Basic tips for using computers operating systems, Macs and PCs.
These tricks have really helped folks along the way. Try to improve your skills with them and pass them on to other folks.
Concept of using a mouse: right click = do it and left click = show me what I can do.
Well, unless the´ mouse is setup for a lefty, then just reverse that ; P
Try this with items on t˙´ desktop, icons on the dock (macs), folders, etc.
If 'right click' is not available, go into the System Preferences (in the Apple Menu in the upper right hand corner) and go to Mouse settings and turn on right click.
How do I open this in photoshop? Right click on a picture and select "open with" then select Photoshop... that sort of thing.
PC: Control-A = select all, Control-C = copy, Control-V= paste
Mac: Command-A = select all, Command-C = copy, Command-V = paste.
In programs or an operating system (windows, macs or Linux/unix) hold
the mouse over an icon and it'll show you the name of the object or
the tool. Try this in Photoshop as an example. "Move the mouse over it
and see what happens. What does it say?"
Seek out tutorials on the web. Search for terms like:
Introduction to...
How to use...
When searching out tutorials try to be version specific ie:
Introduction to Photoshop cs4
This will help deliver the tutorial you need. Getting a great tutorial in the wrong version can be frustrating!
What version am I running? Program version information can be found by
opening the program and: go to
PCs: The help menu and selecting "about" should do the trick. On macs, ope
the program, go to the application name (the uppermost left menu) and select About Application_Name.
File, edit, view, blah blah blah, help.
Text based web tutorials (following step by step directions) with
pictures work well for some. Searching out web video based tutorials
on company sites, dedicated sites, youtube and google video. Don't
forget to search podcasts! itunes software and most podcasts are free.
If you don't find one you like, try another! Multiple perspectives can
be a great thing. Example: Head over to Google Video (video.google.com) and search your topic.
Practice dragging, dropping, cutting and pasting. No other way to get
better at it.
What's applications do I have open? On pcs: press alt and hit tab to scroll apps. On a mac
hold down command and hit tab.
Multiple folders open on the desktop? Alt-~ (that's a tilde... upper left corner of the keyboard... squiggly line). This
will scroll multiple folders that are stacked on top of each other. Try it! Open multiple folders on your desktop and try this key combo. The key combo will rotate folders to the top so you can see them.
Used tabbed browsing! It's a far better way to browse multiple web sites. PCs: Control-T. Macs: Command-T.
If for some reason this won't work: Use the File menu and select New Tab. Or enable tabbed browsing b going to Preferences in t˙´ web browser and seek to "enable tabbed browsing." How do you find it? If you can't find the browser preferences, use the Help menu in the application!
When you're ready to blow a gasket take a break!
Spaces (mac only): Use multiple desktops to do your work.
Try to help students frame up the question and then promote them to research the answer.
When in doubt think simple.
