Basics
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Basics of Computers
  1. Click? (PC or MAC)
  2. What software should I use?
  3. What shortcuts can I do? (PC or MAC)
  4. What if I have problems? (PC or MAC)
  5. How can I better organize my files? (PC or MAC)
+ means to press at the same time

  1. Click?
  2. PC

    Types of clicks What to do? What they do?
    Left-click Left button on the mouse Selects folders, files, tabs, tables, etc.
    Right-click Right mouse button A quick list of most useful items
    Double-click Two quick clicks of the left mouse button To open files and folders, select lines in word processing documents, etc.
    Ctrl + left-click Ctrl button on keyboard and left mouse button To select multiple selections individually
    Shift + left-click Shift button on keyboard and left mouse button To select multiple selections in group
    Drag Hold down left mouse button and roll mouse around Copy or move files, select multiple files or folders if drag from empty areas

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    MAC

    Types of clicks What to do? What they do?
    Mouse click Press mouse button Selects folders, files, tabs, tables, etc.
    Ctrl + mouse click Ctrl button on keyboard and mouse button A quick list of most useful items
    Double-click Two quick clicks of the mouse button To open files and folders, select lines in word processing documents, etc.
    Command + mouse click Command/Apple button on keyboard next to space bar and mouse button To select multiple selections individually
    Shift + mouse click Shift button on keyboard and mouse button To select multiple selections in groups
    Drag Hold down left mouse button and roll mouse around Copy or move files, select multiple files or folders if drag from empty areas

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  3. What software should I use?

  4. Types of Documents What to use it for? Examples
    Word Processing To write memos, essays, letters, etc. MS Word, Lotus Word Pro, pico, vi, etc.
    Spreadsheet To do calculations on regular bases MS Excel, Lotus 1-2-3
    Presentation To have presentations and flexible documents with pictures MS Powerpoint, Lotus Freelance
    Databases To do large amounts of calculations MS Access, Lotus Approach, FileMaker

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  5. What shortcuts can I do?

  6. PC

    Shortcuts What does it do? Why?
    Ctrl + A Select All To copy all information in to a new document
    Ctrl + F Find Find files, words, char, etc.
    Ctrl + P Print Printer menu will appear
    Ctrl + N New Window Opens new window of software already in
    Ctrl + X Cut Move information to another location
    Ctrl + C Copy Keep your information intact and add to another location
    Ctrl + V Paste To place information from clipboard to location of the cursor (|)
    F1 Help menu To open the help menu of software
    F12 Save Document To have a quick save
    Alt + F4 Close Window If too many windows are open
    Alt + tab Switch between windows If you are working with multiple windows at a time
    Esc Break executed item Stop computer from opening too many windows or item that has just been executed
    Right mouse click Most commonly used items If you want to find a quick way to cut, copy, paste, or other items
    Del Delete unwanted items to Recycle Bin Delete files but not complete in case still needed
    Ctrl + Del Deletes unwanted items from computer Permanently deletes files from the computer

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    MAC

    Shortcuts What does it do? Why?
    Command + A Select All To copy all information in to a new document
    Command + F Find Find files, words, char, etc.
    Command + P Print Printer menu will appear
    Command + N New Window Opens new window of software already in
    Command + X Cut Move information to another location
    Command + C Copy Keep your information intact and add to another location
    Command + V Paste To place information from clipboard to location of the cursor (|)
    Command + ? Help menu To open the help menu of software
    Command + S Save Document To have a quick save
    Command + Q Exit Software Quick exit of software
    Command + W Close Window Close unneeded windows
    Command + tab Switch between software If you are working with multiple softwares at a time
    Command + ~ Switch between windows If you are working with multiple windows at a time
    Ctrl + mouse click Most commonly used items If you want to find a quick way to cut, copy, paste, or other items
    Drag to Trash Eject disk, delete file(s), delete folder(s) Get rid of unwanted things

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  7. What if I have problems?

  8. PC

    Problem What do I press? What they do?
    Too many windows are opening Esc Stops windows from continuing to open
    Frozen Computer Ctrl + Alt + Del [twice] Reset Computer
    Error in program Ctrl + Alt + Del Task manager will appear so you can stop one program at a time
    Program is stopping in the middle Enter Allows the executed program to execute command lines in the background
    Can not type unplug keyboard and plug back in Allows you to type again
    Cursor does not move Unplug mouse and plug back in Hopefully, will react to movement again
    Mouse moves too slow Check settings in the control panel The settings may be too slow for you
    Mouse moves too slow and settings are at the max Open the mouse from the back and clean mouse ball and rollers This will help the mouse ball roll better
    Computer too slow
    1. Run Disk cleanup, if still slow
    2. Run Defragmenter, if still slow
    3. Delete unneeded files that you made, if still slow
    4. Get rid of unnecessary software [like MS Office JK], if still slow
    5. Buy more RAM, if still slow
    6. Toss your computer and get a new one
    7. Still too slow, get a MAC
    8. Still too slow, you got issues (Start Tweeking)
    9. Still slow, play some fast songs in the back of you then time will fly buy faster and feel faster
    This will help your computer to run faster

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    MAC

    Problem What do I press? What they do?
    Too many windows are opening Command + Esc Stops windows from continuing to open
    Frozen Computer Command + Alt + Del Reset Computer
    Error in program Command + Alt + Esc Force quit will appear for the program(s) depends on OS
    Program is stopping in the middle Enter Allows the executed program to execute command lines in the background
    Can not type unplug keyboard and plug back in Allows you to type again
    Cursor does not move Unplug mouse and plug back in Hopefully, will react to movement again
    Mouse moves too slow Check settings in System Preferences The settings may be too slow for you
    Mouse moves too slow and settings are at the max Check surface and clean mouse This will help the mouse ball roll better
    Computer too slow
    1. Delete unneeded files that you made, if still slow
    2. Get rid of unnecessary software if still slow
    3. Buy more RAM, if still slow
    4. Toss your computer and get a new one
    This will help your computer to run faster

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  9. How can I better organize my files?

  10. PC

    Items to organize files What to do? What they do?
    Make folders Right-click and select new folder creates a new folder
    Move files Select files and folders and drag them to folders and let go when highlighted Drops all files selected into the designated folder
    Make shortcuts Right-click then select shortcut in menu Makes it easier to open files or software on your desktop
    Toolbars on desktop drag your shortcuts to the toolbars on the desktop and drop where the black lines show up This allows you to customize your toolbars
    Place files in the location that you will be able to find them Drag and drop into the locations Place the files where you can find them next time

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    MAC

    Items to organize files What to do? What they do?
    Make folders Ctrl + Mouse click then select new folder creates a new folder
    Move files Select files and folders and drag them to folders and let go when highlighted Drops all files selected into the designated folder
    Make aliases Ctrl + Mouse click then select make alias in menu Makes it easier to open files or software on your desktop
    Toolbars on desktop drag your shortcuts to the Dock on the desktop until desired space or destination (depends on OS) This allows you to customize your Dock
    Place files in the location that you will be able to find them Drag and drop into the locations Place the files where you can find them next time

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