Absolute beginner's guide to computer basics

Introduction -- How this book is organized -- Which version of Windows? -- Conventions used in this book -- Let me know what you think -- I. Getting started -- 1. Understanding desktop PCs -- What your computer can, and can't, do -- Getting to know your personal computer system -- Computer hardware basics -- 2. Understanding notebook PCs -- Notebooks PCs : pros and cons -- Key elements of a notebook PC -- Different types of notebook PCs -- Special considerations for using a notebook PC -- 3. Setting up your new computer system -- Before you get started -- Connecting the cables -- Turning it on and setting it up -- II. Using Windows -- 4. Getting to know Windows Vista -- Introducing Windows Vista -- Working your way around the desktop -- Important Windows operations -- Using the start menu, and switching programs -- Using Windows Explorers -- All the other things in Windows -- Getting help in Windows -- Shutting down Windows, and your computer -- 5. Using Windows XP on older computers -- Before Vista : previous versions of windows -- Getting to know Windows XP -- Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows Vista -- 6. Personalizing Windows -- Getting to know the Windows control panel -- Changing the look of your desktop in Windows Vista -- Changing the look of your desktop in Windows XP -- Organizing desktop icons -- Changing the way the start menu works -- Resetting the time and date -- Setting up additional users -- 7. Working with files, folders, and disks -- Understanding files and folders -- Viewing folders and files -- Navigating folders -- Searching for files -- Creating new folders -- Renaming files and folders -- Copying files -- Moving files -- Deleting files -- Working with compressed folders -- Copying files to another computer -- Backing up your important files --

III. Upgrading and maintaining your system -- 8. Adding new hardware and devices to your system -- Most popular peripherals -- Understanding ports -- Adding new external hardware -- Adding new internal hardware -- Connecting portable devices to your PC -- 9. Setting up a home network -- How networks work -- Setting up a wired or wireless network -- Configuring Windows for your new network -- Setting up wireless security -- Sharing files and folders across the network -- Sharing a printer across your network -- Sharing an Internet connection -- 10. Performing routine maintenance -- Free up disk space by deleting unnecessary files -- Make you hard disk run better by defragmenting -- Perform a hard disk checkup with ScanDisk -- Keep you hardware in tip-top condition -- Backing up your important data with Windows backup -- 11. 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 -- 12. Protecting your PC from viruses, spam, and other online nuisances -- Safeguarding your system from computer viruses -- Fighting email spam -- Resisting phishing scams -- Hunting down spyware -- Defending against computer attacks -- Shielding your children from inappropriate content --

IV. Using computer software -- 13. Installing new software -- Automatic installation -- Manual installation -- Installing software from the Internet -- Removing old programs -- 14. The suite spot : working with Microsoft Works and Microsoft Office -- Different versions of Works -- Working with Works -- Introducing Microsoft Office -- 15. Letters, memos, and more : working with Microsoft Word -- Exploring the Word interface -- Working with documents -- Working with text -- Printing a document -- Formatting your document -- Working with an outline -- Working with pictures -- 16. Crunching numbers : working with Microsoft Excel -- 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 -- 17. Presenting yourself : working with Microsoft PowerPoint -- Understanding Microsoft PowerPoint -- Creating a new presentation -- Formatting your slides -- Adding graphics -- Applying slide animations -- Start the show! -- 18. Banking and beyond : working with Microsoft Money and Quicken -- Managing your money with Microsoft Money -- Quick and easy banking with Quicken -- Doing online banking --

V. Using the Internet -- 19. Connecting to the Internet, at home and on the road -- Different types of connection -- Before you connect -- Setting up a new connection -- Sharing an Internet connection -- Connecting to a public WiFi hotspot -- 20. Sending and receiving email -- Setting up your email account -- Understanding the Windows Mail window -- Managing your email -- Sending files via email -- Protecting against spam, phishing scams, and viruses -- Using address book to manage your contacts -- 21. Surfing the Web with Internet Explorer -- Understanding the Web -- Using Internet Explorer 7 -- Basic Web surfing -- Using tabbed browsing -- Advanced operations -- Internet security with IE7 -- 22. Searching the Web -- How to search the Web -- Where to search -- Searching for people and businesses -- 23. Shopping online -- How to shop online -- How to find the best prices online -- How to shop safely -- Booking travel reservations online -- 24. Buying and selling in eBay online auctions -- Who sells on eBay? -- How does an eBay auction work? -- eBay bidding, step-by-step -- Buy it quick with buy it now -- More than auctions : eBay express, eBay stores, and Half.com -- Protecting yourself against fraudulent sellers -- eBay selling, step-by-step -- 25. Exploring blogs and podcasts -- Welcome to the blogosphere -- Reading, and commenting on, blogs -- Searching for blogs -- Tracking your blogs with feed reader software -- Creating your own blog -- Blogs on the radio : listing to podcasts -- 26. Social networking with MySpace -- What is MySpace? -- Browsing MySpace profiles -- Creating your own MySpace profile -- MySpace for parents -- 27. Creating your own Web page -- Building a Web page at a home page community -- Using page-building software -- Uploading your pages to a Web host -- 28. Exploring other cool and useful Websites -- News, sports, and weather -- Financial information -- Medical information -- Photos, clip art, and other images -- Maps and travel guides -- Classified and local shopping -- Job hunting -- Religion -- Entertainment -- Education and reference -- Games -- Sites for kids -- Sites for seniors -- 29. Sending and receiving instant messages -- Understanding instant messaging -- Using AOL instant messenger --

VI. Exploring the digital lifestyle

30. Using your PC with a digital camera

Transferring pictures via USB

Transferring pictures from a memory card

Scanning a picture

Storing your photos in Windows

31. Organizing and editing your digital photos

Choosing a photo editing program

Editing your photos with Windows Photo Gallery

Printing your photos

32. Sharing your digital photos online

Emailing digital photos

Sharing photos at a photo sharing site

Printing photos online

33. Playing, ripping, and burning CDs

Choosing a music player program

Using Windows Media Player

Using Apple iTunes

34. Downloading and playing digital music

Understanding digital audio formats

Downloading from online music stores

Playing digital music on your PC

Listening to Internet radio

35. Using your PC with an iPod or MP3 player

Working with the Apple iPod

Using Windows Media Player with other MP3 players

36. Playing DVDs and videos on your PC

Using Windows Media Player to play DVDs

Playing video files with Windows Media Player

Playing recorded TV programs with Windows Media Player

37. Downloading and playing videos from the Web

Looking for videos on the Web

Viewing videos on YouTube

Viewing and downloading videos from Google video

Downloading videos from the iTunes store

38. Making your own digital home movies

Configuring your system for video editing

Choosing a video editing program

Working with Windows Movie Maker

Burning your movie to DVD.