Bridges to Benefits

TeuxDeux: the most simple to-do list ever

admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 20:45:57 +0000

If you’re looking for a standalone to-do list or need a very simple way to keep track of tasks, try TeuxDeux. It’s extremely simple and minimally designed to place the emphasis on the tasks you need to get done. There’s even an iPhone app you can buy to keep track of your list while on the go!

To use TeuxDeux, type the task you need to get done in the box under the day that it needs to be done on. If you don’t finish the task on that day, it automatically gets pushed to the next day. It’s simple to cross of items on the list — just click them and they are marked as completed. To move a task to a different day manually, just drag it to the appropriate day. To edit a task, just drag it back up to the text box and make your changes. TeuxDeux only displays 5 days at a time — to help focus on what needs to get done in the near future.

Sign up for TeuxDeux: http://teuxdeux.com/

Intro video: https://vimeo.com/8080943
Part 2 (more features) video: https://vimeo.com/14482552

What is the Internet?

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:19:18 +0000

“The Internet is a worldwide collection of computer networks, cooperating with each other to exchange data using a common software standard. Through telephone wires and satellite links, Internet users can share information in a variety of forms. The size, scope and design of the Internet allows users to:

connect easily through ordinary personal computers and local phone numbers;
exchange electronic mail (E-mail) with friends and colleagues with accounts on the Internet;
post information for others to access, and update it frequently;
access multimedia information that includes sound, photographic images and even video; and
access diverse perspectives from around the world.

An additional attribute of the Internet is that it lacks a central authority—in other words, there is no “Internet, Inc.” that controls the Internet. Beyond the various governing boards that work to establish policies and standards, the Internet is bound by few rules and answers to no single organization.” (from:http://www.centerspan.org/tutorial/net.htm)

For interactive visuals, and videos that explain what the web is and how it works, visit:
http://www.learnthenet.com/learn-about/how-the-web-works/index.php

Cheat Sheet:

Internet: The Internet is an international network of computers linked to exchange information. In order to access the Internet, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) must connect your computer to one of these networked computers. Once an ISP connects you, browser software on your computer will give you access to the World Wide Web.

World Wide Web: The World Wide Web (WWW, The Web, etc.) is a system of documents, web pages, and other types of files that are accessed by using a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). When you “go online” you are accessing the millions of websites in the World Wide Web.

website: A website is a grouping of web pages that a person, company, organization, or other group has created and made available for people to view online. A website can cover any topic, ranging from up-to-the-minute news, to recipes, to a person’s online journal.

web page: A web page displays text, images, and other types of media. In order to view a web page, you must use a browser.

browser: A browser is a type of software or an application that allows you view a web page on your computer, phone, tablet, or other web-enabled device. Some browsers you may have heard of are: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Safari. The browser choices that are available to you will depend on the type of operating system you are using.

URL: A URL is just another name for a web address. For instance, if you want to use Google, you’d type in its URL: www.google.com.
Ever wonder what the different endings to web addresses mean? Although these aren’t concrete rules, here’s what the suffixes usually signify:
.com = commercial
.edu = educational
.gov = government
.mil = military
.net = network business
.org = organization

In addition, web pages from different countries sometimes have their own endings:
.me = Montenegro
.de = Germany
.li = Libia

Some companies in the United States also use these endings to create more interesting names for their websites, for example about.me or visual.ly

search engine: A search engine allows you to use keywords, phrases, and other search terms and returns to you a set of results (could be web pages, videos, or other types of files) that are relevant to what you searched. There are many search engines available. Some of them are overarching, while some of them are for finding specific types of files like academic writing or music files. Search engines gather their results by “crawling” the web — collecting information about what is online. Each search engine uses a different algorithm to collect and display search results — so using different search engines may result in different page suggestions.

Connecting to the Internet

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:43:43 +0000

There are many ways to connect to the internet and you can do so on many types of devices. Maybe you’ve seen people using laptops or tablets at a coffee shop or the library. Maybe you’ve heard terms like wi-fi, 3G, or cable internet and you’re wondering what the difference is.

Click here for an in-depth overview of what the different ways of connecting to the internet are and how to do it. This walkthrough uses text, video, and interactive experiences to help you understand: http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/13

For even more information about different types of internet connections, look here: http://www.gcflearnfree.org/internet101/3.1

Cheat Sheet:

ISP: Internet Service Providers are companies that provide access to the Internet. In order to get Internet service at your home, you’ll need to sign up with an ISP. Examples of Internet Service Providers include Time Warner Cable, XFINITY, and many other smaller, independent companies. Check your local listings for providers and ask friends and neighbors what ISP they use. Some things to think about when researching ISPs are: speed, price, ease of installation, availability of technical support, and contract terms. You’ll also need to decide what type of internet connection you want. This will determine what providers you can consider. Types of connections include:

dial-up: An old method of connecting to the internet. You shouldn’t use dial-up unless it’s the only option available to you. It is slow and uses your phone connection. You cannot use dial-up and your phone service at the same time unless you have multiple phone lines.
DSL: Connects to broadband (faster than dial-up) through phone lines, but does not necessarily require phone service. It is “always on” which means that you don’t need to dial in to access it. This is option is not available in every area.
cable: Connects to broadband through a cable connection, but does not necessarily require a cable TV subscription. It is “always on” which means that you don’t need to dial in to access it. This option is not available in every area — only where cable is available.
satellite: Connects to broadband via a satellite orbiting the earth. The data is delayed, so this option isn’t good for gaming or video chatting. It can be used almost anywhere in the world but can be affected by rain and snow.
3G/4G: Computers, mobile phones, and tablets can connect wirelessly to your provider’s 3G or 4G network. This allows you to access the internet in areas where wi-fi is not available. It may not be as fast as DSL or cable internet.

modem: A modem is a hardware device that connects a computer or a router to a broadband network. You connect the computer or router to the modem using an ethernet cable. The type of modem you use will differ depending on the type of internet connection you choose to use (for example: cable vs. DSL connection). You’ll often be given a modem to use when your internet service provider comes to set up your connection.

router: A router is a hardware device that allows multiple computers to access the same internet connection. Routers can create wireless networks, which allow you to connect a computer to the internet without using any kind of cord.

wi-fi: Wi-fi or wireless internet, is accessible to you if your computer has wireless capability (which most newer computers have). You can use wi-fi in your home if you have set up a wireless router. You can also access wi-fi in other places like libraries, coffee shops, and even cities and public parks. Sometimes, the wi-fi is free and unlocked and available to anyone. Other times, you may need to ask someone who works at the business what the password is. Many times, wi-fi is not free and you won’t be able to use it without paying — this is often the case in airports, hotels, or other similar environments.

broadband: Broadband refers to sending and receiving signals over a wide (broad) range of frequencies. This allows for larger amounts of data to move at higher speeds when compared to dial-up. Most types of internet connections you will access will be broadband connections.

bandwidth: The speed of your internet connection is determined by bandwidth. Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can move through the connection over a period of time — measured in bits per second (bps). For example, 3Mbps (3 megabits per second) means that the connection can move 3 million bits of data per second — a speed that is more than fast enough to watch a streaming movie online. High-bandwidth connections are called broadband. Dial-up connections have low bandwidth.

What is a Computer?

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:34:52 +0000

There are many different types of computers and they exist in many environments for many purposes. Think of a computer as you would any other type of device or machine. From the checkout line at the grocery store, to the library, to the office, to the home, and even on the go – computers are all around us.

The most common types of computers you’ll interact with are desktop computers, laptops, and tablets.

Here is a 2 ½ minute video about what computers are:

desktop computer: A desktop computer is a computer system (sometimes called a tower) contained in a casing that sits on or below a desk or other surface. Sometimes they sit horizontally, sometimes they stand up vertically. In order to use it, you’ll need to connect it to a monitor, which displays the computer interface. You’ll also need to connect a mouse and keyboard so that you can interact with the interface. When using newer Mac desktop computers, the computer system is actually housed within the same casing as the display screen.

Learn more about the parts of a desktop computer here:

monitor: Monitors come in a variety of shapes and sizes and in varying levels of quality. Some monitors are CRT (the kind with a large, extended casing behind the screen) and others are flat panel displays (slimmer, thinner, and lighter than CRT monitors). Computer monitors are similar to TVs in the sense that the older style was large, bulky, and heavy and the new standard is a flat, thin screen.

mouse: A computer mouse is a device that is usually used with the right hand (can also be used with the left hand) and is used to navigate the programs on your computer. See our post on “Using a Mouse” to learn how a mouse works.

keyboard: A computer keyboard is made up of letters, numbers, and other function keys. It resembles a typewriter keyboard. See our post on “Using a Keyboard” for information about keyboards and how to use them.

laptop: Laptops (sometimes called notebooks or netbooks) are portable computers that can be used almost anywhere. Laptops and desktops function very similarly — they can both use the same software programs and can both access the internet. The main difference between the two is portability and the way you may use certain functions. For instance, you don’t have to plug a mouse into a laptop in order to interact with the computer, (although you can). Most laptops have trackpads/touchpads that are special surfaces that allow you to use your finger to move the cursor around. Other laptops may have a trackpoint, which is a rubbery nub (resembles a pencil eraser) in the middle of the keyboard that you can use to move the cursor. Laptops can run off of internal batteries and don’t always need to be plugged in.

To learn more about laptop computers watch this:

tablet: A touch-screen tablet is a computer that you interact with by touching the screen — either with your finger or with another stylus of some kind. They range in size and are made by several different companies. Some tablets you may hear people talking about are the iPad 2, the Kindle Fire, or the Samsung Galaxy — but there are many others available. Different tablets have different uses. For instance, some tablets are just for reading ebooks, while others allow you to play games or access the internet.

Selecting a Computer

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 03:15:56 +0000

There are many different options available when it comes to purchasing a computer. For example, at the time of writing this blog post there were over 700 different laptops to choose from on bestbuy.com, ranging in price from $199.99 to $3494.05.

This decision does not have to be overwhelming. By asking yourself a few key questions you can narrow down your choices significant, ensuring that your decision is driven by your needs rather than by any salesperson.

We recommend that you think about and discuss these questions with someone you trust (friend, family member, librarian, neighbor, etc.) before making your decision.

What are you going to do with the computer?
Will you be primarily using it for surfing the internet and checking your email? Do you need to write formal letters or keep track of your expenses using a specialized program? Will you be using even more advanced software for photo, video, or sound recording or editing? Do you just want to be able to play games like solitaire and hearts?

Where are you going to use it?
Are you interested in taking your computer along with you to the library or to a cafe? Or are you looking for a machine with great performance that you’ll always use at your desk? Decide whether you’re interested in a desktop computer, a laptop, or a tablet. Each option has its benefits, but it really depends on whether portability is important to you.

What’s your price range?
A computer is a major purchase and its cost will vary depending on performance level, portability, and newness. Know what you can afford and set a limit before you start shopping around. Remember that you may want/need other gear to go along with the computer, like a printer or speakers, a high performance keyboard, a mouse, or any other one of the infinite types of accessories.

What do you plan to do in terms of warranties and repairs?
Many things can go wrong with a computer. Some of them are quick repairs — some of them may require a brand new machine. Think about a warranty as insurance for your computer. Paying for a warranty is expensive up front, but could save you time and money if anything were to happen with your computer down the road. If you decide to purchase a warranty make sure you understand all of the terms, how long the warranty is good for, and what exactly it covers.

What parts/options are most important for what you plan to use the computer for?
Each component ranges in price and performance level — so you’ll need to strike a balance between the two and choose what you personally want. It’s also just good to know what these components are and what they do:

Processor/CPU: directly corresponds to how fast certain tasks are completed. Think of this as the “brain” of the computer.
Memory/RAM: having enough memory is important for keeping your computer running smoothly. It allows you to have multiple programs open at the same time and have them all function well. Usually more RAM equals better performance.
Hard Drive: Everything on your computer (applications, music files, family photos, even the operating system itself) is stored on the hard drive. The bigger the hard drive, the more you can store on your computer. Hard drive speed is also important.

These are just the very basic things you need to consider. For more details about things to think about when selecting a computer click below:
Laptop Buying Tips: http://www.computerhope.com/btips/laptop.htm
Desktop Buying Tips: http://www.computerhope.com/btips/desktop.htm

Once you figure out what you need the computer to do, where you want to use it, and how much you want to pay, you can read ratings (see http://www.pcmag.com/reviews/ for reviews and ratings of top brands), test out different options (Apple, Sony, HP, Acer, Toshiba, Gateway or Dell just to name a few) and see which one suits your comfort and style.

What is Email?

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 03:06:41 +0000

Email is an easy and quick way to send and receive messages with people digitally. Here is a visual describing the difference between regular postal mail and email (click to view larger):

Cheat Sheet:

email: The word email is short for electronic mail. People use this word in a few different ways. If someone says “send me an email” they are asking you to send an electronic message to their email address. These messages can be plain text or formatted text with images. You can also include attachments in emails. Another way that people use the word email is when they say things like “I need to check my email.” When they say that, they mean that they need to check the inbox of their email account. You should note that you must be connected to the internet (link our our page) to send and receive emails.

email account: There are many websites and companies that offer free email accounts. You may have received an email account when you signed up with your internet service provider (link to our page). You can also get an email account through certain websites like Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and Hotmail. You can quickly and easily sign up for a new email address by going to one of these websites and sign-up for a free account.

email address: An email address is assigned specifically to you. In most cases, your email address will begin the username you used when you created your account and be followed by the @ sign and the name of your email provider, for example: JohnDoe@gmail.com. Sometimes people have more than one email address. They might have one through the company they work for as well as a personal account. An email address is what you put in the “to” field when you send an email. Think of an email address in the same way that you think of a person’s street address.

inbox: The inbox is the name for the place that contains all of the emails that are sent to you. Click on an email in the inbox and the message will open for you to read. Think of an inbox as your virtual mailbox.

attachments: An attachment is a file that somebody includes in an email that they send to you. Attachments can be documents, photos, videos, sound files… even viruses! But be careful if you receive an email with an attachment from an email address you don’t recognize. Attachments can also contain viruses and other unsuitable material. These types of messages are sometimes called spam.

spam: An email that came to you without your permission may be considered spam. Spam can range from harmless email newsletters, to weekly promotions from an company, to emails containing harmful attachments. Most email providers have a folder called spam or junk, that will (hopefully) catch all the unwanted emails. However, the filter may not catch all bad emails — and it may accidentally mark a perfectly safe email as spam, so it’s always a good idea to check your spam/junk folder every now and then.

See our post on internet safety for more information about how to use email safely and effectively.

Using a Browser

admin — Sun, 13 May 2012 16:16:58 +0000

A browser is a type of software or an application that allows you view a web page on your computer, phone, tablet, or other web-enabled device. Some browsers you may have heard of are: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Safari. The browser choices that are available to you will depend on the type of operating system you are using.

Although browsers may look and feel different from one another, they all operate in relatively the same way and have similar functions.

For interactive instructions on how to use browsers, look here: http://www.gcflearnfree.org/internet101/4

: This is just an example of what a browser can look like. This is my particular setup of the Firefox browser on a Mac computer.

Cheat Sheet:

title bar: The top area of the browser above the navigational controls and address bar that displays the title of the website or web page that you are currently viewing.

address bar: shows the URL of the web page or website that you are currently on. To navigate to a new website, type the URL here and press enter or return. The drop-down arrow at the right end of the field reveals a list of web addresses that have been visited in the past.

web page: A web page displays text, images, and other types of media. In order to view a web page, you must use a browser.

In addition, web pages from different countries sometimes have their own endings:
.me = Montenegro
.de = Germany
.li = Libia

Some companies in the United States also use these endings to create more interesting names for their websites, for example about.me or visual.ly

Navigation Buttons:

back: The back button usually looks like an arrow pointing to the left. Click this button and you’ll be brought back to the previous page you were on. You can keep clicking the button to go back farther to previous pages.

forward: The forward button usually looks like an arrow pointing to the right. If you’ve clicked the back button and want to go forward in your page view history again, just click the forward button.

refresh: Clicking the refresh (or reload) button will make the page you are currently on load all over again. This is handy for situations where the page might have content that has been updated since you got there, like news or weather sites. You can also use this button if it seems like the page you’re on looks like it didn’t load correctly.

stop: If a page is taking too long to load or you want it to stop a process that has begun, you can try clicking the stop button, and the page will stop what it is doing.

home button: The home button usually has some kind of house symbol on it. Clicking this button will take you to the browser’s home page. You can choose and set a different home page in your browser’s settings/preferences.

search bar: Many browsers have a built in search bar. The search engine will vary depending on the browser you’re using. You can run a simple search without having to navigate to the search engine’s actual website.

bookmarks: If you want to remember a page and be able to get it easily at a later time, you can bookmark it. In some browsers, bookmarks are called favorites. The process and language differs slightly for each browser, but usually if you’re on the page you want to save, you’ll click bookmarks or favorites in the menu bar and then select something like “add to favorites”.

history: If you want to see a list of pages you’ve visited in the past, look at your history. It’s usually organized by date. Depending on your browser’s settings, it may only save your browsing history to a certain number of days back in time.

tabs: You may have noticed that sometimes pages launch in a new tab at the top of the browser when you click a link. Using tabs, you can have multiple web pages open at the same time. Having many tabs open may slow down your browser, so be careful! Close a tab by clicking on the x at the edge of it. If you want to make sure a link you’re clicking opens in a new tab instead of the one you’re currently in, right click on the link and select “open in new tab”.

link: A link is something that you click on (could be a button, image, or text) that leads you to another place. Clicking a link could bring you to a new area of the page you’re on, a new page within the website you’re using, or a new website altogether. Sometimes, clicking on a link will make a file start downloading. Usually, you’ll be able to tell what is going to happen when you click on a link by the clues that the web page is giving you. If you’re confused or worried about what a link will do, just hover over the link with your mouse and look down at the bottom of the browser window. Depending on your browser, you’ll usually be able to see what URL the link will lead to.

download: When you download something from the Internet, it means that you are saving your own copy of a file that is stored online. You can download many types of files including pictures, documents, music, e-books, and lots more. Most computers and browsers are equipped to protect you from unsafe downloads, but make sure you feel confident and safe about what you’re doing before downloading something from the Internet. When the file has downloaded, it will be placed on your computer somewhere. Most computers have a predesignated downloads folder, and the file will go there unless you specified a different location somewhere else on your computer.

Extra: Printing from the internet:
If you’re using a public computer, like in a library, there may be different instructions for printing or no printing allowed at all. Please make sure you have the ability to print before attempting to do so. The printing process may vary depending on your operating system and the browser you’re using.

Printing from the Internet will result in the printing of the Web page that you are currently viewing, not all the pages to which it is linked. However, the Web page you are currently viewing may take several pages to print and you may not want or need them all.

If you click the Print icon on the Browser toolbar, the current Web page will printout in full, whether it is one page or 50 pages. In order not to waste paper, you need to determine how many pages it will take to print the current Web page and then decide which of the pages you wish to actually print. To accomplish this, do the following:

Printing from the internet:

Click the File Menu
Then click Print Preview. The document will appear in a preview window
At the bottom of the Preview window, you will notice that you are on page 1 of a total number of pages.
Use the navigation arrows at the bottom of the Preview window to navigate to each page
Decide which pages you want to print, e.g. 1, 3, 5 and 14, etc.
Then click the Print icon on the Print Preview window toolbar (the first one on the left); the Print dialog box will appear.
In the Print dialog box, under the Page Range section, click on the circle next to Pages; then enter the page numbers of the pages you wish to print, following the instructions below the Pages feature
If you want more than one copy of the designated pages, then increase the number of copies using the up arrow next to Number of Copies.
Then click Print. Only the pages you have specified will print out.

Many thanks to DC Public Library for sharing these “Printing from the Internet” instructions with us <3

Using Internet Search Engines

admin — Sun, 13 May 2012 03:22:33 +0000

A search engine allows you to use keywords and phrases returns to you a set of results (could be web pages, videos, or other types of files) that are relevant to what you searched.

There are many search engines available. Some of them are overarching (like google and yahoo search), while some of them are for finding specific types of files. For example, if you are looking for images of the NYC skyline, you might want to go to google image and search for “NYC skyline.” This way you’ll only be presented with images of the NYC skyline rather than news articles, blogs, or other types of information.

You might notice that you get different results when using different search engines, like bing and google. That’s because internet search engines gather their results by “crawling” the web, collecting information about what is online. Each search engine uses a different “crawler” to collect and display search results — so using different search engines may result in different page suggestions.

For more text, visuals, and videos about search engines and how they work, visit:
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/internet101/5.1

POPULAR INTERNET SEARCH ENGINES:
www.google.com
www.bing.com
www.yahoo.com
www.ask.com
www.search.aol.com

Helpful tips for using search engines:

The following content is shared directly from GCFLearnFree.org

Search phrases. Put quotes around a phrase so each word in the phrase isn’t searched for separately. For example, if you put quotes around “free online games,” the search engine searches for that entire phrase in a web page. However, if you simply type free online games, the search engine searches for each of the words individually which may not give you the results you desire.

Exclude words. Use a hyphen (-) at the beginning of a word to exclude search results containing it. For example, macaroni -cheese. This will return items relevant to the word macaroni but that exclude the word cheese. In many search engines instead of a hyphen (-) the word NOT (in all caps) is used, as in macaroni NOT cheese.

Use OR. You can use OR (all caps) to include either of two search words. For example, soup recipe tofu OR fish should return recipes for soup that contain tofu or fish (or both). You could also search for soup recipe tofu OR fish OR chicken OR beef.

Get Help. Go to your search engine’s Help page for more tips.

For more basic tips on using search engines, watch this video:

Using a Mouse

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:53:53 +0000

A mouse is the primary way that people navigate a computer. Using a mouse allows you to open programs, view pictures, and read email all by clicking a button!

There are many different types of mice, and what you choose to use will depend on your personal preference.

http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/mouse.htm

Cheat Sheet:

mouse: A computer mouse is a device that is usually used with the right hand (can also be used with the left hand) and is used to navigate the programs on your computer.

holding the mouse: It’s important to hold the mouse correctly so that you don’t strain your hand or arm. If using a standard mouse, hold it gently with your index finger resting on the left button, your middle finger on the right button and your thumb resting on the side of the mouse. Your arm should be bent at the elbow, and shouldn’t need to be extended to reach your mouse.
To use a mouse, glide it around on a flat surface (like a desk or a mousepad). Do not raise it off the surface. A mouse usually has two buttons (left and right) but some (like those used with Mac computers) may only have one.

click: Clicking is most commonly done with your pointer finger on your right hand. To click, you push down the button on the left side of the top of the mouse and then release it. This is a single click. Most things you do on a computer can be carried out with a single click.

double click: To double click means to quickly click the left mouse button twice in a row with your cursor in the same spot. Double clicking is often used to launch a program or a file.

right click: To right click, push the button on the right side one time. This will usually display a menu that gives you more options than a normal left click. For a mouse that only has one button, you can do the same function as a right click by holding down the control key on your keyboard and clicking once.

cursor: The cursor or pointer is the tiny symbol that moves around the screen, matching the movements of your mouse. Depending on the situation, a cursor may look different.
arrow symbol: The cursor looks like an arrow when it is in its default state. Move the arrow to whatever you want to click.

I-beam symbol: When your cursor turns into an I-beam shape, that means that your computer is recognizing that you are hovering over an area of text. It means you’ll be able to select parts of the text. Sometimes, an I-beam shape means that you’ll be able to enter text in an area, for example, when using a word processing program or when filling out an online form.

pointing finger symbol: When your cursor changes to the shape of a hand with a pointing finger, it means that your computer is recognizing the text or image you are hovering over as a link. When using the internet, clicking links brings you to another page or another area of the page you’re on.

hovering: Hovering means that your mouse cursor or pointer is on (but not clicking) an area of your computer screen. Sometimes when you hover over an item, you’ll see a tiny banner appear that might give you information about what will happen when you click on the item.

selecting: Select can mean a variety of things depending on what you are doing on the computer. Sometimes it means you are highlighting text, sometimes it means you are choosing a file to open.

To select text, click at the beginning of the text you want to highlight but don’t let go of your mouse button. Drag your cursor over the rest of the text you want. You will see the text you are selecting being highlighted. When you let go of the button, you can go on to perform a function with your selection — like copying it.

scroll wheel: Your mouse may have a wheel in between the two buttons. This is a scroll wheel. Rolling the wheel gently with your finger will make the screen you are looking at scroll up or down depending on the direction you roll in in (if that option is currently available for that screen).

To learn more and practice using a mouse first-hand, complete these activities:
http://www.pbclibrary.org/mousing/intro.htm
http://www.pbclibrary.org/mousing/mousercise.htm

Using a Keyboard

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:58:55 +0000

A computer keyboard is similar to a the keyboard on a typewriter, but with some additional buttons. Even if you don’t have advanced typing skills, you can still use the keyboard to type words and numbers and perform functions on a computer.

If you don’t have experience using a keyboard or would like to practice using one, try out this interactive step-by-step guide to using a keyboard. The first few instructions have to do with clicking a mouse, and then it moves on to typing individual letters, numbers, words, and performing specific functions. http://adamfrost.net/elearningMaterials/keyboardSkills1/keyboardSkills1.html

After the tutorial, the site will guide you to a game that helps you practice typing specific letters: http://adamfrost.net/elearningMaterials/eggGame/eggGame.html

Cheat Sheet:

keyboard shortcut: A shortcut is a combination of two or more keys that when pressed at the same time, perform a certain function. Not all shortcuts are universal — meaning what works on a windows computer may not work on a mac computer. Also, what works in one software program may not work in another software program.

An example of a shortcut is the Find function. Press down control and F on a windows computer (or command and F on a mac computer), and you’ll be able to type in text that you want to find on the page. The system will perform a search of that page and will display any results. For instance, maybe you are reading a long article but you just want to get to the part where it mentions someone you know — you would press control and F at the same time, and a text box would appear. Type in the person’s name and you’ll be taken to the part of the article where they are mentioned.

caps lock: Pushing this button makes everything you type show up in CAPITAL (UPPERCASE) LETTERS. Pushing caps lock again turns this function off and returns your typing to lowercase letters. Usually there is a tiny light on this button or somewhere on the keyboard that indicates whether caps lock is turned on. When you’re communicating with people online, typing in all caps is usually interpreted as yelling.

shift key (capitalizing letters and typing symbols): The shift key functions as a modifier. You’ll discover more uses for the shift key in the future, but the most common thing you’ll use it for is to capitalize individual letters that you type. To do so, press down the shift key, and while holding it down, press a letter key. It will show up as a capital letter. Usually a keyboard will have two shift keys (left and right side) so that you can easily access it no matter what letter you are typing.

You can also use the shift key to type symbols. The number keys on your keyboard also have symbols on them. If you want to type one of those symbols, just press down the shift key and then type the appropriate number key.

enter/return key: Depending on the keyboard you’re using, this button may be called enter or return. If you’re typing lines of text, pressing this button will make the cursor jump down to the beginning (all the way to the left) of the next line. Each time time you press it, the cursor will move down one line. If you place your cursor in front of some text and press enter, the text will move down with each press of the button.

Sometimes pressing this button can take the place of clicking a button. If you’re using the Internet and you type in a URL you want to go to, you can press enter after typing it instead of clicking a button to go to the website.

backspace key: The backspace key is labeled in different ways depending on the keyboard you’re using. Sometimes it says backspace. Sometimes it’s denoted by an arrow that is pointing to the left. On Mac keyboards, it’s usually labeled delete. Its basic function is to delete the letter/number that is to the left of the cursor. Each time you press the backspace key, the cursor will move back one space and erase the character that was there.

PS: It’s important to know that keyboards can look different depending on whether you’re using a Windows-based computer or a Mac. They come in many shapes and sizes. Some include lots of extra buttons that match up to certain computer functions. Some are wireless and some connect with a wire. Also, depending on the operating system of the computer you’re using, some shortcuts or key combinations will differ.