Symbols

 Includes commands for inserting mathematical equations or pre-

defines symbols.

7.1.3.3 Page layout tab

 The page layout tab provides options for page orientation, size, columns,
borders, page color, etc.

 The page layout tab contains several ribbons outlined below.

7.1.3.3.1 Themes

7.1.3.3.2 Page Setup

7.1.3.3.3 Page Background

7.1.3.3.4 Paragraph

7.1.3.3.5 Arrange

7.1.3.4 References tab

 The references tab adds an index or bibliography page here.

 The page references tab contains several ribbons outlined below.

7.1.3.4.1 Table of Contents

7.1.3.4.2 Footnotes

7.1.3.4.3 Citations & bibliography

7.1.3.4.4 Captions

7.1.3.4.5 Index

7.1.3.4.6 Table o Authorities

7.1.3.5 Mailings tab

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  The mailings tab creates address labels and type for envelopes.

 The mailings tab contains several ribbons outlined below.

7.1.3.5.1 Create

7.1.3.5.2 Start Mail Merge

7.1.3.5.3 Write & Insert Fields

7.1.3.5.4 Preview results

7.1.3.5.5 Finish

7.1.3.6 Review tab

 The review tab reviews a document before it is printed.

 The review tab contains several ribbons outlined below.

7.1.3.6.1 Proofing

7.1.3.6.2 Comments

7.1.3.6.3 Tracking

7.1.3.6.4 Changes

7.1.3.6.5 Compare

7.1.3.6.6 Protect

7.1.3.7 View tab

 The view tab enables a user to view a document in different layouts.

 The view tab contains several ribbons outlined below.

7.1.3.7.1 Document views

7.1.3.7.2 Show/hide

7.1.3.7.3 Zoom

7.1.3.7.4 Windows

7.1.3.7.5 Macros

7.1.4 Scroll bars

7.1.5 Status Bar

7.1.6 Text Area

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37
CHAPTER EIGHT: MICROSOFT EXCEL PROGRAM

38
CHAPTER NINE: INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE CONCEPTS

39