1. Hardware & Software
2. Operating Systems
3. Applications
4. Web Browsers
5. PDF Files
6. E-mail
7. Policies

Today's college student needs computer skills. Are you ready? Do you know the difference between a Macintosh and a Windows computer? Do you know what a dial-in connection is? If not, don't worry. We're about to catch you up to speed.

First, let's talk about the difference between hardware and software. Hardware are the physical components of your computer, including the hard drive, processor, and RAM. Software are the programs that reside in memory (on the hard drive) and make your computer useful.

An operating system is software that allows your machine to run other software and is the core program on a computer. Windows 95, Windows 2000, MacOS, and UNIX are all operating systems (OS's). Operating systems only run on hardware that they are designed for, so, for instance, the MacOS only works on Apple Macintosh machines. You can't load it on a Pentium III (a Windows machine).

Applications are programs that you use to accomplish a task. Microsoft Word, Netscape Communicator, and Adobe Photoshop are all applications. Applications sometimes come in a suite of programs. Microsoft Office is a good example. It comes with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and many others.

A web browser is an application used for viewing files on the World Wide Web (WWW). These files are usually written in HTML (HyperText Mark-up Language). Netscape Communicator is an Internet software suite that includes a web browser called Navigator. The interaction between the web browser and the web server is known as a client-server relationship. The web browser (the client) requests files from the web server. Other types of servers include FTP, News, E-mail, and File. You need an Internet connection (see Internet Access) to access servers and/or files on the Internet.

Some files on the WWW are in a format called PDF, or Portable Document Format. These files require a web browser plug-in or PDF reader to view the files. Acrobat Reader, a free plug-in provided by Adobe Systems, Inc., is the most common application used for viewing PDF files.

Electronic mail (e-mail) is the most common form of computer communication nowadays. E-mails are text messages sent from an e-mail application (another type of client) to an e-mail address (or addresses). E-mail is sent across the Internet through mail servers. Many people have more e-mail addresses than phone numbers. You'll need to use e-mail frequently during your studies at Wright State and in your professional career. You can use Webmail to read, respond to, and manage your WSU e-mail from any computer that has a Web browser and access to the Internet without any special applications loaded to your computer.

You will need to understand our computer policies. Read them now or return before you start using your account.

• Student Responsible Use Policy
• WSU Web Policy
• Residence Network Policy