Understanding computer concepts: common features - Research Paper Example

? Nursing Understanding Computer Concepts: Common Features According to research, a computer is a programmable appliance that permits the consumer to stock all forms of information and then process that information or facts or carry out arrangements with the information, including scheming figures or establishing words (Jamrich, 2012). In general, a computer is an instrument that can obtain and stock facts and convert or process it while evidence is the information that is conversed. On the other hand, data is the representation of knowledge in a dignified way appropriate for communication, clarification and processing largely by a computer method. The first computers to be produced were bulky and slower in operation speed, but as technological advanced has been integrated, more efficient and smaller components have been designed. This essay aims at providing an understanding of computer concepts, especially the common features, which would be essential to all persons in the digital migration age. Using the right mouse button is a common feature in a computer concept. Just as it is in the process of using hands to interact with items in the corporeal world, a mouse can be used to interrelate with the computer monitor. Various actions can be performed using a mouse by pointing and clicking the mouse; for instance, it is possible to move items, open them, alter them, and even throws them away among other actions by using a mouse on a computer; as it is known, a mouse has two buttons; the right button and the left button, but most useful is the left one (Morley, 2012). Various mice do comprise of a scroll wheel, which is positioned between the buttons to aid the user through documents and webpages more effortlessly; in some mice, the scroll wheel can be pressed to act as a third button. Innovative mice may contain extra buttons that can perform other roles; to use the right button effectively, it is vital to right click an object, point to the item on the monitor, and then press and release the left button. In the process of right clicking, there are various lists of objects that are displayed on the monitor enabling the user to achieve whatever action desired or intended. For instance, by right clicking the recycle bin on the desktop, windows show a list of options permitting the user to expose it, empty it, remove it, or view its possessions. The items about the display or the screen can be pulled by using the mouse, and in order to achieve this, it is essential to drag an item, point to the item on the screen, press and hold the left button, move the item to a new location, and then release the left button. In most cases, dragging is used to transfer files and folders to a different place and transfer windows and icons around the screen. Another common feature of the computer concept includes the Save and Save As commands. The “save” and “save as” commands can be employed in the process of saving and storing work in a computer, where it can be adjusted depending on the settings that Microsoft office uses to save the document. The manner in which a user saves a document and the format of the saved document rest on how a user plans to use the document. For instance, if the document is for personal use and is never anticipated to be opened in a previous version of Microsoft Office Word, the relaxed technique to protect it is to employ the “save” expertise, using all the default settings. Nevertheless, in case the document is being posted for other people to open it, or if the people are reading the document using a software other than Microsoft Office Word, or if the document is intended to be opened on another computer, the user needs to select how and where he or she requires to save the document. However, in case the user normally saves documents in a particular location or format, they can adjust settings so that the Word defaults to these selections. Accordingly, if the document is being saved for the first time, it is vital to employ the feature of “Save As” in order to avoid overwriting the original manuscript. It is significant to note that these options control the default behavior the first time the user employs the open “Save As” command when the Word is started. Every time the user saves a text, they can predominate these sets by identifying a different place or format in the open “Save,” or “Save As” conversation box. Select, copy, and move an object are other features that are involved on a computer. Choosing, copying and moving one or more items are very common duties when using a computer. Each time the computer user desires to move or copy an item, the item has to be selected first. It is also possible to work with a set of chosen items, for instance, to shift a cluster of related items while maintaining their positions in tact or to transform the properties of a cluster of items (Sewell, Linda and Thede, 2012). The process of choosing items can be performed in various ways, such as clicking the mouse, choosing by area, or employing the select menu to carry out extra selection options. It should be noted that it is possible to move the chosen items as a group without altering their relative locations. This can be achieved by placing the mouse cursor inside a figure or a blank spot on a line that is part of the chosen set and then dragging the item to the preferred new place. The laid-back way to pick two or extra items is to grasp the move key down whereas connecting the items with the mouse. By shift clicking once, the item is selected; however, the item can also be deselected just by shift clicking a second time on the item in question. In some cases, a computer user may forget in what folder he or she has put a file. However, there are some ways of locating this file; all is required is to remember the file name. With the feature of file organizational principles, it becomes easier to find a file in a specific folder on a computer. In most situations, Microsoft products contain a search bar in the upper right corner of the open files screen that can be used in the similar manner that the user can employ the search block that they view when they click on the windows symbol in the lower left angle of the display (Parsons, 2009). It is vital to note that Windows will immediately display file names once the user starts inputting, going through the list as the user add more letters. A user can also make the file addition noticeable; according to research, file addition is the typescript after the last mark or a period in a folder name. Nevertheless, Microsoft deliberates that this is not necessary because every person can match an icon with a file category. Conversely, for those people who prefer words, it is very possible to create file listings that display additions. This can be achieved by simply clicking on the start button, then inputting the word file extension or addition, click on the word show or hide file addition, click on the view tab, click the box before hide additions for recognized file types in order to remove the patterned mark there (Parson, 2012). Click “rearrange folders” at the top of that window, and then respond to the query with a “yes” to apply to all the folders, then finally click on the word “ok” to summarize. Sometimes files in a computer require renaming, and it is true that file renaming in Windows is the same whether it is done from Windows Explore, or from a file a list in a program. To accomplish this, the user is supposed to right click on the available file name, click on “rename,” and then erase the old name and replace with the new name preferred. Nonetheless, in case the user views the three letter addition, they should not alter it. This is because in case they inadvertently do, they will get a warning text telling them that the file type will be altered and may make the file unusable. However, they can always click on certainly not and repeat the stages. Both “Sleep” and “Hibernate” alternatives offered by Windows offer a simple and fast way to leave the computer in prevailing latest form and return back to toil on it at precisely the same form later minus waiting for a long time for the system to reinstate itself. Nevertheless, essentially there are noteworthy variances amid them that permit the users simply to select whether they should sleep or hibernate; for instance, “Sleep” is commonly recognized as Standby in some Windows systems. In “Sleep” or “Standby” state, the power source to non-essential and non-precarious element is suspended, and most system operations are closed down and stopped. The greatest thing is that all information or facts in physical memory or RAM mode remains stored in internal memory (White, 2008). The entire system is put in stand by state, which can be awakened and used virtually instantly. In Sleep style, the electricity capacity decreases extensively thus preserving a lot of energy. Nevertheless, the power should not be cut off and must be allowed to continue supplying to the computer; this is because by putting off power, the system will have to start a fresh like a lately boot computer that has just started from power off mode. From research, Windows Vista has enhanced Sleep mode for notebook computers; sleeping computers can automatically take cover at a time when battery-operated power level goes down. It also has built in hybrid Sleep state that guarantees that the system mode is conserved when there is power loss. On the other hand, in hibernation mode, computers have the tendency to save or store information in physical retention to hard disk drive and later power off the computer system. Accordingly, in “Hibernate” mode, a folder by the name hiberfil.sys, which has similar file magnitude as the quantity of system memory, will be formed on the confined disk. Therefore, when the consumer desires to use the computer once more, the computer will start up and load back the mode at the last hibernation; the main benefits or gain of hibernation style is that there is no power that is unexploited for determined saving of power. In hibernation latency, no current or energy is expended by system (Oja, 2007). Beside, reinstating from “Hibernate” is usually quicker than computer start up again and is very diverse from fresh start as users can come back to the particular state of last hibernation with all programs functioning and documents opened complete instead of a blank desktop. However, the main shortcoming of “Hibernate” is that after a period, there may have disintegration of folder. Users will have to defragment the capacity that supplies the hibernation folder regularly. The “Help” option on a computer is very vital. This is because it provides the necessary instructions that can help or aid the computer user in learning various software features. The help function is always located on the right side of a Microsoft Word document; thus, the user is just supposed to click on the word help and he or she will be in a better position to find the necessary help required. In the process of applying computer conventions appropriately, it is important that the user open a display in control panel. On the settings tab, it is vital that the user clicks the start then control panel, then click on the appearance and themes, and then click display in order to learn some of the software features. In most cases, the users` monitor and video adapter determine how much he or she can transform the screen resolution or conventions. This is because the user of the computer may not be in a position to increase the resolution beyond a particular level. In conclusion, this research intended to find and provide a good understanding of various computer concepts and common features. For instance, it was noted that a computer is a programmable appliance that permits the consumer to stock all forms of information and then process that information, or facts or carry out arrangements with the information, including scheming figures or establishing words. The research realized that employing the right mouse button is a common feature in a computer concept. Just as it is in the process of using hands to interact with items in the corporeal world, a mouse can be used to interrelate with the computer monitor, and thus considered a very important component in the execution of various activities. Various actions can be performed through the use of a mouse by pointing and clicking the mouse. Another common computer feature the research recognized includes the “Save” and “Save As” commands. The “Save” and “Save As” commands can be employed in the process of saving and storing work in a computer, where it can be adjusted depending with the settings that Microsoft Office uses to save the document. The “Help” option a computer is very dynamic because it offers the needed instructions that can aid the computer user in learning various software features. Therefore, the essay discussed in details various common computer features just as shown above. References Jamrich, G. (2012).New Perspectives on Computer Concepts 2012: Comprehensive New perspectives. New York, NY: Sam Compatible Products Series. Morley, D. (2012). Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, Introductory, 14th ed.: Today and Tomorrow. Boston, CA: Cengage Learning. Oja, J. (2007). Computer Concepts Illustrated: Introductory, Enhanced Edition, 7th. New York, NY: Cengage Learning. Parson, J. (2012).Computer Concepts: Illustrated Introductory, 9th ed. Harvard: Cengage Learning. Parsons, J. (2009). Computer Concepts. Cambridge, MA: Course technology. Sewell, J., Linda, Q., and Thede, K. (2012).Informatics and Nursing: Opportunities and Challenges. Boston: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. White, R. (2008). How Computers Work. How It Works Series. Emeryville, CA: QUE Corp. Read More