Computer Boot Camp Notes

 

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Reference material : Mouse Basics, Windows Basics, Keyboard Basics

• Detailed 'mousing around' tutorial
• Cute 'Learn to Type' game from the BBC
• Simple mouse games
• Typing Speed Test

Geeks on Tour Videos:

• Mouse Basics
• Windows Basics
• Your 'Desktop': Wallpaper (optional)
• Your Desktop: Shortcuts (otpional)

 

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Session 1: Word Processing/Text Editing, saving, managing files

Geeks on Tour videos:

Basic Text Editing (Word Processing)
Saving your Work
Cut, Copy, Paste and Undo
Understanding 'My Documents'

Session 2: Backup and Safe Computing

Tutorial videos on Safe Computing:
Backing up to a USB Hard Drive
Avoid email scams
Scan with Microsoft Live Onecare

Watch Microsoft videos on security - they're really good.
Check your computer's 'Security Center' - Control Panel / Security Center, make sure all items are green

Copy files to CD with Windows XP

Copy files to CD with Windows Vista

Session 3: Using Wi-Fi, Web Browsing, Google searching, Gmail

Geeks on Tour Videos:

Get a gmail account (free email and Google account)
Turning off (and on) your computer's WiFi adapter
Connecting (and disconnecting) to a WiFi hotspot
Web Basics: part 1
Web Basics: part 2 (windows Explorer)
Web Basics: part 2 (Firefox)
Internet Explorer 7-first look

 

Session 4: Getting to know your laptop, WiFi, Email, Finding help online.

Sample Computer 'User's Guide' from the manufacturer's website. These are samples, make sure to find the manual for your specific make/model.

Sony Vaio

Toshiba Satellite

HP/Compaq

Geeks On Tour Videos

Get a gmail account (free email)
Turning off (and on) your computer's WiFi adapter
Connecting (and disconnecting) to a WiFi hotspot

 

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Session 5: My Pictures, Using Picasa for Digital Photos

Geeks on Tour Videos:
My Pictures
All the Picasa Videos!

 

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Session 6: My Music - wrap up and review.

Review Computer Essentials Checklist

Geeks on Tour Videos:
My Music

Knowledge is your Best Defense

The only completely safe computer is one that is not turned on! Once you take the leap to turn yours on - it's up to you to keep it safe. Geeks on Tour highly recommends that you subscribe to at least one computer newsletter so you stay informed. Computers and the Internet are constantly changing, you must keep up. First, of course, there's our Geeks on Tour newsletter.

Then, here are 3 other newsletters we like:

Kim Komando: Not only does she have a weekly free newsletter, she also has a radio show every Saturday. Her site is quite commercial, but it's full of lots of good information for the average computer user.

Windows Secrets: The primary writer, Fred Langa, is a true geek's geek! Technical information for more advanced users.

Internet Tourbus: General information newsletter with many years' of archives and a touch of humor. For the average computer user with a little advanced knowledge.