Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics 4th Edition
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Who knew how simple computers could be?
What can you do with your new PC? The sky’s the limit! Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics will show you how to set up and configure your PC, including how to connect to the Internet. Then you’ll learn how to fix your digital photos, create digital scrapbooks, download digital music to your iPod, burn your own custom CDs, watch DVD movies, write letters and memos, balance your checkbook, and create show-stopping presentations. And if you need more computing horsepower, you’ll even learn how to upgrade your PC and add new peripherals. It’s all easy, thanks to Michael Miller’s step-by-step instructions and helpful advice!
Now updated for both Windows Vista™ and Windows® XP, Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics will have you using your new PC in no time! Here’s a preview of
what you’ll find inside:
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Learn how to set up and configure your new computer, and install new computer hardware and software
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Get the scoop on how to work with Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista, and how to personalize it just for you
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Learn how to use the most popular computer programs—including Microsoft® Word, Microsoft® Works, Microsoft® Money, and Quicken
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Connect to the Internet for web surfing, email, instant messaging, blogging, and podcasts—and create your own MySpace page
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Become a digital media pro—learn to work with digital cameras and photos, download and listen to digital music, and burn your own CDs and DVDs
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Find out how to protect your PC from spam, viruses, spyware, and computer attacks
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Learn how to set up a wireless home network and share your Internet connection with multiple PCs
Introduction
I Getting Started
1 Understanding Desktop PCs
2 Understanding Notebook PCs
3 Setting Up Your New Computer System
II Using Windows
4 Getting to Know Windows Vista
5 Using Windows XP on Older Computers
6 Personalizing Windows
7 Working with Files, Folders, and Disks
III Upgrading and Maintaining Your System
8 Adding New Hardware and Devices to Your System
9 Setting Up a Home Network
10 Performing Routine Maintenance
11 Dealing with Common Problems
12 Protecting Your PC from Viruses, Spam, and Other Online
IV Using Computer Software
13 Installing New Software
14 The Suite Spot: Working with Microsoft Works and Microsoft
15 Letters, Memos, and More: Working with Microsoft Word
16 Crunching Numbers: Working with Microsoft Excel
17 Presenting Yourself: Working with Microsoft PowerPoint
18 Banking and Beyond: Working with Microsoft Money and Quicken
19 Connecting to the Internet—At Home and on the Road
V Using the Internet
20 Sending and Receiving Email
21 Surfing the Web with Internet Explorer
22 Searching the Web
23 Shopping Online
24 Buying and Selling in eBay Online Auctions
25 Exploring Blogs and Podcasts
26 Social Networking with MySpace
27 Creating Your Own Web Page
28 Exploring Other Cool and Useful Websites
29 Sending and Receiving Instant Messages
VI Exploring the Digital Lifestyle
30 Using Your PC with a Digital Camera
31 Organizing and Editing Your Digital Photos
32 Sharing Your Digital Photos Online
33 Playing, Ripping, and Burning CDs
34 Downloading and Playing Digital Music
35 Using Your PC with an iPod or MP3 Player
36 Playing DVDs and Videos on Your PC
37 Downloading and Playing Videos from the Web
38 Making Your Own Digital Home Movies
Index
Michael Miller is the best-selling author of more than 75 how-to books, covering topics such as Windows XP and eBay online auctions. Michael has helped more than a million readers be productive with their PCs and has earned a reputation for practical advice, technical accuracy, and making difficult topics easy to understand.
Category: Computers & Internet
Covers: General Computing
User Level: Beginning
$21.99 USA / $26.99 CAN / £15.99 Net UK
www.quepublishing.com
computer illiterate
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
I found parts of this book helpful-probably half, because I am pretty much self taught. It did confuse me a bit at times. I would like to have checked out other computer books to compare for beginners, but didn’t.
Absolute Beginner’s Guide Computer basics
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I haven’t had a chance to use this book yet but I know it will be handy and helpful. I am taking an IT class right now and I love it. So I know that this book will be very helpful in the future.
Perfect for my needs.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I needed an easy to follow, yet comprehensive textbook to teach a class called Fundamentals of computers and the Internet. This book is simple, yet covers all the information a first time computer user needs–without being condescwending like the “For Dummies” series.
another winner
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Having had some experience on computer I am not a complete novice but close enough. This book is in understandable language and very easy to implement. It has been the most helpful tool I have come across. Kudo’s
A Completely Useless Book
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
I was very disappointed in this item. It purports to be helpful, was rated as 5 stars and I have yet to find one thing that is of help. The questions I needed answering are too numerous to detail, but suffice to say that NONE of them were answered by this book. I would actually like a refund.
I am not an idiot, I work extremely complex electronic equipment, owning a digital recording studio with many pieces of outboard gear, so I feel qualified to make the statement that this book was of no use to me whatever.
5 minutes of “Facetime” with a high-school age person anwered more questions for me than spending hours searching through this book.
I would recommend not buying this book at any price.
Quite a well done
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
The nice thing about this book is that it is very clear that the author has ‘been there, done that.’ As he writes he talks about things like surfing the web and when he does he gives pointers about things like viruses and other malware.
Although I’ve been involved with PC’s for a lot of years, he has much more experience in many aspects than I do. For instance, I’ve just gotten tasks to do with digital cameras. He has several chapters on working in this area that told me a lot about what I needed to do. I was also impressed with his discussion of the new Vista operating system. I haven’t moved to Vista just yet, but it seems that sooner or later it will be required. Reading what he had to say gave me the heads up on the system.
All in all, quite a useful book.
Curious
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I have been using a computer for many years and still did not understand all the task/programs I could have been using. This book has been extremely helpful working as a primer explaining everything very clearly and is still up to date with the Windows Vista. I would highly recommend this book.
Great for Beginner’s of any age!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I recently purcahsed my first PC desktop computer and have been working from a laptop for over three years. I had been a MAC user for years but a change in jobs pointed me toward te PC. This book describes things that I wish I had known three years ago for laptops but also is helping me with what to do and not to do for the PC desktop. It is simple and to the point but somewhat fun to read for a manual/reference book. It compares laptops and desktops and Vista and XP. Haven’t finished reading the book but have read several chapters and have skimmed a few more. I like the tips, stop and notes on the side of the pages–they get your attention. Would like to loan it to some friends and maybe my father but I don’t want to have it out of my hands for fear of not getting it back. Guess I will have to see if there are any used or even a new one if someone wants to borrow it.
Absolute Beginner’s Guide- Five Stars
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This a great book for aquainting yourself with your computer. If you are new to the computer world as I was you will find this book very helpful in taking control of your computer instead of it controlling you. It covers both versions of Windows: XP & Vista. I would recommend it to anyone just starting out. I think it would be safe to say it could save you a lot of time in the longrun and maybe keep you from pulling your hair out!
good for beginner
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Good book for beginner, if you are just learning get this book.There are things in this book that took me years to learn by trial and error unfortunaely for me I only learned a couple of new things, but it did give me some certainty in what I did know. However Im now looking for a intermediate book which is what I really needed.
User Friendly For the Novice
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
A great guide to using that computer you’ve finally bought. Clear and concise directions in layman terms that are almost fun to read and put to the test.
Good guide
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
The book lives up to its reputation as being a beginners guide. Good resource for those now getting into computers. And, it also has some good steps for Vista too.
a absolute “dummie “escalated beyond a beginners guide
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Like most people,i avoided the 21st century technology by continuly saying to myself it was not something i needed.I finally took the plunge,a friend set up my Toshiba A2125 and found the”Absolute beginners guide on your web page.It,s format coinsides with my 73 year old mindset.Congradulations Michael Miller