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Computer 101 - Part I


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Irwin ElectronicsWeekly Digest

Computer 101

Basic terms and navigation


byDavid Irwin on April 28th


It always amazes me when I ask someone to open a browser or their File Manager, and they look at me like I'm speaking a foreign language. I guess Computers to many people ARE a foreign language. Once we finally get to that browser, if their favorites are missing, they have NO idea how to navigate! So, I decided to write a quick little tutorial on what to do after you press the power button. What's the power button you ask? I'm sorry, you might need Computer 100. That's next door. We're going to assume you've turned the computer on and entered your password if it asked for one. Now you're looking at a screen with a picture in the background, some icons on the screen, and at the bottom, there should be a bar. Typically there is some kind of Menu on the bottom Left, and a little clock on the bottom Right. Are you with me so far? Great! The background picture you see is not a screen saver. That's called the wallpaper. A screensaver would typically be some type of moving image. This is to prevent the monitor from displaying the same thing in the same spot for hours on end. After time, those static images will burn into the screen. The screensaver's job is to keep things moving, never allowing one static image to remain for too long. Yes, you can change the wallpaper and the screensaver. That's Computer 201 down the hall.

Now, this screen you’re looking at with the wallpaper, icons, and taskbar (the bottom bar with the Menu and clock) is called the desktop. You do not have any icons on your desktop? These can be turned off, but just to be sure perhaps you should call Irwin Electronics. There is no charge for diagnostic. We can remote control your computer and take a look. Sometimes viruses and malware will turn this setting off or simply delete all your icons.  

Don't panic. Desktop icons are simply a convenience. They are by no means the only way to access your programs and files. Remember, you have that Menu in the lower left corner. It may be just a little Windows image, or it may say Menu or Start. Go ahead and click it and you will see most all of your programs. I know, some of you are afraid to click anything you don't understand. That's good!

Now in this menu, you should see something that says “This PC”, “Computer”, “My Computer”, or “Files”. This is your File Manager. This is where you can find your pictures, music, documents, etc.. Go ahead and check it out, I’ll wait for you…
NO DON'T CLICK THAT! Just kidding! Don’t be so sensitive, sheesh!

Okay, you think you have a handle on that now? You want to change it? That's Computer 301 across the parking lot.  Hopefully, now you understand what we mean when someone says to open your file manager.

Next is the browser, or web browser. Windows 10 comes with Microsoft Edge as the browser. Internet Explorer? Well, yes, the icon is still a little blue “e”, but if you look closely you’ll find it is slightly different. Internet Explorer is not safe to use. Microsoft still includes it in Windows 10 primarily for corporations that need it to access their company’s Intranet.Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are the next most common browsers. No, these browsers are not THE Internet. That’s a vast global network of hundreds of thousands of interconnected computers. Many of these computers house “web pages” that are visible with a web browser, EdgeChromeFirefox… You get it now. You only have Edge and you want to install Chrome? I know, there is no Chrome icon on your desktop. We’ll get there. Oh, you’re going to the Menu? Well, you’re kind of on the right track. If it’s not installed yet, it won’t be there either, but you catch on quick! Open Edge, or Internet Explorer… I know, I said IE is not safe. If that’s all you have, you’ll have to use it to download another browser.
No, it’s not in your favorites bar, and no, there’s likely not a link to it from your Home Page. I see where you’re going, that big search bar in the middle. Hang on. Chances are a search for “chrome” will give you Google’s page. However, virus writers pay big bucks to have their site listed as a download site as well. You will get a Trojan. No, not the prophylactic. A Trojan is a type of virus. They will give you the Chrome browser that has been infected with a computer virus. No, a prophylactic will not protect you in this case.

Yes, you have your hand up. Do you have a question? That’s very observant of you! Yes, the blue underlined words are direct links to the proper download sites, and you may use them. But what if I did not provide the links? If you know the Uniform Resource Locator, that’s computer speak for the web address, you should enter that in the address bar at the top of the browser. You could enter “https://www.google.com/chrome”, or simply “google.com/chrome”. That’s the safest way. I’m sure most of you had no idea where to go, not to mention the URL, or whatever the heck nerd language I was speaking! Just for reference, the address with the site name and .com, .org, or whatever three letter thing at the end is a URL. You may not have known what to put where, but me? I never get lost. People are always telling me where to go!

So let’s go ahead and put “chrome” in that search bar and let’s look closely at the results. Better yet, for the purpose of this tutorial type “chrome download” in that search bar.

You should get something like this:
I’m going to mark this up a bit so you can see what to look for.

About 6,630,000 results (0.49 seconds)

Ad- These are paid advertisements called pay per click. Personally, I  ignore these.

Google.com | Google Chrome | Download Chrome Today‎Adwww.google.com/‎Chrome is a fast, secure and free browser for all your devices.Designed to keep you safe · Custom theme & extensions · One browser, all devices

Search Results- These are the “organic” search results. Begin here.

Chrome Web Browser - Google-This is the title, a good place to “start”

https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/-THIS is what you’re looking for! google.com is Google
Browse fast. One fast, simple, and secure browser for all your devices.Download Chrome Download for AndroidDownload for iOS. Follow us.Chrome Family. Other…

Google Chrome - Download
https://chrome.en.softonic.com - Notice, this is softonic.com, NOT Google!
Google Chrome, free and safe download. Google Chrome latest version: The quickest, smartest browser. Google Chrome is Google's web browser. With it, you can open web applications and games with no h...

Softonic is actually a safe site. I just wanted to point out that it is not a direct link to Google, and there very well may be sites that appear in your results that are absolutely not safe.

Hang on, before you install this, that’s Computer 201… No, I actually have a better recommendation for you. In my Privacy Part III blog I talk about the new Iridium browser. This is an enhanced version of Chrome. It’s based on the familiar Chrome browser, but with more than a few tweaks under the hood for privacy and security. I highly recommend you try it.

Hopefully, now you can find your files, get to the Internet, and search safely. All without any icons, shortcuts, or favorites. You've also picked up a little jargon along the way. This should get you started. I have LOTS of little tips and tricks I can show you in future posts.
As always, if you have further questions, or need assistance, we are only a phone call away at 480-382-4761.

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