What Do You Need to Know Before You Start?

Let's Talk Basics

What do you need to know to operate a computer?

The answer is: Not Much!

If you have a computer and you know how to plug it in, attach the screen to the back, and press the power button, you're almost set.

But here, let's try to understand a little more than that. Like a car, it feels better to understand a little bit of the basic operation before we start - We all know that before you drive you should know, "if I press the gas pedal the car moves, if I press the brake the car stops."

So Let's Start Here.

Computers in general are all put together the same way, they have the same parts, and almost always the same functions. Some have more, some have less. When your talking basics its just that, basics. A car, let's say, has ............an engine, wheels, tires, steering wheels, gas/brake pedals, seats and all together they make a car function as a car. Just like that, computers have parts that are needed for it to function:

• A Case or box to hold all the different parts together.
  
• A Brain or CPU (Central Processing Unit) - tells the computer what to do/what you want.
• Storage - a place where information is stored in the computer.
  
• Power Supply - All computers need electricity to function, whether its a plug or battery.
• Monitors/Screens - Needed to interact with the computer. Sometimes mistaken for the computer itself, the screen is simply a way for you to see what the computer is doing. A car with no windows or windshield is useless. You have to see what your doing to use it.
• Keyboard and Mouse - The mouse is used like your finger, it points to what you want, and along with the keyboard they tell the computer what to do, where to go and how to get there. Compare it to the Steering Wheel and Gas/Brake Pedals of a Car. Where and how to go.
  
• Extras - Plug In's, Storage Card Readers, CD/DVD Drives, Etc. Let's save this for later.
  

Of course, these are the stripped down version of the basics, and even this is more than enough knowledge to operate a computer.

To get a standard or typical computer to function you will need; the Tower, a monitor, a keyboard, mouse, and electricity of some sort. A laptop or portable computer is even less complicated than that, as it comes with everything you need, just plug it in and go. Most stores have "packages" that you can purchase. These computer packages include the computer, monitor, keyboard and mouse. However, every computer you buy in a store comes with a mouse and keyboard minimum.

A computer has automatic and manual functions. Like your Car, when you turn the key, it starts, gets warm, and waits to be told what to do. Put it in gear, press the gas, and go. Computers are the same, press the power, it starts, checks itself then waits to be told what to do. Look at the screen, get a picture from storage, or type a letter.

So here we are, the basics. An understanding of sorts.

A place to start.

Next: Terms and Definitions for the Beginner.