Learn how to use the computer basic?

[luffy]

Someone wants to learn how to use the computer. What should I teach first? Not about the software, nor hardware. Just how to use the computer because she never used the computer before. Any suggestions?

[Bluedot]

Show her the different components of a computer. Open the CPU and show her the motherboard. processor, SMPS and so on. Teach her to gain complete control over the keyboard and the mouse. Then teach her Notepad and Paint and how to save files, with simultaneous lectures on how different components work and definitions of hardware and software, etc.

[princeaniket]

You have to start from Basic ...

little theory about the different parts of computer..
the terms and then software and hardware..

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[Boyfriend]

Hi luffy,

Teach her to open web browser and go to following URL: Computer Basics

[@mazingAG]

First thing first teach her how to start and shutdown the compute properly. Then give her a basic idea of the input devices(mouse and keyboard). Then give her a basic idea of the desktop, different files and icons. After that gradually teach her how to open files and to know which application open what kind of files. Next give her a basic idea about the drives and how to transfer files from one drive to another. I guess this much will be sufficient.

[Raymond]

That's right. First thing is to startup and shutdown the computer properly. Many people would just end up turning the power off directly from the power point and that can cause hardware damage and also data corruption. Then comes to usage such as how to use the keyboard and mouse. Finally, how to run programs and close it down.
Probably you should just teach her how to use only "a few" software such as listening to music, watching dvds and etc.

[JayCub]

Strange as it sounds you need to forget what you know and put yourself in the shoes of a novice, not easy the more interest the young lady has the faster she will learn, to be honest i never knew how to shut down safely when i recieved my first pc or even connect to the internet and set up an e-mail, so i just read as much as i could and used help and support.
So the young lady is lucky to have you to help her out luffy

[safeguy]

Do as @mazingAG and Raymond suggested and then point out how to control the PC volume, minimize/maximize window, Escape full-screen (very important - some users may panic!!!), insert and safely remove device. You might also want to show him/her how to use the Help files.

Next, getting onto the web. Show how to connect to the web. Then, teach the person how to use the browser. (don't bother explaining the different browsers yet....just introduce 1 and let him be) Make sure you tell him/her the difference between typing a web address/URL and using a search engine like Google/Bing/Yahoo....many newbies hardly know the difference I noticed. Then help him/her to set up an email account on one of the free services. Next, introduce YouTube. (do this, I've seen some ending up on some other sites)

And oh, when the time comes when the person needs to download/install programs (on his/her own), then intro sites like CNEt, Softpedia and FileHippo.

Once done, let the person be. The person will slowly pick up and learn on his/her own...

[Raymond]

And finally always be ready to pick up calls from her because she will definitely be calling you back to ask you how to do this and that, why is it like this and etc...

[INDRANIL]

If you can then open an account in this forum. All types of helps are available here .