Mercer County
Library System
Computer Tutorial Links
Terminology
Computer Terminology
Webopedia Online Computer Dictionary
How the Computer works
How PCs Work - If you have the patience, every single part of the computer is explained.
The Mouse and Keyboard
Mouse Skills
Keyboard Outline
Keyboard Commands
Keyboard Shortcuts - Across the Board Shortcuts
Test Your Typing Skills
Internet
Searching the Internet
Finding Information on the Internet: Table of Contents
Internet Explorer
Free Internet Explorer 8 Tutorial
Database Searching
MCL's Databases/Online 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!
ipl2 - Best websites for general topics, reviewed and chosen by librarians.
Ask a Librarian
Reference Assistance by Computer- Ask Anything!
Ask A Librarian e-Reference Form - Fill in the boxes on the e-Reference page and click the “Submit” button. A librarian will reply to your question via e-mail within 24 hours.
Chat Live or Instant Message - IM with a librarian anytime during scheduled hours
Major Microsoft Programs
How to Use Word, Excel and Other Popular Programs
Learn Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Access 2007
- 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.
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.