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Learn More About Computers

Terminology

Computer Terminology

WhatIs.com IT Encyclopedia 
Webopedia Online Computer Dictionary

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How the Computer Works 

How PCs Work - If you have the patience, every single part of the computer is explained.

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The Mouse and Keyboard

Mouse Skills

Mouserobics 
New User Tutorial 
Mousercise (in Spanish)

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Keyboard Outline

Keyboard Diagram

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Using the Keyboard Instead of the Mouse

Keyboard Shortcuts - Across the Board Shortcuts 

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Test Your Typing Speed

Typing Test

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Macintosh—Apple

Macintosh Basics and More 

Macintosh Basics 

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Internet

Searching the Internet 

Internet Tutorials
Finding Information on the Internet: Table of Contents

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Search Engines

Mercer County Library's Search Engines Page - This page has a number of general and specific search engines. Try them all!

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Internet Explorer

Using IE 7 

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Netscape Navigator

Netscape Navigator Handbook

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Database Searching

MCL's Electronic Resources
Choose "Home or Office" or, if connecting from inside the library, "Within the Library System". Choose from the list of many databases. Subjects include health, business, schoolwork (K-12), photographs and genealogy. For practice, try these popular databases:

Ebscohost- contains current articles from over 2000 magazines and newspapers
NoveList- search for excellent books using award-winning lists, author or subject keyword. Will tell you what authors are most similar to your favorite author!

Librarians' Index to the Internet 
Best websites for general topics, reviewed and chosen by librarians.

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Ask a Librarian

Reference Assistance by Computer- Ask Anything!

Mercer County Library Home Page 

1. Q&A New Jersey: Click on the QandANJ graphic in the middle-bottom of  the page. Fill in text boxes with your name, zip code and question. You’ll be connected with a librarian via an interactive interface (similar to Instant Messaging) and will receive an answer in minutes!

2. E-Reference: Fill in the boxes on the E-Reference page and click “Submit Request.” A librarian will send you information via e-mail within 24 hours. 

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Major Microsoft Programs

How to Use Word, Excel and Other Popular Programs

Rutgers University Writing Program - Get IT - Tutorials
Find Lessons for Word, WordPerfect, Excel, Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Outlook Express, PowerPoint, Photoshop, Dreamweaver.

Learn Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access & FrontPage Programs 

• Word: Create documents and reports with this popular word processing program.

• Excel: Develop spreadsheets that display data in various tabular and visual formats.

• PowerPoint: Create exciting presentations to display information using graphics, animation and sound.

• Access: Use this database program to store information that can be sorted and filtered to meet your needs.

• FrontPage: Create professional-looking web pages for the Internet. 
  

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Learn Windows

Windows

Say you want to clean your hard drive or learn to make new folders. All the answers are in your computer! Now that PCs can store huge amounts of information, there is a book inside your PC for every program. While you have Word or Excel open, you get to the book by clicking on the Help menu and then the Microsoft Help command. The “book” for all Windows topics is kept on the Start menu as described below.

For Windows 2000: Click on the Start button then the Help button. Of the four tabs, click on Contents. This is the easiest way to find the information you need. Click on a topic then subtopic until you find your answer. The second-best way to find an answer is the Index tab. Type a word and the index below will jump to that and all related words. The Search tab is the hardest to use unless you are certain you know the correct term. If your first term doesn’t work, try another! 

For Windows XP: Click on the Start button then the Help and Support button. You’ll see a list of general topics. Computer beginners will benefit most from the Windows Basics topic. Click on it and try “Working with Files and Folders, Managing Windows, or Searching for Information. As you enter a topic, there will be links to answers as well as Tutorials. Using speakers, a tutorial will talk you through the most important computer tasks, step by step, such as saving a new document.

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FREE COMPUTER CLASSES AT LAWRENCE BRANCH

COMPUTER TUTORING AT OTHER BRANCHES

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