Prentice Hall

Information Technology



Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, 2/E
Michael Miller

ISBN-10: 0789731754
ISBN-13: 9780789731753

Publisher: Que Publishing
Copyright: 2004
Format: Paper; 408 pp
Published: 05/21/2004

Suggested retail price: $18.95
Buy from myPearsonStore



Appropriate for all introductory-level courses in computing.

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, Second Edition gives students all the information and guidance they need to effectively use any personal computer system, as well as common peripherals ranging from CD burners and digital cameras to PDAs. Author Michael Miller is a long-time expert on teaching introductory computing topics. This easy-to-use resource uses the Absolute Beginners Guide “teacher” style to guide students through every essential technique and skill, one step at a time. Miller shows students how to set up their computer hardware, navigate and use the Windows XP desktop, work with essential software programs, and more. Miller also provides a complete introduction to using the Internet, from connectivity to Web browsing, searching to e-commerce, email, instant messaging, chat, weblogs, downloading, and more. The book contains equally thorough coverage of digital media, one of todays hottest topics for beginning users—including burning CDs, using MP3 players, editing photos, and more. Users will also learn how to keep their computer systems up and running, and how to troubleshoot common computer problems. Miller explains each concept in easy-to-understand language, with step-by-step instructions, helpful illustrations, practical guidance, and real-world advice.

  • Proven Absolute Beginners Guide "teaching" style—Friendly, highly accessible, step-by-step coverage focused on the topics students need most.

    • Helps students become comfortable using computers, software, peripherals, and the Internet without ever getting lost in complexity.

  • PC hardware and Windows XP—Walks through setting up a new computing system and getting comfortable with Windows XP.

    • Helps students get past the obstacles that prevent beginning computer users from achieving their goals.

  • Introduction to each category of basic computing software—Introduces software suites and bundles, word processing, numbers, databases, presentations, financial software, and more.

    • Gives students a head start in using the productivity and office software they are most likely to encounter.

  • Coverage of personal software—Covers creative projects, educational software, and even games.

    • Helps students use computers in their personal as well as business lives.

  • Practical tips and techniques—Includes tips and techniques throughout, as well as a full chapter on avoiding and solving common problems.

    • Gives students the expert insights they would otherwise have to learn through trial and error.

  • NEW - Beefed up coverage of digital music, including new coverage of DVD burning.

    • Thoroughly addresses the digital media topics students are exceptionally interested in.

  • NEW - More coverage of home networking and wireless networks.

    • Teaches students everything they need to know to build and use both wired networks and today's increasingly popular wireless networks.

  • NEW - New coverage of Weblogs.

    • Helps students build Weblogs, today's fastest-growing area of Web-based communications.

  • NEW - New chapters on connecting and using portable digital music players and PDAs, and connecting and using memory card readers and memory cards.

    • Prepares students to work with devices that have become increasingly popular in recent years.

  • NEW - Stronger emphasis on evaluating and purchasing new software programs in all major categories.

    • Helps students make more intelligent and cost-effective software purchases.



 Introduction.

I. GETTING STARTED.

 1. Understanding Your Computer Hardware.

 2. Setting Up Your New Computer System.

II. USING WINDOWS.

 3. Understanding Microsoft Windows XP.

 4. Taking Windows for a Spin.

 5. Personalizing Windows.

 6. Working with Files and Folders.

III. UPGRADING AND MAINTAINING YOUR SYSTEM.

 7. Adding New Hardware and Devices to Your System.

 8. Setting Up a Home Network.

 9. Performing Routine Maintenance.

10. Dealing with Common Problems.

IV. USING COMPUTER SOFTWARE.

11. Installing New Software.

12. Using Suites and Bundles.

13. Working with Words.

14. Working with Numbers.

15. Working with a Database.

16. Working with Presentations.

17. Managing Your Finances.

18. Creating Cool Projects and Greeting Cards.

19. Learning with Educational Software.

20. Playing Games.

V. USING THE INTERNET.

21. Connecting to the Internet.

22. Surfing the Web.

23. Finding Stuff Online.

24. Buying and Selling Online.

25. Sending and Receiving Email.

26. Using Instant Messaging and Chat.

27. Using Newsgroups, Message Boards, and Blogs.

28. Downloading Files.

29. Creating Your Own Web Page.

30. Protecting Your PC from Viruses, Spam, and Other Nuisances.

VI. WORKING WITH MUSIC, MOVIES, AND PHOTOS.

31. Playing CDs and DVDs.

32. Ripping and Burning CDs.

33. Downloading and Playing Digital Music.

34. Using Your PC with a Portable Music Player.

35. Editing Your Own Home Movies.

36. Burning and Copying DVDs.

37. Connecting a Digital Camera or Scanner.

38. Working with Digital Pictures.

Index.

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 50 best-selling books in the past 15 years. His books for Que include Absolute Beginner's Guide to Upgrading and Fixing Your PC, Absolute Beginner's Guide to eBay, and Bargain Hunter's Secrets to Online Shopping. 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 Web site is located at http://www.molehillgroup.com.

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, 2E, teaches you how to get the most from your personal computer system - and from common peripherals, including CD burners, digital cameras, and PDAs. This book shows new computers users how to set up their computer hardware, find their way around the Windows XP desktop, learn to use essential software programs, and get connected to and start using the Internet. Users will also learn how to keep their computer systems up and running, and how to troubleshoot common computer problems.

Everything is explained in an easy-to-understand language, with step-by-step instructions and helpful illustrations. This book presents a non-technical approach to an otherwise technically intimidating topic, it's filled with practical information and real-world advice.

View a Sample Chapter PDF: /samplechapter/0789731754.pdf

  • SkillCheck Web Site
    Grauer
    © 1999 | Prentice Hall | On-line Supplement | Estimated Availability: 01/01/2000
    ISBN-10: 0130865400 | ISBN-13: 9780130865403


Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students, contact your Pearson Higher Education representative for pricing and ordering information.

This title is a member of the Absolute Beginner's Guide, which also contains the titles below . You can also visit the Absolute Beginner's Guide page.

    Appropriate for all introductory-level courses in computing.

    Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, Second Edition gives students all the information and guidance they need to effectively use any personal computer system, as well as common peripherals ranging from CD burners and digital cameras to PDAs. Author Michael Miller is a long-time expert on teaching introductory computing topics. This easy-to-use resource uses the Absolute Beginners Guide “teacher” style to guide students through every essential technique and skill, one step at a time. Miller shows students how to set up their computer hardware, navigate and use the Windows XP desktop, work with essential software programs, and more. Miller also provides a complete introduction to using the Internet, from connectivity to Web browsing, searching to e-commerce, email, instant messaging, chat, weblogs, downloading, and more. The book contains equally thorough coverage of digital media, one of todays hottest topics for beginning users—including burning CDs, using MP3 players, editing photos, and more. Users will also learn how to keep their computer systems up and running, and how to troubleshoot common computer problems. Miller explains each concept in easy-to-understand language, with step-by-step instructions, helpful illustrations, practical guidance, and real-world advice.

  • 0789731754Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, 2/E
    Miller
    © 2004 | Que Publishing | Paper; 408 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0789731754 | ISBN-13: 9780789731753
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

  • 0789733706Absolute Beginner's Guide to Cooking
    Roussou
    © 2005 | Que Publishing | Paper; 384 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0789733706 | ISBN-13: 9780789733702
    Buy from myPearsonStore

  • 0789728958Absolute Beginner's Guide to Creating Web Pages, 2/E
    Stauffer
    © 2003 | Que Publishing | Paper; 384 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0789728958 | ISBN-13: 9780789728951
    Buy from myPearsonStore

  • 078972569XAbsolute Beginner's Guide to Databases
    Petersen
    © 2002 | Que Publishing | Paper; 336 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 078972569X | ISBN-13: 9780789725691
    Buy from myPearsonStore

    • PLEASE PROVIDE COURSE INFORMATION

    PLEASE PROVIDE

  • 0789729113Absolute Beginner's Guide to Networking, 4/E
    Habraken
    © 2003 | Que Publishing | Paper; 504 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0789729113 | ISBN-13: 9780789729118
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

    • Even if you've never opened the case on your PC, the Absolute Beginner's Guide to PC Upgrades will show you how you can add hardware components, upgrade peripherals, and keep current on new version of your operating system and applications.

  • 0789724170Absolute Beginner's Guide to PC Upgrades
    Lee & Hudspeth
    © 2000 | Que Publishing | Paper; 592 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0789724170 | ISBN-13: 9780789724175
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

    • Appropriate for all introductory courses on project management, and as a supplement in courses on Microsoft Project or courses that prepare students for PMP certification.

    Absolute Beginner's Guide to Project Management gives students all the information and guidance they need to effectively manage and lead a successful project from start to finish. This easy-to-use resource uses the Absolute Beginners Guide “teacher” style to guide students through every essential technique and skill, one step at a time. Long-time project manager and consultant Greg Horine emphasizes the common elements of successfully managed projects, and shares lessons learned from both successful and failed projects. Horine focuses on the skills and qualities needed by effective project managers in todays environment, including the increasingly popular “servant leadership” approach. He covers emerging and accelerating project trends ignored by many books, including IT project management issues, multi-vendor projects, outsourcing, virtual teams, multi-cultural teams, quality management, and risk management. Along the way, Horine covers the entire project lifecycle, showing how to build project budgets and schedules, make project presentations, manage vendors, address project changes while protecting quality, and more. The book also contains a full chapter on using Microsoft Project to support project management.

  • 0789731975Absolute Beginner's Guide to Project Management
    Horine
    © 2005 | Que Publishing | Paper; 336 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0789731975 | ISBN-13: 9780789731975
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

  • 0789730456Absolute Beginner's Guide to Upgrading and Fixing Your PC
    Miller
    © 2004 | Que Publishing | Paper; 408 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0789730456 | ISBN-13: 9780789730459
    Buy from myPearsonStore

    • Appropriate for all introductory courses in wireless networking.

    Absolute Beginner's Guide to Wi-Fi Wireless Networking gives students all the information and guidance they need to effectively set up and use any Wi-Fi wireless network. This easy-to-use resource uses the Absolute Beginners Guide “teacher” style to guide students through every essential technique and skill, one step at a time. Students will learn how to choose and set up wireless networking equipment; set up computers and PDAs to connect with wireless networks; find hotspots and access points; and much more. Coverage also includes: Wi-Fi standards and protocols, Internet connectivity, and detailed, step-by-step coverage of wireless security. Davis explains each concept in easy-to-understand language, with step-by-step instructions, helpful illustrations, practical guidance, and real-world advice.

  • 0789731150Absolute Beginner's Guide to Wi-Fi Wireless Networking
    Davis
    © 2004 | Que Publishing | Paper; 312 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0789731150 | ISBN-13: 9780789731159
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

    • Appropriate for all introductory- to intermediate-level courses in word processing with WordPerfect 12.

    Absolute Beginner's Guide to WordPerfect 12 gives students all the information and guidance they need to master WordPerfect 12 and use it for virtually any common word processing task. Laura Acklen—host of the Webs #1 WordPerfect tips site—explains each WordPerfect concept and technique in easy-to-understand language, with step-by-step instructions, helpful illustrations, practical guidance, and real-world advice. Students who are upgrading from older versions of WordPerfect will master its powerful new features quickly and efficiently. Coverage includes: getting started; creating and working with documents; basic editing and formatting; using WordPerfects Writing Tools; working with paragraphs, pages, and styles; using tables, lists, and outlines; adding graphics, sharing data, creating mail merges, using WordPerfects Legal Tools, and more.

  • 0789732424Absolute Beginner's Guide to WordPerfect 12
    Acklen
    © 2005 | Que Publishing | Paper; 432 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0789732424 | ISBN-13: 9780789732422
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students, browse our available packages below, or contact your Pearson Higher Education representative to create your own package.



Copyright ©2009 Pearson Education. All rights reserved. Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Permissions