INTRODUCTORY LESSON

Definition of a Computer: A Computer is an electronic device that is capable of accepting, processing and storing information at greater speed and accuracy. Basically it is made up of two parts, which is the handware and Software.
* Hardware: This represent the physical components of a computer, which can be seen and touched. E.g.
1.the monitor or Visual Display Unit (VDU)
2.The system unit or Central processing unit (CPU) 3.Keyboard and mouse (attached with a mouse pad)
* Software: This the part of a computer that can be seen and worked with but cannot be physically touched. It is also made up of two parts;
1. System software: Otherwise called an operating system is responsible for the computer operations or functioning E.g include;
1. Microsoft windows ME.
2. Microsoft windows XP.
3. Microsoft windows Vista.
4. Microsoft windows 7.
5. Microsoft windows 8 etc.
2. Application Software: This are software user's (YOU) you can apply to carry daily office work which include typing documents, performing simple and advanced calculations, creating impressive designs. examples includes;
1. Microsoft Word and Excel.
2. Microsoft Access and PowerPoint.
3. PageMaker and Corel-Draw etc.

Booting: is concerned with starting a computer so that it can prepare itself and become ready for use. Put in simple words, to boot a computer simply means to start it up. To boot a laptop computer, only one step is required however, to boot a tower or desktop computer at least three steps are required. Let's briefly look at the steps involved in starting a laptop and desktop computer.

How to Start a Tower or Desktop Computer
1. Put on the UPS
2. Put on the Monitor
3. Put on the System Unit. Relax and watch the display on the screen as the computer starts until the windows desktop is displayed showing icons, a mouse pointer and the start button. Any time a computer boot successfully; it displays the windows desktop with the mouse pointer, the icons and the task bar.

How to Boot Laptop Computer
In a laptop computer, the major parts such as the monitor, the system unit, the battery, the Keyboard and mouse are usually built together in compact form to form the System. These units are all powered by one switch. Thus to power on a laptop computer do, the following:
1. Press the power switch located on top of the system unit.
2. Relax and watch the system to get started.

The Windows Desktop
The first environment you see after booting is the windows desktop. It usually bears icons like My computer, My documents, Recycle bin etc. It carries the mouse pointer (arrow). Towards the end of the windows desktop is usually located the task bar which bears the start button and system clock.

Key Features of a Windows Desktop
1. Icons: refers to graphical symbols or small images or pictures on the desktop that represents programs or devices installed on the computer.
2. Mouse pointer: The arrow found on the desktop.
3. The task bar: located at the bottom end of the windows desktop. It carries the start button and system clock which displays the time of the day.