LInC Prerequisites: Computer Basics

To benefit from a LInC class, you should be familiar with the basics of operating a PC (Mac or Windows), sending and receiving e-mail, and using a web browser. If you will be participating in sessions at Fermilab, you will need to know how to do these things on a Mac, as well as on whatever system you have at home or at school.

Computer Operation Skills

These skills are important for using nearly any computer application, and can be learned from the online tutorial that comes with your computer. If you will be participating in sessions at Fermilab, you will need to know how to do these things on a Mac, as well as on whatever system you have at home or at school. You should know:

  1. How to turn the computer on, shut it down, and reboot it.
  2. How to create, move, name, find, and discard files and folders/directories.
  3. How to start and exit software applications, how to use the standard file menu to save or print files, and how to save files under another name.
  4. How to use the standard file dialog box to select a file or folder.
  5. What the "currently active application" is, and how to change it.
  6. How to move, resize, bring forward, and close windows on the screen.
  7. How to arrange two application windows side-by-side on the screen.
  8. How to cut, copy, and paste from one place or application to another.
  9. Prior experience with any word processing program.

E-mail Basics

Electronic mail is an integral part of your LInC coursework. Related skills can be learned from a tutorial. In order to successfully complete even the first few classes, you need to know:

  1. How to configure your e-mail application to use your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
  2. How to send an e-mail message.
  3. How to check for e-mail.
  4. How to read e-mail messages.
  5. How to reply to an e-mail message.
  6. How to send and receive e-mail attachements.

Browser Basics

A World Wide Web browser will be another important tool needed for your LInC class.  In order to have access to critical class materials, you need to know:

  1. What a Web page is, what a link is.
  2. How to recognize a link, how to follow a link, how to tell whether you have followed a link before.
  3. How to use the Forward, Back and Home buttons to get around.
  4. How to use a navigation bar of links on a Web site to find your way around the site.
  5. How and when to use Stop.
  6. How to print a page.
  7. How to use the Open button or Location field to type in an Internet address (go to a URL directly).
  8. What a Bookmark or Favorite is; how to add a bookmark; how to visit a link that you have bookmarked.