There are a few different parts to the first lab. Either scroll down the page, or click on any of the below links to move directly to that section. This page contains a brief overview of each subject. For more information, click on the links provided.
Welcome to Computer Science 1001 - Introduction to Computers. This class is designed to teach you the fundamentals of computer science, both in a theoretical (lecture) and a practical (labs) manner.
Most of the information needed to accomplish the labs are available through these web pages. So, please use them whenever you need. Also, feedback is encouraged, so if you see any way to improve these pages to help you retrieve information more easily, let the T.A.s know.
In this first lab, you will be learning about two different Operating Systems, Windows and DOS. These two system will provide you with the ability to control different applications (programs) on your computer. In addition, you will also learn about the internet by using two basic uses of it: e-mail and Netscape.
Finally, as with each lab, you are expected to turn something in...just to prove that you understood the lab and stayed at least partly awake.
NOTE: If you have never used windows before, or are in general terrified or bewildered by computers. Click here for further help.
Windows is the name of the graphical operating system you are most likely using right now. An operating system basically means a program that helps your computer understand what you want it to do.
Windows has a few different features of which you should be aware. Including the title bar, title bar icon, maximize and minimize buttons, scroll bar, menus, windows, icons, and a mouse pointer. If you are familiar with these, feel free to continue, otherwise you may wish to go to the Basic Windows page.
The skills you will need for this class in windows operations are:
- The ability to start up and shut down Microsoft Windows
- The ability to use a mouse
- Using pull down menus
- Maximizing, restoring and minimizing windows
- Moving and resizing windows
- Using scroll bars to move around a window
- Starting one or more applications and toggling between them
- Using the file manager application to look at folders and files
- Creating, deleting and changing directories
- Moving and copying different files
- Formatting disks
If you don't feel you have all of these skills, click here for the Basic Windows page.
DOS stands for Disk Operating System. This is what windows builds off of to make a cool looking operating system. But, DOS is not near as pretty. If you are unfamiliar with DOS, click here .
Now that you know the basics of windows, there are very few new concepts to learn in DOS. The skills you should have are:
- The ability to enter and exit the DOS shell from Windows
- Changing, creating and deleting directories
- Moving and copying files using wildcards
- Running a DOS application (program)
If you don't know how to do these commands, please go to the Basic DOS page.
The internet is simply a name given to a bunch of computers, located all over the world, which are able to talk to each other (notice, there is no capitalization -- it's not THAT important!!). There are many different ways to use the internet, such as: e-mail, browsing (using http), ftp, telnet, gopher, irc and newsgroups. To learn more about these, click here .
If you've never heard of Netscape before, have never "surfed the web", or want more background on Netscape click here .
Netscape is a browser of the World Wide Web (which is the name given to the cool looking part of the internet) that uses http, hyper-text transfer protocol. Netscape gives you the ability to look at public information on many computers worldwide by just clicking on links.
The terms you should know for this are: web page, http, URL, image, link, download, upload, browse, and search. You also should be able to do the following:
- Open up and close down Netscape
- Understand what Netscape is, and how it finds information using addresses
- Use the Back, Forward, Home and Reload buttons
- Be able to find different commands in the menus
- Go to a specific web page using it's address (URL)
- Follow links to other web pages
- Scroll around the information on a web page
To learn more about these functions, go to the Netscape page.
For this class we will be using Popmail to send and receive or electronic mail. To learn more about Popmail Click here.
Popmail is set up to work on your e-mail account here at the U of MN. If you are unsure of your e-mail account name, password, or if you have one, please contact the TA, or the lab attendant.
The basic skills you should have are:
- How to open and close Pop-mail
- Ability to log into your account and check for e-mail
- Understanding of e-mail addresses
- Ability to answer, and send, e-mail
- Know how to print out e-mail that you've received
To learn how to perform these skills, go to the Basic e-mail page.
You get off easily today. But, there are a couple of things.
- Look at the homepage for this class. This can be done by opening netscape and typing in the address http://www.itlabs.umn.edu/classes/csci1001
- Buy a printer card. It costs $4 and can be purchased from the lab attendant. This will be needed for the next lab.
- Format a disk. If you didn't bring one, have it done for next time.
- Send a generic email to your T.A. The address is dahlen@cs.umn.edu cc a copy to yourself.
- When you get a reply from your T.A. print out the email (for next time).
That's it, you are free to go!