Compete with yourself

If you continuously compete with others, you become bitter, but if you continuously compete with yourself, you become better.

Software

Software

This is just the name given to all those programs that runs inside the computer or there are sets of instructions that tell the computer hardware what to do.

Program: This is a set of instruction that is written in a computer readable language.

Software is subdivided into two (2)

1.    System Software; which includes operating system, language translator, device driver, utility program and library program.

2.    Application Software; which includes application package and user written software

Mouse Movement Techniques

Mouse Movement Techniques

Mouse is an input device that is used to commit command into computer memory. It is also known as a pointing device.

The mouse is one of several pieces of hardware you will be using when interacting with the computer. It works by its pointing on the screen and judging whether it is pointing or resting on the right item.

A  mouse is primarily made of three parts: the buttons, the handling area, and the rolling 

Component of the Computer System

Components of the Computer System

These are those things that makes up the computer system

1.    Hardware

2.    Software

3.    Lifeware/Peopleware/Humanware

Hardware: These are those parts of the computer system that can be felt seen and touched e.g monitor, keyboard, mouse, CPU, etc.

Monitor: The monitor displays the content and operations of the computer (Central Processing Unit) it is also known as Visual Display Unit (VDU).

Keyboard: This is an input device that allows the user to communicate with the computer.

Computer Appreciation

Computer Appreciation

This is just the introductory aspect of the computer that leads to the computer field or world, which tells the basic components, functions and uses of the computer.

 It can also be considered as the subject in study of computer of computer science.

Physical Maintenance of computer

Physical Maintenance

Don’t touch the screen.

The oils from your fingers will leave fingerprints that are hard to remove. Avoid touching the screen if you can. To clean an LCD screen try a dry cloth for dust or a moist cloth for stuck-on stains. If the dirt is persistent, pick up an LCD cleaner or cleaning cloths sold at most computer and electronics stores. Don’t spray anything directly on the screen, and do NOT use regular surface cleaners. Make sure you only press gently, as pressing too hard may damage the screen.

Keep drinks and food away from the computer.

This is tough, but one cup of coffee or can of pop can ruin your keyboard. Also crumbs can be a problem. To clean a keyboard, use compressed air, or a small clean paint brush to brush out lint and other debris. 

BRAINboost: Restoring Backup files on your Computer

BRAINboost: Restoring Backup files on your Computer: Restoring Backup Files  To restore your files navigate to the Backup Wizard: 1.     Open My Computer by double-clicking the My Comput...

Restoring Backup files on your Computer

Restoring Backup Files 

To restore your files navigate to the Backup Wizard:

1.    Open My Computer by double-clicking the My Computer icon on your desktop.

2.    My Computer window will open and then right-click on your C: drive.

OR

1.    Click on Start and click on My Computer in your Start menu. My Computer window will open and then right-click on your C: drive. 

Backing up your Computer

Backup

Backing up your computer is an important thing to do if you want to keep your files. Computers can malfunction for a variety of reasons, including viruses, hardware malfunction, theft, and home disasters. You never know when one of these will strike, so you should back up your information on a regular basis. (This is also useful when transferring to a new computer.)

Computer users have a range of backup options to choose from.

1) Online storage. Storing your information online is one of the easiest ways to backup your information. With the push of a few buttons, the program copies your data and stores it in an online database.

Pros:

1.    Ease of use.

2.    Access your documents from any computer that has an Internet connection.

3.    No possibility of physical theft on your end or destruction in flood or fire.

4.    Some have automatic backup schedules.

5.    Share certain files with other people.

6.    Automatic file restoration process.

Cons:

1.    Yearly fee for service.

2.    Slight possibility of ambitious hackers gaining access to your private files. Although a good company should have safe-guards to prevent this.

2) Offline storage programs. Purchasing a program that will back up your data is convenient, but you have to provide the storage medium. (CDs, DVDs, external hard drives, flash drive, floppy disks, etc.)

Pros:

1.    One-time fee when purchased. (Plus the cost of the storage medium.)

2.    Ease of use.

3.    Automatic file restoration process.

Cons:

1.    Possibility of loss if theft, fire, or flood occurs.

2.    You provide the storage medium.

3.    All files may not fit on storage medium.

3) External hardware. External hard drives, CDs, DVDs, flash drives, and floppy disks can all be used to back up data.

Pros:

1.    Cost is minimal—only need to purchase storage medium and no additional software is needed.

Cons:

1.    You have to do all of the work with copying/pasting.

2.    All files may not fit on storage medium—two or more devices may be needed.

3.    Possibility of loss if theft, fire, or flood occurs.

Note: Keep in mind that these options only transfer your files and not your programs. If you ever need to restore your computer to its former glory you will need to reinstall the programs yourself. Make sure you keep your installation discs and product keys! Many programs can only be installed on one PC. If you run into problems when reinstalling a program you can always contact the manufacturer for help.

Windows Backup Utility

Windows comes with a free backup utility that will move your data to a storage device. This process can be repeated as needed.

To start the back up process:

1.    Open My Computer by double-clicking the My Computer icon on your desktop.

2.    My Computer window will open and then right-click on your C: drive.

OR

1.    Click on Start and click on My Computer in your Start menu.

2.    The My Computer window will open and then right-click on your C: drive.

3.    Select the Properties option.

4.    Click on Backup Now. The Backup or Restore Wizard window will open.

5.    Click Next to continue. 

The first option allows you to backup files and settings.

6.    Click Next to continue. 

7.    You now have to choose what you want to back up. Click Next to continue.

Note:

My documents and settings – backs up a copy of your My Documents folder, Internet Favorites, desktop settings, and current Internet cookies.

Everyone’s documents and settings – backs up the same items listed above except for all of the computer’s user accounts.

All information on this computer – backs up a copy of all data (documents & settings) for all users as well as the Windows operating system files to be used if your system should crash at a later date. It will not help if your hard drive dies.

Let me choose what to back up - allows you to choose which files you back up.

Choose a location to save your backup to by clicking in the Browse button.

Note: When choosing storage media for your backups keep in mind that a floppy disk (1.44MB) will hold approximately 600 pages of text. It is recommended that if you are backing up large amounts of data (i.e. pictures, movies, all data on computer) to use an external hard drive or large flash drive. A CD (700MB) or DVD (4.7GB) can also be used, but the data must be written to your computer’s hard drive or an external hard drive first. Once completed, the backup file can be burned to a CD or DVD. You cannot burn to a CD or DVD with this utility. There are two types of CDs--a CD-R allows you to save data to it one time whereas a CD-RW allows you to add, change, or delete data as needed.

Once you have designated where you want to save your backup click Next to continue. 

The final screen will display the settings and storage media choice you made. Click Finish to execute the backup.

Disk Defragmenter

Disk Defragmenter 

Defragmenting your hard drive is a long process but it is also a very important one since it can speed up your computer and gain disk space by reorganizing the files on your drive.

Why use it?

When you save files or add programs to your disk, the file system finds the first available space that is large enough to hold the files. When you delete programs or files they are taken out of wherever they may be on the drive. So what happens is that as time passes and files are created, saved, and installed - as well as erased - deleted gaps of various sizes appear on your disk.