What is a PDF File?

What is a PDF file? Adobe PDF files—short for portable document format files—are one of the most commonly used file types today. If you’ve ever downloaded a printable form or document from the Web, such as an IRS tax form, there’s a good chance it was a PDF file. Whenever you see a file that ends with .pdf, that means […]

Free Software

There are free programs available for almost any purpose you can imagine. If you’re looking for free software for a specific task or want to find a free alternative to an expensive commercial program, it’s probably somewhere on the Internet. Often, the most difficult part is finding the safest, most reliable free programs among the […]

Downloading and Uploading

Downloading and uploading While exploring the Internet, you’ve probably encountered the terms downloadingand uploading. Downloading means receiving data or a file from the Internet on your computer. Uploading means sending data or a file from your computer to somewhere on the Internet. These terms describe activities you may have already learned how to do. If you’ve ever opened an example document […]

Understanding File Extensions

Understanding file extensions Your computer has many different types of files on it, and each one has its own file extension. A file extension is a three- or four-letter identifier found at the end of a file name and following a period. These extensions tell you about the characteristics of a file and its use. In […]

Undo Your Mistakes

Undo your mistakes: Have you ever made a big mistake while doing work on a computer and wished it hadn’t happened? Don’t worry, there’s a feature that can help. Most programs have an Undo command that reverts back to the last change you made to your current project. If your last change was adding or pasting text into […]

How to use your computer’s built-in help

How to use your computer’s built-in help Everyone needs to look for help sometimes. Luckily, when you want help with a computer program, it’s usually easy to find. Most programs have a help feature somewhere, and learning how to use it can make a big difference. You may not find everything you need, but your […]

Getting started with your first computer

A computer is more than just another household appliance. The vast amount of information and possibilities can be overwhelming. But you can accomplish a lot with a computer, and using one can be a good experience. Let’s walk through getting started with your first computer. Turning on a computer for the first time can be […]