PCs Simplified E-Book

Elaine Marmel

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Wissenschaft und neue Technologien
• Serie: Simplified
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011

Seitenzahl: 292

Beschreibung

Simply the easiest way to start using a Windows PC If you want a "show me how, don't tell me why" approach to learning how to use a computer, this is the book for you. Large, full-color screen shots and numbered, step-by-step instructions show you how to get up and running with Windows and the latest hardware add-ons, the Internet, and popular software applications. Learn all the basics plus how to use Office 2010, protect your computer from viruses, sync up mobile devices, and much more. * Designed for people who learn best visually, this full-color guide covers basic information for beginning computer users, including how to use Windows 7, multimedia applications, wireless devices, and the Internet * Uses large screen shots and step-by-step instructions to make learning fast and easy * Covers Office 2010, multimedia management, virus protection, popular software applications, common peripherals, and basic security * Shows how to integrate the latest wireless technologies and sync mobile devices Visual learners will find this colorful guide shows exactly what to expect at every step and makes learning to use a PC easier than ever before.

Leseprobe

PCs Simplified®

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Getting Familiar with Computer Basics

Discover the Computer

Benefits of Using a Computer

What You Can Do with a Computer

Types of Computers

Tour the Personal Computer

Computer Case Front

Computer Case Rear

Learn About Computer Hardware and Software

Get to Know Data Input Devices

Get Acquainted with Data Output Devices

Learn About the Operating System

Tour the Central Processing Unit

Understanding Memory

Learn About Data Storage

Chapter 2: Purchasing a Computer

Choose a Computer Type

Select a CPU

Choose an Edition of Windows

Determine How Much RAM You Need

Select Data Storage Options

Choose a Monitor and Video Card

Choose a Printer

Add Other Hardware and Software

Tips on Purchase Considerations

Chapter 3: Getting Started with Your Computer

Set Up Your Work Area

Connect the Computer Components

Turn On the Computer for the First Time

Use a Keyboard

Use a Mouse

Explore Mouse Types

Mouse Tips

Use an Optical Drive

Use a USB Storage Device

Restart the Computer

Turn Off the Computer

Chapter 4: Learning Windows 7 Basics

Explore the Windows 7 Screen

Understanding the Start Menu

Start a Program

Tour a Program Window

Select a Command Using the Ribbon

Select a Command Using a Menu or Toolbar

Understanding Dialog Box Options

Use Dialog Box Controls

Save a Document

Open a Document

Switch BetweenOpen Programs

Print a Document

Edit Document Text

Start Frequently Used Programs

Customize the Start Menu

Customize the Taskbar

Select a Desktop Theme and Screen Saver

Chapter 5: Managing Files and Folders

Understanding How Windows Organizes Data

View Files

Become Familiar with the Windows Explorer Screen

Select Files

Create a New Folder

Change the Windows Explorer Layout

Rename a File

Copy a File

Move a File

Create a Data CD or DVD

Delete a File

Restore a Deleted File

Search for a File

Chapter 6: Securing Windows 7

Secure Your Computer

Change the Logon Password

Establish Parental Controls

Check the Action Center

Check the Action Center

Prevent Others from Using Your Computer

Chapter 7: Working with Software

Install a Program

Uninstall a Program

Create Documents with a Word Processor

Format a Document

Enhance a Document

Perfect a Document

Crunch Numbers with a Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet Basics

Build a Spreadsheet

Work Faster

Enhance a Spreadsheet

Build Presentations with a Presentation Program

Presentation Basics

Build a Presentation

Store Information with a Database

Database Basics

Work with Data

Manipulate Pictures with an Image Editor

Obtain Images

Work with Images

Create Publications with a Desktop-Publishing Program

Chapter 8: Using Multimedia

How Digital Cameras Work

How Webcams Work

How Digital Audio Players Work

Understanding Digital Images

Understanding Digital Video

Understanding Digital Audio

Copy Music CD Tracks to Your Computer

Play Music Using Your Computer

Create a Music CD

Discover Gaming

Windows 7 Games

Chapter 9: Working with Portable Computers and Devices

Understand the Advantages of a Portable Computer

Discover Portable Devices

Synchronize Using a BlackBerry Smartphone

Synchronize Using an iPod

Chapter 10: Surfing the World Wide Web

Introduction to the Internet

Internet Services

Explore Internet Connections

Manually Establish an Internet Connection

Manually Establish an Internet Connection

Guard Against Internet Intruders

World Wide Web Basics

Learn About Web Browsers

Popular Web Browsers

Web Browser Features

Search the Web

Read News on the Web

Research Using the Web

Buy and Sell on the Web

Buying on the Web

Selling on the Web

Socialize on the Web

Protect Yourself on the Web

Unsecure Sites

Protect Your Children on the Web

Potential Dangers

Ways to Protect Children

Protect Your Browsing Privacy

Protect Your Browsing Privacy

Chapter 11: Communicating Online

Introduction to E-Mail

E-Mail Program

Discover E-Mail Addresses

Parts of an E-Mail Address

Compose an E-Mail Message

Learn About E-Mail Etiquette

Receive an E-Mail Message

Work with Received Messages

Reduce E-Mail Spam

Guard Against E-Mail Viruses

Chapter 12: Wireless Computing

Discover Wireless Computing

Wireless Computing Devices

Connect to a Wireless Network

Wireless Network Security

Stream Media Throughout Your Home

Chapter 13: Performing Computer Maintenance

Update Your Operating System

Determine Hard Drive Free Space

Check Your Hard Drive for Errors

Defragment Your Hard Drive

Clean Up Your Hard Drive

Back Up Your Files

Restore a Backup

PCs

by Elaine Marmel

PCs Simplified®

Published byWiley Publishing, Inc. 10475 Crosspoint BoulevardIndianapolis, IN 46256

www.wiley.com

Published simultaneously in Canada

Copyright © 2011 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, [phone], fax [phone]. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, 201-748-6011, fax [phone], or online at www.wiley.com/go/permissions.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010941215

ISBN: 978-1-118-03650-1

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Trademark Acknowledgments

Wiley, the Wiley Publishing logo, Visual, the Visual logo, Simplified, Read Less - Learn More and related trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Wiley Publishing, Inc. is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.

LIMIT OF LIABILITY/DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY: THE PUBLISHER AND THE AUTHOR MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS WORK AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. NO WARRANTY MAY BE CREATED OR EXTENDED BY SALES OR PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS. THE ADVICE AND STRATEGIES CONTAINED HEREIN MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR EVERY SITUATION. THIS WORK IS SOLD WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PUBLISHER IS NOT ENGAGED IN RENDERING LEGAL, ACCOUNTING, OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. IF PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED, THE SERVICES OF A COMPETENT PROFESSIONAL PERSON SHOULD BE SOUGHT. NEITHER THE PUBLISHER NOR THE AUTHOR SHALL BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES ARISING HEREFROM. THE FACT THAT AN ORGANIZATION OR WEBSITE IS REFERRED TO IN THIS WORK AS A CITATION AND/OR A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF FURTHER INFORMATION DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE AUTHOR OR THE PUBLISHER ENDORSES THE INFORMATION THE ORGANIZATION OR WEBSITE MAY PROVIDE OR RECOMMENDATIONS IT MAY MAKE. FURTHER, READERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT INTERNET WEBSITES LISTED IN THIS WORK MAY HAVE CHANGED OR DISAPPEARED BETWEEN WHEN THIS WORK WAS WRITTEN AND WHEN IT IS READ.

FOR PURPOSES OF ILLUSTRATING THE CONCEPTS AND TECHNIQUES DESCRIBED IN THIS BOOK, THE AUTHOR HAS CREATED VARIOUS NAMES, COMPANY NAMES, MAILING, E-MAIL AND INTERNET ADDRESSES, PHONE AND FAX NUMBERS AND SIMILAR INFORMATION, ALL OF WHICH ARE FICTITIOUS. ANY RESEMBLANCE OF THESE FICTITIOUS NAMES, ADDRESSES, PHONE AND FAX NUMBERS AND SIMILAR INFORMATION TO ANY ACTUAL PERSON, COMPANY AND/OR ORGANIZATION IS UNINTENTIONAL AND PURELY COINCIDENTAL.

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Sales

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Credits

Acquisitions Editor

Aaron Black

Project Editor

Terri Edwards

Technical Editor

Diane Koers

Copy Editor

Scott Tullis

Editorial Director

Robyn Siesky

Editorial Manager

Rosemarie Graham

Business Manager

Amy Knies

Senior Marketing Manager

Sandy Smith

Vice President and Executive Group Publisher

Richard Swadley

Vice President and Executive Publisher

Barry Pruett

Project Coordinator

Patrick Redmond

Graphics and Production Specialist

Andrea Hornberger

Quality Control Technician

Lauren Mandelbaum

Proofreading

Henry Lazarek

Indexing

Potomac Indexing, LLC

Illustrators

Ronda David-BurroughsCheryl GrubbsMark Pinto

Screen Artist

Ana Carrillo

About the Author

Elaine Marmel is President of Marmel Enterprises, LLC, an organization which specializes in technical writing and software training. Elaine spends most of her time writing; she has authored and coauthored over 50 books about Microsoft Project, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word for Windows, QuickBooks, Peachtree, Quicken for Windows, Quicken for DOS, Microsoft Word for the Mac, Microsoft Windows, 1-2-3 for Windows, and Lotus Notes. From 1994 to 2006, she also was the contributing editor to monthly publications Inside Timeslips, Inside Peachtree, and Inside QuickBooks.

Elaine left her native Chicago for the warmer climes of Arizona (by way of Cincinnati, OH; Jerusalem, Israel; Ithaca, NY; Washington, DC, and Tampa, FL) where she basks in the sun with her PC, her cross-stitch projects, her dog, Josh, and her cats, Watson and Buddy. For many years, she sang barbershop harmony with two International Championship choruses.

Author’s Acknowledgments

Nobody writes a book alone; every book is the combined effort of many people. I’d like to thank Jody Lefevere and Aaron Black for giving me the opportunity to write this book; Terri Edwards for managing the book project process efficiently and effectively; Scott Tullis for making me look good; and Diane Koers for her keen eye in keeping me technically accurate. A very special thanks goes to Rob Sheppard (www.robsheppardphoto.com) and Brad Carson (www.bacimages.com) for the beautiful photos they took for this book. Thanks also to the graphics and production teams who labor tirelessly behind the scenes to create the elegant appearance of this book.

How to Use This Book

Who This Book Is For

This book is for the reader who has never used this particular technology or software application. It is also for readers who want to expand their knowledge.

The Conventions in This Book

Steps

This book uses a step-by-step format to guide you easily through each task. Numbered steps are actions you must do; bulleted steps clarify a point, step, or optional feature; and indented steps give you the result.

Notes

Notes give additional information — special conditions that may occur during an operation, a situation that you want to avoid, or a cross reference to a related area of the book.

Icons and Buttons

Icons and buttons show you exactly what you need to click to perform a step.

Simplify It

Simplify It sections offer additional information, including warnings and shortcuts.

Bold

Bold type shows command names, options, and text or numbers you must type.

Italics

Italic type introduces and defines a new term.

Chapter 1: Getting Familiar with Computer Basics

In this chapter, you read about the benefits computers provide and the ways in which you can use a computer. This chapter describes the different types of computers available in the marketplace, and you take a tour of a typical personal computer. You learn about computer hardware and computer software and the difference between them along with the devices you can use to provide data to your computer — called input devices — and the devices you can use to get data from your computer — called output devices. You also learn about the software and hardware brains of your system, memory, and storage.

Discover the Computer

Benefits of Using a Computer

What You Can Do with a Computer

Types of Computers

Tour the Personal Computer

Learn About Computer Hardware and Software

Get to Know Data Input Devices

Get Acquainted with Data Output Devices

Learn About the Operating System

Tour the Central Processing Unit

Understanding Memory

Learn About Data Storage

Discover the Computer

A computer is a device that you can use to store and display text, numbers, images, and sounds, and automate many functions in your daily life. Calculators — calculating machines — were the first electronic computing devices. In the 1940s, the first computers, which filled rooms, added the elements of conditional response and larger memory, enabling us to move beyond numeric computation to automate processes, electronic communications, equipment control, entertainment, education, and more. Over time, computers have evolved to meet our needs, each generation becoming smaller and simultaneously more sophisticated and powerful than its predecessor.