Data refers to any piece of information that is stored in files on a computer. Files have unique filenames and extensions that indicate the file type, such as .jpg for images. Files are measured in bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, and gigabytes. Files are stored in folders on the computer's hard drive or other storage devices like USB drives, similar to paper files in a filing cabinet. Users can create, save, open, and move files between storage locations.

1. Data Storage A Module of the CYC Course – Computer Basics 7-19-10

2. What’s data? Data is any piece of information. Data is stored in your computer as a file with a specific name (filename). For example: A picture taken with your digital camera is data. All the files you create are data.

3. Filenames Unique name of up to 255 letters, numbers, spaces or a combination, but don’t use \ “ * ? “ > < | May have an extension at the end - “.xxx” - that indicates what type of file it is.

4. Types of files .wma, .wav, .mp3 or .mp4 .doc Software Programs & Saved Files Images, Photos, Clipart, Graphics Music & Video . jpg .wmv, .mpeg, .avi or .mov . gif .ppt

5. File size Byte - A unit of information equivalent to a single keyboard character. Kilobyte (KB) - A unit of approximately 1000 bytes (1024 to be exact). Megabyte (MB) - A unit of approximately 1 million bytes. Average size for a 3.5-4 minute song is 4 MB. Gigabyte (GB) - A unit of approximately 1 billion bytes. Most hard drive sizes are listed in gigabytes.

6. Where are files stored or saved on your computer?

7. How does it work? Think of a filing cabinet… File Folders with Labels Document (create or copy) Move or save files to folders on your computer just like a paper system

8. Storage Types USB Flash Drive Hard Drive: C CD-ROMs & DVD-ROMs Internet (cloud)

9. Viewing storage areas

10. Practice Save a file to your desk top. Create a file, click File, Save As Open a file already on your hard drive. Go to Start, My Computer

11. Sources This curriculum was partially adapted from a workshop created by N. Riesgraf for the Hibbing Public Library (MN). Funding provided by IRRRA Do I.T. Community Technology Awareness Program. Updated March 2004. Revised for Jacksonville Public Library Dec 2005 by Kate Holmes. Updated March 2004. This curriculum was partially adapted from a slide presentation entitled “Windows Presentation 2009” created by the Indian Prairie Public Library. Additional content created by Connect Your Community, a project of OneCommunity , funded by the federal Broadband Technology Opportunities Program . 14

12. Creative Commons License This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0 15