Learning How to Use Computers

Computers play a major role in schools, businesses, organizations, and homes around the globe. Whether you’re a student, business professional, agency worker, or homemaker, learning how to use computers is essential. While today’s younger generations have grown up with technology, many adults struggle with the basics. Though computers may be unfamiliar at first, with the right instruction and practice, it won’t be long before you’re comfortable with computers.

Why learn how to use a computer? If you’re working, computer skills are expected. Businesses rely on computers to compile data, communicate with customers, create reports, create presentations, bill customers, manage payroll, and much more. If you’re retired, computers can help you: keep in touch with friends and family, manage your finances, write your life story, touch up photographs, create slideshows, learn more about your hobbies and interests, and more! The world is literally at your fingertips when you know how to use computers.

Personal computers come in several forms including desktop computers, laptop computers, netbooks, and tablet computers. Desktops are stationary computers that consist of a monitor, case, keyboard, mouse, and other attachments (peripherals) such as printers or external speakers. Laptops, netbooks, and tablet computers are portable computers with the monitor, processing equipment, and keyboard built into a single unit. Netbooks and tablet computers are smaller than laptops, offering greater portability though with fewer features.

All computers come with an operating system which provides the computer with the basics needed to run. The operating system is a software environment that controls how the computer interacts with its devices as well as how its interface looks. The two most dominant operating systems are Windows and Macintosh, each of which has multiple versions. For example, the current version of Windows is Windows 7.

A computer with only an operating system is fairly limited in what it offers. You may be able to send and receive email messages, browse the Internet, and type basic documents, but that’s about it. The addition of applications, or software, adds additional functions. For example, if you want to keep track of your finances on your computer, you will need an application such as Quicken which is a program that is like an electronic checkbook register. Applications are available covering just about everything you can imagine. Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are popular programs from the Microsoft Office suite commonly used in business. Word is a powerful word processing application; Excel is used for creating spreadsheets capable of complex calculations; and PowerPoint is used to create presentations complete with text, photos, animations, and video.

Learning how to use computers begins with the basics. You must first learn how to navigate your computer’s operating system and use its basic features. Books, videos, and courses are available covering popular operating systems including Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Macintosh OS X 10.5 Leopard. Once you’re comfortable with the basics of using your computer, the next step is to learn how to use the software installed on it. For example, if you need to learn how to use Microsoft Word, consider taking a K Alliance e-learning course covering Microsoft Word. An elearning course is a course that you take on your computer, where you can see the software demonstrated and hear the instructor explaining the steps. These courses are typically held online where you visit a website and watch online training videos. These video-based courses are particularly helpful for new computer users because you do not need to install software or fumble with discs in order to get started. As long as you know how to use a Web browser, you can begin your training.

About CBT Planet:

CBT Planet is a leading provider of computer training courses, offering everything from basic introductions to advanced IT courses. CBT training, or “computer based training,” is a terrific way to take charge of your computer skills because you can learn by watching videos on your computer without the stress of going to classes. Not only convenient and effective, computer based courses allow you to take your time and learn at your own pace. If you’ve been worrying about your lack of computer skills, take a basic course and start down a path toward computer proficiency!