Computers: The Very Basics

The basics will include becoming familiar with the parts of a computer, what they can do, and when and how to use them appropriately. For example, turning on a computer, accessing the internet, and typing up an email all require knowledge of how a computer operates.

Why Use a Computer?

Computers can help us look up information quickly, stay connected to friends and family, store important information, make purchases, and so much more.

Laptop vs. Desktop

A laptop computer is a portable computer that often folds in half and opens back up. Laptops contain all the necessary parts in one unit. A desktop computer remains stationary and usually has larger parts that can be detached. 

Computer Parts

• Motherboard – Foundational "backbone" of the computer. Allows communication among parts.

• Central Processing Unit (CPU) – The "brains" of the computer.

• RAM – Short-term memory. Allows the computer to recall current tasks.

• Video/Sound Card – Allows the CPU to send graphical/audio information to the monitor.

• Hard Drive – Long-term memory. Allows the computer to store information to be retrieved later.

• Monitor– Monitors provide output. It's the part of the computer that displays images. It works similarly to a television.

• Keyboard – The keyboard allows users to input letters and numbers, among other things, into the CPU to be displayed on the monitor.

• Mouse – The mouse allows the user to move the cursor around the screen. It often has 2 buttons, a left and a right button. Sometimes, it will have a scroll wheel in the middle, allowing a user to move the screen up and down.

• Trackpad – The mouse might also be a trackpad, if the computer is a laptop. This is a small touch-sensitive pad that allows the user to move the cursor with light pressure from one finger.

• Headphone Jack – The headphone jack is a small, round hole that allows users to plug headphones or speakers into the computer. It may be on the side of a laptop or on the front of a desktop CPU. It may have a small picture of headphones next to it.

• USB Port – These rectangular ports are used to plug in a variety of items, from keyboards to mice to extra storage and more. Most computers have several of these ports.

Booting up a computer

Most computers can be turned on with a power button displaying a universal power symbol. Once turned on, a computer may prompt the user for login information, or it may take the user right to the desktop screen.

Clicking vs. Double Clicking

The mouse moves the cursor on the screen synchronously and allows users to hover over images on the screen. Users can left-click or double-click on some icons or images to perform actions. Clicking once is more common. Users will usually have to double-click only to open items from the desktop home screen.

Right Clicking

Sometimes, a user will be prompted to right-click or click with the right mouse button. This click will always be a single click. This usually brings up a menu.

Keyboard Keys

• Tab – Creates indentation in the text box or moves the cursor to the next text box.

• Caps Lock – All letter keys display as capitalized letters.

• Shift – Allows users to capitalize the next typed letter if held.

• Enter – Begins a text line below the current one. It can also act as a left click.

• Backspace – Deletes the previous text.

Opening Programs

From the desktop, users can open several available programs by double-clicking the corresponding icon. 

Access the internet, create a document, or send an email.

Email Whitelisting Guide

📧 Email Whitelisting Guide

Never Miss Important Emails Again!

What is Email Whitelisting?

Whitelisting (or safelisting) is a method where email recipients create an approved sender list to ensure emails from trusted sources always reach their inbox instead of the spam folder. By adding an email address to your safelist, you're telling your email provider: "I trust this sender!"

📚 Step-by-Step Instructions

📬 Gmail (1.8B+ Users)

·        Log in to your Gmail account

·        Click the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner and select "See all settings"

·        Click the "Filters and blocked addresses" tab

·        Select "Create a new filter" and enter the email address in the "From" field

·        Click "Create filter" then check "Never send to spam"

📱 Mobile App: Go to your spam folder, find the email, and tap "Report as not spam" at the top. Or add the sender to your Contacts app.

📨 Outlook / Microsoft

·        Click the "Settings" gear icon in the top-right corner

·        Select "Mail" from the pop-up menu

·        Choose "Junk email" from the submenu

·        Enter the email address in the safe sender's field

·        Click "Save" to complete

📮 Yahoo Mail (227M+ Users)

·        Navigate to "Settings" on the right side

·        Select "More Settings" from the dropdown

·        Click on "Filters"

·        Hit "Add New Filters" and enter the email address

·        Click "Save" to finish

📪 AOL (America Online)

·        Select "Contacts" from the left menu

·        Click the three dots at the top-right

·        Select "Add a new contact"

·        Enter the contact details

·        Click "Save" at the bottom

💡 Tip: AOL considers your contact list as your safe sender list automatically!

📧 Apple Mail & iCloud

Apple Mail App:

·        Open the app and go to "Mailboxes" screen

·        Navigate to the "Junk" folder

·        Find the email you want to whitelist

·        Swipe left and tap the three dots

·        Select "Move to Inbox"

iCloud Email:

·        Sign in to your iCloud account

·        Go to "Contacts"

·        Click the plus icon (+) at the bottom-left

·        Select "New Contact" and fill in details

·        Click "Done" in the bottom-right corner

💡 Encourage Recipients to Whitelist You🎯