You can tell what type of file it is by looking at the extension. There are literally hundreds of file types out there and they are all identified by the extension. The extension is the three letters you see after the period (or dot) in the name of a file. For example: Word documents usually end in .doc, excel documents will end with .xls.   These extensions also tell the computer how to open the file. Sometimes when you leave off the extension while saving a document it won’t open the next time you try.

Here is a list of some commonly used file types and extensions:

word documents   .doc

spreadsheets          .xls

presentations         .pps or .ppt

adobe acrobat files   .pdf   (reserved for published material)

picture files                .jpg    or    .gif

Click On:

1.The hard drive, where all the applications in your computer are located. You’ll find it on the desktop of the computer usually named “My Computer” or “Macintosh HD”

2. Applications

3. Utilities

4. Printer Set Up Utility

5. click on the printer you want to name

6. Show Info

7. In this box you may change the printer name from the 10 digit number to anything that makes sense to you. This name will only appear on the computer on which you are working.

8. Apply Changes

To keep the folders organized on the desktop click on “view” at the top of the page, go down to “view options” and click the box that says “keep arranged by_________” You can decide how to keep it arranged. Alphabetically is the easiest.

Many people have multiple copies of the same item on their desktop. This happens when we download files from the internet as we work on our computers. Most of these show up on our desktop as PDF files. If you found it on the internet you will find it again. You don’t really have to save these documents. These PDF files can be put in the trash.  If you have some you want to save, put them in a folder.

1. With Entourage open, click on “new” to compose a new email. Write the person’s email address in the “to” box and a description of your email in the “subject” box.

2. At the top of the box you’ll see a small icon, or picture, of a paper clip. It’s to the right of the trash can. Click on the paper clip icon.

3. Now, you have to find your document. You are the only one who knows where it is and what you called it. Is it on your desktop? Is it in a folder? I think you’ll be able to see how to search for your document in this box. When you do find it, click on “open” in the lower right corner of the box.

4. If you did it correctly, you should see the name of the attachment under the subject box and next to the word attachment.

5. Now, you may write your email. It’s a good idea to explain what is in the attachment for your recipient.

If you are using other email programs like Outlook, Yahoo or Hotmail, the process is similar. There is usually a paper clip icon somewhere in a new mail message to get you started. Sometimes, you have to click on the word “attach” after you find the document, instead of “open” as in Entourage.

Open Firefox to find out what version you currently have. Then, click on the word “firefox” at the top of the page. Go down to “about Mozilla Firefox”. If you still have version 1.0.7 you will need to follow the nine steps below to upgrade.

Step 1: Write “mozilla.com” in the address bar of your web browser.
Step 2: Click on “download Firefox-free”. It’s a green rectangular button. You will then see a download box. It says dmg at the top.
Step 3: In the download box click “save to disk” and then “ok”
Step 4: Quit Firefox
Step 5: Double click on the icon that has now appeared on your desktop. It will say “Firefox 2.0.0.9.dmg”
Step 6: Click on the word “accept”
Step 7: Slide the old Firefox icon out of your dock. If you have the plain white Firefox icon on your desktop you can trash that too. The new one has the colors of Firefox on it.
Step 8: Slide the new Firefox icon into your dock.
Step 9: Put the dmg file in the trash.

Now, how do you find out if you did it right? Follow the steps in the second paragraph to see what version you have now.

We still have some older computers in our school that are running on OS 9. These are mostly the extra, student computers in the classrooms. The newer computers use OS X (10) but they also have OS 9 built into them so you can still use some older software that needs 9 to work. Operating system 9 is also called “classic”.

There are thousands of different types of applications software covering almost every topic you can imagine. There are programs for farmers, programs for games, programs for writing and programs for drawing just to name a few.

Some of the most used programs are word processing (we use Microsoft Word), data base programs (Infinite Campus is data base software), and spreadsheet software, like Excel. New programs are being developed all the time and the programs we use regularly are constantly being made better. (That’s what software updates are all about)

Many applications are already installed in our computers when we buy them. Others need to be purchased separately. If you are in the market for a new computer be sure to ask which programs are already installed to be sure you have everything you need.

Do:

1. use a different password for each site that requires a password.
2. use questions for clues to your password when given the option.
3. turn your words into numbers (like on a telephone)to make your password harder to figure out.

Don’t:

1. Never give your password to anyone else for any reason. (be like George Costanza!)
2. Never keep passwords written on papers near your computer.