Easy Computer Basics, Windows 7 Edition - page 16

KEYBOARD

A computer keyboard looks and functions just like a typewriter keyboard, except that computer keyboards have a few more keys (for navigation and special program functions). When you press a key on your keyboard, it sends an electronic signal to your system unit that tells your machine what you want it to do.

TIP Wireless Keyboards If you want to cut the cord, consider a wireless keyboard or mouse. These wireless devices work via radio frequency signals and let you work several feet away from your system unit, with no cables necessary.

MOUSE

A mouse is a small, handheld input device for your computer. When you move the mouse along a flat surface, an onscreen pointer (called a cursor ) moves in response. When you click (press and release) a mouse button, this motion initiates an action in your program.

TIP Mouse Alternatives A mouse is just one type of input device you can hook up to your PC. You can also control your computer with trackballs, joysticks, game controllers, and pen pads.

SOUND CARDS AND SPEAKERS

Most computers today come with separate right and left speakers, sometimes accompanied by a subwoofer for better bass. All speaker systems are driven by a sound card or chipset installed inside the system unit.

NOTE Surround Sound So-called 5.1 surround sound speaker systems come with five satellite speakers (three front and two rear) and the ".1" subwoofer great for listening to movie soundtracks or playing explosive-laden videogames .

VIDEO CARDS AND MONITORS

Your computer electronically transmits words and pictures to your monitor. These images are created by a video card installed inside your system unit. Settings in Windows tell the video card and the monitor how to work together to display the images you see on the screen.

NOTE CRT Versus LCD Many lower-priced systems use traditional cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors. Newer flat-screen monitors use an LCD display instead, which takes up less desk space.

PRINTERS

For permanent records of your work, you must add a printer to your system. The two most common types are laser printers and inkjet printers. Laser printers work much like copy machines, applying toner (powdered ink) to paper by using a small laser. Inkjet printers shoot jets of ink onto the paper's surface to create the printed image.

TIP Black and White Versus Color Black-and-white printers are faster than color printers and better if you're printing memos, letters , and other single-color documents. Color printers are essential if you want to print pictures taken with a digital camera.

Part 2. SETTING UP YOUR COMPUTER

Now it's time to get connected. Position your system unit so you easily can access all the connections on the back, and carefully run the cables from each of the other components so that they're hanging freely at the rear of the system unit.

When you plug in a cable, you should make sure that it's firmly connected-both to the system unit and to the specific piece of hardware. Loose cables can cause all sorts of weird problems, so be sure they're plugged in really good.