Name: _______________________________

 

 

Computer Basics
                                           (Windows)                            Version 3.2

 

This class introduces you to some basic knowledge and introductory skills that you will need to develop in order to become comfortable with accessing and using computer programs.  We will concentrate on the skills that will apply to many commonly used programs.  Topics to be covered include:

·          Hardware Basics

·          Windows Basics

·          Working with Text

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Hardware Basics

Computers come in all different shapes and sizes.  There are several basic components of a computer that are universal to all computers.  We now will discuss these universal components of the computer system.  You do not have to memorize this information.  Become familiar, and try to understand.

 

Hardware vs. Software

Hardware includes the parts of the computer system that you can actually touch (like the keyboard, Mouse, monitor, or CPU-the actual computer).  Software refers to the programs that you use on your computer (like a word-processing program) or the programs that make your computer work (you physically cannot touch these).           

CPU (Central Processing Unit): This is the part of the computer system that is the most important. This box is the brain of the computer system.  It processes, stores, and communicates information.  It will have many wires coming out of the back.
   
Monitor: This is the portion of the computer system that visually communicates with the user.  It is like a TV.  Almost all information communicated from the computer to the user is through the monitor.  (The Monitor is also referred to as “the screen”)

On most computer systems, both the CPU and the monitor have a power switch.


Working with the Keyboard

 

The Keyboard is an important tool that allows one to communicate with the computer.  It is composed of “Keys” that sends a signal to the computer that the computer recognizes and uses to carry out processes and programs.  Keyboards come in various shapes and sizes, but serve generally the same purpose. 

Esc Key: The "Escape" Key is located at the top left corner of the keyboard.  Pressing the Escape Key is most often used to cancel the current operation or exit the program.  Sometimes, if you are in trouble, you can press the escape key to get out of unwanted messages.
   
Tab Key:  The Tab Key is used to move from one position on the screen to another.
   
·  If the cursor is positioned in text, pressing the Tab Key usually defaults to moving the cursor to the next Tab Stop (right 1/2 inch) for each time you press the key.
   
·  If the screen cursor is positioned somewhere other than in text, pressing the Tab Key moves the cursor from one area of the screen to another  -Often to the next area where you need to type information or make a choice.
   
Caps Lock Key: Pressing the Caps Lock Key activates a feature that affects only the letter keys. Turning on Caps Lock causes all letter keys to type in uppercase.  All other keys will act the same as if Caps Lock is off.  (The Shift Key must be held down to access the uppermost character of any two-character key).  To deactivate Caps Lock, press the Caps Lock Key again.

A light above the word Caps Lock at the top right of most keyboards indicates whether or not Caps Lock is activated.

Enter Key :  
   
·  If you are working with text, pressing the Enter Key moves the cursor down to the beginning of the next line.
   
·  On the desktop, if you have highlighted (selected) a screen icon, pressing the Enter Key activates your selection. (The enter key works like double-click on the Mouse).
   
Shift Key : The Shift Key is always used in combination with other keys.
   
·  Holding down the Shift Key while pressing any letter key on the keyboard will cause the letter to be typed in uppercase (if Caps Lock is off).
   
·  Holding down the Shift Key while pressing any key that has two characters on the same key will cause the topmost character to be typed.
   
Space Bar : Pressing the Space Bar while the cursor is positioned within text will cause a space (one character wide) to be placed at the position of the cursor (like on a typewriter). (It doesn't matter where you press down on the spacebar).

Backspace Key :  
   
·  Pressing the Backspace Key while the cursor is positioned within text will delete the character (or space) immediately to the left of the cursor.
   
·  If text or a graphic object has been selected, or highlighted, pressing the Backspace Key will delete everything that was selected.

 

Most programs have an Undo button or menu choice that will allow you to undo the deletion.

Control Key : The Control Key (Cntrl) is usually used with another key. Holding the Control Key in addition to another key or keys will start a function. Later on, we will teach you some Control Key Functions that deal with word processing.
   

In most computer manuals and books, when having to press multiple keys at once, it is noted in a specific format. The format for the Control key uses a “+” sign to show that you need to press one key, and hold it while pressing another key.

Example: Cntrl+P, Cntrl+N, Cntrl+Alt+Delete

Alternate Key : The Alternate Key (Alt), similar to the Control Key, is used in combination with other keys.
   


Delete Key :  
   
·  Pressing the Delete Key while the cursor is positioned within text will delete the character (or space) immediately to the right of the cursor.
   
·  If text or a graphic object has been selected (highlighted), pressing the Delete Key will delete everything that was selected.
   
Most programs have an Undo button or menu choice that will allow you to undo the deletion.
   
Home Key : If the cursor is positioned in text, pressing the Home Key will move the cursor to the beginning of the current line of text.
   
In most computer programs, holding down the Control Key and the Home Key at the same time will move the cursor to the beginning of the document.
   
End Key: If the cursor is positioned in text, pressing the End Key will move the cursor to the end of the current line of text.
   
In most computer programs, holding down the Control Key and the End Key at the same time will move the cursor to the end of the document.
   
Arrow Keys: The four Arrow Keys are located several keys to the right of the Spacebar at the bottom of the keyboard. Pressing one of these keys will cause some type of screen movement in the direction of the arrow on the key.
   
·  If the screen cursor is positioned within text, the arrow keys will move the cursor one character at a time (left or right) or one line at a time (up or down).
   
·  If the cursor is not positioned within text, the Arrow Keys will often cause movement from one icon to another or from one section of the screen to another.

 

The Mouse
Mouse: The Mouse, contrary to popular belief, has no relation to an actual Mouse.  Moving the Mouse will move the cursor on the monitor in the same direction.  The Mouse is most like a remote control to a TV.  It is a tool that drives the computer that can be used “away from the computer.”  The mouse is your direct connection into the computer world.  The arrow/cursor/pointer is the visual cue that points, moves, and selects things on monitor.  You can remember this as your electronic finger that points to items on the screen (monitor).


Screen Cursor
The Mouse pointer may change shapes as you move it around the screen.  The function of the pointer changes as it changes shape.
   
·  The Mouse pointer is an arrow shape as you point to icons, menu choices, toolbar buttons, etc.
   
·  The Mouse pointer will change to an I-beam shape when it is over text. You can continue to use the Mouse to move the I-beam until it is positioned at the point where you would like to work with the text (e.g. where you would like to insert a word or letter). Then click the left Mouse button to actually position the cursor at that point.
   

Different Forms a Cursor Might Take:

 Using the Mouse

 

Using the Mouse is probably the easiest way to send information to your computer.  (You will also often use the keyboard to send information). 

Operating the Mouse

Using the mouse can be an uncomfortable, frustrating experience the first time you try using it.  However, over time, you practice and get better!  Let us now examine the correct way to operate the mouse!

Text Box: Positions of hands for mice

Positioning the Mouse

1. Let your hand rest comfortably on top of the Mouse.  Most people are right-handed and therefore, the Mouse is usually on the right side of the computer.  For all those left-handed folks out there, don’t let that stop you – You can easily get around that.  Sometimes, some left-handed persons move the Mouse over to their left hand area, and then use it there.  Others try using their right hand and soon become very ambidextrous!  The most important thing to remember is “Do what is comfortable for you!”  (For teaching purposes, we shall now continue using the right hand terminology.)
   
2. Fit the palm of your hand around the Mouse, with your index finger resting on the left (primary) Mouse button and your middle finger resting on the right (secondary) Mouse button.  Let the heel of your hand rest on the desk or table. 
   
3. As you move the Mouse, the Mouse pointer (the cursor on the screen) will move in the same direction as your hand.

 

Printer: This device takes information (usually text and pictures) from the computer and puts it on paper.
Floppy Disk: A removable storage device that holds about 1.44 MB (megabytes) and is in the shape of a flat card.
Floppy Drive: This is where one would insert the Floppy Disc into the Computer.


Hard Disks and Floppy Disks

The computer stores data (information) on disks.  As the disk spins inside the computer, the data on the disk is accessed.  The programs that you use (like a word-processor) and the program that runs your computer (the operating system) are stored on the hard disk.  The hard disk is usually inside the computer unit (the CPU).  The computer can also read data that is stored on a floppy disk if the floppy disk is inserted into an opening on the outside of your computer.  You can save information to both types of disks (hard disks or floppy disks).  Saving data on a floppy disk is most helpful if you will need to use the information on a different computer.

When you thought that was complicated enough, it gets even more so!  In addition to a hard disc, also known as a “hard drive,” there is another chip that is called “RAM.”  This is the “short-term-memory” of a computer.  Every time a computer is shut off, the short term memory is wiped clean.  However, the hard disk stores data permanently, unless you delete that information.

 

Inserting/Removing a Floppy Disk

The device that reads the data on a disk is the disk drive.  The drive that spins the hard disk is the hard drive and is usually labeled the C: drive.  The drive that spins the floppy disk is the floppy drive and is usually labeled the A: drive.

To properly insert a floppy disk into the drive, insert the disk with the metal edge first and the label (or the place where the label should be) facing up toward the ceiling.  It shouldn't take more than gentle pressure to get the disk to "click" in to place in the drive.  You should never force a disk into the drive.


To remove a floppy disk from the drive:

1. Make sure that the drive is not in the process of accessing the floppy disk. There is a small light next to the drive. If the light is on, the drive is accessing the disk. Do not insert or remove a floppy if the floppy drive light is on.
   
2. To eject the floppy disk, push the small button that is next to the floppy drive opening.
   
CD (Compact Disc): This is like a big, round, shiny floppy disc. This can hold more than 550 floppy discs equivalent of data.
   
CD Drive: To use a CD, you will need a CD Drive. To use a CD, push the button on the CD Drive. A tray will come out. Place the CD with the label on the top, then push the button again to insert the disc. Pressing the button again will eject the disc out.

 

 

This Concludes the Section With Hardware.
Welcome to the Computer:

Now that you can identify the basic computer components, let’s start using it.  The first thing to understand is that no matter what you do to the computer, you won’t be able to break the computer.  The computer can probably be fixed with just a few clicks. 

If you ever come to a problem you can’t fix, you can:

·  Ignore the Problem
   
·  Just turn off the computer until you can get help from someone else
   

But again, THE COMPUTER CANNOT BE BROKEN.  Another aspect about computers in general, is that they come in many different shapes, sizes, colors, and speeds but all perform essentially, the same tasks.  While some computers are made for math, and while others are specially made for games, they can all perform the same jobs.  Most computer components are very similar and sometimes a computer might have an extra button than your computer.  Or possibly the Mouse has another button or switch.  Working with computers requires some flexibility and adapting to different computer designs.  Also, within a computer there are many ways to do the same task, as you will learn.  The number one thing to keep in mind is be patient with the computer.  Sometimes, it has to think too!  Let’s get started!

ONE MUST REMEMBER THIS: Don’t memorize, understand!



Basic Computer Skills
Because the mouse is a critical component of the computer, Let us examine some techniques that will be used, using the mouse.

Mouse Techniques:  There are many different ways the Mouse is used. There are primarily the two Mouse buttons, known as the left and right button. The Left button is primarily used. Some Mouse techniques include:
   
·  Just turn off the computer until you can get help from someone else
   
·  Click This is the easiest of the techniques, however it is very important that you do it properly.
To click, you press down one of the mouse buttons. As you click it, it makes a “clicking” noise. Funny how that is, isn’t it? The most important skill with clicking is that it only takes a very light, short tap to click the mouse. Do not click too hard as this might damage the mouse. Poor little mouse! Once you have mastered clicking, you will be ready to move on to the next most essential practice, pointing.

· Left Clicking This is the primary “click” that you will use. This is clicking the button on the Left. When someone says, “Click here,” that usually means to Left Click here.

· Right Clicking This is used very seldom and is used to change options or perform specific features that usually are not common or necessary. This is clicking the Right Button. Occasionally you might hit the Right Button on the mouse. If you do, its not the end of the world. Just Left Click in an area of the screen that is blank or not in use.

   
·  Point Use the Mouse to move the Mouse pointer so that the pointer is hovering over the top of an icon or word on the screen. This is sometimes all you need to do in order to prompt a response from the computer.
   
·  Point and click Move the Mouse pointer over the top of an item on your screen and then (while holding your hand still) gently press and release the left button on the Mouse. This technique is often used to make a selection.
   
·  Double-click While hovering the Mouse pointer over an item on the screen, quickly press the left Mouse button two times. This may take some practice but it is a very useful skill. If you are having problems double clicking, you probably are moving the mouse slightly while double clicking. Try to steady your hand when double clicking. By double clicking, you are usually prompting the computer to take some sort of action on the item you are selecting.
   
·  Click and drag Press and hold down a Mouse button (usually the left button). As you are holding down the button, move the Mouse in any direction. Click and drag is a method used when “highlighting” or “selecting” text. To do this to text, first click before the beginning of the text and then click again at the beginning but hold down and move your Mouse to the end of where you want to highlight.
   
·  Click the right Mouse button Occasionally, you will use your middle finger to press the right Mouse button. This action usually results in the display of some sort of "shortcut" menu that is sensitive to where you are pointing on the screen.
   
Turning on your Computer
There will be a switch or button to turn on both the computer and the monitor.  The computer switch is most often on the front of the computer; but the monitor switch may be almost anywhere on the monitor.  (You will not see anything on the monitor screen unless both the computer and the monitor are turned on).  The computer goes through a number of tasks when starting up.  It may take a few minutes for it to complete this.  Patience, as you will learn, is often used with the computer.
 
Turning Off your Computer
Before you turn off the power to your computer, you should follow the procedure that allows the software to properly store files before it shuts down. On a PC using the Windows operating system (which most do), use the following Shut Down procedure:


1. Click on the  Start button at the bottom left of the screen.
   
2. From the Start menu choose Shut Down.
   
3.

In the dialog box that opens, select Shut Down (if it isn't already selected).

 
   
4. Click on the OK button.
   
5. If you see a message on your computer screen that says IT IS NOW SAFE TO TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER, press the switch on your computer to turn off the power. (At this point you will also want to turn off the computer monitor).
   
 


 

Windows Basics

   
Microsoft Windows is the operating system that is installed on most PC's (personal computers). This operating system is the software that runs your computer. If you want to use application software (such as a word-processor, spreadsheet, games, etc) this software must be installed on your computer.
 

Using the Task Bar:

The Task Bar is the area at the very bottom of the computer screen.  (The START button is at the very left of the Task Bar).  On the Task Bar, you will see a rectangular "button" for every program that you have open.  If you have several programs open at the same time, you only need to click on the program's button on the Task Bar to view that program in the current window.

Opening/Closing Programs (Application Software)

 
·  To use the Start Menu to open programs
   
1.  Point and click the Mouse pointer at the button at the lower left corner of the Windows Desktop (the screen that appears when you first start up your computer). This activates a pop-up menu. See it pop up?
   
2. Slide the Mouse pointer up the menu to Programs. The menu selection will be highlighted in blue and a sub-menu will be activated.
   
3. Slide the Mouse pointer straight to the right onto the sub-menu.
   
4. Slide the pointer straight up or down to highlight the program that you would like to use and then click on the selected program. (In some cases, you may have to activate other sub-menus to see the program that you want).
   

To use Shortcut Icons on the desktop to open programs

Some software programs automatically place a shortcut icon (a picture) on the desktop (the Windows background screen) when the software is installed.

 
·  To use the Start Menu to open programs
   
1.  Use the Mouse to point to the icon on the desktop that represents the program that you want to open.
   
2. Double click on the icon.
   


Solitaire

The object of solitaire is to stack all the cards in 4 piles in their correct suits, of ascending rank.  Piles of cards can be laid out in the bottom half of the screen as an intermediate step.

What solitaire does:

Solitaire is a fun way to learn how to use the mouse and become acquainted with it.  Solitaire can teach clicking, dragging, and double clicking.

 

Setup

Three Regions make up the solitaire screen.  These include Building Piles, The Deck, and Suit Piles.

 
·  Building Piles – Located in the bottom portion of the solitaire window, the building pile is where you will organize the cards before placing them in the suit piles. The top card in each pile is face up. The rest are Hidden. Once you remove the top card from the pile, you may turn over the card that was under the previously face-up card. The piles start from 1 card face-up on the left, and then continue by 1 up 1 down, 1 up 2 down, 1 up 3 down, and so on…
   
·  The Deck – Located in the top-left it consist of cards you will use in your piles. Once you click on the top card, it will draw a card and put it into an adjacent pile face-up. Clicking on the deck will draw another card. Once you have gone through the entire deck once, a large “O” will appear where the deck used to be. This lets you know that you have gone through the deck once and if you click on the “O”, the deck will be replaced again. You may go through the deck as many times as you wish.
   
·  Suit Piles – Located at the top-right of the screen, these stacks are empty at the beginning of the game. This is where you will stack your cards in ascending order (From Ace, 2, 3 etc...) and in the same suit to win the game.

How To Move Cards

To move a card from one pile to another pile, (left) click and hold (click and drag) and move your mouse so the card is on top of the pile that you want to move it to.  After the card is “over” where you want to place it, release the left mouse button and it should stay in place.  Sometimes, if you moved the card improperly, the card may fly back to its original position and you have to move it again.

 
Legal Moves in Solitaire
   
1. An ace can be placed in the Suit Pile.
   
2. A card at the top of a stack can be moved to its corresponding suit pile if the rank of the card at the top of the stack is less than the card.
  NOTE: Card Ranks are as follows:

Kings have a rank of 13

Queens have a rank of 12

Jacks have a rank of 11

Aces have a rank of 1
   
3. Only a king can be placed in a space not occupied by any other card in the building piles. (the empty space with no cards)
   
 
   
4. Ordered cards at the bottom of a building pile, in the deck, or in the suit pile can be moved to another building pile if there is a card in the ordered sequence that has an opposite color and a rank one less than the card at the top of the destination stack.
   
 
   

We will now move onto more advanced features on the computer.  We suggest that you open a program called Notepad. 

 To Open Notepad
   
1.  First Click Start
   
2. Move Over to Programs
   
3. Go to Accessories
   
4. Click Notepad
   
Working with Windows
   
Each program or object that you open appears in its own window (a rectangular area on the screen). These windows open on top of each other, so you may need to make some adjustments to be able to see the window in which you want to work.

At the top right of each window you will see three buttons

The Minimize button is on the left. Click on this button to cause the window to become a button on the task bar.

To restore a minimized window to its previous size, click on the window's button located on the Task Bar (the area at the bottom of the screen).

   
· The Maximize/Restore button is the middle button. This button actually toggles between two
   

different buttons. Click on the Maximize button to make the window its largest size. Click on the Restore button to return the window to its original (medium) size.

The Close button is on the right. Click on this button to close the window. This closes whatever program or document was in the window!

   
How to switch between applications using the minimize feature and the Taskbar.

You may open more than one program at a time on your computer. This is called multi tasking. There is a simple and easy way to organize all the tasks (or programs running). Windows makes it easy to organize these tasks. There are basically 4 different buttons that you’ll use to organize tasks. The first button is the programs’ buttons on the taskbar. The Taskbar, again, is all the way at the bottom of your screen. It usually is grey, but it can also be blue, green, red, and almost any other color you want it.

   
1.  First open a program (try notepad). Notice how the name of the program is displayed in a button on the taskbar. (This is true for most programs, however certain programs (commonly intense full screen games) will take up the entire screen and hide the taskbar).
   
2. Next press the minimize button at the top. See how it disappears on your screen, but its button with it’s name is still in the taskbar.
   
3. Now open another program (try calculator). Minimize that program also. See how it also is still in the Taskbar. The Taskbar always shows you what you have opened, even if you have minimized it and it is no longer on the screen. You can open as many programs as you want. There is no limit. To make the program reappear, left click its name and it will pop up.
   
4. Try the other program again. See how that program comes up too (probably over the other one). Now click on the other program’s window. It will come to the front. When you are done with a task/program, just simply click on the “X” button and it will close.
 
Notice how the “Calculator” program is in focus. You can tell because it has a blue title bar while the “Notepad” program is unfocused because it is grayish. Also, in the taskbar, the program in focus always has its button pressed inward.

Using Scroll Bars

The screen may have as many as two scroll bars available. The scroll bars allow you to bring new information into view on the screen. The scroll bars have a black arrow at each end and a square or rectangle in the area between the two arrows. The vertical scroll bar is located on the right edge of the screen. The horizontal scroll bar is located toward the bottom of the screen.

To use the vertical scrollbar to:

   
·   Move up or down a line at a time (or a small distance), click once on the up or down arrow.
   
· Move up or down several lines at a time, click and hold the up or down arrow.
   

Move up or down a portion of the screen, click and drag the scroll box up or down.

· Move up or down a screen at a time, click in the light gray area above or below the scroll box .

To use the horizontal scrollbar to:

· Move left or right a small distance, click once on the left or right arrow.

· Scroll left or right a large distance, click and hold the left or right arrow.

· Move left or right a portion of the screen, click and drag the scroll box left or right.

   
·   Move left or right a screen at a time, click to the left or right of the scroll box .
   
“Pull Down” Menus 
 
 
“Pull Down” Menus are in many different applications. They offer a neat, organized way to perform functions. Inside the “Pull Down” Menu, there are different features and functions that can be accessed, depending on the type of program that you are using. “Pull Down” Menus are grouped by categories, depending on their function. Most programs have certain categories such as “File,” “Edit,” and “Help.” The File “Pull Down” Menu provides features that deal with the program and how it operates. You can sometimes save a document, open a file, print a document or exit the program. Selections in this “Pull Down” Menu tends to vary depending upon the program you are using. The Edit “Pull Down” Menu has increased functionality and allows one to modify text, find objects and words, and so on. The Help “Pull Down” Menu always offers some form of help, whether it’s a manual, strategy guide, troubleshooting tips, or a wizard.

Troubleshooting is a wonderful process, similar to problem solving. You hear it often with computer problems. Essentially, you are looking at all the common problems and trying to find a simple solution.

A wizard is a step by step program that guides you through another program that is more complicated. There are wizards to help install programs on your computer, because it is very difficult to do so “manually.” Other wizards include making cards, making letters, and organizing data wizards.

To operate a “Pull Down” Menu, you left click the name of the menu, for instance, File, and then you click on an entry in the list and the operation is executed, or carried out.

 

Surviving Computer Freezes

   
  Computers may be unreliable and randomly crash.  If something “really weird” happens, your computer may have just crashed.  Usually in Windows, if your computer randomly restarts or the screen freezes (you can’t move the mouse or make the computer react to you in any way) this is a crash, your computer has possibly stopped responding.  Don’t fret.  This is common and is easily solved.  The computer has not been harmed in any way, although if you were working on a file and didn’t save yet, then the work you have done may be lost.
   
How to Recover from a Crash
   
1.  Wait a few moments. Your computer may have not crashed and just been processing (thinking) too hard. Your computer may be doing something you aren’t aware of. It may be saving a file (in case of a crash) or doing other Windows maintenance. After about a minute (depending on the computer) your computer should come back if it’s not frozen.
   
2. Try clicking on something or pushing some buttons on your keyboard to see if it will respond. Common keys to try could be the Windows Key (ÿ) or ultimately Control + Alt + Delete (push and hold the Control and Alt keys and then while holding, quickly press the delete key. Warning: If you press Control + Alt + Delete twice in a row, your computer may restart). After you push Control + Alt + Delete, if you see a new window come into view, you may be in luck. On this new window that appears, if there are any items in the list that say “Not Responding” on them, you may simply just select the item and click the button “End Task”. Stopping that item may take a few moments and another window may open asking if you are sure you would want to end that task.
   
3. If the computer fails to respond to your command, you may want to punch out the monitor, but this is not a good idea. The next step is to try restarting your computer. This is most easily done by pushing the power button (on some computers you may need to hold the power button in for 5 seconds or longer in order for it to turn off). If your power button fails to turn it off, just disconnect the power, by either unplugging the cord or turning off the power outlet. After you turn off the computer, it is a good idea to wait about 15 seconds to allow the power to completely dissipate.
   
4.
  Once your computer is o ff, just try to turn it as regular on and continue what you were doing. After an event like this, your computer may have some extra error protection processes that will run when you turn the computer on.

 

Now you can recover from a computer crash!

Working With Text

Working with text is also known as word processing. Word processors include Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Microsoft Works, Word Pad, or Notepad. Word processors work nearly the same as a typewriter. The flexibility of a word processor is its true value. With a typewriter, if you make an error on a document, you would probably need to retype the entire paper or use the special white tape. In a word processor, you can add, remove, and replace text anywhere without needing to retype anything. The word processor will automatically space and format your paper the way it is meant to be. The other advantage of a word processor is that you can make multiple copies of a paper without needing to go to a copier.

In a word-processor, when the Mouse pointer is within text, the pointer will be in the shape of an I-beam. When you click the Mouse to position the cursor in the text, the cursor will change to a blinking vertical bar that indicates the insertion point.


Inserting Text