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Tips for your first computer use

Although computers have become an integral part of society, not everyone knows how to use them. With increasing digitization, it is an essential skill to know how computers work. Because they are actually used for everything. Even if you don't feel the need to work on the computer at home, in almost every work environment you are expected to have at least some basic knowledge. Computers are also useful for keeping an eye on your child(ren). Not everyone finds it easy to learn this, especially if you are non-technical. But with some effort, you'll eventually be rewarded with better, faster communication, higher productivity, and access to a wealth of information the world has to offer, so it's well worth it! Here are some tips for your first computer use.

Turn on the computer
The very first step is to turn on the computer. The button to do this is in a different place on each computer, but the button's symbol is universal. Once you have turned on the computer, it will take a while before it is ready for use, because it has yet to start up. Once the computer has booted, it is ready to use. You will then get a login screen to identify yourself by typing your username or by choosing your profile (if several people work on the computer), then you can type in your password. If you've never logged into the computer before, you'll need to create an account. If you are using a desktop computer, make sure the keyboard, mouse, and monitor are connected to the computer before proceeding.

Keyboard and mouse
Your interaction with a computer is mainly using the keyboard and mouse, or a trackpad if you are using a laptop. It is necessary to learn how to use it, otherwise you will not be able to continue. The mouse controls the pointer on the screen. Once you move the mouse over the desk, the pointer will move on the screen in a similar way. A mouse usually has two buttons, referred to as the left button and the right button, which you can click. On laptops, you do this with the touchpad that is located under the keyboard, but you can also connect a mouse if you find that easier. The keyboard allows you to type letters and numbers. When you see a blinking vertical line, you can start typing. That's the insertion point.

Using a computer
The main screen from where you start is the desktop. This is sort of a main menu from where you can access the programs and functions you need to use the computer. Icons (small images) are used to represent various files and programs on the computer. If you double click on the icon you can open the application or file. In addition to these little basics of using a computer, it's helpful to download the free eBook “Computer Guide for Young and Old”. In this e-book you can learn everything about using a computer, so that you can really get started with it yourself.