TechServeTO
Below is a PDF document outlining how to download new apps and how to use file explorer on your device so that you may access all saved and/or downloaded files. It is in the format of a one page document that you are able to download and save, or download and print so that it can be referenced at any time.
We get it! Keeping up with technological jargon can be tricky and confusing! It can be extremely frustrating to understand what someone is trying to tell you when they begin using these foreign sounding words. To help you become familiar with the terminology of our technological devices, we’ve curated the following cheat sheet!
Desktop
Used to describe two different things. The first is a desktop computer, which we know this as being made up of the following separate components: a monitor (screen), a mouse, keyboard, and the computer hard drive tower. The second is what is commonly known as the screen of your monitor or laptop where you see your screen background photo and all your pinned apps and programs. It acts as your home page where you should be able to easily locate whatever you may be looking for (i.e. files, browser, email, etc.).
Browser
Your browser is what connects to the internet and opens webpages. It often has its own icon on the desktop of your computer and is commonly used to refer to applications like GoogleChrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, etc. Opening your browser gives you access to a Search Engine.
Search Engine
This term is an umbrella term used to make reference to an application on your device that allows you to access the internet. It can be any form of application, including but not limited to Google, Bing, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Ask.com, Yahoo, MSN, etc. It is here in the search engine that you can type an inquiry and search the web for your answer.
Software
A program or set of instructions that tell your device what to do. These can be any type of web browser, operating system (Microsoft Windows), drivers (allow your operating system to communicate with hardware like printers), and utilities (like anti-virus software). You often have to download these from external websites if they were not already included on your device. Be careful where you download software from and make sure you are downloading from reputable sources, preferably at the source of said software (i.e. if downloading Microsoft Office, make sure you are downloading it from the Microsoft Website, not a third-party website).
Hardware
Any physical component of your device that you require for it to function properly. It can be already be built into your computer like a hard drive for storing files and memory or the CPU – central processing unit, which acts like the brain of your computer. Or it can be an external feature, like keyboards, a mouse, printer, scanner, speakers, or USB thumb drive (memory stick).
Toolbar
Often located at the bottom of your screen, the toolbar is the bar/section on the desktop where you have your pinned icons and applications. For example, this is where you click the icon to access the internet, your email, connect to Wi-Fi, adjust the volume, or access a Microsoft Office application like Excel or Word. An example of one is seen below.
File Explore/Folders
This is an icon often found on your desktop or can be searched for in the search bar feature of your device. This icon allows you to access all documents, images, videos, or files that you have saved or downloaded on your device. You must open this icon to view any downloaded files from the internet as they will appear in the downloads folder for you to access, save, or discard. It is also here that you may view any saved files, like pictures, PDFs, Excel spreadsheets, or Word documents. This icon looks like a yellow file folder and is often located on the toolbar of your desktop or as an icon directly on your desktop screen.
Malware
Short form of saying “malicious software”. This term is used to refer to any software that can cause damage to your device. This may affect your device through the clicking of suspicious links in emails or on the internet. Therefore, it is important to be sure that the link you are clicking is safe or has come from a reliable and real source.
Phishing
Occurring through emails and is a form of email fraud. This is when you receive an email from a source that appears to be trustworthy coming from an individual asking for help or offering you a great deal or new program for your device. Often a link to a website is involved or an attached file for you to save. However, these are not safe emails as their purpose is to gather personal and financial information from you that may be used in identity theft or in an attempt to steal your money.
Uploading
When you move or copy a file from your device onto another platform like social media, a website, or shared drop-box. For example, adding a photo to your Facebook page to share with your friends.
Downloading
When you copy data or a file from another source other than your own device, typically performed over the internet. For example, if you download an instruction manual from an appliance website for you to read, or you download pictures a relative sent you over email or Facebook.
Virus
A type of software capable of causing harm to files and programs on your device either by deleting them completely, stealing your information, or damaging the computer’s hard drive resulting in it no longer working appropriately. A virus can be acquired through clicking suspicious email links from senders, clicking ads on a website, or accessing an unsafe website.
Cookies
Cookies are files that contain small amounts of data, for example, a password to access a website, and they help improve your browsing experience. These are often saved on your computer’s web-browser to ease your access of these same sites in the future. It is important to clear these occasionally to improve the operation of your device as overtime, when cookies accumulate, they can slow down your device. They also open the door for these hackers to steal information about you. Although generally safe to use on notable websites, cookies are a way for these websites to tailor their website to you as they collect information about what else you have viewed so that they may easily show you similar things.
Cache
Is a feature on your device that stores data (i.e. passwords, usernames, frequently access websites) so that in the future you have faster and easier access to them. The purpose of your device’s cache is to make the browsing experience easier for you. It is a handy way to enable your computer to save frequently used passwords so you don’t have to constantly keep entering them when you access a website. However, if your device is running slower than normal, it may be a good idea to check your cached data and delete some of it as this may help speed up your computer. When too much data is accumulated, it runs the risk of slowing down the computer system.
Occasionally clearing your cache and cookies are an important part of practicing proper browser hygiene and ensuring your device and access to the internet runs smoothly.
Skype is a free communication service that allows us to keep in touch with people from a distance. To use this free service, the person you are contacting must also have Skype. You can make video or voice calls, and directly message someone on Skype. Skype can be used on a desktop computer or on a mobile device. Skype also allows us to call someone’s phone directly, however, this is not a free service and has a fee.
Step 1:
Download Skype to your device from the Skype website: https://www.skype.com if you are using a desktop computer. Then click “Download Skype”. Select which type of device you are using and download Skype to your device following the prompts on the screen. The download will begin at the bottom of your browser. If you are using a mobile device or a tablet you will have to access your device’s app store and then type in “Skype” in its search feature.
Step 2:
Click on the completed download to begin its installation on your device.
An installer window will appear. Allow Skype to make changes to your device, this is safe and part of the installation process. Then click “Install” in the window that appears.
Step 3:
Follow the prompts on your screen. Sign in to your account or create a new one. If you create a new one you will need to fill in all the necessary personal information indicated with an asterisks (*) either by typing or selecting from a drop-down menu. You will also need to type in your Skype Name and create a password for your account. If your Name has already been taken you will have to come up with a new one or new combination of your name. For example, if Jane Smith is taken, try Smith, Jane OR Jane S OR Smith.J OR janesmith123. Find a name that has not been taken yet. We suggest writing down your selected Name and Password combination in case you have to sign-in again in the future.
To complete your account, you will have to verify that you are a real person, and not a computer, by filling in the box that says, “Type the text above here”. Above this text box there will be an image that has some combination of letters and/or numbers. You will have to type out the exact combination of the image in the text box. Then click “I agree” to agree to the Terms and Conditions.
Step 4:
Once you are logged into Skype, you may see this image below. Following the image and moving from top to bottom, the first arrow shows your account profile. You can click your name to make changes to your profile, change your activity status, access your settings, and sign out of Skype. The green dot to the left of your name shows that you are currently active on Skype. You can change this status to Invisible – if you don’t want your contacts to see you, Do Not Disturb – if you don’t want to receive any notifications, and Away – if you will not be active nor on your device.
The second arrow shows the different tabs you have access to. The first button is for current and past Chats you have been taking part in with your contacts. You can create a new chat under this page and set up a video call with a current person you have been chatting with. The second button is for Calls. This page allows you to see all past calls you have made or received and begin a new one. The third button is Contacts. Here you can see all existing contacts in alphabetical order. When you click a contact name, you can start a text conversation with that individual, start a video call, and send them files or images. The fourth button is Notifications. This is where you can view a summary of any missed alerts like calls or messages from your contacts. These missed calls or messages will also be found under the Chats and Calls buttons.
The third arrow shows which button to select on the Contacts page when you want to add a new contact. You will need to know the individual’s Skype Name OR you can “Invite to Skype”. The latter involves you sending the individual your profile via text message or email so they can add you to their contacts. This can be seen in the second photo below this step.
Step 5:
When making a video call ensure your camera and microphone are on and working. When the icon has a line through the centre of its circle it means that it is turned off. For example, in this image, the microphone has been turned off, but the camera is working. To turn it back on just click the icon, in this case, you would click on the microphone icon to turn it back on. To turn the icon off, you do the same and click the respective icon you wish to turn off, you will then see the line crossed through the icon. To end the call, press the red phone button. To accept an incoming call, the screen will display the contact that is calling you (i.e. you will see their name and/or photo). Then at the bottom of the screen you will see one green circle with a phone in it and one red circle with a phone in it. Click the green circle to answer the call. Click the red circle to reject the call.
