How to use Laptop

The proper operation of a laptop computer ensures that the laptop not only works properly but also protects the user from any injury or harm. Improper ways of operating a laptop computer and not following the prescribed operating procedures and safety issues can lead to irreparable damage to the laptop computer. An improperly operated laptop can also cause injury to the user such as a laptop burn. A laptop computer has different operational needs as compared with a desktop computer hence should be handled and managed in a more delicate manner as that of desktop computers. 

Materials Needed:

- Laptop Computer
- Internet

Step 1

  

 The laptop computer has to be shut down whenever it is not in use to prevent it from overheating. Every laptop user must remember that laptop computers generally warm up faster than desktop computers. To help the laptop computer avoid overheating when not in use even for short durations, the user may make adjustments on the power options provided in the laptop computer. The user can program the hard drive and display to turn off after preset time duration. Another option for the user is to set the computer into hibernate or standby mode.

Step 2

  

 The user should shut down the computer before placing the laptop in its carrying bag since the laptop can melt when left on, particularly when the notebook is placed in a container where no air or limited air is allowed to circulate.

Step 3                                                   

   

 The laptop’s air vents must also be periodically inspected and cleaned to keep these air vents free from debris. However, the user must not force anything into the air vents to clean its inside as this may cause damage to the laptop computer. The laptop fan should also be checked since an improperly working laptop fan can be a cause for overheating. To test the laptop fan, the user may download the software from the laptop manufacturer’s website or online support. In some cases where the laptop fans are controlled through BIOS, the user may check online from the manufacturer’s website for any BIOS updates.

Step 4

    The user must also ensure that the laptop is operated on a hard surface and preferably one that provides ventilation. Users are not advised to use a soft material between the user and the laptop since soft materials can block the flow of air and thus create overheating. A heat sink base could be used if the use of a soft surface is unavoidable.

Step 5

    The user must also unplug any accessories whenever the laptop computer is not in use. These accessories not only consume power but they could also lead to overheating of the laptop.

Independent Laptop Learning Method

Step 1

   Read the laptop user manual. If the laptop did not come with a manual (for example, you purchased a used laptop), you can usually go to the manufacturer's website to download a copy of the manual, or call the manufacturer's Customer Support number to have the manual sent to you.

Step 2

    Orient yourself to the laptop components, switches, battery and peripheral devices, such as the power supply/charger, external mouse, keyboard and speakers. Most manufacturers ship laptops with the battery only partially charged, so you should connect the battery, connect the power supply/charger to the laptop and plug the cord into an electrical outlet.

Step 3

    Power on the laptop and customize the settings. If your laptop is new, you will be prompted to register your operating system, create a user account and configure your system preferences and settings. If your laptop is used, log into an existing account and configure the settings.

Step 4

    Open a text editing or word processing program to practice typing on the laptop keyboard. You might have initial difficulty adjusting to the smaller size of a laptop, and some keys (directional arrows, delete, escape, or NumLock, for example) might not be in the same location as on your desktop keyboard. The faster you learn where the keys are, the more comfortable you will be using your laptop.

Step 5

    Practice opening and closing applications to get a feel for any differences in timing or target disk drive locations for those operations.

Other Laptop Learning Methods

Step 1

     Enroll in a low-cost or free course that teaches basic laptop use. Such courses are often available at local community centers, junior colleges and libraries.

Step 2

    Follow a video tutorial that teaches basic laptop use. Laptop tutorials on DVD are available from most computer stores and online retail outlets. You can also select a tutorial from online trainers such as Lynda.com, linked below.

Step 3

     Hire an expert to teach you how to use your laptop. Many computer technicians are available for one-on-one training sessions. You can usually find qualified technicians to assist you through online services such as Crossloop, or computer sales and service organizations such as Best Buy's Geek Squad, linked below.

video files related to education

How To Operate a Laptop Computer

   The proper operation of a laptop computer ensures that the laptop not only works properly but also protects the user from any injury or harm. Improper ways of operating a laptop computer and not following the prescribed operating procedures and safety issues can lead to irreparable damage to the laptop computer. An improperly operated laptop can also cause injury to the user such as a laptop burn. A laptop computer has different operational needs as compared with a desktop computer hence should be handled and managed in a more delicate manner as that of desktop computers. 

Materials Needed:

- Laptop Computer
- Internet

Step 1

   The laptop computer has to be shut down whenever it is not in use to prevent it from overheating. Every laptop user must remember that laptop computers generally warm up faster than desktop computers. To help the laptop computer avoid overheating when not in use even for short durations, the user may make adjustments on the power options provided in the laptop computer. The user can program the hard drive and display to turn off after preset time duration. Another option for the user is to set the computer into hibernate or standby mode.

Step 2

   The user should shut down the computer before placing the laptop in its carrying bag since the laptop can melt when left on, particularly when the notebook is placed in a container where no air or limited air is allowed to circulate.

Step 3

    The laptop’s air vents must also be periodically inspected and cleaned to keep these air vents free from debris. However, the user must not force anything into the air vents to clean its inside as this may cause damage to the laptop computer. The laptop fan should also be checked since an improperly working laptop fan can be a cause for overheating. To test the laptop fan, the user may download the software from the laptop manufacturer’s website or online support. In some cases where the laptop fans are controlled through BIOS, the user may check online from the manufacturer’s website for any BIOS updates.

Step 4

    The user must also ensure that the laptop is operated on a hard surface and preferably one that provides ventilation. Users are not advised to use a soft material between the user and the laptop since soft materials can block the flow of air and thus create overheating. A heat sink base could be used if the use of a soft surface is unavoidable.

Step 5

    The user must also unplug any accessories whenever the laptop computer is not in use. These accessories not only consume power but they could also lead to overheating of the laptop.

Independent Laptop Learning Method

Step 1

   Read the laptop user manual. If the laptop did not come with a manual (for example, you purchased a used laptop), you can usually go to the manufacturer's website to download a copy of the manual, or call the manufacturer's Customer Support number to have the manual sent to you.

Step 2

    Orient yourself to the laptop components, switches, battery and peripheral devices, such as the power supply/charger, external mouse, keyboard and speakers. Most manufacturers ship laptops with the battery only partially charged, so you should connect the battery, connect the power supply/charger to the laptop and plug the cord into an electrical outlet.

Step 3

    Power on the laptop and customize the settings. If your laptop is new, you will be prompted to register your operating system, create a user account and configure your system preferences and settings. If your laptop is used, log into an existing account and configure the settings.

Step 4

    Open a text editing or word processing program to practice typing on the laptop keyboard. You might have initial difficulty adjusting to the smaller size of a laptop, and some keys (directional arrows, delete, escape, or NumLock, for example) might not be in the same location as on your desktop keyboard. The faster you learn where the keys are, the more comfortable you will be using your laptop.

Step 5

    Practice opening and closing applications to get a feel for any differences in timing or target disk drive locations for those operations.

Other Laptop Learning Methods

Step 1

     Enroll in a low-cost or free course that teaches basic laptop use. Such courses are often available at local community centers, junior colleges and libraries.

Step 2

    Follow a video tutorial that teaches basic laptop use. Laptop tutorials on DVD are available from most computer stores and online retail outlets. You can also select a tutorial from online trainers such as Lynda.com, linked below.

Step 3

     Hire an expert to teach you how to use your laptop. Many computer technicians are available for one-on-one training sessions. You can usually find qualified technicians to assist you through online services such as Crossloop, or computer sales and service organizations such as Best Buy's Geek Squad, linked below.

Introduction of Internet

  The Internet and the World Wide Web, in combination, are a worldwide broadcast medium for the general public. Using your desktop computer, smartphone, tablet, Xbox, media player, GPS, and even your car and home thermostat, you can access a vast world of messaging and content through the Internet and the Web.

  The Internet is a gigantic hardware network. The Internet's biggest readable content is what we call the 'World Wide Web', a collection of several billion pages and images that are joined by hyperlinks. Other content on the Internet includes: email, instant messaging, streaming video, P2P (peer-to-peer) file sharing, and FTP downloading.

  Below is a quick reference to help fill in your knowledge gaps, and get you participating in the Internet and the Web quickly.  All of these Lifewire.com references can be printed, and are free for you to use thanks to our advertisers.

How Is the 'Internet' Different from the 'Web'? The Internet, or 'Net', stands for Interconnection of Computer Networks. ​ It is a massive conglomeration of millions of computers and smartphone devices, all connected by wires and wireless signals. Although it started in the 1960's as a military experiment in communication, the Net evolved into a public free broadcast forum in the 70's and 80's. No single authority owns or controls the Internet.  No single set of laws governs its content.  You connect to the Internet through a private Internet service provider, a public Wi-Fi network, or through your office's network. 

  In 1989, a growing collection of readable content was added to the Internet: the World Wide Web.  The 'Web' is the mass of HTML pages and images that travel through the Internet's hardware.  You will hear the expressions 'Web 1.0', 'Web 2.0', and 'the Invisible Web' to describe these billions of web pages.

  The expressions 'Web' and 'Internet' are used interchangeably by the layperson. This is technically incorrect, as the Web is contained by the Internet. In practice, however, most people don't bother with the distinction.

What Is 'Web 1.0', 'Web 2.0', and 'the Invisible Web'?

     Web 1.0: When the World Wide Web was launched in 1989 by Tim Berners-Lee, it was comprised of just text and simple graphics.  Effectively a collection of electronic brochures, the Web was organized as a simple broadcast-receive format.  We call this simple static format 'Web 1.0'.  Today, millions of web pages are still quite static, and the term Web 1.0 still applies.

     Web 2.0: In the late 1990's, the Web started to go beyond static content, and began offering interactive services.  Instead of just web pages as brochures, the Web began to offer online software where people could perform tasks and receive consumer-type services.  Online banking, video gaming, dating services, stocks tracking, financial planning, graphics editing, home videos, webmail... all of these became regular online Web offerings before the year 2000.  These online services are now referred to as 'Web 2.0'.  Names like Facebook, Flickr, Lavalife, eBay, Digg, and Gmail helped to make Web 2.0 a part of our daily lives.

    The Invisible Web is a third part of World Wide Web.  Technically a subset of Web 2.0, the Invisible Web describes those billions of web pages that are purposely hidden from regular search engines.  These invisible web pages are private-confidential pages  (e.g. personal email, personal banking statements), and web pages generated by specialized databases (e.g. job postings in Cleveland or Seville).   Invisible Web pages are either hidden completely from your casual eyes, or require special search engines to locate. 

    In the 2000's, a cloaked part of the World Wide spawned: the Darknet (aka 'The Dark Web'). This is a private collection of websites that is encrypted to conceal all of the participant's identities, and prevent authorities from tracing people's activities. The Darknet is a black market for traders of illicit goods, and a sanctuary for people who are seeking to communicate away from oppressive governments and dishonest corporations.

Internet Terms that Beginners Should Learn

   There are some technical terms that beginners should learn.  While some Internet technology can be very complex and intimidating, the fundamentals of understanding the Net are quite doable. Some of the basic terms to learn include:

• HTML and http/https
• Browser
• URL
• ISP
• Downloading
• Malware
• Router
• E-commerce
• Bookmark.

Mobile Internet: Smartphones and Laptops

Laptops, netbooks, and smartphones are the devices we use to surf the Net as we travel. Riding on the bus, sitting in a coffee shop, at the library, or in an airport, mobile Internet is a revolutionary convenience. But becoming mobile Internet-enabled does require some basic knowledge of hardware and networking. Definitely consider the following tutorials to get you started:

• What wireless Internet service choices do I have?
• How to select a wireless network.
• How to find a wireless hotspot.
• How to use wireless in a hotel.

Email: How It Works

Email is a massive subnetwork inside the Internet.  We trade written messages, along with file attachments, through email. While it can suck away your time, email does provide the business value of maintaining a paper trail for conversations.   If you are new to email, definitely consider some of these tutorials:

• Warning: look before you send that email!
• Zip Files as Attachments: How to Unzip

Instant Messaging: Faster than Email

Instant messaging, or "IM", is a combination of chat and email. Although often considered a distraction at corporate offices, IM can be a very useful communication tool for both business and social purposes.  For those people that use IM, it can be an excellent communication tool.

• What Is IM?
• How Does Instant Messaging Work?
• Where Do I Get Good IM Software?

Social Networking

"Social Networking" is about starting and maintaining friendship communications through websites. It is the modern digital form of socializing, done through web pages. Users will choose one or more online services that specialize in groupwide-communications, and then gather their friends there to exchange daily greetings and regular messages. Although not the same as face-to-face communications, social networking is immensely popular because it is easy, playful, and quite motivating. Social networking sites can be general, or focused on hobby interests like movies and music.

• What is Facebook?
• What is Twitter?
• What is MySpace?
• What is LinkedIn?

The Strange Language and Acronyms of Internet Messaging

The world of Internet culture, and Internet messaging, is truly confusing at first. In part influenced by gamers and hobby hackers, conduct expectations do exist on the Net. Also: language and jargon are prevalent. With the help of Lifewire.com, perhaps the culture and language of digital life will be less daunting...

• Internet Abbreviations: IMHO, ROFL, wibamu, bbiab, and more...
• Should I correct other web users on their spelling?

The Best Search Engines for Beginners

With thousands of web pages and files added everyday, the internet and the web are daunting to search. While catalogs like Google and Yahoo! help, what's even more important is the user mindset... how to approach sifting through billions of possible choices to find what you need. 

• The Best Search Engines for Beginners.
• Seven Habits for Highly Effective Searchers.
• Student guide to Internet research.

The Student's Quick Reference Guide to Web Research

(for College, University, and High School Students)

Here at About Internet for Beginners, we have assembled a quick reference guide to successful online research. Designed specifically for academic purposes, this guide is a living document to help you choose the right browser tools and plug-ins, manage multiple web screens at once, choose the best search engines, sift through thousands of essay and paper examples, and manage the challenges of copyright, plagiarism, and reference authentication.

So if you're a college student, university student, or high school student, then bookmark this page now. The content that follows will be updated weekly to reflect the dynamic web resources at your academic disposal!

Research Fundamentals: The Next 10 Resources

 

1.How to Write a Research Paper
         It's surprising how many students don't know the basics of a good research paper. About.com can fill in the gaps here. 

2.How to Write a Book Report
        A book report is more than just copying Cliff's or Cole's Notes, or typing what a friend dictates to you. Here are the important essentials you should know about book reports. 

3.How to Write a Biography
         Describing the life of George W. Bush or Sir Winston Churchill requires more than just copy-pasting from Wikipedia. Here are some guidelines for how to biograph a person's life in a research piece. 

4.How to Write an Essay
         Essays have varying purposes. How you achieve each of those purposes is key to getting a good grade. Let About.com offer some essay essentials to you here. 

5.When to Cite a Resource
         Is it ok to just say obvious claims like "the US military is the most powerful in the world." Or should you actually get supporting evidence for statements like these? Here are some guidelines. 

6.How to Start a Study Group that Works
        A study group can make a big difference in your learning, especially if you take the time to set it up right. Here are some tips on how to build a good group learning experience. 

7.Cheating
        Have you ever cheated on an exam or essay? Are you considering it for an upcoming grade? Think twice before you do. 

8.The Best Free Downloads for Back to School
        If you are high-tech enough to use software for your studying, definitely check out these suggestions. 

9.The Top 7 Google Tools for Students
       There are tremendous Google products to help students absorb more, and present more effectively. 

10.Start a Student Podcast Club
         Podcasting is a powerful alternative to typing out long papers. If the podcaster has any skills in voicing, a podcast can be much more motivating for the audience. 

11.How to Lighten Your Student Backpack
          If you are going to go to school for years, then don't waste energy hauling unnecessary books and supplies. Here are some tips to save your back and your energy. 

Wait! Did You Skip these Internet Basics Below?

1.Plug-Ins: Do You Have The Right Tools for Internet Research? 

2.Firefox: Managing Web URL's, Bookmarks, and Multiple Screens 

3.Firefox Scholar Tip: Firefox Citation Tool: "Scholar" 

4.Locating Content: The Difference Between Visible and Invisible Web Pages