Introduction
How This Book Is Organized
Conventions Used in This Book
Menu Commands
Shortcut Key Combinations
Web Page Addresses
Special Elements
Let Me Know What You Think
I. GETTING STARTED.
1. Understanding Your PC Hardware.
What Your Computer Can-and Can't-Do
Good for Work
Good for Play
Good for Managing Your Finances
Good for Keeping in Touch
Good for Getting Online
Getting to Know Your Personal Computer System
Pieces and Parts-Computer Hardware
The Right Tools for the Right Tasks-Computer Software
Making Everything Work-with Windows
Don't Worry, You Can't Screw It Up-Much
Computer Hardware Basics
Your PC's System Unit-The Mother Ship
Microprocessors: The Main Engine
Computer Memory: Temporary Storage
Hard Disk Drives: Long-Term Storage
Removable Disk Drives: Portable Storage
CD-ROM Drives: Storage on a Disc
DVD Drives: Even More Storage on a Disc
Keyboards: Fingertip Input
Mice: Point-and-Click Input Devices
Modems: Getting Connected
Sound Cards and Speakers: Making Noise
Video Cards and Monitors: Getting the Picture
Printers: Making Hard Copies
Laptop PCs-Lightweight All-in-One Systems
2. Setting Up Your New Computer System.
Before You Get Started
Connecting the Cables
Connect in Order
Connect by Color
Turning It On and Setting It Up
Powering On for the First Time
Powering On Normally
II. USING WINDOWS.
3. Understanding Microsoft Windows XP.
What Windows Is-and What It Does
Different Versions of Windows
Working Your Way Around the Desktop
Important Windows Operations
Pointing and Clicking
Double-Clicking
Right-Clicking
Dragging and Dropping
Hovering
Moving and Resizing Windows
Maximizing, Minimizing, and Closing Windows
Scrolling Through a Window
Using Menus
Using Toolbars
Using Dialog Boxes, Tabs, and Buttons
Using the Start Menu
Launching a Program
Switching Between Programs
Shutting Down Windows-and Your Computer
Understanding Files and Folders
Managing PC Resources with My Computer
Managing Files with My Documents
Managing Windows with the Control Panel
All the Other Things in Windows
Accessories
Internet Utilities
System Tools
Getting Help in Windows
4. Taking Windows for a Spin.
Playing a Game
Launching a Program-and Printing and Saving a Document
Opening Notepad
Writing Your Note
Printing Your Note
Saving Your File
Closing the Program
Viewing Your Documents
Examining Your Hard Disk
Shutting Down Your System
5. Personalizing Windows.
Changing the Look of Your Desktop
Changing the Desktop Size
Selecting a New Desktop Theme
Personalizing the Desktop Background
Changing the Color Scheme
Organizing Desktop Icons
Creating New Shortcuts on the Desktop
Changing the Name of a Shortcut
Arranging Icons on the Desktop
Cleaning Up Your Desktop Shortcuts
Changing the Way the Start Menu Works
Applying Start Menu Special Effects
Displaying More-or Fewer-Programs on the Start Menu
Selecting Which Icons to Display on the Start Menu-and How
Adding a Program to the Start Menu-Permanently
Activating Special Effects
Enabling ClearType
Using the Effects Dialog Box
Using the Performance Options Dialog Box
Changing Your Click
Using a Screensaver
Resetting the Time and Date
Setting Up Additional Users
6. Working with Files and Folders.
Viewing Folders and Files
Changing the Way Files Are Displayed
Sorting Files and Folders
Grouping Files and Folders
Saving Your Settings, Universally
Navigating Folders
Creating New Folders
Renaming Files and Folders
Copying Files
The Easy Way to Copy
Other Ways to Copy
Moving Files
The Easy Way to Move
Other Ways to Move a File
Deleting Files
The Easy Way to Delete
Restoring Deleted Files
Managing the Recycle Bin
Working with Compressed Folders
Compressing a File
Extracting Files from a Compressed Folder
III. UPGRADING AND MAINTAINING YOUR SYSTEM.
7. Adding New Hardware and Devices to Your System.
Most Popular Peripherals
Understanding Ports
Adding New External Hardware
Connecting via USB or FireWire Ports
Connecting via Parallel or Serial Ports
Adding New Internal Hardware
Using the Add Hardware Wizard
Connecting Portable Devices to Your PC
8. Setting Up a Home Network.
How Networks Work
Wired Networks
Wireless Networks
Connecting and Configuring
Setting Up a Wired or Wireless Network
How It Works
What You Need
Making the Connections
Running the Network Setup Wizard
Setting Up Wireless Security
Sharing Files and Folders Across the Network
9. Performing Routine Maintenance.
Free Up Disk Space by Deleting Unnecessary Files
Make Your Hard Disk Run Better by Defragmenting
Perform a Hard Disk Checkup with ScanDisk
Keep Your Hardware in Tip-Top Condition
System Unit
Keyboard
Mouse
Monitor
Printer
10. Dealing with Common Problems.
How to Troubleshoot Computer Problems
Using Windows Troubleshooters
Troubleshooting in Safe Mode
What to Do When Windows Freezes
What Causes Windows to Freeze?
Dealing with Frozen Windows
Dealing with a Frozen Program
Dealing with a Major Crash
Undoing the Damage with System Restore
Setting System Restore Points
Restoring Your System
IV. USING COMPUTER SOFTWARE.
11. Installing New Software.
Automatic Installation
Manual Installation
Installing Software from the Internet
Removing Old Programs
12. Working with Microsoft Works.
Different Versions of Works
Basic Works
Works with Word
Works Suite
Working with Works
Launching a Program
Creating a New Document
Opening an Existing Document
Managing a Big Project
Other Popular Software Suites
Microsoft Office
Corel WordPerfect Suite
13. Working with Words.
Exploring the Word Interface
What's Where in Word
Viewing a Word Document-in Different Ways
Zooming to View
Working with Documents
Creating a New Document
Opening an Existing Document
Saving the Document
Working with Text
Entering Text
Editing Text
Formatting Text
Checking Spelling and Grammar
Printing a Document
Previewing Before You Print
Basic Printing
Changing Print Options
Formatting Your Document
Formatting Paragraphs
Using Word Styles
Assigning Headings
Working with an Outline
Working with Pictures
Inserting a Picture from the Clip Art Gallery
Inserting Other Types of Picture Files
Formatting the Picture
14. Working with Numbers.
Understanding Spreadsheets
Entering Data
Inserting and Deleting Rows and Columns
Insert a Row or Column
Delete a Row or Column
Adjusting Column Width
Using Formulas and Functions
Creating a Formula
Basic Operators
Including Other Cells in a Formula
Quick Addition with AutoSum
Other AutoSum Operations
Using Functions
Sorting a Range of Cells
Formatting Your Spreadsheet
Applying Number Formats
Formatting Cell Contents
Creating a Chart
15. Working with a Database.
Creating a New Database
Creating a Preformatted Database
Creating a Blank Database
Changing Views
Editing Your Database
Adding Data
Adding New Records
Adding New Fields
Sorting and Filtering
Sorting Data
Filtering Data
Creating a Report
Printing a List
Using ReportCreator to Create a Report
16. Working with Presentations.
Understanding Microsoft PowerPoint
The PowerPoint Workspace
Changing Views
Creating a New Presentation
Applying a Template
Inserting New Slides
Working from an Outline
Adding Text
Formatting Your Slides
Formatting Text
Changing Backgrounds
Adding Graphics
Inserting Pictures
Creating Charts
Applying Slide Transitions
Start the Show!
17. Managing Your Finances.
Setting Up Your Accounts
Navigating Money
Home Sweet Home
Money's Financial Centers
Managing Your Bank Account
Entering Transactions
Paying Recurring Bills
Balancing Your Checkbook
Banking Online
Setting Up Online Banking
Paying Bills Online
18. Playing Games.
Building a State-of-the-Art Gaming System
Installing and Playing PC Games
Playing Games Online
Playing Games Against Other Players
Finding Videogame News and Tips Online
V. USING THE INTERNET.
19. Connecting to the Internet.
Different Types of Connections
Traditional Dial-Up
Broadband DSL
Broadband Cable
Broadband Satellite
Before You Connect
Setting Up a New Connection
Connecting via a Commercial Online Service
Sharing an Internet Connection
20. Surfing the Web.
Understanding the Web
Using Internet Explorer
Basic Web Surfing
Advanced Operations
Saving Your Favorite Pages
Revisiting History
Printing
Blocking Pop-up Ads
Let's Go Surfin'!
21. Finding Stuff Online.
How to Search the Web
Constructing a Query
Using Wildcards
Searching for an Exact Phrase
Where to Search
Google-the Most Popular Search Site on the Web
Other Search Engines
Directories
Metasearch Engines
Searching for People and Businesses
Searching for News, Sports, and Weather
Searching for the Latest News
Searching for Sports Headlines and Scores
Searching for Weather Reports
Searching for Financial Information
Searching for Medical Information
22. Shopping Online.
How to Shop Online
Step 1: Find a Product
Step 2: Examine the Product
Step 3: Order the Product
Step 4: Check Out
Step 5: Confirm the Order
How to Find the Best Prices Online
Price Comparison Sites
Comparing Prices at Shopping.com
How to Shop Safely
Booking Travel Reservations Online
23. Buying and Selling in eBay Auctions.
How Does an eBay Auction Work?
eBay Bidding, Step-by-Step
Buy It Quick with Buy It Now
Protecting Yourself Against Fraudulent Sellers
Checking Feedback
Getting Help After a Bad Transaction
eBay Selling, Step-by-Step
24. Sending and Receiving Email.
Setting Up Your Email Account
Understanding the Outlook Express Window
Managing Your Email
Composing a Message
Reading New Messages
Replying to a Message
Sending Files via Email
Attaching a File to an Email Message
Opening an Email Attachment
Protecting Against Email Viruses
Using Address Book to Manage Your Contacts
25. Using Instant Messaging and Chat.
Sending and Receiving Instant Messages
Getting Connected
Adding New Contacts
Sending a Message
Receiving a Message
Chatting with Friends Online
Chatting at Yahoo!
Other Chat Sites
26. Using Newsgroups, Message Boards, and Blogs.
Reading and Posting to Usenet Newsgroups
Reading Newsgroup Articles
Creating and Posting Newsgroup Articles
Participating in Web-Based Message Boards
Using Yahoo! Message Boards
Where to Find Message Boards
Joining the Blog Community
Searching for Blogs
Creating Your Own Blog
27. Downloading Files.
Finding Files Online
Downloading from a File Archive Website
Downloading Files from Any Web Page
28. Creating Your Own Web Page.
Building a Web Page at a Home Page Community
Visiting the Communities
Creating a Home Page at Yahoo! GeoCities
Using Page-Building Software
Uploading Your Pages
29. Protecting Your PC from Viruses, Spam, and Other Nuisances.
Safeguarding Your System from Computer Viruses
Signs of Infection
How to Catch a Virus
Practicing Safe Computing
Disinfecting Your System with Antivirus Software
Fighting Email Spam
Protecting Your Email Address
Blocking Spammers in Outlook Express
Fighting Spam with Microsoft Outlook
Using Anti-Spam Software
Hunting Down Spyware
Defending Against Computer Attacks
Using the Windows Firewall
Using Third-Party Firewall Software
Shielding Your Children from Inappropriate Content
Using Content Filtering Software
Kids-Safe Searching
Encouraging Safe Computing
VI. PLAYING MOVIES AND MUSIC.
30. Playing CDs and DVDs.
Understanding CD/DVD Playback
Using Windows Media Player
Playing a CD
Playing a DVD
Using Windows Media Player to Play DVDs
Changing Display Size
Navigating DVD Menus
Changing Audio Options
Playing in Slow Motion-or Fast Motion
Displaying Subtitles and Closed Captions
31. Ripping and Burning CDs.
Understanding Digital Audio Formats
Ripping Songs from CD to Your PC
Setting the Format and Quality Level
Ripping the Files
Burning Your Own CDs
How CD Burning Works
Burning the CD
Copying Entire CDs
32. Downloading and Playing Digital Music.
Downloading from Online Music Stores
iTunes Music Store
MSN Music
Other Online Music Stores
Downloading from Free Music Sites
Downloading from File-Trading Networks
Where to Trade Files Online
Downsides to File Trading
Playing Digital Music with Windows Media Player
Playing Digital Audio Files
Creating a Playlist of Your Favorite Songs
Listening to Internet Radio
33. Using Your PC with a Portable Music Player.
Working with the Apple iPod
Connecting an iPod to Your PC
Managing Your Music with iTunes
Assembling Playlists
Downloading Songs from the iTunes Music Store
Transferring Songs to Other Portable Music Players
34. Editing Your Own Home Movies.
Configuring Your System for Video Editing
Choosing a Video Editing Program
Working with Windows Movie Maker
Recording from a Camcorder
Editing Your Video
Titles, Transitions, and Other Options
Saving-and Watching-Your Movie
Burning Your Movie to DVD
35. Burning and Copying DVDs.
Choosing a DVD Creation Program
Creating a Movie DVD Direct from Tape
Creating a Movie DVD from Video Files
Creating a DVD Slideshow
Copying a DVD
VII. WORKING WITH DIGITAL PICTURES.
36. Connecting a Digital Camera or Scanner.
Making the Connection
Transferring Pictures via USB or FireWire
Transferring Pictures from a Memory Card Reader
Scanning a Picture
37. Managing Your Digital Photos.
Managing Your Photos
Choosing a Photo Editing Program
Editing Your Photos with Adobe Photoshop Elements
Opening a Picture for Editing
Touching Up a Picture
Removing Red Eye
Cropping a Picture
Resizing a File for the Internet
Printing Your Photos
Choosing the Right Printer and Paper
Making the Print
Printing Photos Online
Ordering from a Photo-Processing Site
Ordering from Within Windows XP
38. Creating Digital Scrapbooks and Other Photo Projects.
Checking Out Digital Scrapbook Programs
Using Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Designer Deluxe
Creating a Scrapbook from a Template
Creating a Custom Scrapbook
Saving, Printing, and Distributing a Scrapbook Page
More Fun Photo Projects
Fun Projects
Other Home Project Software
Index.
The first two editions of this book have been extremely strong sellers. There will always be a market for a new computer user's first computer book; computer novices continue to need help understanding, setting up, and using their new PCs. That book is this book: Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, which is being updated in a third edition for all the latest software and hardware developments. The major changes to the third edition include coverage of Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows Media Player 10, and 802.11g wireless networks. This new edition also features expanded coverage of connecting and using portable media players besides the Apple iPod (such as models from Creative and Dell), separate chapters on online shopping and buying/selling on eBay, and a new chapter on digital scrapbooks and other fun projects. These changes make Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, 3E, the most up-to-date guide for beginning computer users on today's market. No other book covers the range of topics presented here, or in the author's breezy-yet-practical style.
Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, Third EditionAbout the Author Michael Miller is a successful and prolific author with a reputation for practical advice and technical accuracy and an unerring empathy for the needs of his readers. Mr. Miller has written more than 60 best-selling books in the past 15 years. His books for Que include Absolute Beginner's Guide to eBay, Tricks of the eBay Masters, and Bad Pics Fixed Quick. He is known for his casual, easy-to-read writing style and his practical, real-world advice-as well as his ability to explain a wide variety of complex topics to an everyday audience. You can email Mr. Miller directly at abg@molehillgroup.com. His website is located at http://www.molehillgroup.com. A A(c) Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.
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