EEK,Mouse,Desk,amp,#63,Wizard, DIY EEK! A Mouse on My Desk? A Wizard in My Window! Wh

When starting a new work at home business it is very easy to become consumed by it. We spend so much time trying to get the business up and running that we may end up becoming burned out and lose our motivation. There is so much to learn and Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in

EEK! A Mouse on My Desk? A Wizard in My Window! What is this STUFF?By: Janet L. HallI sometimes forget, as many of you might, that not everyone I talk or write to is as knowledge as I am using a computer or the Internet. Now I’m not claiming to be an expert, but I do have a lot of experience.My computer experience started long before PC’s were on every desk or the Internet. At first I was a key card operator. I typed information onto a long card, a Holerith. Some of you might remember these cards in your phone or utility bill. DO NOT BEND, FOLD, STAPLE, or PUNCH!I went from punching cards to teaching a software program, ALL-IN-1. Then for almost eight years I didn’t go near a computer. A mouse, what’s that? Windows, Instant Messaging, Internet, Browser – I didn’t have a clue!! However because of the limited knowledge I had acquired, I soon found myself able to figure out and maneuver my way around a computer and the Internet.You are probably wondering why I’m telling you all this.Well, last year when I was at a conference, I heard many of the attendees asking, “Do I really need a web site or email for my business? I don’t even know what a browser is, let alone HTML code!”Not everyone has the experience that you or I might. Everyday thousands of people are turning on a computer for the first time or getting on the Internet for the first time. Or worse, fed up and frustrated because they don’t have any help. So here in the Computer Corner I’d like to start a new series starting with definitions and then taking you step-by-step through the world of owning and creating a web site.Ready?Address-Location of a file or Web Page. On the Internet, also know as the URL.Backup-Save your computer information on your hard drive that you save to another form of media.Boot-To start up your computerBrowser-Sometimes called a Web Browser. This is the software program you use to move around the Internet, such as Internet Explorer, Netscape.Cache-Temporary storage area for Windows and Internet places recently used files, or pages visited.Case Sensitive-The difference between upper case letters and lower case letters, such as JANET or janet.CD-ROM-Computer Disc Read-Only Memory. High capacity storage. Also known as a CD.CD-ROM Drive-Hardware device needed to use a CD. Can be internal or external.Click-Press and release the left or right side of your mouse.Clipboard-Temporary stored information that you’ve Cut or Copied from a program, file, or document that you might want to paste into another program, file, or document.Command Prompt-symbol that looks like C: or A:. A place where you might need to type instructions – commands.CPU-Central Processing Unit, Chip in your computer that’s responsible for executing program instructions.Cursor-Little blinking line on your computer screen that shows you where you are or where your next letter will appear when you type.Default-predicted setting, such as whenever you create a document, the font and font size are always the same setting unless you change it.Defragmentation-Process of rewriting files to adjacent sections of a hard disk. Parts of files can become fragmented – spread over different areas of your hard disk (drive) which causes slower disk speed.Dial-Up Network-A way to connect to the Internet through a modem and telephone lines.Directory-Disk Drive-Hardware where your files are stored, typically labeled C: or (C:).Download-Copy files from one computer to another, such as download a file or program from the Internet to your computer.Driver-Software to control hardware, such as a print driver.DSL-DVD-High-capacity compact disc that can store data. Must have a DVD disc drive or player.E-Mail-Electronic messages sent over the Internet or a network.Favorite-Link to a favorite Web page you have saved the address to. Think of this as a shortcut to pages you like to visit often but don’t want to remember or type the address in each time you want to visit.HTML-Hypertext Markup Language is a language used to create Web pages. Sometimes referred to as HTML Code.Home Page-Introductory or *main * page of a Web site.Icon-Picture representing a program, or other items, such as the icon on your desktop of MY Computer.Internet-Worldwide network of computersInternet Service Provider (ISP)-Company that provides you with Internet access using your modem or other * connecting *device, such as DSL.Link-Text, usually blue, or a picture you can click on to go (move or jump) from one location to another.Log On-Identifying yourself to gain access to a computer or a Web site, usually requiring you to type in your user name and a password.Menu-List of commands or options that appear at the top of most windows.Menu bar-Bar at top of screen that contains command buttons File, Edit, View, etc.Modem-Hardware to transmit data from one computer to another using a phone line.Mouse-HardwareMouse Pointer-Sometimes referred to as Pointer. An icon, usually an arrow that appears on your screen and is controlled by the mouse. Move your pointer to click on a menu, link, icon, etc.Network-Two or more connected computers that are used to share resources.Reboot-To restart your computer without shutting down completely.Right-Click-The right button on a mouse when clicked will display a shortcut menu.Search Engine-Tool that searches the Web for information you are looking for.Shortcut-Icon that links to a file, folder, or program.Shut Down-Command that lets your computer know you are about to turn it off.Taskbar-Tool to navigate and open programs. Usually located at the bottom of your screen. Contains the Start button and other icons.Toolbar-Set of buttons you can click on to perform tasks.Universal Serial Bus-USB. Hardware for external device connections.URL (Uniform Resource Locator)-address, usually starts with http://Window-Portion of screen that displays what you are looking at or what you have open.Wizard-Tool or instructions that will walk you through a task.World Wide Web (Web)-Graphical multimedia portion of the Internet.I couldn’t possibly list all computer definitions in this article but I hope this small list will help you understand some of the terms and abbreviations that are second nature to some of us. (that means grin! But that’s another lesson).They are many places on the Internet where you can find computer dictionaries but don’t forget you can click on Help at the top of your screen and click on Index and type in a definition or term you are looking for.Smiles, not Piles, Janet L. Hall is a Professional Organizer, Speaker, and Author and owner of OverHall Consulting. She has developed “The 5 W’s of Organizing, a TEASER, and a “TICKLE”ã”. She has written two organizing booklets, writes for several Internet magazines, conducts teleclasses, and has a FREE monthly organizing newsletter, OverHall IT! At http://www.overhall.com/newsletter.htm To find out more about her services and products, please visit her web site at http://www.overhall.comCopyright Ó 2000 by OverHall ConsultingP.O. Box 263, Port Republic, MD 20676All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy, or distribute so long as article is kept intact, this copyright notice and full information about contacting the author is attached.