COMPUTER BASICS

This post will be reviewing basic computer information for you. Knowing how to access the web and improve computer literacy skills is essential to having better access to health information. If you do not have a computer or access to the internet you may want to head to your local library. Many libraries allow you to use computers with access to the internet that allow for web browsing. Remember that whenever you are on a public computer or device not to save your username and password to it. Saving this information on a public computer or device would allow other individuals to access your private information. 

 

In order to access the internet you need internet service. If you want to access the internet from home you will need to pay an internet service provider to have this service. There are a variety of companies to go through to purchase internet service. A couple of terms you will hear when setting up internet service is modems and routers. A router creates a network between the computers in your home and the modem connects those computers to the internet. You can set your router up to offer Wi-Fi which is a wireless way of connecting to the router. This is helpful for accessing the internet from laptops, tablets, and cell phones. You can also access free Wi-Fi at a variety of cafe's, restaurants, and coffee shops. 

 

When doing a search on the internet you will use a web browser. A web browser is a software application that retrieves information from the web in the form of images, videos, websites, and files. Examples of web browsers are Firefox, Chrome, and Internet Explorer. Another term that you may hear when learning about the internet is “the cloud.” “The cloud” refers to cloud computing which offers resources like data storage centers to users of the internet. If you are interested in learning and improving computer literacy skills you can check with your local library to see if they offer any classes. Another option is to sign up for a basic course at a local community college.

 

References

 

The ARC. (n.d.). Beginning computer literacy. Retrieved November 1, 2019, from https://web.iit.edu/sites/web/files/departments/academic-affairs/academic-resource-center/pdfs/Beginning_Computer_Literacy.pdf

Harper College.Retrieved November 1, 2019, from http://dept.harpercollege.edu/gedstudy/handouts/computer_literacy_skills.pdf

 

Hoffman, C. (2017, April 25). What’s the Difference Between a Modem and a Router?. Retrieved November 1, 2019, from https://www.howtogeek.com/234233/whats-the-difference-between-a-modem-and-a-router/

 

Webopedia. (n.d.). What is a browser (web browser)?. Retrieved November 1, 2019, from https://www.webopedia.com/TERM/B/browser.html

 

Webopedia. (n.d.). What is cloud computing?. Retrieved November 1, 2019, from https://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/cloud_computing.html