So you want (need?) to learn about computers

A computer is basically a super-powered electronic brain that loves to boss around information (or data) all day. It can store, retrieve, and process data faster than you can say “Where did I save that file?” You probably already use your computer to type documents, send emails, play games, and browse the Web—sometimes all at once, because multitasking is its middle name. It’s also great for editing spreadsheets, making presentations, and creating videos, especially if you enjoy yelling at PowerPoint or pretending to be a YouTube star. Here are the basics.

Parts of the computer

Monitor: The monitor looks like a television screen and is where you see what is happening on your computer. By using shadows and graphics with over a million different colors, much of what you see will appear 3-dimensional. Think of this as the ‘face’ of the computer.

Keyboard: The keyboard is one of two ways to interact with your computer. The keys should mostly mimic a traditional typewriter.

Mouse: This is the other way to interact with your computer. Most mice have two buttons—a right and a left button—and a scrolling wheel. Some notebooks (aka laptops) have a "mouse pad instead, but you can add an external mouse if you prefer (as I do).

CPU (Central Processing Unit): The CPU houses the machinery that allows your computer to work. Think of this as the ‘brains’ of the computer. This component looks very different in desktops and laptops, but it works the same.

Tidbit: As the mysterious image to the left demonstrates (just pretend it’s there if you can’t see it), you can add more gadgets—also known as “peripherals”—to your computer setup. Most new laptops come loaded with a built-in microphone and a sneaky little video camera, so you’re basically ready for karaoke and spontaneous video calls at any moment. Add a few more devices and you’ll be one step closer to transforming your desk into a high-tech command center—or at least impressing your pet.

Types of computer memory

Primary memory. Also known as main memory or internal memory, this type of memory stores data and programs that are currently being used by the CPU. It includes chips that are connected to the motherboard and allow for immediate access to temporary memory slots or other storage locations.

Secondary memory. Also known as auxiliary memory or external memory, this type of memory is used for long-term storage of data and programs. It includes secondary storage devices like hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs).

Other types of memory include:

Cache memory: A small, volatile type of memory that stores frequently used programs, applications, and data to give the CPU faster access to memory functions.
Random access memory (RAM): Also known as primary storage, this type of memory temporarily stores and retrieves data, including the operating system, application programs, and other data. Dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) is a common type of RAM used in personal computers, workstations, and servers.
Read-only memory (ROM): A nonvolatile type of memory that retains its contents even when the computer is turned off and is used in the computer's booting process.

The "complex" terms

The Internet is like the world’s biggest, wildest spiderweb—except instead of catching flies, it connects millions of computers, people, and gadgets from every corner of the globe. It’s where cat videos, memes, and all your burning questions live. Basically, if you’re online, you’re part of the world’s largest digital party!

Tidbit! The cloud is basically the Internet’s giant storage closet—full of stuff you can access from anywhere. When you’re ‘using the cloud,’ you’re really just borrowing someone else’s computer (probably in a mysterious warehouse with lots of blinking lights). So next time you save a file to the cloud, just remember: it’s hanging out on someone else’s machine, waiting for you to come back and claim it!

Hardware is all the stuff in your computer you can actually poke, prod, or accidentally spill coffee on—like the keyboard or mouse. It’s also the mysterious inner bits that live inside the case (where only brave souls dare to look).
Software is basically the bossy friend who tells your computer what to do and how to do it. Want to browse the web, crush candy, or pretend you’re working in a spreadsheet? That’s all software! So if you want your computer to actually do something useful (or at least entertaining), you’ll need these digital instructions—otherwise, it’s just a fancy paperweight!
Desktop computers are like the ultimate desk buddies. They come in a bunch of pieces—the computer case (the brainy box), the monitor (your digital window), the keyboard (for dramatic typing), and the mouse (your tiny desk sidekick). Put them all together on your desk, and voilà! You’ve got a tech team ready to work, play, or just sit there looking important.
A laptop—aka your portable tech sidekick—is a battery-powered computer that’s ready to follow you anywhere: the couch, the coffee shop, or even that one spot on the floor where the Wi-Fi mysteriously works best. Unlike desktops, laptops don’t need a desk—they just need a little love and maybe a charger every few hours!
Operating System (OS) is like the autonomic nervous system. You don’t need to think about breathing, or about your heart beating, it just works. The OS controls the basic functions of the computer so you don’t have to.
Uploading is like sending your digital stuff out into the world—posting photos, joining video calls, or sharing memes with friends. Downloading is the opposite: it’s when you grab things from the internet and bring them home, like streaming movies, saving files, or collecting cat videos for ‘research.’ Basically, uploading is sending, downloading is receiving—just don’t mix them up, or you might accidentally share your secret snack recipes with the whole internet!
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is like the universal handshake for gadgets. It’s the go-to plug for connecting keyboards, mice, printers, and all sorts of gizmos to your computer. Not only does it transfer data at lightning speed, but it also powers up your devices—so your mouse doesn’t have to run on hamster wheels. If it’s got a USB port, it’s ready to join the party! A USB flash drive (or thumb drive) is like a tiny suitcase for your files. Just plug it into your computer’s USB port, and you can pack up documents, photos, or that secret folder of cat memes to take anywhere. It’s portable, pocket-sized, and always ready for a file transfer adventure—no boarding pass required!
A bootable USB drive is like a magic wand for your computer—it’s a thumb drive that’s been specially enchanted to wake up your machine and get things started. But don’t think you can just copy files over and call it a day! It takes some special formatting and secret ingredients (partition tables and all that techy stuff) to make it work. So, if you try to clone one by just dragging and dropping files, your computer will just shrug and go back to sleep
BIOS (aka Basic Input/Output System) is like your computer’s backstage manager. It’s the first thing that wakes up when you turn on your PC, making sure all the hardware is ready for showtime. It runs a quick check-up (the Power-On Self Test, or POST) to see if everything’s working, then hands things off to the operating system—kind of like passing the mic to the main act. Plus, it has a secret setup menu where you can tweak things like boot order and system time. Just don’t mess with it too much, or your computer might start acting like it’s had too much coffee!

thumb drive (or USB flash drive)

Desktops and laptops

Operating systems

Here's the bottom line!

Don’t worry, you’re not about to unleash chaos here. Go ahead, poke, prod, and click away—your laptop is tougher than a toddler’s favorite toy. Experiment with all the buttons! If something explodes, just blame it on the software gremlins.

A computer, no matter what kind, is just another tool—like a hammer, a drill, or that fridge you keep raiding for snacks. The difference? This tool has an artificial ‘brain’ that does what you ask, but way faster (and with fewer complaints). The real trick is learning how to pick the right software and use it to get stuff done. Master that, and you’ll be the boss of your digital toolbox!You’re basically living in a computer jungle—even if you don’t realize it! Your phone (aka your pocket-sized genius) runs on software, but each phone has its own personality depending on what software is installed. And it’s not just phones: watches, washers, dryers, traffic lights, cars, e-bikes, and probably your neighbor’s fancy toaster are all secretly running on software. So next time your washing machine beeps at you, just remember—it’s probably trying to download an update!There are tons of ‘species’ of software out there, but here are some of the most common ones you’re likely to bump into on your digital safari:

Web browsers are like your digital tour guides—they help you explore the wild world of the internet! Whether you’re using Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or another browser, these handy apps let you visit websites, watch cat videos, and fall down Wikipedia rabbit holes. In fact, if you are reading this, then your using a browser. Without a browser, the internet is just a bunch of ones and zeros—so grab your browser and start surfing!
Word processing programs are like your personal typing assistants—they help you whip up letters, reports, résumés, and more, without breaking a sweat (or a pencil). With features like cut, copy, paste, spell check, and grammar check, you can make your writing look so good even your English teacher would be impressed. Plus, you get to play with fonts and layouts until your document looks just right. Popular examples? Microsoft Word and Google Docs — basically, the cool kids of the document world!
A spreadsheet is like a super-organized digital grid where numbers, words, and the occasional wild formula all hang out in neat little boxes (called cells). It’s the Swiss Army knife of computer tools: you can use it to budget your coffee addiction, plan world domination (or just a project), crunch business numbers, or build financial models that look way fancier than your actual bank account. Basically, if you like organizing stuff—or pretending you do—spreadsheets are your new best friend! Examples include Excel and Google Sheets.
Presentation software is your digital stage manager—it lets you create and show off slideshows (aka ‘slide decks’) packed with text, images, graphics, sounds, and videos. It’s like building your own mini-movie to help you explain things, wow your audience, and make even the most complicated ideas look easy. With all the animations and design options, you can turn your talk into a visual adventure—just try not to get too carried away with the flying text! Examples include PowerPoint and Google Slides.

Hope this is enough to get you started! Don’t worry, it’s not rocket science—unless you’re secretly building a cruise ship that can fly. You’ll get the hang of it soon (and if not, just keep trying). If you have questions, feel free to email me—first one’s free, but after that, I might start charging depending on how tricky your question is!

The links below will teleport you to resources with way more details. They’re totally free to use, but you might need to create an account—so you can track your progress (and so they can keep tabs on how many times you ask, ‘Wait, what does this button do?’):

The GCFGlobal.org program.
Practice clicking the mouse.
Get a PDF to see another look at the general concepts, vocabulary, and parts of a computer. You may need to save it to a thumb drive or print it to take it with you.

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