Basics about the computer mouse, and how to clean it!

EWWWWWWWW! Yuck!!! IT is FUNNY........tee hee!

I wanted to go over some parts of the mouse, and I'm sure you know some of this already! First this start with some basic terms that you will hear alot.


Point

The end of your cursor is what you use to POINT! You POINT the end of your cursor on whatever item you are dealing with!

Click

Point to something with the end of your cursor (icon, program, etc), and then press and release your left mouse button.

You can also point and click in a document to add or remove things!

Try NOT to move your mouse around with you do this! I have moved objects around when I did that!

Right Click

Its basically the opposite of click because you will be using your RIGHT button, instead of our LEFT button that you will use most of the time!

Typically you use the right click to view menus for applications you are using.

Double-click

Double-click is clicking twice, but you will do this pretty quickly! You don't want to move the mouse for this option either! I remember the first day I tried a mouse, and even to this day at times I might not DOUBLE-CLICK fast enough! It happens to the best of us!

Normally you are executing something when you double-click! For example, opening a program!

Drag

Point to an object, and then HOLD DOWN the left button (don't release it) while moving your mouse (and the object) at the same time!

You will use this if you are trying to select text for example, and if you are working on a drawing.

Goodness knows there are enough of the different types of computer mouses out there, and I will try to touch on few a few!


This is a typical 2 button mouse.





This mouse has a wheel in the center.

They both work the same pretty much the same thing.

The center button (depending on the type) you can rotate the wheel, and at times CLICK it as well!

Depending on the application you are using you can scroll UP and DOWN the screen using that center button.

You can zoom in or out while you hold down the CTRL key and rotate the wheel.

Those are few examples. Myself - I don't use it very often at all!

Depending your mouse type - it is said that some mouses may not need this - you will need to clean the mouse.

The first thing you may notice is your mouse just isn't moving along the way it used to. It won't move where you move it, or just plain just sits there!

The first time this happened to me I thought it was broken!

Flip the mouse over, and look at the bottom. At times you can really collect alot of JUNK there. All kinds of debris collects under there, and I would say wiping it off cures this mouse issue 90% of the time!

I normally don't spray any cleaner directly on the mouse itself. I may take a rag, and spray a little cleaner on it to remove the debris. It wouldn't take that much to clean it off.

My mouse has a spot where you can see a red light, and I make sure that is cleaned out as well.

Some of you may have different types of computer mouses. You may use a ball to move the cursor around, or you may have a ball literally on the bottom of you mouse!

I felt a visual would be best for this type, and I could a good video on Expert Village for that!

Pretty simple huh?

Don't forget if you have any question or comments use the top of this post to start the discussion! If you don't know how to do this I have also written about that! How do I comment!

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What is the difference between hardware and software?

THIS is a great question for people just starting out, and just plain never did know the difference! You do need to know the difference so you can understand what people are talking about!

First off hardware and software work together to make your computer work! You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t have them both!




Hardware includes the physical components, such as the motherboard, chips, memory, and hard drives! The CD rom or the disk drive you use is hardware! I guess you could just plain call it the parts to the computer! If you ever opened up your computer will see ALL kinds of items in there, and those parts are your hardware!





Software on the other hand is the program that makes your computer RUN, or accomplishes some task you are doing! One program you use everyday is your operating system! We speak here about the different versions of windows (Windows 95, 95, ME, 2000, XP, Vista), and all of those are operating systems! If you like to write letters on Word, WordPad, Notepad, Word Perfect, etc. those programs are software programs as well!

This is a very simple explanation of the difference! They do work together, and you need to have both in order to run the computer!

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How to leave a comment, question on a blog?

Tee HEE! I thought the picture was cute.....I couldn't resist!


Blogger help section has a really good explanation on how to leave comments or questions! Click HERE

My articles have the above image that you click in order to leave a comment or question.
Once you hit the image above?  You come to a comment box that looks like this:

If  you have a google account you can place your information within that.  The same goes for Open ID.  You have a name and URL option, or just plain anonymous.

Feel free to leave feedback, because that is how we both learn!

Keep in mind your comment may not show up right away, because I moderate the comments. I have found you get a lot of spam comments about finances, XXX rated stuff, prescription drugs...lol among other things! We get enough of that in the email we don't need to see their advertising here!

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Explanation of 'icons'! YEP there are different types!

The next few lessons will try to break down the 'computer desktop' into sections. We will show you the different parts of the computer desktop, so you will know what they are and how you can use them!

I think the most obvious portion of the desktop is your icons! Those little pictures that are spread all over your desktop with names under them! The basics for this lesson are pretty much the same for all operating systems. You may have less colorful icons in the older ones.


There two different basic types of icons that I can think of!

ONE is the file or folder icon


TWO is the program or application icon

I guess your next question would be what is the difference between a file or folder icon and a program or application icon is that correct?

Application icons are the easiest to remember! It’s the icon you click on to make a program start! It’s like your 'remote' to the Television to turn it on!








These are examples of application or program icons. The composition of the icon makes use of perspective, color, and shading to provide photo-realistic representation of the programs. Applications are tools for the user, so application icons should always show a picture of a tool that indicates the nature of the task the application is designed to accomplish or complete.

The 'W' is for a word processor program you may use now to write letters on! The Mozilla or the IE would be how you get on the Internet! The recycle bin is where you store your garbage before you decided to TAKE OUT THE TRASH! It’s basically where your files go when you delete them.


If your application (ie: word, excel, etc.) creates a file (like a letter or spreadsheet that you save) those files would be called file icons. This helps you avoid the frustration of looking into a folder full of document files with generic icons and being unable to identify which applications created the files.

Most of the time these are NOT placed on the desktop, but there are times in which people may use a file constantly and want it there for easier use!

The above are files created in Power Point, Word, Corel Draw, Adobe, Excel. The programs themselves are application icons. The documents we created with those programs are called File Icons! For Example, the phone list was made in Word (See the Word Icon) but the name next to it was phone list. It’s a phone list MADE in Word!

The older computer may not use visual icons like this, but your file extensions should clue you in as well! For Example: Lampchop.tif could be a picture of your lovely lambchop dinner you sent to your brother to make him drool! phonelist.doc could be your list of current phone numbers you keep on the Freezer!

Folder icons are literally FOLDERS (pictures of them). You can use those much like you use folders at home. For example, you have a folder you place all your different statements for bills like: Gas, Electric, Credit Card, Bank Statements, etc.

For our computer at home we have 3 main folders: MOM folder, DAD folder, and KID folder.

For this example I’m going to use ‘stereotypical’ examples so you can get the picture of what I’m trying to get across!

In my MOM Folder she may have some ‘file’ documents that she typed up with her favorite recipes to keep handy with a touch of her mouse! She may also have her Photoshop program icon there also that she uses all the time for her scrap booking projects!

Photoshop program - program Icon (application icon)
Scrapbook programs - file Icon

The document that contains her recipes are file icons
The program she used to created it in is a program or application icon


In my DAD Folder he may have spreadsheet documents for work that need to be updated on a regular basis, and for his ‘application’ maybe quicken for the families finances.

The spreadsheet he created is a file icon, but the program he used to create it is a program or application icon! Quicken would be an application Icon as well!

In the KID folder it could be copies of their recent book report, science project they are working on! It will also have their latest game they love to play in their free time!

Application Icon - SpongeBob Square Pants Computer Game
File Icon - Science program and Book Report they are currently working on.

Other examples may be:

Website shortcuts to websites you visit on a regular basis (like this one? LOL!)

At times you are going to download a program, and you want to know WHERE you put the file and the desktop is a great place to do just that!

You can place all of these things in your folders on your desktop. Its called CLICK ON IT, and keep it held down and DRAG to where your folder is. Once on top of that folder - RELEASE and it will be in there for the next time you go looking!

It nice for families to have their own, or maybe you have a collection of things you wish to keep on your computer for church and ONE for your hobby! Make TWO folder Icons! One for EACH!

Remember FILE is something you create, and FOLDER is what you store it in! Program or Application Icon is the item you use to create your file icon!

I found a video program I attempted to explain some of this in. I have a cold so excuse my voice! I will try to do better in the future!

Remember if something isn’t clear – go to the top of this lesson and hit the word ‘comment’ and write me a note! Chances are you aren’t the only one!

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What do they mean by 'desktop'?

There are two terms that I can see people getting confused about when someone mentions 'desktop'! It’s easy to figure out the two when someone explains it to you!

Once you grasp this it will be pretty plain which they are referring to! They are completely different! When people talk about 'desktop' they could be referring to either 'desktop computer' or 'computer desktop'.

When you turn on your computer, and you look at the monitor you will see an image. My children used to call the monitor the computer's TV screen! The image inside that TV Screen is the 'computer desktop'.






These are examples of computer desktops. Your computer desktop may not look the same, because there are to many themes to mention! You could be using one that came with the computer, or something placed on there for you! 'Desktop Theme' if you haven't guessed is the look of your desktop! A times you can get themes with custom icons, background pictures, and even customize your cursor!



The other term is called 'desktop computer'. It’s literally a computer that you can place on your DESK! I believe they call it desktop computer because of they different types of computers. Laptop computer will be another type that you may have heard of!

Below is a ‘desktop computer’



Just for the sake of visuals laptops are all in one, and as you can see from the picture everything is contained within one unit. It’s compact and folds up, and could fit on your LAP! Notice the keyboard, monitor and everything else that is needed is ONE unit, and not different ones like the desktop!



As you can see now you have a 'computer desktop', and a 'desktop computer'.

The easiest way you can remember the difference is the desktop computer SITS on your desk (laptop computer can sit on your lap)!

The ‘computer desktop’ is the image ON your computer monitor!





See the difference? That wasn't so hard was it? NOW you are a pro!

The next lesson will try to break down into sections. We will show you the different parts of the computer desktop, so you will know what they are and how you can use them!

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How to clean up with DISK CLEANUP!

One of the basic computer operations is called Disk Cleanup.  Disk Cleanup is one of the computer maintenance options that is needed to keep you computer running smoothly.  One way of looking at Disk Cleanup is taking out the trash!

How-To Guide for the Computer Beginning will be on clean up with DISK cleanup!

(How-To run Disk Cleanup on Windows 8)

What are we cleaning up?

'Disk Cleanup' helps you cut the clutter on your Windows 95/98/Me/XP/Vista/Seven computer’s hard drive. The utility, which is built into Windows, finds unnecessary files in various categories such as Temporary Internet Files and Offline Files. You can then choose which categories to delete, often freeing up many megabytes or even gigabytes at one stroke.

You basically are taking out the trash, so you have more room for other things!

When you are asking for troubleshooting advice on your PC one of the first things you will hear them ask you to do is run Disk Clean up. They don't ask this because of its awesome qualities of fixing issues, but it does eliminate some variables in the troubleshooting process! It could be a corrupt file that is causing you issues for example, or just lack of disk space that you can free up using this process!

Disk Cleanup also doesn't detect duplicate files, such as multiple copies of space-eating songs and photos. Still, it's a useful tool with which every Windows users should be familiar.

The important issue here is Disk Cleanup frees disk space by cleaning up areas that gather unneeded files. Using Disk Cleanup regularly, along with using ScanDisk and DEFRAG and keeping your virus patterns up to date, will help keep your computer running smoothly.

For the older operating systems:

Click the Start button, and select Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools, and then Disk Cleanup





Select the drive on which you would like to free up disk space (usually your C: drive).  As you see from the picture you have a pull down menu you click to show you the options.  A Drive in older operating systems are normally your floppy drive.  We are looking for our Hard Drive.

For new operating systems the process is similar

Start Button
To Computer







Generally, your C drive is your drive that you want to clean.

Right click on your C drive, and go to properties.






We are looking for your General Tab that you see on the top, and then we will be clicking on ‘disk cleanup’.







Generally, in older operating systems you have less options than with newer operating systems as to what you wish your disk cleanup to WELL – CLEANUP!

As you can see from our picture clicking on the box next to the titles is part of the selection process.  For example, if you wish your recycle bin to be cleaned up?  You would make sure you have selected it, by making sure the X is in the box.  If you want to leave it alone? Keep it empty.

As you may have already noticed when you click on each section a description box will pop up, and give you a description of each area of the disk cleanup.  If wish to double check something? 

Notice you have a ‘view files’ options as well.  Since the recycle bin is empty (0 kb) in this screen shot we can’t use the ‘view files’ option, because there is NOTHING to view!  You can if you wish view other options to see what you are going to be cleaning up.

Select from the four areas that Disk Cleanup will check and clean up:


Temporary Internet Files: These are files stored on your local drive to allow web pages to load more quickly.

Downloaded Program Files: This is a storage location for programs downloaded when you visit specific web sites that use ActiveX and Java applets.

Recycle Bin: These are files marked as deleted.

Temporary Files: These are items in the TEMP folder.

For more information on what is cleaned up when you select one of these options, highlight any of the options and read the expanded information in the "Description" text box. If you are not sure what the explanation means - google it for quick reference!

Unless you may have personal reason for wanting to leave stuff alone?  Most people select all of the above, and then hit OK to start the cleanup disk process.


With Newer operating systems as you can see the screen is pretty similar. 

Again you can go down disk cleanup list to highlight each section, so you can read the description of what you are cleaning up.

As you place checks in the boxes for selection for the disk cleanup?  You will notice the computer will tell you how much space you are freeing up.  In the case of the screen shot I have is 611 kb.


There is a section tab called ‘more options’ for your disk cleanup.

The top part called, ‘programs and features’ brings you to a section on your control panel, so you can uninstall programs if you wish to free up even MORE space.

Unlike older operating systems you also have system restore copies.  You have the option of deleting those as well, and just leaving the last one available on the computer for emergencies.

Again once you are done selecting all you wish to clean up you will click the ok button.


At times you do get an additional option screen at this point with newer operating systems.

Hopefully, the message on the screen is self explanatory.  Some computers are setup to have more than one user.  The screen is asking you if you wish it to do disk cleanup on the entire computer (all users), or just do a disk cleanup on your files only.

For myself?  I always select, ‘files from all users on this computer’



As with most screens with new operating systems you always get the ‘are you sure’ screen!  Click Delete Files.



The next thing you know you are getting a little graphic of some sort telling you that the computer is doing your disk cleanup.


Keep in mind if it as been a while since you did a disk cleanup?  Be patient.  I have noticed at times even the screen flickering as it does it job.

What is nice about the newer operating systems is you can schedule this task automatically.  How-To Geeks have a good article on how you can accomplish scheduling your disk cleanup.

If you have any question please feel free to ask them in our comment section.

Remember to place your email in our subscribe box you can get future lessons sent directly to you.

I hope I helped you understand our ‘How-to Guide for Computer Beginners’ lesson on Disk Cleanup! 

Look for our future article on CCLeaner a free program that helps in the disk cleanup task as well.

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Run Scan Disk to keep your computer running well!

So why should you run Scandisk and what is Scandisk anyway?

Scandisk does just what it sounds like, it scans your hard drive looking for errors and correcting them.

The hard drive is where Windows (or what they call your Operating System) is installed, and all of your programs and any files you may have created.

If you ever turned off your computer by just turning off the power (You should try NOT to do this!See the article on Down shut off the power! ) then errors can occur on your hard drive. If you get errors in the wrong place, then some programs won't work right, maybe they won't even open or even files seem to be gone!


So after awhile you need to run Scandisk. Before you open Scandisk, make sure you don't have any programs open. If you have a Screensaver, make sure it is turned off.  Turning off Screensaver applies to older Operating Systems.



Now click on your Start button and select Programs. In the Programs menu select 'Accessories', then select System Tools.







Now click on Scandisk. When the Scandisk Program opens, put a check mark in the little square at the bottom to automatically fix errors.




Then start the program & go find something else to do for a while. Scandisk can take a long time to run, so don't do this if you have something else you want to do on your computer right away. If you are using Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98SE or Windows ME, you need to run Scandisk once a month.

Once completed, you can go back and put your screen saver and background back to where you had it. You should perform a disk defragment after performing a ScanDisk.


Here is a video on how to Scan Disk on Windows XP



Scan Disk on Vista



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