I am glad to welcome you here!
My name is Nadezhda Shirobokova, I am the author of two blogs:
“Computer Literacy with Hope” (the one on which you are reading these lines) and “Internet Literacy with Hope”.
Now it is difficult to draw a clear line between the computer and the Internet, and my blogs were created at a time when the line was still there. Now this line has practically disappeared, but blogs have remained.
About me
At one time, I graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics of the Leningrad State University(LSU, now it is St. Petersburg State University) with a degree in mathematics, teacher. Informatics as a subject was not yet formed. We studied math numerical methods and programming.
At the university, I first got acquainted with an electronic computer (computer). True, in my junior years I, like other students, did not see the computer itself, because it was located in the computer room, which exceeded the size of the university sports hall, and access to it was strictly prohibited.
In those years, we programmed on paper, and the program was stuffed on punched cards, which we handed over to the computer center. In order to change something in the program, it was necessary to kill the wrong punched cards and return them to the machine room again. So you run until you eliminate all the errors and debug the program. Hooray! Then you can already get a test in programming.
In my senior years, I worked as a computer operator in the computer room in the summer. It was exciting work. The computer then seemed to me a real miracle of technology. Now I myself could load punched cards into the computer. How quickly and beautifully she read information from punched cards - it was breathtaking! And how honorable it was to arrest punched cards with hanging student programs, you can guess for yourself
After some time, the coveted diploma of graduation from the Leningrad State University was received.
At that time, distribution to work was mandatory. Among the proposed options, the position of a programmer in a very promising institute, where special attention was paid to the automation of enterprise management, seemed to me the most interesting.
I worked in the newly created application software laboratory, where yesterday's graduates of various Leningrad universities were gathered. Progress did not stand still, and we no longer loaded punched cards into computers, but used displays that were connected to this computer. (By the way, the display is the granddaddy of the keyboard monitor.)
In my work, it was important not only to write a software package, but also to debug it in such a way as to foresee all the possible needs of users in advance. I had to redo the same program many times to achieve the desired result.
Subsequently, I always told my students that it was not at all scary to make a mistake in the program. The main thing is to find it and understand what exactly it is. As in life, in programming we learn from mistakes and improve.
Our project to develop an automated enterprise management system turned out to be very successful. For its development, our laboratory received a silver medal from VDNKh of the USSR.
This is partly why we were among the first in the country to become owners of personal computers that came to us from abroad along with modern software at that time. This said a lot: then one such computer could cost as much as, for example, 2 new Volga cars. And it was extremely difficult to get it even with the money. The situation with software and floppy disks, which were constantly, as they say, “in short supply” was no easier.
But our laboratory was away from all these problems. We were regularly supplied with all the necessary equipment, so we were always up to date recent achievements and developments in the field of computers and programming. It taught me how to navigate the rapidly changing world of computers, and also came in handy in my teaching practice to which I devoted a significant part of my life.
I went to work for the government educational institution additional education. Taking into account the progressive computer realities, an experimental platform was created on the basis of our institution, where practical methods of teaching computer technologies were created and implemented.
In times of rapid change, I had to not only educate others, but also myself to constantly study new programs and technologies, develop methods and immediately implement them in teaching practice. In fact, every new academic year was not like the previous one, old learning programs were replaced with new ones, or were subjected to significant modifications. The approaches to teaching have also changed. In a few years, we have stepped from the blackboard and chalk to the personal computer and the Internet.
However, now the world of computers is changing no less rapidly. New computer technologies require new teaching methods. The most promising way of learning, I think, is learning through the Internet. It is understandable: the Internet makes information accessible to everyone, regardless of their age, profession or place where they live. And one more plus: you can get information on the Internet at any time of the day, week, year. Knowing all this well, I decided to create this blog, which will help anyone who wants to comprehend the basics of computer literacy.
What is computer literacy
Under computer literacy I will understand the possession of a minimum set of knowledge and skills to work on a personal computer or on a device that replaces it (on a smartphone, tablet, etc.).
To be fair, it should be said that computer literacy is a broad and ambiguous term.
- First, everyone understands it in their own way.
- Secondly, over time, this concept undergoes noticeable changes, and this happens not only for an individual user, but also in society. I will explain this with examples.
About 25 years ago, how could one call a “computer literate” user who did not know the basics of programming? Of course not. But it was not necessary to be able to use a mouse: it did not even exist then.
But those were other times. The level of development of technology and software was completely different. And computer users were a narrow circle of system and application programmers.
About 10 years ago, a “computer-literate” user had to know tool programs for working with operating systems (for example, Norton Commander). They greatly simplified the work with a computer and did not require knowledge of programming.
Today, few people know these instrumental programs. With the advent of Windows, the computer world has once again turned upside down. Mice and windows came to the fore. And behind them is the almighty Internet.
However, progress does not stand still. Another 10 years will pass and the concept of computer literacy will change again.
A long journey always starts with one step. If you want to discover the world of computers, my blog may be your first step. I wish you success on the path of acquiring and gradually improving computer literacy! I will be glad to our further cooperation.
If you have any questions about computer literacy, please ask them in the comments to any article on this blog. I respond to comments first. My response to the comment will automatically come to you by e-mail.
About the blog “Computer Literacy with Hope”
This blog was created for people of any age who want to master computer literacy on their own, or improve computer literacy or help their relatives, friends, and acquaintances with this.
Today, computer literacy is equated with the ability to read and write.
Do you think the computer can write the report itself or send it to the boss? No, he can not. A computer is a tool that will help you both write a report and send it to your boss. This tool will not replace the head, but it will greatly simplify your work.
On my blog I talk
- about what a computer can do by itself,
- about what he can't do on his own.
- and how it can help you in life.
Remember that the computer is a great tool and a great helper. If you know how to use it.
My contacts
1) If you have a question, then I will most quickly answer the questions asked in the comments to any article on the site. You can also ask a question here:.
2) To write me a letter on this site, follow the link to the site page: .
Computer Literacy with Hope. Fill in the gaps - expand horizons! CompGramotnost.ru » Computer composition » What to do if the USB device is not recognized? What should I do if the USB device is not recognized?
When connecting a USB device to the computer, a message may appear: "The connected USB device is not recognized." What to do in this case? The reasons why USB is not recognized can be very different. Here is a list of only the main ones: the USB port or USB hub is faulty, or the latter cannot cope with the load; installation (installation) of special drivers for the connected device is required, or there are failures in already installed drivers; USB connected device is defective; the USB cable is damaged (for example, one of the wires or several wires may be broken inside the cable); there is a non-working USB controller on the motherboard; there was a failure in the operation of the operating system; there was an incompatibility of the device connected via the USB port with some installed components of the computer with or other peripheral devices; other serious problems that may occur when connecting a device through a USB port. How to fix certain problems? Let's consider them in the following order: Faulty USB port. Faulty USB ports on the front of the computer. The device is not recognized when connected to USB 3.0 ports. Faulty or overloaded USB hub. Drivers not installed or installed incorrectly. The device does not connect to your computer, but connects to other computers without problems. If the operating system reboots when the device is connected via USB. There is no desire to figure out the problem of connecting a device to a USB port on your own. 1 Faulty USB port. To "remove" the suspicion of a USB port malfunction, try connecting an unidentified device to another USB port. If the connected device is detected by the computer without any problems and works, then most likely the previous USB port is faulty. Do not connect to faulty USB ports, so as not to exacerbate the problem, and at the same time not damage the connected external devices. 2 Faulty USB ports on the front of the computer. If the device is not detected by the computer when connected to the USB connectors located on the front panel of the system unit, then try connecting this device to the so-called "root" USB connectors. They are located on the back (reverse) side of the system unit. Unfortunately, USB ports placed on the front often break due to more intensive use. If an unidentified device connected normally and works from the port on the back of the system unit, then the USB ports on the front panel of the system unit are faulty. They should not be used when connecting this device to a computer, but only to the "root" USB connectors. 3 The device is not recognized when connected to USB 3.0 ports. The new usb 3.0 is different from usb 2.0. Also, from experience, I can say that sometimes a USB device is not recognized if it is connected to a USB 3.0 port. These faster than USB 2.0 ports have become more and more common in computers. They look similar to USB 2.0 ports, but the inner plate of the connectors of these ports, if you look closely, is painted in a characteristic blue color. In this case, it is enough to connect the device to a USB 2.0 port (which does not have a blue plate), and the problem will be solved. This sometimes happens, for example, with external hard drives that can be connected to both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. Of course, when connected to a computer via USB 2.0, an external hard drive will be slower than when connected via USB 3.0. But here the key word is “work”, that is, the device can be used for its intended purpose. Therefore, it is better to work by connecting the device to a USB 2.0 port than not to work at all by connecting the device to a faster USB 3.0 port. 4 Faulty or overloaded USB hub. A USB hub (a USB port splitter or multiplier that allows you to make several USB ports from 2 or more out of one USB port) may turn out to be faulty if an unrecognized device was connected through it. In this case, try connecting this unidentified device directly to a USB port without using a USB hub. If, with a direct connection (without a USB hub) to the USB port, the device will be detected by the computer and work without problems, then most likely the USB hub is faulty. A USB hub can also be functional, but not able to cope with the load due to the connection of several devices through it. In this case, the USB hub must be unloaded by disconnecting some of the devices from it. Such unloading is especially important if several high-speed devices are simultaneously connected via the USB hub, for example, several external hard drives. And after unloading the USB hub, you need to try to reconnect a previously unidentified device. If it becomes easily recognized by the computer, then the problem was an overload of the USB hub. 5 Drivers not installed or installed incorrectly. Note that some devices, when connected to a computer, will work correctly only after installing special drivers and / or special software. If the drivers are not enough, then the computer will report the connection of this device, but will report it as an “unknown device”. Only after installing the appropriate drivers, the device will connect and work correctly. Pay attention to this, especially if you are connecting for the first time this device. Modern operating systems are designed so that when you first connect a device previously unknown to the system, the search and installation of drivers and special software for the correct operation of this device is carried out automatically. Moreover, the operating system searches for and installs drivers not only from its own list (list) of drivers, but also automatically searches for the appropriate drivers and programs on the Internet. However, for some complex devices (such as color laser printers), special programs and drivers may be supplied on CD/DVDs with the device. It is important here when installing and connecting this device for the first time, to use exactly these disks from the device delivery set, and strictly follow the instructions of the installation program. For example, sometimes the installer will ask you NOT to connect the device to USB before starting to install programs and drivers for color printers. This installer first makes the appropriate changes and additions to software operating system, and only then at a certain installation step asks you to connect the printer via USB. If you violate the sequence of driver installation, then, at a minimum, you will need to reinstall the programs and drivers of this complex device. 6 The device does not connect to your computer, but connects to other computers without problems. If the USB device is not recognized at all on your computer or does not work properly, then try connecting it to any other known working computer. If even there this device does not work or “lame”, then, as an option, the problem may be a malfunction of the device itself. If the USB cable is defective. Although in this case it is also necessary to check the USB cable. To do this, try connecting via any other USB cable of the same characteristics. This cable can be taken from any other device that has a similar connection method. If the connected device only on your computer does not work, but it connects normally to another computer, then the problem lies. in a hardware incompatibility, in a failure in the operating system on your computer, in installed drivers, or in some kind of hardware failure. You can solve the problem by reinstalling the drivers. To do this, you need to update (number 1 in Fig. 1) or remove (number 2 in Fig. 1) the previously installed device driver using the Device Manager from the Windows Control Panel. And after removing the driver, you should install it again, for example, by simply connecting the device via USB, and thereby start an automatic search and installation of the appropriate driver. Rice. 1 Remove or update device drivers using the Device Manager, called from the Windows Control Panel. In some cases, it may even be necessary to completely reinstall the operating system, but this is a very extreme case, when it is better not to do it yourself, but it is better to resort to the help of specialists. If you still decide to reinstall the system yourself (some PC users love this action, and quite often reinstall the system), and this does not work, then you should contact the service center, as this is most likely a hardware failure of the computer or connected via USB device. 7 If the operating system reboots when the device is connected via USB. If you need to restart your computer when you connect the device for the first time, you will receive a regular message about this and a warning from the installer. After that, you decide to reboot, and only after that the operating system reboots. That's the only way it should work if it works the right way. Here it is very important to pay attention to the following. If, when you connect any USB device, your computer restarts abruptly and suddenly without warning, then immediately stop connecting this device to your computer, immediately turn off the computer and call a specialist. Otherwise, your further attempts to turn on the computer or connect this device to it may result in serious and costly damage. No automatic reboot, without your participation and your consent, should not occur during the first and subsequent connections of external devices to the USB ports. 8 There is no desire to figure out the problem of connecting the device to the USB port on your own. If you do not want or do not know how to independently search for and eliminate the problem that has arisen when connecting the device via the USB port, then contact an experienced specialist. An amateur (acquaintance, neighbor) due to inexperience can only aggravate the situation by breaking the device or damaging the computer or operating system. To cheer up, I still want to note that the situation when a device connected via USB is not recognized by a computer is quite rare. It can be either a very rare device (some old communicator) or a very specific device (for example, hardware designed for MAC / OS, but not for Windows). It is better not to use such devices, and there will be no connection problems. It is important not only to correctly connect devices to the computer via the USB port, but also to correctly turn it off. I wrote about this using the example of removing a USB flash drive here. Modern operating systems have been worked out so that as little as possible there is a problem with connecting external devices to USB ports. Therefore, I would like to hope that the examples and tips presented in this article will be for you only an additional source of knowledge, but you will not need it as a guide to action.
Now you can't live without a computer. Not only in order to get a job, but even in order to continue working, one has to confirm his knowledge. It happens that employees who have worked for twenty or thirty years have to take computer knowledge exams. And it doesn't matter - candidate of sciences, doctor, professor ... If you didn't pass - look for another job. But the trouble lies in the fact that many people, working with a computer, know only those applications with which they work, and are not able to cope with the simplest task in something else, they do not understand the logic of computer technology. Well, plus ignorance of terminology, according to the principle "here they showed me to press this button." So even those who, it would seem, do not get off their laptop, turn out to be computer ignoramuses. By the way, this also applies to young people - often guys who see VK for days are not able to simply change the font size in Word or make a simple presentation.
What does the concept of "computer literacy" include?
By definition, it is a set of knowledge and skills necessary to work with computer technology. In detail, we can highlight:
- knowledge of the computer device;
- the ability to choose the required PC according to the parameters;
- knowledge of peripheral devices and the ability to connect them;
- knowledge of at least the Windows operating system;
- Knowledge of basic Office applications - Word, Excell, PowerPoint;
- the ability to master their new versions;
- ability to install and master new applications;
- ability to work on the Internet, knowledge of browsers;
- information retrieval skills.
Knowledge of the computer device and the ability to choose the necessary PC
The “definition” that a computer has “this box, which is a computer itself, has a screen and a mouse”, alas, I happened to hear from adults who have been using computers for years. However, normally, you need to know what a processor, RAM, hard drives, disk drives are, what are their main parameters - for example, speed - for a processor, volume - for memory, etc .; what are the monitors. Only knowing them, you can choose the necessary and sufficient tool for the job (this has to be explained to many).
Knowledge of peripheral devices and the ability to connect them
It is not by chance that I put this in a separate paragraph. If no one has problems connecting a mouse or speakers, then connecting a printer can turn into a critical problem for many, because they don’t know what to install a device driver on their computer, and if it doesn’t exist, find and download the device driver. There are even problems with connecting a multimedia projector!
Knowledge of Windows
It often does not exceed the level of “here is the screen, and on it you need to click on this picture.” Therefore, knowledge is required, at a minimum, how to use windows, the Start menu, the control panel, and independently change the simplest settings.
Knowledge of the main applications and the ability to master their new versions
Word - creating text files, editing text, changing the font, style and size, page settings, using templates and services, including spell checking. To this I often want to add the ability to use the keyboard - I always show how to work on a somewhat forgotten ten-finger system; it does speed things up though.
Excell - knowledge of tables, templates, use of statistics, creation of charts.
PowerPoint - the ability to create a slide, including without using templates, change the background, slide design, slide transition, animation settings, the ability to insert pictures and sound.
I will add that the appearance of new versions of many plunges into despondency, because "the buttons are not there, I can not find them." Therefore, it requires the ability to reorient to the use of new design and new features, eliminating the fear of making a mistake. Such fear is a phenomenon very common among older users.
Ability to learn new applications
In the course of work, there is often a need to use specific applications, be it accounting, working with maps, photos, video or sound. In this situation, the immediate environment often cannot suggest anything. The ability to understand the logic of the program, use the help, search for hints on the Internet - these necessary skills have to be taught additionally.
Internet
This is the simplest. Since even the most inexperienced regularly surf the Internet, sit in social networks. However, knowledge about searching for information, setting correct search queries is required. Often the problem is working with different browsers.
All of the above allows you to fully use the computer, feel comfortable when working. And, what is most interesting, the process of mastering this knowledge is not long at all, and is not difficult even for those who have a fear of the computer. Sometimes 9-10 seminars are enough (just in terms of the number of skills) to master this amount of knowledge.