UNIT 2 – OPERATING A PERSONAL COMPUTER

Keyboard and Its Parts

a. Tab Key. It is used to move the cursor to the right. It is also used to indent the first line
of paragraph.

b. Enter Key. It is used to tell the computer that you have finished typing data or
instruction, or moving on to the next line.

c. Spacebar. It is used to create blank spaces. It is also the longest key on the keyboard.

d. Backspace Key. It is located above the Enter key on the keyboard. It is used to erase
characters on the left side of the cursor.

e. Esc Key. It is used in most programs to cancel or stop the current computer operation.
It is sometimes used by some programs to exit to DOS.

f. CapsLock Key. It is used when you want to type letters in its capital form. Just press the
Caps Lock key, and then type the words. After typing the words, press the Caps Lock
again to type small letters.

g. Status Light Indicator. It has lights that show whether the NumLock, Caps Lock or Scroll
Lock is on or off.

h. Ctrl & Alt Keys. They are used to execute shortcut commands. They are used in
combination with other keys. In some programs, the CTRL and ALT keys are used to
open menus.

i. Functions Keys. They are used to enter commands quickly. Their function differs from
one program to another.

j. Numeric Keys. It is a group of keys arranged like the calculator. It has a key named NUM
Lock that allows the number keypad to type numbers.

k. Arrow Keys. They move the cursor up, down, left, and right.

34 Disclaimer: This module is owned by ISAT University. Unauthorized reproduction or

distribution without the consent of the university and the module writer is
strictly prohibited.
l. Shift Keys. It is a special key that helps you change small letters to big letters. Similar to
the Caps Lock in function but differs in operation. It works by holding the SHIFT key
together with a LETTER key.

m. Delete Keys. It is used to delete the text or any part thereof. Usually it erases the
character which is on the right of the cursor; although in some application it can erase
selected text or graphics.

Proper Keys

# $% ^& *8
@
3 45 67 I (9
2 )0
! E RT YU K O
W P
1 D FG HJ < L
S :
Q C VB NM , >
X ;
A . ?
Z
/

Space bar

HOME KEYS : A S D F J K L ;
(Left hand) (Right hand)

Actions of the Mouse

A. Point and Click

The most common mouse operations are point and click. Simply move your
computer’s mouse or, on a notebook PC, drag your finger across the touchpad or other
pointing device so that the cursor is pointing to the object you want to select, and then
click the left mouse button once. Point and click are effective ways to select tiles, menu
items, and the like.

35 Disclaimer: This module is owned by ISAT University. Unauthorized reproduction or

distribution without the consent of the university and the module writer is
strictly prohibited.
 B. Double-Click
In some instances, single-click doesn’t launch or open an item; it merely selects it. In
these instances, you need to double-click an item to activate an operation. This
involves pointing at something onscreen with the cursor and then clicking the left
mouse button twice in rapid succession.

C. Right-Click
It is one of the secret keys to efficient Windows operation. When you select an item
and then click the right mouse button, you often see a pop-up menu. This menu, when
available, contains commands that directly relate to the selected object.

D. Drag and Drop

Drag is a variation of clicking. To drag an object, point at it with the cursor and then
press and hold down the left mouse button. Move the mouse without releasing the
mouse button and drag the object to a new location. When you’re finished moving the
object, release the mouse button to drop it onto the new location. You can use dragging
and dropping to move files from one location to another.

Operating System

An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer.

 It manages the computer's memory and processes, as well as all of

its software and hardware.
 It also allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing how to
speak the computer's language.
 Operating systems usually come pre-loaded on any computer you buy.

The three most common operating systems for personal computers are:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft created the Windows operating system in the mid-1980s.

Over the years, there have been many different versions of Windows,
but the most recent ones are Wi ndows 10 (released in
2015), Windows 8 (2012), Windows 7 (2009), and Windows
Vista (2007).

Mac OS X
Mac OS is a line of operating systems created by Apple. It comes
preloaded on all new Macintosh computers, or Macs. All of the recent
versions are known as OS X (pronounced O-S Ten), and the specific
versions include El Capitan (released in 2015), Yosemite
(2014), Mavericks (2013), Mountain Lion (2012), and Lion (2011).

36 Disclaimer: This module is owned by ISAT University. Unauthorized reproduction or

distribution without the consent of the university and the module writer is
strictly prohibited.
 According to StatCounter Global Stats, Mac OS X users account for less than 10% of
global operating systems—much lower than the percentage of Windows users (more
than 80%).

Linux
Linux (pronounced LINN-ux) is a family of open-
source operating systems, which means they can be modified
and distributed by anyone around the world. This is different
from proprietary software like Windows, which can only be
modified by the company that owns it. The advantages of
Linux are that it is free, and there are many
different distributions—or versions—you can choose from.

According to StatCounter Global Stats, Linux users account for less than 2% of global
operating systems. However, most servers run Linux because it's relatively easy to
customize.

Operating Systems for Mobile Devices

Mobile devices such as phones, tablet computers, and MP3 players are different
from desktop and laptop computers, so they run operating systems that are designed
specifically for mobile devices. Examples of mobile operating systems include Apple
iOS and Google Android.

Computer Desktop Terms

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.

The main screen you'll start from is the desktop. This is a sort of like a main menu or
a table of contents where you can access the programs and features you need to use your
computer.

File Explorer (also known as Windows Explorer or MacFinder) is a file system which
helps you find your folders and files.

Folders are used to organize all of the different files and applications it contains.

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.

37 Disclaimer: This module is owned by ISAT University. Unauthorized reproduction or

distribution without the consent of the university and the module writer is
strictly prohibited.
 Graphical User Interface (GUI) allows you to communicate with the computer. It
employs a graphics display to represent procedures and programs that can be executed by
the computer.

Menus are organized collections of commands and shortcuts.

Notification Area displays the current time, show hidden icon button and other
notification icons.

Screen Saver is a computer program that turns on after a given time.

Taskbar is the horizontal bar along the bottom of the desktop.

Trash can—or Recycle Bin is where the deleted files moved to prevent you from
before permanently deleting files.

Wallpaper refers to the desktop background or picture.

A window is a contained area—like a picture within a picture—with its own menus

and buttons specific to that program.

38 Disclaimer: This module is owned by ISAT University. Unauthorized reproduction or

distribution without the consent of the university and the module writer is
strictly prohibited.