Unit 2. Basic. Initial Concepts.

Before handling an operating system, we need to know the different components that make up the computer. Here are some of them.

The Keyboard

The keyboard allows you to enter text.

Function keys: These keys, F1, F2, ..., F12 allow you to perform specific functions in each program. For example, getting help by pressing F1.

Arrow keys: The arrows allow you to move within a document or from window to window or within a menu.

Special keys:

The key shift allows us to introduce the second character of a key. For example (*) by pressing shift and the key that has number 8.

If we are in a window we can open some of the menus on the menu bar with the keyboard by pressing Alt + the letter that is underlined on the menu we want to open. If within the menu that you opened there is a submenu you only need to press the letter that is underlined on the menu you want to open and the key Alt.

Some keyboards have the Windows key that allows you to open the Start menu.

Combining Keys: To perform certain functions we need to press two or more keys at the same time. For example, you can save a document by pressing Ctrl + S.

The ESC key is usually used to exit a screen without saving any changes.

The Mouse

The mouse buttons:

There are currently a great variety of mice with 2, 3, and sometimes four buttons, but the basic functions are the same.

The left button is the most used because with it we select objects.

The middle button or the scroll wheel is used to scroll up and down. Sometimes for it to take effect we need to click on what we want to scroll up and down.

The right button is used to open the shortcut menu, depending on what you click on, the functions of the menu displayed vary.

The functions of the mouse:

The click. Is done with the left mouse button to select something.

Dragging. Is used to select several objects at the same time. To do this you click on an area and you drag the mouse until all the desired objects are selected, then release the button.

Double-click. Is used to execute the desired programs associated with the icons.

pointer:
Normal. The normal aspect of the pointer is an arrow , but it can take other shapes:
Busy. Has the shape of a sand clock. The computer is processing and it does not let another operation be done with the mouse until it is done.
Text. When we are somewhere where it is possible to write it takes this shape.
Insertion point. Has this shape as a flashing vertical bar and usually appears where text will be inserted when typed. It is not the mouse pointer. The insertion point moves as we add text, but it can also be moved with the arrows on the keyboard and by clicking with the mouse where the pointer is located.

If you are left-handed you can customize the mouse buttons, to do this follow the these steps:

Click Start, Control Panel, Printers and Other Hardware, Mouse.

A window will open with the options to configure the buttons, select the check box Switch primary and secundary buttons.