Brynian Creations

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Computer Lessons

For Seniors & Adults

Personal, friendly, simple instruction and basic operations. Learn common vocabulary, and the fundamentals of how to start and run a computer. PC and Mac Friendly.

How to:
-Safely operate a computer (including: set up and run email & Surf the internet)
-Basic programs Manage your photos

$35/hour

Location: So. California  Dana point, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, and Laguna Niguel.
[Click her to view and download this vocabulary]

Vocabulary

Commonly Used Computer Vocabulary

Browser: The program that one uses to surf the internet. [Also known as internet browser. ] Example: Explorer, Firefox, Safari

Operating System (OS):  The Graphical User Interface (GUI) your computer uses to run. This is what you are using to run programs, look at files and experience the computer in a friendly environment. Most modern day electronics have an operating system, allowing the user to navigate the devise.  [ Most common computer OS's; Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Apple's OSX "leopard, tiger, etc."

Ram: (Random access memory) Also referred to as computer memory. This is the memory used to temporarily store information while the computer is in use. "Not to be confused with Hard Drive"  [Common size of Ram; 512mb, 1gb, 2gb, 4gb] 

Bytes: (Kilo KB, Mega MB, Giga GB, Tera TB) Increments of 1000.  This is a term that defines information.  Usually how much information something is, or can store. [Size of a file, ram, drive.]

Hard Drive:  Storage used to store data related to programs and files.  Types: Hard disk drive (HDD): Drive that stores data on physical spinning disks.  Solid State Drive (SSD) These are new and currently are have smaller storage space.  These drives store all data on micro chips and have no moving parts, making them Faster and use less power.

Flash memory or storage: Uses micro chips known as flash memory to store data.  Used in most modern devises that need smaller data storage.  (cameras, cell phones, media devices, Flash drives, even some home theater devices.)

Flash Drive: Also known as Thumb drives, USB stick. These are the new floppy.  They range in storage size, currently 1gb-64gb.  They can be used to easily move data from one computer to another, regardless or computer type.  This is a huge advantage over the old floppy and zip which had to be coded for specific operating systems. They can also be used over and over.

USB (Universal serial Bus): A widely used hardware interface for attaching external devices.

A Window:  [Not to be confused with the operating system.] A window is the box (on the screen) in which a program is run.

Task bar: Is a desktop display bar used to launch and monitor applications. Also Known as the dock and program panel.  Usually displayed at the bottom of the screen by default.

Menu Bar: A bar at the top of either the window or screen, displaying a list of program drop down options. relating to the task selected.  [ common displays; File, Edit, Tools, Window, Help]

Internet Service Provider (ISP): Who you pay for internet access; Cox, At&t,....

Modem: A small box that is sometimes provided to you by your ISP. It hooks up to either your phone line or tv cable, and gives your computer an internet signal.

Router: Separate or combined with your modem, used to connected more that one computer together or to the net. It also acts as firewall, and gives you limited protection from viruses.  Good to have whether or not there is more than one computer in the house.





Six Easy steps to help reduce the chance of getting infected:

1. Use a more secure web browser. 99% of spy-ware enters your computer through malicious web pages and Internet Explorer.

2. Don’t open e-mail attachments and don’t click web pages in strange e-mails.

3. Always update your operating system Mac and PC. Turn on Windows automatic updates.

4. Turn on Windows firewall or buy a router that has a built-in NAT firewall.

5. Don't download from unknown sources. IE: file sharing sites.  I don't care if you want to hear the new stones album.

6. Do not click on pop-ups....  EVER.....  When a window pops up saying "you are infected, download this."  Don't click it.  Close and manually run your Anti virus.




Backing Up:

It is very important to have at least 1 if not 2 backups, of all your important data. If you only have one copy of your little Susy's birthday, you are not backed up.  8% of all Hard drives fail in the first 6 months. 8% more six months later, and 8% more every year after that.

1. Buy an external Backup drive.

2. Copy over your important data over to the backup drive.  Do not erase the originals or you don't have a backup.  [Some backup programs allow you to back up automatically at set times.]  Dont use programs that back up in one big file. You should be able to access individual files manually from the backup drive.

3. In addition to the first backup, (on site, because it sits next to the computer) you should also have a third off site backup.
Back up online (Carbonite.com) or another form of physical backup that you then store in another building. 
This backup is a safety-net in case of a disaster or burglary.