The Computer and Internet Training Manual I never finished

In my quest of finding secondary income streams, I once got a biz opportunity to do Computer and Internet training. So, I had to make a class manual, and one class at a time so as to make the class more dynamic and effective.

Well, another biz venture clicked and I couldn't carry on with this. But in this post I will be sharing the Class 1 manual. I didn't go past this Class 1 manual as the class didn't hold and I had no reason to make a Class 2 manual.

1.0 Introduction

A computer is a general purpose machine engineered to perform complicated tasks at an incredible speed.

Computers were first manufactured as giant sized machines, that take up an entire room, called Mainframe computers. They were installed by specially trained people and cost so much that only extremely big companies could afford them.
But since then, through the 1960s to 2000s, computers have changed tremendously and are now so small and affordable for a student to take along to the University.

Computers are so easy to use and virtually everywhere, that it is now becoming a vital part of our education. In fact, it is impossible now for you to be regarded as a learned person if you cannot use a computer. Hence, the aim of this training is to teach you all you need to know in order to be able to use the computer excellently, and yet, without burdening you with the useless theories and complexities of its operation. The approach taken in this manual is like that used in teaching people how to drive, you learn by doing. No one learns to drive by first reading about all the components in the different cars, how they work and who invented them. Rather, we learn to drive by knowing just the theories that help us maintain the car health, and practicing driving. And this is precisely the approach I have taken in this training, I will teach you just the theories you need to know for everyday computer use and guide you through the practicals that will make even the most expensive computer as easy to use as your mobile phone.
By the end of this training you will be able to not only to say but also show with extreme confidence, that you are a computer literate and an Internet user.

1.1 Basic Computer Operation

The computer is very easy to use. Just like your mobile phone, once the SIM is inserted, the date is set up, the Internet is configured and the right applications installed, every other thing becomes a breeze!

In using a computer, the first thing is to make sure the computer is plugged to the right power source (via a UPS is advised) and if it is a laptop, make sure the battery is charged or charging. And to power on the computer, press the power button and wait. The computer will show some screen displays, indicating it is starting up (called booting). Once it is done, you will see a screen with icons and a bar at the bottom part of the screen. Next week's class will discuss more on what you can do with your computer once it is started. Now to power off the computer, at the bottom bar click the first icon on the left and click shut down.

These are the very basics of computer operation, and if you can successfully do them, other things won't look so hard anymore.

1.2 Computer Health

Just like your car, there are some don'ts as far as the computer is concerned.
And they are -
1. Never press the power button to switch off the computer!
2. Never clean the computer with a damp cloth.
3. Always shut down the computer whenever you are through using it
4. Don't install a program you won't use.
5. Don't plug just any external device to the computer.
6. Always scan every external storage device with an Antivirus before opening it.
7. Always unplug the computer when it is not in use, or the laptop when the battery is fully charged.
8. Always save your work before shutting down.

I hope this helps someone.