Fundamental Computer Competency
NOTE: This document was adapted from the Open Source version (by Shun Pillay) to the proprietary version. For more information on the Free & Open Source Software vs. proprietary software view this web page:
- WITS FOSS Awareness Day
Familiarisation With The Desktop Environment
Graphical user interfaces – called GUIs (pronounced GOO-ee) – only started becoming widelyused in the mid 1980s. Prior to that, interactive interfaces to computers were text-based and keyboardoriented,and users had to remember a list of commands in order to run applications on their computers.
Nowadays, most operating systems provide a graphical user interface. This interface typically usesmetaphors for objects familiar in real life, such as the desktop, folders and views through windows.Interaction with the GUI is done using both keyboard and mouse, although the mouse specifically is anabstraction of the user’s hand – it can grab, move and manipulate objects on the screen.
1 Getting Started
Before you can do anything on the system, you must first log in. Logging in is the process whichidentifies and authenticates you to the system. This is done by entering your username – which tells thesystem who you are – and password – that confirms that you are who you say you are. This is why itis critical to change your password after the first time you log in. Once you are done using the system,always remember to log out.
1.1 Logging In
To log in, press Ctrl-Alt-Del (hold down the keys labelled Ctrl and Alt and press the key labelled Del or Delete, then release all three). The windows login screen will be displayed.
Type in your username at the User name prompt and press the Tab key. Then type in your password at the Password prompt and press the Enter key. Note that your password will not be displayed on the screen. Note also that the system is case-sensitive (it treats capital letters and small letters differently), so care should be taken to enter the characters in the correct case (i.e. make sure the Caps Lock key is not accidentally activated). Once your username and password are accepted by the system, the login screen will disappear, and the desktop and desktop items will begin to load.
1.2 Changing Your Password
It is imperative that you change your password the first time you log in to a new system. This is because the system administrator would have assigned the original password and this should be changed to something that only you know. The procedure to change a user’s password differs from system to system. The procedure for changing your Wits password is as follows:
1. Press Ctrl-Alt-Del. A Windows Security screen will appear.
2. Click on the Change Password… button, or press C.
2. You will be prompted for your old password (the one you logged in with) . You are asked for your old password to ensure that no one can change your password if you accidently have left yourself logged in. While typing you password on the screen you will notice the screen doesn’t show your password. Don’t worry; this is perfectly normal as it ensures that no one else can see your password Press Tab.
3. You will now be promted for a new password. Type in your new password and press Tab.
4. You will be asked to enter your new password again. This is to ensure that you entered the password correctly the first time and that you have not made a mistake. If you have chosen a bad password, as in easily guessed or too short, a message will be displayed on the screen and you will be asked for a new password (see below for guidelines on good passwords).
Take care to choose a good password that cannot be easily guessed by someone. Examples of bad passwords are those that are based on dictionary words, names of people and pets, and special dates such as your birthday. A good password contains a mixture of lower and upper case characters, as well as digits and/or special characters (such as !, #, @, etc.).
1.3 Changing Your WITS PASSWORD
Passwords can be reset via Password Self Service which you can do on the Student Portal home page.
- The actual link to Password Self Service is:
- Alternatively, you can contact the CNS Service Desk on (011) 717-1717 or E-mail
Procedures for changing your student account password
Method 1
Make your way to the CNS Service Desk and produce your student card for one of the Student Support staff to change your password.
Method 2
You need to enrol for Password Self Service while your password is still working. Once registered, you can reset your password via Password Self Service which you can access on the Student Portal home page.
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The following link will take you directly to Password Self Service to register or reset your password:
Method 3
If you are logged on at a CNS Open Access Computer Lab PC and would like to change your password at any time,
- Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and the Windows security screen will appear.
- Select the Change password option
- Type in your current password
- Type in your new password
- Confirm new password by retyping it.
- Click ok
/ The next time you log on, remember to use the NEW password.
1.3 Your Desktop
After you have logged in, you will see your desktop. The image below shows an example of a Windows desktop and identifies the important features on the desktop.
1.4 Logging Out
It is extremely important that you log out once you have finished working on the system, especially in ashared laboratory where other users have access to the machines. To log out, press the Start Button (labelled 1 in the diagram below) and select the Log Off option (labelled 2) from the Start menu.
2. Running Applications
As Wits Students you will be required to submit assignments and presentations as part of your curriculum and this means you will have to use application/programs to achieve this. Below are some of the applications you will most probably use during the course of your wits years
Microsoft Word Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel Internet explorer
Most applications have shortcut placed on the desktop. To run your desired application you can either
- Click on the icon, and when its selected press the <ENTER> key
- You can double click on the icon
Both these procedures will allow you to open the application, than you can proceed in using the application.
For instance, click on the WORD icon on your desktop and press the <ENTER> key and you will see the application open up as evidenced below