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SENIORS INTERNET TRAINING

Woden Library

The Desktop

When your computer is turned on it boots up and icons appear on your desktop, probably up the left hand side as shown here. Each icon represents an operation which can be accessed by double clicking it, ie clicking the left hand button twice.

Clicking something means pointing the mouse at it and tapping the left hand button.

At the bottom left corner the Start button provides access to all the software on the computer.

Your computer should be always turned off via the Start button to avoid losing any of your recent work. However, the Library computers close automatically, removing your session details.

The desktop appearance depends on the version of Microsoft Windows on the computer. As well as the left hand icons, there will be a toolbar along the bottom of your screen.

On Windows XP the toolbar will be similar to the following:

[pic]

Small icons are placed beside the Start button, they can be accessed by a single click.

Beside the icons you can click on the programs and web pages which are running.

At the right are background operations. Hover the mouse over an icon to display its function.

The Library computers run Windows 7. The toolbar at the bottom will be similar to the following:

[pic]

It has icons at the left for the software (programs) available, ie Internet Explorer, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel etc, and at the right are the background operations.

On Windows 8 the desktop has a different appearance. It displays tiles for programs, links etc, which can be clicked, similarly to clicking on the icons with previous Windows versions.

Also, to access various operations on Windows 8 hold down the Windows key [pic]

Then tap Q to list your applications.

Or then tap X to access Windows features such as the Control Panel.

Or then tap E for Windows Explorer to locate your files,

Surfing the Web

Open Internet Explorer by clicking on the icon [pic] . Then download a web page by typing the web address in the address window and pressing Enter. If you do not know the address, type a search engine web address (see page 4) and search for the subject.

To view the Library home page, enter library..au . If you are using a Library computer the home page will download automatically when you open Internet Explorer [pic].

Library Home Page - showing important Web Page Elements (Windows 7)

[pic]

Shortcut Buttons: These three buttons allow you to (from left to right); fully minimise the program; make it smaller or larger (window or full screen); or close the program completely.

Options Menu: You can access more complicated commands, on drop down menus, by selecting any of the headings along this bar.

Navigation Bar: On Windows 7 this bar contains the more frequently used navigation tools:

(RHS from left to right) Back, Forward, Address Window, Search, History, Refresh, Stop

(Centre) Tabs for each web page running. (In Windows XP these tabs are on the bottom toolbar).

(LHS from left to right) Home Page, Favourites, Tools.

LHS

Back ([pic] )– Takes you back to the previous page.

Forward ([pic] ) – Takes you forward to page you went back from.

Search ([pic] ) – Enter Search text then select a search engine option or press enter to use default.

History ([pic] )– Gives you a list of sites you have been too previously during current session.

Refresh ([pic] ) – Reloads the page.

Stop ( [pic] )– Stops loading current page.

RHS

Home Page ([pic] )– Takes you to the homepage (which, in this case, is the library website).

Favourites ([pic] )– Your favourite web pages, Not available for use in the library.

Tools (( )- Some useful operations such as Print and Zoom.

Scroll Bar – Allows you to move up and down the web page (as will Page Up & Page Down & the Mouse Scroll Wheel). Click on (or( above or below the bar for a short move, or hold the mouse on the bar and move up or down Click above or below the bar to jump one screen height.

Address Window: Shows the web address of the site you are currently on.

If you know the address of the website you want to go to, you can type it in here (after deleting the current address) and press enter. This will take you straight to the new website.

Addresses usually (but not always) start with . However if you are typing in a web address you only need to start typing from www

For example if the web address you want to type in is all you need to type in is

Do not confuse a web address with an email address, which always has an @ symbol in the middle, eg username@

Links: Links on a website are usually bright blue and underlined. However the only certain way to tell if something is a link is to move the mouse cursor over it and if the arrow (mouse symbol) changes shape (mostly into the picture of a hand), then it is a link.

Left click on a link and the web page will be downloaded, its description will display on the navigation bar tab. Alternatively, right click on the link and left click “Open in New Tab” to place another tab on the navigation bar. This way a number of web tabs can be on the navigation bar, allowing you to swap between web pages by clicking a tab.

Navigation Tabs: These are drop down menus giving links related to the tab heading.

Search Engines

The most common way to find information on the internet is to use a search engine. Some of the easiest and frequently used search and metadata engines are:

Google – .au

Yahoo – and .au

Bing (Microsoft) –

DuckDuckGo– (anonymous searching)

The key to searching on the internet is to start out being very specific. If you don’t find what you are after then make your search more general. It is also a good idea to run the same search on different search engines – you will sometimes turn up different (and perhaps more relevant) results. Below are some tips that will help you with your searching. Be aware that not all search engines will recognise the Boolean terms.

Exact Phrase Searching – By enclosing a name or phrase in quotes you tell the search engine to find only the pages that use the exact thing you enclosed in quotes.

For example if you search for Captain Cook, you will find pages that contain the words Captain and Cook. If you enclose the phrase in quotes (“Captain Cook”) and search you will find pages that only contain the phrase Captain Cook.

Boolean Operations – Use the terms AND, OR, NEAR, NOT with multiple search terms to find pages that are more relevant.

For example using the search terms Rosemary and Tarragon:

• Searching Rosemary AND Tarragon will find pages that contain both the words Rosemary and Tarragon.

• Searching Rosemary OR Tarragon will find pages that contain either of the words Rosemary and Tarragon.

• Searching Rosemary NEAR Tarragon will find pages that contain the term Tarragon within ten words or so of the term Rosemary.

• Searching Rosemary NOT Tarragon will find pages that contain the term Rosemary and don’t contain the term Tarragon.

When you use both search techniques together, you can turn up very specific results. Despite this you will still find pages that are completely irrelevant.

Google Maps (with street view)



FAQs on ACT Public Library Internet Training

There are a number of introductory courses around. Woden Seniors, across the road, offer introductory training courses. U3A also offer group courses.

Q1: What tutorials does Woden Library provide?

A1: Lessons are provided for Seniors at Woden Library by volunteers from the PC Users Group. These are individual one hour introductory lessons. You can have as many as you need.

Q2: Are there any other free online Internet and basic or advanced computer skill tutorials?

A2: Yes. You could tr some of the following:



Basic computer skills.



IT skills assessment.



Tutorials in pictures. Covers Microsoft Office (versions 2003 & 2007) & openoffice.



Provider of lots of free tutorial and self help guides.

bbc.co.uk/webwise/course/coursemenu.shtml

This one examines the major aspects of using the internet including how to set up an internet connection, security, email and searching.

internet/tutorials.html

This website lists a number of internet and email tutorials.

how-to/get-started/

Beginner’s tutorials covering a large number of topics, some advanced.

sc.edu/beaufort/library/pages/bones/bones.shtml

This website explains how to search the internet effectively.



Another tutorial that explains the best ways to find information on the internet. Also includes how to evaluate and cite websites.

.au/pathways/pthw_global.html *

This website looks at the different search engines and evaluates them.



A typing tutor website.

Please note that these tutorials cover information on setting up an email account, searching the internet, choosing a browser, chatting, newsgroups, downloading programs and information, creating your own webpage, and many other useful topics.

*within this web address is a character that looks like a space. It is in fact an underscore (the internet alternative to a space) it looks like this ‘_’ and is created by holding down the shift key and pressing the dash key (between the 0 and the equals sign at the top of the keyboard). You will come across this symbol quite frequently whilst surfing on the internet.

FAQs on the ACT Public Library Internet

Q1: Do I pay to use the Internet?

A1: No. It’s free; however printing is 20c per A4 page.

Q2: Do I need to book the Internet and how do I do it?

A2: If a terminal is available, ie not reserved, you can use it with your Library card details.

You may book before using the Internet. You can do this by calling 6205 9000 or at any library registration desk. You can book up to two days in advance and up to one hour per person per day.

Q3: What is the library’s website?

A3: The web address is . It is also listed on the back of your card and on the library brochures. You can use our website to do a range of things including:

• Access the library catalogue, the Virtual Reference Collection and other online resources.

• Check your record and renew the items you have on loan.

• Make, suspend and cancel requests.

• Find information on the activities and services run by the ACT Library Service.

• Find useful information about the ACT Library Service.

Q4: What is the Online Collection?

A4: The Online Collection is a number of electronic databases and websites provided by the library. We have created links to reputable sites and sources of information. Follow these links to discover the online databases. You will need your library card or you may need to be in one of the libraries to access some of the databases. The Homework Hints site is also particularly useful for children and their parents.

FAQs on Printing

Q1: How do I print?

A1: You start out by printing in the usual fashion (using the print button on the navigation bar or File, Print then OK), then a screen should pop up asking for your Membership Number, type it (or your name) in the box and press enter. A second box should pop up saying how much it will cost, press OK and then go to the desk to collect your printing.

Q1: Can I print anything on the web or from my email?

A1: Yes, but remember that whether you have printed deliberately or accidentally you are still responsible for paying for each page printed.

Q2: How much does it cost to print from the internet?

A2: 20c per A4 page printed, you pay when you pick up the pages. Please remember that many web pages can be more than one A4 size long.

Q3: Where do I collect the print-outs from?

A3: Please ask one of the staff at the desk to collect them from the printer.

Q4: How do I print a specific section from an email or website?

A4: Use the following steps:

• Place the cursor at the beginning of the text or area you wish to select.

• Click the left button of the mouse and hold.

• Drag the mouse and highlight the section to be printed.

• Select File from the Options bar, and within that menu select Print.

• On the print screen under Printer Range, choose the Selection option.

• Now click on OK or press Enter.

FAQs on Surfing the Web

Q1: What pages should I avoid viewing on the Libraries’ internets?

A1: Anything that is offensive, such as pornography or online gambling. Please refer to the ACT Library & Information Services Conditions of Internet Use Policy Document for more details.

Q2: How do I know if the information on a website is accurate?

A2: You can use the following checklist to assist you:

• Is the information current? When was the website last updated?

• Is the website hosted by a reliable source? (For example government or university websites)

• Double or triple check information with other sources of information. If it is consistent, then the information is likely to be accurate.

*Please note that more in depth descriptions of what makes the information on a webpage reliable can be found on some of the free internet tutorials previously mentioned.

FAQs on Email

Q1: How do I access my email account?

A1: First you return to the website where you joined (for example or ), then enter your user name (the bit before the @ symbol of your email address) and password (If you can’t remember your password there is a link where you can reset it). Next you click on the submit/sign in button or press enter.

Q2: Now that I have an email account how do I send email?

A2: Firstly if you want to reply to a message all you need to do is click on the reply button and the computer fills in all the necessary details (email address etc.). You can then type in your reply.

Alternatively if you want to send a message to someone and you have their address all you need to do is click on compose, fill in all the necessary information, type in your message, then click send. If there are any problems in delivering the message, the computer will let you know.

Q3: Can I send out any type of email?

A3: No. Please avoid sending any threatening, abusive or criminal related emails. Please refer to the ACT Library & Information Services Conditions of Internet Use Policy Document for more details.

Q4: Can I send email attachments or save downloads?

A4: Yes. You are able to use the Floppy, CD Rom and USB drives on the ACT Library Service Computers. If you have problems please ask one of the Library Staff for assistance.

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