A Mouse is a small input device used to point to and select items on your computer

Screen. Mice come in many shapes and sizes, but they are generally small and
connected to the system unit by a long wire that resembles a tail. Some newer mice
are wireless.

Mice first broke onto the public stage with the introduction of the Apple Macintosh in
1984, and since then they have helped to completely redefine the way we use
Computers.

Common Types includes:

Ball Computer Mouse - uses a rolling ball
Optical Mouse - Uses a Light Emitting Diode (LED)
Wireless Mouse - Uses Radio Frequency (RF)

Mouse Mechanism

With a ball-style mouse, the ball moves. It rotates the wheels, which interrupt the light
from the LED to the photo transistor. With the Optical Mouse, a Light Detector chip
measures light reflected from desk and sends details to the computer. This creates our
familiar ON and OFF Sequence.

Wireless Mouse

Most wireless mice use Radio Frequency (RF) technology to communicate

information to
Computer. Belng radio - based RF devices require two main components: a
TRANSMITTER
RECEIVER.

Basic Parts of a Mouse

A mouse typically has two buttons: A PRIMARY BUTTON (Left button) and a
SECONDARY BUTTON ( Right button) . The left button is the one you will use
often . Most mice also include a SCROLL WHEEL between the buttons to help you
scroll through documents and webpages quickly. On some mice ,the scroll wheel can
be presented to act as a third button. Advanced mice might have additional buttons
that can perform other functions.

When using the mouse:

Hold the Mouse gently: Index firnger on the Left button,

Middle Finger on the Right button,

• And your Thumb resting on the side.

To move, slide it slowly in any direction. Don't twist it

A POINTER on your screen moves in the same direction.

The five main operations performed with the Mouse are : Point , Click ( use LEFT
button) , Double - click ( use LEFT button ), and Right -click ( use RIGHT button)
•
Avoid spiling liquids on your Mou
• Keep the Mouse Pad clean and dry
Use a slick Mouse Pad rather than a Fabricone

• Clean you mechanical Mouse regularly

Pointing

POINTING tO an item on the screen means moving your mouse so that the tip of the
pointer appears to be touching the item (preferably the CENTER of the item/object).
Pointing to an object often reveals a descriptive message about it.

Clicking (Single-Clicking)
To CLICK an item, point to the item on the screen, and then press and release the
LEFT mouse button. Left clicking is most often used to SELECT (mark) an item, or
to simply open a menu.

Double-clicking

To DOUBLE-CLICK on an item, point to the item on the screen, and then click
TWICE quickly with the
left mouse button. Double- clicking is most often used to open items (Files, Folders,
Programs) on your desktop.

Dragging and Dropping

Move the mouse pointer over the object

Hold down the left mouse button

Move the mouse while still holding down the LEFT button

Release the left mouse button at the desired location

Right-clicking
To RIGHT-CLICK an item, point to the item on the screen, and then press and release
the RIGHT Mouse button. Right-clicking an item usually displays a context sensitive
menu also called a Pop-Up menu of commands which you can perform with the item.

Mouse alternatives
There are other devices that can do the same thing as a mouse. Many people find them
easier to use, and they also require less desk space than a traditional mouse. The most
common mouse alternatives are below.
Trackball: A trackball has a ball that can rotate freely. Instead of moving the device
Iike a mouse, you can roll the ball with your thumb to move the pointer.

Touchpad: A touchpad--also called a trackpad-is a touch-sensitive pad that lets you

control the pointer by making a drawing motion with your finger. Touchpads are
common on laptop computers

Setting up a computer

So you have a new computer and you're ready to set it up. This may seem like an
overwhelming
complicated task, but it's actually a lot easier than you might think! Most computers
are set up
Similar way, so it doesn't matter what brand of
computer you have.

If you're setting up a new computer that's still in the box, you'll probably find a how-
to quicd
includes step-by-step details. Even if it didn't include instructions, you can still set up
the Computer in a few easy steps. Well, take you through the different steps needed
to set up a typical computer

Setting up a laptop computer

If you have a laptop, setup should be easy: Just open it and press the power button. If
the battery
charged, you'll need to plug in the AC adapter. You can continue using the laptop
while it charges

If your laptop has any peripherals, like external speakers, you may want to read the
instruction
below. Laptops and desktops generally use the same types of connections, so the same
steps will be apply.

Setting up a desktop computer

Step 1

Unpack the monitor and computer case from the box. Remove any plastic covering or
protective
tape. Place the monitor and computer case on a desk or work area.

Be sure to place your computer case in an area that is well ventilated and has good air
flow. This will help to prevent the computer from overheating.

Step 2
Locate the monitor cable. There are several types of monitor cables. Below are the
two most popular kinds. VGA ( Video Graphic Array ) and DVI ( Digital Visual
Interface )

If you're having trouble finding your monitor cable, refer to the instruction manual for
your computer. (If you have an al-in-one computer that's built into the monitor, you
can skip to Step 4).

Step 3
Connect one end of the cable to the monitor port on the back of the computer case and
the other
end to the monitor. If you're using a VGA cable like the one in the picture below,
you'll want to tighten the screws on the monitor cable to secure it.

Many computer cables will only fit a specilic ay, If the cable doesn't fit, don't force it
or you
might damage the connectors. Make sure the plug aligns with the port, the Connect it

Step 4

Unpack the keyboard and determine whether it uses a USB (rectangular) connector or
a PS/2
Connector. If it uses a USB connector, plug it into any of the USB ports on the back
of the COm
it usesa PS/2 connector, plug it into the purple keyboard port on the back of the
computer

Step 5

Unpack the mouse and determine whether it uses a USB or PS/2 connector. If it uSes
connector, plug it into any of the USB ports on the back of the computer. If it uses a
PS/2 Cot
plug it into the green mouse port on the back of the computer.

If your keyboard has a USB port. vou can connect your mouse to the keyboard instead
of conne
directly to your computer.

If you have a wireless mouse or keyboard, you may need to connect a Bluetooth dong
adapter) to your computer. However, many computers have built-in Bluetooth, so an
adapter may not be necessary.

Step 6
If you have external speakers or headphones, you can connect them to your
computer's audio
port (either on the front or back of the computer case). Many computers have colored
-coded
ports. Speakers or headphones connect to the green port, and microphones connect to
the pink port. The blue port is the line in, which can be used with other types of
devices.

Some speakers, headphones, and microphones have USB Connectors instead of the
usual audio plug. These can be connected to any USB port. In addition, many
computers have speakers or micropnones built into the monitor.

Step 7

Locate the two power supply cables that came with your computer. Plug the first
power supply cable into the back of the computer case and then into a surge
protector. Then, using the other cable, connect the monitor to the surge protector.

You can also use an uninterruptable power supply (UPS), which acts as a surge
protector and provides temporary power if there is a power outage.

Step 8

Finally, plug the surge protector into a wall outlet. You may also need to turn on the
surge
protector if it has a power switch.

If you don't have a SUrge protector, you can plug the computer directly ink the wall.
Hove
iS not recommended because electrical surges can damage your computer

Step 9

If you have a printer, scanner, webcam, or other peripherals, you can connect tnem at
this point
Many peripherals are plug and play, which means they will be recognized by your
computer,
as soon they are plugged in.

Other peripherals may include software that needs to be installed before vou can
begin using them. Use the instructions included with the device to install it if
necessary.

Generally, peripherals are optional, and you can add new ones at any time; you don't
have to add all peripherals during the initial setup of your computer.

Set up complete

That's it-you've finished setting up your computer, so it's time to start usina it! We'll
talk more about how to use your computer over the next several chapters.

Getting started with your first computer

A computer is more than just another household appliance. The vast amount of
information and
possibilities can be overwhelming. But you can accomplish a lot with a computer, and
using one can be a good experience. Let's walk through getting started with your first
computer.

Turning on a computer for the first time can be different from one computer to the
next . Your
experience could be different from this lesson.

If you're using a desktop computer, you'll need to make sure that the keyboard,
mouse, and monitor are plugged into the computer case before you continue.

Turning on a computer
The very first step is to turn on the computer. To do this, locate and press the power
button. It's in a different place on every computer, but it will have the universal power
button symbol (shown below).

Once turned on, your computer takes time before it's ready to use. You may see a few
different displays flash on the screen. This process is called booting up, and it can
take anywhere from 15 seconds to several minutes.

Once the computer has booted up, it may be ready to use, or it may require you to log
in. This means identifying yourself by typing your user name or selecting your
profile, then typing your password. If you've never logged in to your computer before,
you may need to create an account.

The keyboard and mouse

You interact with a computer mainly by using the keyboard and mouse or a trackpad
on laptops.
Learning to use these devices is essential to learning to use a computer. Most people
find it comfortable to place the keyboard on the desk directly in front of them and the
mouse to one side of the keyboard.

The mouse controls the pointer on the screen. Whenever you move the mouse across
the desk, the pointer will move in a similar manner. A mouse usually has two buttons,
which are referred to as the left button and the right button . You will often interact
with the computer by moving the mouse pointer over something on the computer
screen, then clicking one of the buttons . ( see previous mouse basics )

On laptops, you can use the trackpad, located below the keyboard, instead of a mouse.
Simply drag your finger across the trackpad to move the pointer on the screen. Some
trackpads do not have buttons, so you'll either press or tap the trackpad to click.
The keyboard allows you to type letters, numbers. and words into the computer.
Whenever you see a flashing vertical line-called the cursor-you can start typing.

Note that the mouse pointer is also called a cursor, but it is shaped differently. THE
keyboard
Cursor is also called the insertion point.

Using a computer

The main screen you'll start from is the desktop. This is sort of like a main menu or a
table of Contents. From here, you can access the programs and features you need to
use your computer.

Icons are used to represent the different files, applications, and commands on your
computer. An icon is a small image that's intended to give you an idea at a glance of
what it represents, like a logo. Double-clicking an icon on the desktop will open that
application or file.

A button is a command that performs a specific function within an application. The

most commoniy Used commands in a program will be represented by buttons.

Menus are organized collections of commands and shortcuts. Click a menu to open it
and display the commands and shortcuts within. Then click an item in the menu to
execute it.