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For many of us who are just entering the world of technology, we may feel like Scotty, lost and not sure how exactly we should be using our computers. The purpose of this section is to introduce students and non-students to the basics of how to use computers, with helpful video guides available when appropriate. At the bottom of this page is a handy glossary that includes a number of significant terms relating to computers, and helpful links that include more information.
Note: Unless otherwise stated, "Computer" refers to all things that can be used to access the internet and have a visual interface. This includes smartphones, tablets, chromebooks, laptops, "all in one" computers, and desktop computers.
For a laptop, all you need to do to set up your computer is to plug the laptop into a power outlet. You then need to push the power button on the laptop in order to turn the laptop on. If the laptop does not turn on immediately after pushing the power button, you may need to hold the power button to ensure that the laptop turns on. To turn a computer off, click the windows button on the bottom left of the screen. Then click the power button (a circle with a line at the top). Finally, click "power off."
Most laptops have a battery, which allows you to use a computer without having it plugged in. So, if you do not have a power cord with you, you can still use the laptop until the battery is drained. The battery can then be recharged. A laptop needs either battery charge or to be plugged in to work. Laptops provided by the university are plugged in until they are needed. Laptops have a monitor, keyboard, webcam, and central processing unit all built into one. Most laptops require you to plug in a mouse, but typically have some sort of trackpad or touchscreen to allow for navigation without a mouse.
For a desktop computer, it is more complicated. You first need to ensure that all of the components are plugged into the central computer, using a HDMI or VGA cord for a monitor and USB cords for your mouse, keyboard, and webcam. Note that desktop computers (and their monitors) usually do not have a webcam built into them. As a result each must be plugged into the USB ports on the computer. Typically, a desktop computer does not have a battery, and must be plugged in to work. Note that all of the desktop computers provided by San Juan College are plugged in at all times. Once all of the components are plugged in, you should then push the large power button to allow your computer to turn on. If the desktop does not turn on immediately after pushing the power button, you may need to hold the power button to ensure that the computer turns on.
Note: Two of the videos included in this section reference a "UPS" or "Uninterruptable Power Supply," which stores power to allow a computer to run even without power from the wall. None of the computers in the San Juan College library have a UPS. They are not particularly common in the U.S.
In order to connect to the internet, an individual must first have access to either Wi-Fi or Mobile Data. A user can connect to Wi-Fi through a router, which is acquired through an Internet Service Provider or ISP. Wi-Fi can be purchased and installed in a house or it can be provided by a business or institution. San Juan College provides free Wi-Fi as "SJC-Guest." Mobile Data is part of a phone plan and allows users to connect to internet provided by a cell tower. Mobile Data can be used whenever a user has sufficient phone signal.
After you have an data or Wi-Fi, you need to download an internet browser. An internet browser is a program that allows a user to connect to the internet. Some examples of Internet Browsers are Microsoft Edge (comes pre-installed on most Windows Machines), Google Chrome, (the default browser for most android phones), Safari (the default browser for most Apple products), and Mozilla Firefox. Each browser has its own pros and cons, but most generally operate similarly.
Once you have your browser, you can start surfing the net. You can use the top bar on your web browser to type in websites. Additionally, you can use search engines like Google, Bing, or Duck Duck Go in order to search for different types of websites.
Email is an incredibly important method of communicating online. Email is a method of sending messages instantaneously between people. A number of different companies let you create an email address with them. Some of the most popular companies are Gmail (google), Microsoft Outlook (formerly Hotmail), and Yahoo. There are others as well, each with their own pros and cons. Additionally, some companies may host their own email servers.
When signing up for an email, you sign up for an "email address," which usually includes a username that you select followed an @ and the domain that hosts the email. For example, for the email address m0ngeaum@sanjuancollege.edu, the m0ngeaum is the username and @sanjuancollege.edu is the domain that hosts the email address. You use these email addresses to select who you want to send emails too. When setting up an email address, you also need to set a password. You use that to log into your email. DO NOT share this password with other people. Only share your email address.
After logging into your email, you are brought to your email inbox. You can click on any of the emails that you have received in order to look at them and read them. Emails where the text is bolded are emails that you haven't read yet. Emails where the text is not bolded are emails that you have already read. Gmail has a star on the side of an email, and Microsoft Outlook has a little flag. You can use the star or flag to single out important emails so they stand out against the other emails. You can click a button that looks like a trash can in order to delete an email that you do not want or need to keep. Finally, you can click on the "reply" button in order to send a direct response to a previous email.
In addition to responding to emails that you have received, you can also write emails to people or organizations. You can do this by clicking the "new email" button on Microsoft outlook or the "compose email" button on Gmail. Doing so will open up a new sub-window where you can compose your email. Place the email address of the person or business who you want to send the email to in the top "to" box. If you want to send that email to multiple people, you can add multiple email addresses into the "to" box, or the "CC" or "Carbon Copy." field. In the about field, you should write a few words describing what this email is about in the "subject" field. Once you are ready, click the "send" button in order to send the email.
Gmail has several tips that describe how to write and send email. Outlook also has a guide going more into detail as to how to create and send email.
Emails have become a major form of communication between people. That comes with a lot of positive and negatives. Frequently, you may need an email address in order to sign up for an online service. Additionally, people have been using emails to scam people, pretending to be everything from tech support, your boss, Nigerian Princes, and Polish work placement programs. See our "avoiding scams" section for more information.
Since the 2020 pandemic, Zoom has become an incredibly important part of how we interact with other people. Zoom is a videoconferencing app which allows people to video call each other through the internet. While there are many programs that do similar things such as Skype, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Facetime, and Gotomeeting. However, Zoom remains the primary videoconferencing app used by people, including doctors.
Before using Zoom you first need to install some hardware. In order to use Zoom effectively, you need a webcam (to allow other people to see you), a microphone (to allow other people to hear you), and headphones (to hear other people). While you can use speakers to hear others in Zoom, it may be inconvenient for others as they can hear speaker echo. Additionally, you can also use a keyboard to type materials into a Zoom chat (which will be discussed more in depth later). Many laptops, tablets, and phones have a webcam and microphone built in. For desktop computers and "all in one" computers you may need to install new hardware by connecting these to a USB port or 3.5mm jack.
In addition, for most computers, Zoom does not come pre-installed. You need to go to https://zoom.us/download in order to download Zoom. You can download it onto your computer. You can also download Zoom as part of your browser (where it opens as part of the browser rather than its own independent app) or as an app through Google Play/Apple Store.
Once you download Zoom, you can then use it. Typically you will be attending Zoom as a participant. When you are goin to participate in a Zoom meeting, you will typically be given a Zoom link. All you need to do is click on the link, and it will open up the link in Zoom. Sometimes you will be given a prompt to enter a password. Typically this password will be given when you are given the Zoom link. If you do not have access to internet during a meeting, sometimes Zoom will let you call and access a meeting that way (without using a camera). Once you have access to the meeting, Zoom will typically ask you to choose your video devices, audio input (how you can hear others), and audio output (how others can hear you). You can test your audio and video devices in this place on Zoom. Sometimes, there may be some issues with Zoom recognizing your devices. You may need to click the drop down tab and manually select your webcam, headphones or microphone.
Additionally, you can also host a meeting as well as simply attending them. From the Zoom main website, you can click the "host" button at the top right in order to host a meeting. You are asked whether you want to include video or not. Additionally, as the host, you can set a password, to ensure that only people who are in your organization have access to the meeting, you can record meetings to allow people who were not present to watch a recording of the meeting, and you can choose who can share their screen. Included is a Zoom website that describes the different roles that people can have in a Zoom Meeting.
"All in One" Computer: An "all in one" computer is a type of computer that combines a monitor, webcam, and a computer. It typically requires only one cord to setup. This computer typically requires a keyboard and mouse. While it lacks the portability of a laptop, all in one computers typically take up less space on a desk. One of the most popular "all in one" computers is Apple's I-Mac.
What is an "All in One" Computer?
Best Desktop (and All in One) Computers 2024
Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Generative AI: Artificial intelligence is a program that allows a computer program to gain information from the world around them and solve problems given to them, using the information that they have gathered. One of the most common, current, forms of AI is generative AI, which can create either text or images from a prompt. Some common generative artificial intelligence programs are ChatGPT, DALL-E, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini. Keep in mind that artificial intelligence is not like a brain. It cannot think on its own. Rather, it predicts what the next word in a sequence should be based on the prompt and its experience.
What is artificial intelligence?
Bluetooth: Bluetooth is a way of connecting and sending data wirelessly between different devices and components of a computer. Bluetooth is frequently used to connect keyboards, mice, headphones, and speakers (there are Bluetooth monitors, but they are uncommon and expensive) to phones and tablets (and sometimes computers as well).
Connect Bluetooth on your Android Device.
Connect Bluetooth on your Apple Device
Cellular Data: Cellular data is information that is transmitted wirelessly through cell phone towers. Cellular Data can be used to access the internet via a phone or tablet, if it is included on a cell-phone plan and if you are not already connected to wi-fi. You can access cellular data wherever you have cell phone signals. Cellular data is measured in "G"s or generations. Our current generation is 5G. It is important to note as well that 5G data does not cause adverse health affects.
What is cellular data and how can I conserve it?
Using Mobile data on apple devices
Using Mobile Data on Android Devices
Chromebook: Chromebooks look a lot like laptops, and typically include a standard keyboard, trackpad, monitor, and webcam. But "under the hood" they operate quite differently. Chromebooks usually lack a large hard drive, and, as a result, cannot download or run many programs. They rely heavily on cloud based services. They use their own chrome based operating system (which requires an internet connection to use). However, as a tradeoff for their lack of power, they are often incredibly light and have long lasting batteries.
Cloud Storage: Cloud Storage is a form of storage where rather than storing information on your computer, it is stored on a large server somewhere else in the world. This information can then be accessed through the internet. This allows a single document to be worked on by multiple people or allows a single person to work on a document in multiple places. One of the biggest drawbacks of Cloud Storage is that it requires a continuous internet connection to access and edit materials. Some examples of cloud storage include Microsoft Onedrive, Google Drive, Amazon Web Services, Dropbox, and Apple ICloud. Cloud Storage allows free storage up to a certain point where you need to start paying fees.
Pros and Cons of Cloud Storage
Best Cloud Storage and File Sharing Programs
Desktop Computer: A desktop computer is a large box that just contains a computer. All other components (monitor, keyboard, mouse, webcamera) need to be attached using either USB or HDMI cables. Frequently, desktop computers are more powerful than their more portable counterparts, but lack the convenience and portability of laptops or "all in one" computers. Most of the computers seen in the library are desktop computers.
Best Desktop (and All in One) Computers
Download: Downloading is a process where you save an item (document, image, program) from the internet onto your computer. Documents, pictures, programs, and other things can be downloaded onto your computer. You can only download as much as your computer has in memory.
NOTE: Be careful whenever downloading or running any programs from the internet. Hackers can hide a number of malicious things in different programs.
Windows Guide for Downloading from the Web
A video guide for downloading files from the internet
E-mail: Email is a method of sending messages instantaneously between people. When signing up for an email, you sign up for an "email address," which usually includes a username that you select followed an @ and the domain that hosts the email. For example, for the email address m0ngeaum@sanjuancollege.edu, the m0ngeaum is the username and @sanjuancollege.edu is the domain that hosts the email address. You use these email addresses to select who you want to send emails too. One of the most common email hosts is Google through their Gmail system. Emails have become a major form of communication between people. Frequently, you may need an email address in order to sign up for an online service.
How to Set Up an Email Account through Gmail?
Composing and Sending an Email Through Gmail
Flash Drive: A flash drive is a small devise that uses flash storage chips to store and transport information from place to place. Typically flash drives connect to computer through a USB port. With developments in flash storage, flash drives have become less expensive. However, interest in them have declined due to the prevalence of cloud storage. Flash drives have some inherent security risks, due to their small form factor, they are liable to be stolen, lost, or broken.
Hardware: Hardware is anything physical that is a part of the computer. This can include both the components inside of a computer such as its hard drive, central processing unit, and other such items. It also includes things you connect to a computer such as a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and webcam. You can physically touch and hold your computer's hardware.
Hard Drive/Solid State Drive: Hard drives and solid state drives (SSDs) are components of a computer that are used to store information. Everything on a computer, from the computer's operating system, all of the programs on the computer, and all of the documents that you create. Generally, computers today use Solid State Drives. These drives use flash memory chips in order to save documents. Solid State Drives have the benefits of being are more reliable, having smaller form factors, and can store more at the cost of being more expensive. Some older and less expensive laptops still use hard drives. Hard Drives are like a small record player, using a an arm to scratch information onto a small spinning disc. Hard Drives can suffer catastrophic disasters if something happens to the disc or the reader arm. However, they are cheap. In addition to the drives that are mounted in your computer, you can have external hard drives that can connect to your computer as a backup.
Hard Drive Versus Solid State Drive: What's the Difference?
HDMI Cable: A "High Definition Multimedia Interface" cable or HDMI cable is a cable that transfers video and audio signals. HDMI cables let you connect a display like a monitor to a computer. These cables transfer video and audio signals. HDMI cables are also frequently used in TVs as well.
Headphones: Headphones are a series of small speakers that go over your ears or inside your ears that allow you to hear sounds, without other people being able to hear them. In the past, headphones were connected to computers using a 3.5mm jack. However, many phones have done away with this port, instead using Bluetooth or another port (notably, apple has headphones that connect using a lightning connector) to connect headphones. Many headphones also have a built in microphone. Generally, wired connections are better than Bluetooth in regards to microphone audio quality. The library has free in-ear headphones for people who need them.
How to use headphones without damaging your ears
Internet: The internet is a system of computer networks that allow different computers to communicate with each other. Included on the internet is the world wide web, which is different information that can be accessed on the internet. Internet can be accessed using Wi-Fi or Mobile Data. Many things can be done through internet, such as communicating via e-mail, different forms of social media, getting medical appointments, and doing research on various topics.
How to Connect To the Internet
A Kid's Guide to the Internet (90's) While an older overview of the internet, this is a pretty solid overview of what the Internet is.
Keyboard: A keyboard is a series of buttons which include the letters of the alphabet on them. You use a keyboard to type various inputs into a computer. For laptops, a keyboard is built into a computer. For a desktop or "all in one" computer, you would need to attach a keyboard specifically to the computer.
Laptop Computer: A laptop is a small and light computer that is able to fold. It includes all components that a computer typically needs built in (a monitor, keyboard, mouse in the form of a trackpad, and webcamera). Laptops are typically portable, but not as powerful as their desktop counterparts. Laptops have a battery, which allows them to operate while not plugged in. The library has a small number of laptops that students can check out for 5 hours at a time.
Computer Basics Laptop Computers
Microphone: Microphones allow you to record audio or send audio to another person through a program like Zoom. Microphones are attached to a computer either through a 3.5mm audio jack or through USB. Frequently headphones and webcams (including the webcams built into laptops) have built in microphones.
How to connect a microphone to a computer
Monitor: A monitor makes the information on a computer visible to a user of a computer. Without a monitor, you cannot see what is going on in a computer. Laptops and "All in One" computers have built in monitors, while desktop computers need a separate monitor to be attached to the desktop. Computers can have multiple monitors to allow a user to do multiple things.
How to set up multiple monitors.
Mouse/Trackpad: A mouse is broadly defined as any device that can be used to move a pointer on a computer screen. This includes the traditional mouse, which can be rolled across a table and scrolled using a wheel, or a track pad on a laptop, which allows gestures to move a mouse or click on certain things on a computer. Mouses require a USB connection to connect to a computer.
Printer: Printers allow users to transfer a digital document or image onto a piece of paper through a process known as printing. Printers require certain inks in order to print documents. These inks are not interchangeable, and specific printers require specific inks. Printer ink may be prohibitively expensive. The library has a printer for general use for students and community members.
What are printers and how do they work?
Operating System: An operating system is a program that runs and manages all of a computer's hardware and software. A computer often operates many different processes at once, and an operating system ensures that all systems operate smoothly. There are three primary operating systems that come downloaded by default, "Chrome OS," "Windows" (Windows 10/11), and Apple. Linux is another operating system that can be installed on a computer. Phones and tablets either use an android or ios (Apple) operating system. All of the San Juan College computers use a Windows operating system.
Understanding Operating Systems
Slideshow: Slideshows are a type of presentation where a user creates a series of "slides," or pages and adds information onto them using a series of text boxes, images, tables, and other information. Slideshows also have different color themes and transitions between slides. Two of the most common slideshow making applications are Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides.
How to Make a Slideshow on Microsoft Powerpoint
Spreadsheet: Spreadsheets are a table that you can add information into different cells. Information in spreadsheets are divided into different rows (horizontal series of cells) and columns (vertical series of cells). Once you have added in data, spreadsheets can organize data, perform different functions (such as adding or subtracting), and visualize data on different tables. Two of the most common spreadsheet applications are Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.
Basic Tasks in Microsoft Excel
Smartphones: Smartphones are a cell phone that can access the internet. Smartphones typically come pre-installed with certain applications such as an internet browser, and other applications can be installed through a storefront (Google Play for Android and Apple Store for iOS). The two primary operating systems for Smartphones are iOS (I-Phone) and Android (all other phones). Smartphones use a touch screen for all navigation, but users can attach a keyboard or headphones using Bluetooth.
Pros and Cons of I-Phones and Androids
Top 10 Best Smartphones of 2024
Software: Software is any program or application that you download onto your computer. Software tells your computer what to do. Some software (like an operating system) comes pre-installed on your computer, while others you need to install manually (like Zoom). You cannot hold software as it exists on your computer.
Speakers: Speakers allow audio signals to be played from a computer out loud. Smartphones and laptops typically have built in speakers, It is not recommended to use speakers when listening to audio in public, or when using Zoom.
How to hook up computer speakers
Tablets: Tablets are a hybrid of a laptop and a smartphone. Tablet screens are much larger than that of a smartphone, and tablets usually have a more powerful processor than a cellphone.. However, like a smartphone, it lacks a keyboard and mouse, instead relying completely on touchscreen for inputs. Tablets also, usually, lack USB ports, but keyboards can be attached via Bluetooth. Tablets frequently cannot tap into wireless networks and instead rely on wi-fi.
USB Cable: A USB or Universal Serial Bus cable is a cable that is designed to transfer data and frequently power between a computer and another device. Keyboards, webcams, and computer mice all use USB-A (the large USB). There are also smaller USB cables, such as Mini USB, Micro USB, USB-C, and the lightening Cable. Phones also use USB cables to charge and transfer data.
VGA Cable: A VGA, or Video Graphics Array cable is an older cable that is used to connect a computer to a monitor. VGA is a standard typically only used in older monitors, but is still fairly common. There are also cords that can convert VGA signal to HDMI. These cables are in a bluish/purple color.
Webcamera/webcam: A webcamera also known as a webcam is a camera that attaches to a computer and is capable of filming an individual, and sending those images across a series of applications. Webcams are frequently built into laptops, tablets, and smartphones. External webcams can connect to computers via usb.
What is an HD Webcam and How do You Attach a Webcamera to a Computer?
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi (not an acronym), is a wireless network that allows devices to connect and exchange information through the internet. Wi-Fi is connected through a router, which can be found at home or businesses. Wi-Fi has limited range, and typically can only be used within buildings like homes or businesses. San Juan College provides free Wi-Fi for students and guests. All of our library computers are also connected to the Wi-Fi.
Word Processor: A word processor is a type of application that allows users to write/modify words onto a document, using a keyboard or other method. A user can then save a document onto a computer's hard drive or the cloud. When connected with a printer, users can also print documents from a word processor. Word processors serve as a replacement for typewriters and writing things down with pen and paper.Two of the most popular word processing applications are Microsoft Word and Google Docs.
Oftentimes, when doing work for our classes or in our jobs, we can run into computer troubles. For people who are not well acclimated with technology, running into computer might cause frustration or additional stress. The San Juan College Tech Support (also called Information Technology or IT) is designed to help students with any technology problems that they might have, whether that be problems with the college infrastructure (password problems, canvas problems) as well as diagnosing problems with your devices (like phones or computers).
Contact us:
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