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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:

• Learn how to set up and configure your new computer, and install new computer hardware and software

• Get the scoop on how to work with Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista, and how to personalize it just for you

• Learn how to use the most popular computer programs—including Microsoft®  Word, Microsoft®  Works, Microsoft®  Money, and Quicken

• Connect to the Internet for web surfing, email, instant messaging, blogging, and podcasts—and create your own MySpace page

• 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

• Find out how to protect your PC from spam, viruses, spyware, and computer attacks

• 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

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 13 Ratings

Perfect for my needs. - 2008-11-16
Reviewer Rating:
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.

Great for Beginner's of any age! - 2008-12-26
Reviewer Rating:
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 Computer basics - 2009-03-02
Reviewer Rating:
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.

computer illiterate - 2009-01-29
Reviewer Rating:
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.

A Completely Useless Book - 2009-10-04
Reviewer Rating:
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.

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Top Level Categories:
Hardware

Sub-Categories:
Hardware > Introduction