While the number of people living in the developed world who have a fair understanding of the computer is quite high, there are those who are afraid of IT, which might be due to an elderly person’s reluctance to embrace digital technology. Equally, a young person might not yet have a good understanding of how computers work and with that in mind, here is some basic information to help you gain an understanding of how to use a computer.

  • The Operating System (OS) – This is the software package that actually runs the machine; the most common OS is Windows 10, while Apple have their own, which is iOS. There are others such as Unix, but the majority of users have either Microsoft’s Windows 10 or Apple’s iOS and the developer regularly issues updates, which you should always download and install, as these contain important security updates.
  • Computer Maintenance – If your computer is beginning to be slow and unresponsive, take it to a computer shop in Perth, or if there should be any issues, the local computer repair shop is always the best solution. If you use the machine on a daily basis, you will need to carry out a few functions such as cleaning out the registry and deleting old files. If you use Windows 10, empty the recycle bin now and then, to free up drive space and you can download a free computer cleaning program, which you can explore.
  • Saving Files – Work that you create can be saved in a number of formats, such as Microsoft Word or Ms PowerPoint and using Windows Explorer, you can create folders and move files around using copy-paste. There are at least 2 drives on a computer and ‘C’ drive is mainly for the OS, while ‘D’ drive is suitable for data storage. Computer drives are changing from the optical spinning disc to Solid State Drives (SSD), which are faster and more responsive, and are easier for hard drive destruction when necessary. Click here for a great article on how you can make money online with freelance writing.
  • Cyber-Security – If you use the Internet, then you are always vulnerable to hackers and people who send viruses attached to emails; Note: Never open an email attachment if you do not know the sender, as this is a common way to infect a computer with a target virus. You are advised to install a free anti-virus application and update when required, as this will protect you against online hackers. Cyber-security really is a threat these days and you must take adequate precautions.
  • Back Up your Data – All images, videos and documents should be backed up on a regular basis; you can use a small USB memory stick and copy all of your personal data and keep the drive in a safe place. Without a back up, you might lose all of your data if your hard drive malfunctions and no one wants that to happen.

There is a lot of free resources online and you can learn a lot from a few hours research and should there be any issues, contact a local computer repair shop. The more you use your computer, the greater your knowledge will be and with free online tuition, you can easily develop your talents.