Table of Contents

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, Third Edition
By Michael Miller
...............................................
Publisher: Que
Pub Date: July 21, 2005
ISBN: 0-7897-3430-3
Pages: 408

Table of Contents  | Index

		Copyright
		About the Author
		Acknowledgments
		We Want to Hear from You!
		Introduction
			How This Book Is Organized
			Conventions Used in This Book
			Let Me Know What You Think
		Part i.  Getting Started
			Chapter 1.  Understanding Your PC Hardware
				What Your Computer Canand Can'tDo
				Getting to Know Your Personal Computer System
				Computer Hardware Basics
			Chapter 2.  Setting Up Your New Computer System
				Before You Get Started
				Connecting the Cables
				Turning It On and Setting It Up
		Part ii.  Using Windows
			Chapter 3.  Understanding Microsoft Windows XP
				What Windows Isand What It Does
				Different Versions of Windows
				Working Your Way Around the Desktop
				Important Windows Operations
				Using the Start Menu
				Understanding Files and Folders
				All the Other Things in Windows
				Getting Help in Windows
			Chapter 4.  Taking Windows for a Spin
				Playing a Game
				Launching a Programand Printing and Saving a Document
				Viewing Your Documents
				Examining Your Hard Disk
				Shutting Down Your System
			Chapter 5.  Personalizing Windows
				Changing the Look of Your Desktop
				Organizing Desktop Icons
				Changing the Way the Start Menu Works
				Activating Special Effects
				Changing Your Click
				Using a Screensaver
				Resetting the Time and Date
				Setting Up Additional Users
			Chapter 6.  Working with Files and Folders
				Viewing Folders and Files
				Navigating Folders
				Creating New Folders
				Renaming Files and Folders
				Copying Files
				Moving Files
				Deleting Files
				Working with Compressed Folders
		Part iii.  Upgrading and Maintaining Your System
			Chapter 7.  Adding New Hardware And Devices To Your System
				Most Popular Peripherals
				Understanding Ports
				Adding New External Hardware
				Adding New Internal Hardware
				Using the Add Hardware Wizard
				Connecting Portable Devices to Your PC
			Chapter 8.  Setting Up a Home Network
				How Networks Work
				Setting Up a Wired or Wireless Network
				Running the Network Setup Wizard
				Setting Up Wireless Security
				Sharing Files and Folders Across the Network
			Chapter 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
			Chapter 10.  Dealing with Common Problems
				How to Troubleshoot Computer Problems
				What to Do When Windows Freezes
				Dealing with a Major Crash
				Undoing the Damage with System Restore
		Part iv.  Using Computer Software
			Chapter 11.  Installing New Software
				Automatic Installation
				Manual Installation
				Installing Software from the Internet
				Removing Old Programs
			Chapter 12.  Working with Microsoft Works
				Different Versions of Works
				Working with Works
				Other Popular Software Suites
			Chapter 13.  Working with Words
				Exploring the Word Interface
				Working with Documents
				Working with Text
				Printing a Document
				Formatting Your Document
				Working with an Outline
				Working with Pictures
			Chapter 14.  Working with Numbers
				Understanding Spreadsheets
				Entering Data
				Inserting and Deleting Rows and Columns
				Using Formulas and Functions
				Sorting a Range of Cells
				Formatting Your Spreadsheet
				Creating a Chart
			Chapter 15.  Working with a Database
				Creating a New Database
				Changing Views
				Editing Your Database
				Sorting and Filtering
				Creating a Report
			Chapter 16.  Working with Presentations
				Understanding Microsoft PowerPoint
				Creating a New Presentation
				Formatting Your Slides
				Adding Graphics
				Applying Slide Transitions
				Start the Show!
			Chapter 17.  Managing Your Finances
				Setting Up Your Accounts
				Navigating Money
				Managing Your Bank Account
				Banking Online
			Chapter 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
		Part v.  Using the Internet
			Chapter 19.  Connecting to the Internet
				Different Types of Connections
				Before You Connect
				Setting Up a New Connection
				Connecting via a Commercial Online Service
				Sharing an Internet Connection
			Chapter 20.  Surfing the Web
				Understanding the Web
				Using Internet Explorer
				Basic Web Surfing
				Advanced Operations
				Let's Go Surfin'!
			Chapter 21.  Finding Stuff Online
				How to Search the Web
				Where to Search
				Searching for People and Businesses
				Searching for News, Sports, and Weather
				Searching for Financial Information
				Searching for Medical Information
			Chapter 22.  Shopping Online
				How to Shop Online
				How to Find the Best Prices Online
				How to Shop Safely
				Booking Travel Reservations Online
			Chapter 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
				eBay Selling, Step-by-Step
			Chapter 24.  Sending and Receiving Email
				Setting Up Your Email Account
				Understanding the Outlook Express Window
				Managing Your Email
				Sending Files via Email
				Protecting Against Email Viruses
				Using Address Book to Manage Your Contacts
			Chapter 25.  Using Instant Messaging and Chat
				Sending and Receiving Instant Messages
				Chatting with Friends Online
			Chapter 26.  Using Newsgroups, Message Boards, and Blogs
				Reading and Posting to Usenet Newsgroups
				Participating in Web-Based Message Boards
				Joining the Blog Community
			Chapter 27.  Downloading Files
				Finding Files Online
				Downloading from a File Archive Website
				Downloading Files from Any Web Page
			Chapter 28.  Creating Your Own Web Page
				Building a Web Page at a Home Page Community
				Using Page-Building Software
				Uploading Your Pages
			Chapter 29.  Protecting Your PC from Viruses, Spam, and Other Nuisances
				Safeguarding Your System from Computer Viruses
				Fighting Email Spam
				Hunting Down Spyware
				Defending Against Computer Attacks
				Shielding Your Children from Inappropriate Content
		Part vi.  Playing Movies and Music
			Chapter 30.  Playing CDs and DVDs
				Understanding CD/DVD Playback
				Using Windows Media Player
				Playing a CD
				Playing a DVD
			Chapter 31.  Ripping and Burning CDs
				Understanding Digital Audio Formats
				Ripping Songs from CD to Your PC
				Burning Your Own CDs
				Copying Entire CDs
			Chapter 32.  Downloading and Playing Digital Music
				Downloading from Online Music Stores
				Downloading from Free Music Sites
				Downloading from File-Trading Networks
				Playing Digital Music with Windows Media Player
				Listening to Internet Radio
			Chapter 33.  Using Your PC with a Portable Music Player
				Working with the Apple iPod
				Transferring Songs to Other Portable Music Players
			Chapter 34.  Editing Your Own Home Movies
				Configuring Your System for Video Editing
				Choosing a Video Editing Program
				Working with Windows Movie Maker
			Chapter 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
		Part vii.  Working with Digital Pictures
			Chapter 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
			Chapter 37.  Managing Your Digital Photos
				Managing Your Photos
				Choosing a Photo Editing Program
				Editing Your Photos with Adobe Photoshop Elements
				Printing Your Photos
				Printing Photos Online
			Chapter 38.  Creating Digital Scrapbooks and Other Photo Projects
				Checking Out Digital Scrapbook Programs
				Using Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Designer Deluxe
				More Fun Photo Projects
		Index