How to Learn Computer in 7 Days – Day 6

Internet: Internet has vast scope like sending Mail (called e-mail), Chatting (exchanging instant typed messages), sending Voice Mail (Voice Recorded Mail), Video Conferencing (seeing live images and exchanging instant typed messages), and PC-to-PC live talk. On connecting to Internet one can see latest news, advertisements, literary topics and many more. Now a day, one can connect his bank to see his cash balance, transfer money from his account to other account or leave instructions to the bank, book rail and airline tickets etc. It has vast scope.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer
• Pen & Papers
• Determination

1. Definitions:
   (a) @: It is pronounced 'at'. It is a symbol used in e-mail address that separates the User's name from the Internet Address. For example 'millie36' is user’s name ‘@’ is separator and 'hotmail.com' is Internet Address in '[e-mail]'. The e-mail address contains small letters and is case sensitive.
   (b) Application: It is a program that gives the computer instructions and provides the user with tools to accomplish a task.
   (c) Downloading: Transfer of a file or program from a Website to a computer.
   (d) Internet Explorer: It starts the Internet Explorer Web Browser.
   (e) Universal Resource Locator (URL): It is the address of a Website on the World Wide Web.
   (f) World Wide Web (WWW): It is a computer network consisting of a collection of internet sites that offer text and graphics and sound and animation resources through the hypertext transfer protocol.
2. Internet Explorer and URL:
   (a) To access/open Internet Explorer (IE), double-click Internet Explorer icon on Desktop or click Start click Programs click Internet Explorer.
   (b) To visit a Website, write its URL in the Address box in front of Go or Search of the Internet Explorer click Go or Search button.
   (c) To search a Website type it’s URL in the Address box in front of Search or Go of the Internet Explorer and click Search or Go button.
   (d) To see the recently visited URLs/Programs (if forgotten) open Internet Explorer click History button.
3. Obtaining ID from Internet Service Provider (ISP):
   To start with you need Internet Connection and e-mail Address (ID), so that you are able to reach your acquaintances that have got e-mail Address.
   
   Get the connection from a reliable ISP. Once you get it you will find an Icon on the Desktop to connect to their server. You will get an ID and Password to connect to their server. Remember ID and Password.
   
   There are free service providers for e-mail, like Hotmail and Yahoo etc. Both of them also provide free Messenger Service (Chat, Conference and Video Conference).
4. Connecting to ISP Server:
   Double click ISP’s Icon on the Desktop, a window will open. Read carefully what is written in it. Enter your Username (ID) and Password. Click 'Connect'. The connection will be established and a blinking 'Double Screen' icon will appear on the right side of Taskbar. After few minutes the ‘Internet Explorer' window will appear on the Desktop. The 'Internet Explorer' will contain latest news and host of other information. Read all the matter written on the buttons of 'Internet Explorer'. In this way the 'Internet Connection' is established.
5. ID Obtaining Messenger and E-mail address from Yahoo:
   Highlight the existing address in the 'Address' box of 'Internet Explorer'. Type www.yahoo.com and click ‘Search’ or ‘Go’ button at the end of Address bar. A new page will open. Click ‘Yahoo! Messenger’ option. A new page will open in which choice of ‘Download Now’ will appear. Click ‘Download Now’ button. A new page will open. In this page select the option ‘Sign up for a new Yahoo! ID’ (it is in Step 3). Fill up the form. After completing the formality you will be provided ID. Please note that ID and Password are very important to open ‘Yahoo! Messenger’ and ‘Yahoo! Mail’. After creating account and downloading, the icons of Messenger and Mail will appear on the Desktop. Now you are ready to send e-mails to your friends and relatives. (See Image)It is advisable not to mention your actual name in e-mail address. Instead you can obtain username such as '[e-mail]'. It is safe to be safe.
6. Shortcut Opening Yahoo! Mail:
   Double click ‘Yahoo! Mail’ icon on Desktop. A window will open in which you may be asked to type your ID and Password. Type it and click the button below it. Your Mail Box will open. Read everything written in it and try to remember their location. (See Image)
7. Email Reading, Replying and Sending e-mail:
   Click ‘Inbox’ button. A window containing e-mails addressed to you will appear.
   (a) Reading:
   Click subject of e-mail you want to read (new e-mail will be shaded). A new window will appear containing text of the message. Read it.
   
   (b) Replying:
   Click 'Reply' button. A new window will appear having the address of e-mail sender. Type your message in the blank space (it will start from blinking 'Cursor').
   
   
   (c) Sending:
   After the typing is complete, click 'Send' button. Your mail will be sent and confirmation will appear on the screen (if address is not correct you will be told to correct it before sending). (See Image)
8. Sending email Sending a New e-mail;
   After opening ‘Inbox’, click 'Compose' button. A new window will open.
   In the box ‘To’, Type e-mail address of the person to whom you want to send. You can send same e-mail to many persons or send a copy to them. Type their addresses in Address box or Carbon Copy (CC) box.
   Bring the arrow in the big blank box (below ‘abc’) and click. The ‘Cursor’ will appear there. Type the text. If you want to send a photo or file then click ‘Attach file’ button and attach file/photo etc as explained below. After finishing, click 'Send' button. Your mail will be sent and confirmation will appear on screen. (See Image)
9. Attaching File Attaching File/Photo etc.:
   If you want to attach some file or photo (which is in say 'My Documents') then click ‘Attach File’ button. A new window will open. Click 'Browse' button. Another window with words ‘Desktop’ containing files and folders will open. Click ‘My Documents’ icon, highlight the desired file/photo you want to send and click ‘Open’. It will be attached. If you want to add more files/photos follow the same method in the subsequent ‘Browse’ buttons. Once you finish this, click ‘Attach Files’ button. After some time files will be attached and a new window will open. In this window click ‘Continue to Message’ button which is at the bottom. Your typed page will open in which you will find reference to your attachments. Click ‘Send’ button as explained in above Step. (See Image)
10. Reverting back to ‘Inbox’:
    If you want to revert back to 'Inbox' to read more e-mails, click 'Back' arrow (facing left), on left side top of window, till you see 'Inbox'. Or click 'Previous' button on top/bottom of window.
11. Deleting and Saving e-mails:
    If you want to 'Delete' any e-mail, click the box in front of it and click 'Delete'. If you want to save and put message in a file, take the help of buttons on left side. If you click each of the buttons, you will get vast options. You will know their proper use after practice.
12. Opening Y! M Opening Yahoo Messenger automatically:
    If you look on the Desktop and Quick Launch Bar, you will find icons of Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenger. Yahoo Messenger generally opens on the screen as soon as you are connected to Internet.
    In this window you will find: Messenger, Contacts, Actions, Help buttons. You will also see some Icons and the list of friends with Smiley face in front of them. The Smiley face of a friend who is 'On line' (i.e. present on Internet) will be yellow. Click all the buttons to see what they contain. (See Image)
13. Sign IN Y! M Opening Yahoo! Messenger by Sign In:
    Sometimes you have to ‘Sign In’ to open the main window. In that case click ‘Sign In’ button, type your ID and Password in the window that opens and click ‘Sign In’ button. After some seconds you will find the main window as stated above. (See Image)
14. Chatting:
    You can chat with a friend whose Smiley face icon is yellow. Double click your friend’s Smiley face icon. A window having upper and lower panels will appear. Type your message in lower panel and click 'Send' button, the message will appear in upper panel and reach your friend at the same time. Your friend will read this message. He will then give you instant reply (in the same way you typed). You will see at the bottom that he is writing a message. In this way you can chat with each other.
15. Using Web camera:
    If you have Web camera, you can invite him to see you, and if both of you have Web camera, you can see each other. Click Webcam button (located in menu bar of chat window). A box will open in which you will see yourself and your friend will also see you. At the bottom of screen you will see the number of friends viewing you. You can talk with him with the help of Mike and Speakers of the Computer.
    In this way you can explore all the buttons in the open window.
16. Web Search Finding Information on Website:
    There are many Websites, which provide lot of information on almost all topics—News, Sports, Health, Astrology, Jokes etc. To surf these sites you should know their address (URL). If you don’t know URL then you can type the matter in the ‘Address box. Suppose you want to know about ‘What is High Blood Pressure?’
    Open Internet Explorer by double clicking its icon. Highlight the written matter inside the ‘Address bar’. Type-What is High Blood Pressure? Click ‘Go’ or ‘Search’ button. A new window will open with a list of Websites which offer the information on High Blood Pressure. Bring arrow on any Website and click. A new window will open in which you may find your information. In case you are not satisfied, click ‘Back’ button. You will go back to the list of Websites. Click another site till you get the information. In this way you can find any information on the Websites. (See Image)
17. Saving the Information:
    If you want to save the said information:
    Highlight it, right-click over it and click ‘Copy’. Then open Microsoft Word’. Bring arrow near Blinking Cursor and right-click, then click ‘Paste’. The matter will appear in the blank page with a small rectangle at the bottom. The pasted information may have lot of unwanted matter. Right click the small rectangle at the bottom and click ‘Keep Text Only’. The text will be kept and other things will disappear. Save the information as usual.
18. Precautions:
    Internet is full of interesting facts, images, places, people and much more… Like the real world, the virtual world of Internet also has its dangers, so it pays to be aware of potential threats before they arise. Internet safety rules should be kept in mind before sending e-mail, or sending voice-mail or visiting chat-rooms. Always stay safe online by following the rules and taking the precautions, whether you are surfing from home, school or office.
    
    (a) Always treat others who are online, as you would like to be treated. Never send mean or unpleasant or vulgar messages.
    (b) Never give your personal information about yourself, your family or friends. Even if someone, known to you is in chat room, don't give any information as someone who is in that chat room can read it.
    (c) Be cautious about using your real name online. Don't even let people know the address of your house, name of your school, street or favorite place. With just a bit of information others can figure out where you live.
    (d) Never agree to meet an 'Internet Friend' in person. You never really know whom you are talking to online. So while it can be fun to chat with people you never meet, don't forget that someone you have met online will always be stranger. Since you know nothing about 'Internet Friend', it is very dangerous to meet him in person.
    (e) Never switch on your Webcam for strangers to see. You will be recognized and may be harassed.
19. Precautions Continued:
    (f) If you are surfing from outside or a friend's computer always sign off and open another window before leaving.
    (g) Never send information about your password, credit card, bank account etc via Internet.
    (h) Never use Internet Shoppe, which is un-known to you or any site which you feel is giving wrong information.
    (i) Turn off the computer if you feel unsafe. If you really feel that you are being nagged, abused, talked offensive, get away from that Website and never return to it in future or turn off your computer.
    (j) If you are unable to handle, take your elders in confidence who can take the help of Cyber Laws.
    (k) Never download from a site about which you do not know much.
    (l) Never open an attached file of email if you don’t know the sender or suspect its contents.
20. Closing Internet Connection:
    It is essential that after you finish, you be disconnected from Internet; otherwise your telephone will remain engaged. You will have to pay hefty telephone bill. Double click on the blinking 'Double Screen’ in the Task bar, a box will appear on the screen. Click 'Disconnect' button.
    
    This completes learning of 'Internet’ topic. You are now on your own. After initial difficulty your proficiency will increase.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice till you are confident to operate.
• Don't exert much.
• Take precautions while surfing.
• Download some information from Websites.
• You will learn ‘Games’ topic in the 7th day article
• Read the instructions of the software provider.