Computer and Internet Use

Using these lessons

Here is the basic computer/internet information you will need to know to use these lessons most effectively. We expect that you know what a mouse and monitor are and how to put a floppy disk in your computer drive. The images used here may not look exactly like those on your computer.

COMPUTER USE:

Window: This is the screen where you will view files or websites.

Title Bar: This is found at the top of every window, containing the title of that page or file. There are also buttons you can use in the right corner of this bar to change or close your window size. See window control buttons.

Menu bar: This is usually found beneath the title bar, containing a horizontal list of menu items. By clicking on a menu item, a pop down menu will appear. You can then click which item you want to use from the sub menu.

Toolbar: This is usually found beneath the menu bar, containing a series of icons or “tools”. Each icon represents a function that can also be completed through the menu bar. Use these icons as shortcuts to perform your most common tasks.

Scroll bar: If a window contains more info than will fit on the screen, a scroll bar will appear either along the right side or the bottom of the window. Click the arrows at either end of the scroll bar to scroll up or down and view the hidden information.

Task bar: This is usually found at the bottom of the monitor screen. It shows all open programs or tasks, along with shortcut icons and usually a clock.

Window control buttons: Located in the top right corner of the window, consisting of 3 buttons.

• Minimize: This will hide your screen, putting a button in the taskbar if you want to open it again.
• Maximize or Restore down/up: Use this to make you window bigger or smaller. This picture will change depending on if your window is “maximized” or “restored down”.
• Close: Click this icon to close a window.

Typical Window:

Alternating between programs: There are two common ways to do this.

1. On the taskbar, click on the desired open program. Then click on another open program.
2. Hold down the ALT key, then press the TAB key. Continue holding the ALT key and you will see icons representing each program you have open. Press TAB as many times as needed until you highlight the program you want to switch to. Then let go of the ALT button.

Saving: When saving you will usually see a box asking you where to save your file. Across from “Save in:”, click the down arrow to choose where to save your file. The 3½ floppy disk is the A drive. Then in the “File name: ” type in a name that you want to cal your file. Then click SAVE.

File extensions: All files are given an extension depending on what type of file they are. Here are some examples. All these files are called “Family”, but they each have different extensions:

• Family.doc = this file is from Microsoft Word
• Family.paf = this file is from Personal Ancestral File
• Family.bak = this is a backup of a PAF file
• Family.zip = this is a compressed or “zipped” file (meaning it’s been shrunk)
• Family.wpd = this file is from Word Perfect
• Family.jpg = this file is an image or picture
• Family.gif = this file is also an image, just in a different format

INTERNET USE:

The Internet is the largest collection of information in the world, and is constantly growing and changing. The Internet is an excellent place to search for family history information. Anyone can contribute information to the Internet. Most web sites are free to look at, although some databases are only available for a fee. As you look at different websites, they may take a long time to appear or download. This is because of the speed of the computer. The website must be found and brought back to your specific computer. Expect a little delay as you use the internet.

Web Browser: a program that allows users to view and move about the internet. For example, Internet Explorer or Netscape.

Hypertext Links: Underlined words and/or phrases, or pictures that are “linked” to other web pages. Hypertext links are generally underlined and the cursor will turn to a hand when you cross the link. Just click on the link to access it.

Address bar: Found only on Internet windows, usually below the toolbar. This is where internet addresses are typed.

Downloading: This is the transfer of a file from one computer to another, usually by way of the internet. It is usually safe to download from the internet. For these lessons, you will only need to download PAF, and a “reader” for printing the lessons. Neither of these will harm your computer. Follow the directions in the lessons when you come to them.

Look for these icons on your internet toolbar:

• Back: If you click this, you will go back to your previous screen.
• Forward: If you click this, you will go forward to another screen.
• Stop: Click this icon to stop a web site from loading.

For these lessons:

• Click on the words or titles in the blue navigation bar on the top to lead you through these lessons.
• Use the scroll bar on the right to continue down the lesson.
• When asked to “Select” something, it means to click on it.
• When you click a link that opens a new website, your old website can be found at the bottom of your screen in the taskbar. Just click on it to open it up again. Look there now and you should see a button for these lessons.