ICT BASICS

LESSON 3
 Using the computer
Using the computer
• The main screen you'll start from is the desktop. This is sort of like a
main menu or a table of contents. From here, you can access the
programs and features you need to use your computer
Icons
• Icons are used to represent the different files, applications, and
commands on your computer. An icon is a small image that's intended
to give you an idea at a glance of what it represents, like a logo.
Double-clicking an icon on the desktop will open that application or
file.
 Using the computer
This is the main screen you are presented with when you turn the
computer on
 Using the computer
Buttons
• A button is a command that performs a specific function within an application. The most
commonly used commands in a program will be represented by buttons.
 Using the computer
Menus
• Menus are organized collections of commands and shortcuts. Click a menu to open it and display
the commands and shortcuts within. Then click an item in the menu to execute it.
 Using the computer
Windows
• When you open an application or folder, it is displayed in its own window. A window is a
contained area—like a picture within a picture—with its own menus and buttons specific to that
program. You can rearrange multiple windows on the desktop and switch between them.
 Getting familiar with the Operating System
• Both PCs and Macs use a graphical user interface (GUI), and they each have their own look and
feel.
Graphical User Interface
• Both PCs and Macs use a graphical user interface (GUI), and they each have their own look and
feel.
 Getting familiar with the Operating System
Graphical User Interface
Desktop
• The desktop is the main workspace of your computer. From here, you can access files, folders,
and more.
You can also customize the desktop by choosing a desktop background image, also known as
a wallpaper.
 Getting familiar with the Operating System
Graphical User Interface
Items on the Desktop
• You can keep folders, files, and shortcuts on the desktop so they'll be easily accessible.
Getting familiar with the Operating System
Graphical User Interface
Open Folders
• When you double-click a folder, it will open in a specialized program called File Explorer

• This allows you to navigate to the specific folder or file you want.
Getting familiar with the Operating System
Graphical User Interface
Open Files
• When you double-click a file, it will open with the most suitable program your Operating System
can find.
Getting familiar with the Operating System
Graphical User Interface
Menu
• In most versions of Windows & Linux, you'll click the Start/Menu button to open the Start menu.
Getting familiar with the Operating System
Graphical User Interface
Taskbar
• The taskbar contains shortcuts to applications, the date and time, and more. When you open a program or
file, it will appear on the taskbar, and you can easily switch between different programs by selecting them on
the taskbar.
• Some programs will have shortcuts on the taskbar for easy access. In this example, there are shortcuts
to Mozilla Firefox, File Explorer, and the Arduino IDE.
Getting familiar with the Operating System
File System
• No matter which operating system you use, your computer uses folders to organize all of the
different files and applications it contains. Folder icons on your computer are designed to look
like file folders full of documents or pictures.

• Each operating system has its own file system, which helps you find your folders and files. If
you have a Windows PC, you'll use the File Explorer (also known as Windows Explorer). If you
have a Mac, you'll use Finder. Here, we'll talk about the basic functions that are common to
all computer file systems.
Getting familiar with the Operating System
• 2. File System
• 2.1. Opening your computer's file system
• Whether you're using a PC or a Mac, the file system icon will be in the bottom-left part of the screen.
On a Linux PC, the File Explorer icon looks like a folder, as in the image below.

• In both operating systems, you can also open the file system by clicking a folder from your desktop.
Getting familiar with the Operating System
File System
Basic navigation
• If you see the file you want, you can double-click it with your mouse. Otherwise, you can use
the Navigation pane on the left side of the window to select a different location.
Getting familiar with the Operating System
• 2. File System
• 2.3. Deleting files
• Linux, OS X and Windows use a Trash can—or Recycle Bin—to prevent you from accidentally
deleting files. When you delete a file, it is moved to the Trash can. If you change your mind, you
can move the file back to its original location.
Getting familiar with the Operating System
• If you want to permanently delete the file, you will need to empty the Trash or Recycle Bin. To do
this, enter "Trash" and click on "Empty Trash".
Getting familiar with the Operating System
• 3. Opening files and applications
• Each application on your computer has a group of file types—or formats—it is able to open.
When you double-click a file, your computer will automatically use the correct application to
open it. In our example, we're opening a Microsoft Word document (MINUTE TO WIN IT IDEAS),
which will open in LibreOffice Write.
Getting familiar with the Operating System
• However, there may be times you may want to open an application directly, instead of just
opening a file.
• To open an application in Linux Mint, click the Menu button, then select the desired application.
You can click All Applications to see a full list, or simply type the name of the application on your
keyboard to search for it. Apps are also grouped in categories according to their use.
Shutting down the pc
• 1. Shut Down
• To shut down a Linux Mint PC, click the Menu button, then select Power Button.

• In the window that will appear, select "Shut Down"

 Shutting down the pc
• 2. Suspend
• Suspend puts the computer to sleep by saving system state in RAM. In this state the computer
goes into a low power mode, but the system still requires power to keep the data in RAM. To be
clear, Suspend does not turn off your computer.
 Shutting down the pc
• 3. Restart
• When should you restart your computer:
• If your computer is running slow
• If your computer is acting “weird”
• Unexpected system freeze-ups
• Driver or hardware error
• Lagging Internet speeds
• After a software or patch update
• After any type of software or hardware installation