Name: Computer Basics Absolute Beginner's Guide, Windows 8.1 Edition By Michael Miller
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Computer Basics Absolute Beginner's Guide, Windows 8.1 Edition Summary

Computer Basics Absolute Beginner's Guide, Windows 8.1 Edition by Michael Miller

Make the most of your new Windows (R) 8.1 notebook, desktop computer, or tablet-without becoming a technical expert! This book is the fastest way to get comfortable, get productive, get online, get started with social networking, make more connections, and have more fun! Even if you've never used a Windows computer before, this book shows you how to do what you want, one incredibly clear and easy step at a time. Computer basics have never, ever been this simple! Who knew how simple using computers could be? This is today's best beginner's guide to using your computer or tablet with the new Windows 8.1 operating system...simple, practical instructions for doing everything you really want to do! Here's a small sample of what you'll learn: * Set up Windows 8.1 and get online fast * Use the new Windows 8.1 Modern interface * Get started with social networking on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn * Use Windows 8.1's built-in apps-and find great new apps in the Windows Store * Connect printers and external storage, and set up automatic file backup * Create a home network in just minutes * Go online to shop, sell your stuff, manage your money, and do research * Get your office work done fast * Organize, view, and share photos * Play music using Windows 8.1, iTunes, or streaming music services * Watch TV shows and movies online * Protect yourself against viruses, spyware, and spam * Keep your system running reliably at top speed

About Michael Miller

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 150 best-selling books over the past two decades. His books for Que include Easy Computer Basics, My Windows 8.1 Computer for Seniors, My Facebook for Seniors, Facebook for Grown-Ups, Easy Facebook, My Pinterest, and The Ultimate Digital Music Guide. 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 [email protected]. His website is located at www.molehillgroup.com. Follow him on Twitter: @molehillgroup.

INTRODUCTION .1 How This Book Is Organized 3 Which Version of Windows? .4 Conventions Used in This Book .4 Menu Commands .............4 Shortcut Key Combinations ...5 Web Page Addresses .......5 Special Elements ..............5 Let Me Know What You Think ....6 Part I: Understanding Computers and Similar Devices 1 How Personal Computers Work 7 What Your Computer Can Do ....8 Good for Getting Online .8 Good for Social Networking .8 Good for Communicating .....9 Good for Sharing Photos and Home Movies .......9 Good for Keeping in Touch ...9 Good for Entertainment ..9 Good for Keeping Informed .10 Good for Work ................10 Good for Play ..................10 Inside a Personal Computer .....10 The Motherboard: Home to Almost Everything 11 Microprocessors: The Main Engine .....................12 Computer Memory: Temporary Storage .............13 Hard Disk Drives: Long-Term Storage .................13 Solid-State Drives: Faster Long-Term Storage ...14 CD/DVD Drives: Storage on a Disc .....................14 Keyboards: Fingertip Input .16 Mice and Touchpads: Point-and-Click Input Devices 17 Network Connections: Getting Connected ........18 Sound Cards and Speakers: Making Noise ........19 Video Cards and Monitors: Getting the Picture 20 Other Parts of Your Computer System .....................21 Providing Additional Functionality with Peripherals ..21 Doing What You Need to Do with Software and Apps 22 Making Everything Work-with Windows ..........22 Different Types of Computers ..23 Desktop PCs ...................23 Notebook PCs ................25 Tablet PCs .......................26 Hybrid PCs ......................28 Which Type of PC Should You Choose? .............29 Don't Worry, You Can't Screw It Up-Much ............29 2 Setting Up and Using a Desktop Computer ........31 Understanding the Components of a Desktop Computer System 32 Before You Get Started .......34 Connecting a Traditional Desktop PC ......................35 Connect in Order ...........35 Connect by Color ...........36 Connecting an All-in-One Desktop .37 Turning It On and Setting It Up .38 Getting the Right Order 38 Powering On for the First Time ..38 3 Setting Up and Using a Notebook or Tablet Computer ............41 Understanding Notebook and Hybrid PCs ..............42 Understanding Tablet PCs ..44 Connecting Peripherals and Powering On ..............45 Getting Connected ........45 Powering On for the First Time ..45 Part II: Using Windows 4 Getting to Know Windows 8.1 47 Introducing Microsoft Windows .48 Welcome to Windows 8.1-If You've Used an Older Version of Windows ..............48 Welcome to Windows 8.1-If You've Used Windows 8 ............50 Different Versions of Windows 8.1 ......................51 Starting and Logging into Windows ........................52 Using Windows with a Mouse ..54 Pointing and Clicking .....54 Double-Clicking ..............54 Right-Clicking ..................54 Dragging and Dropping 54 Mouse Over ....................55 Using Windows with a Touchscreen Display ...........55 Tapping ..55 Pressing and Holding .....55 Swiping ..55 Panning ..55 Zooming 55 Rotating .56 Learning Important Windows Operations ...............56 Getting Help in Windows ...58 Shutting Down Windows-and Your Computer .....59 5 Using the New Windows 8.1 Interface .................63 Working Your Way Around the Start Screen ............64 Examining the Parts of the Start Screen .............64 Displaying the Start Screen .66 Scrolling Through the Tiles ..67 Opening a Tile ................67 Find Additional Apps on the Apps Screen .........68 Using the Charms Bar .........69 Personalizing the Start Screen .71 Changing the Background Color and Pattern ...71 Displaying Your Desktop Background on the Start Screen .......72 Making a Tile Larger or Smaller ..73 Rearranging Tiles ............74 Organize Tiles into Groups .74 Name Groups of Tiles ....75 Removing a Tile ..............76 Adding a New Tile .........76 Turning On or Off a Live Tile 77 Show the Apps Screen Instead of the Start Screen ...77 Personalizing the Lock Screen ..77 Changing the Lock Screen Background .............78 Displaying a Slide Show on the Lock Screen .....78 Adding Apps to the Lock Screen ........................79 Changing Your Account Picture .80 Making Windows 8.1 More Like Windows 7 ...........81 Reconfiguring Windows .81 Installing a Start Menu Replacement Tool ..........82 Setting Up Additional User Accounts ......................82 Setting Up a New Account with a Microsoft Account ...83 Setting Up a New Local Account ........................85 Switching Users ...............85 Logging Out ...................86 Logging In with Multiple Users ...86 Configuring Other Windows Settings ......................87 Configuring Settings from the PC Settings Screen ...87 Configuring Settings from the Traditional Control Panel ...........89 6 Using the Traditional Windows Desktop ..............91 Displaying the Desktop ......92 Opening Desktop Applications .93 Creating a Shortcut on the Desktop ...................93 Pinning a Program to the Taskbar .......................94 Opening Desktop Applications ..94 Working with Windows on the Desktop ..................94 Moving and Resizing Windows ...94 Maximizing, Minimizing, and Closing Windows 95 Scrolling Through a Window .96 Using Dialog Boxes, Tabs, and Buttons ..............97 Personalizing the Windows Desktop ........................98 Changing the Desktop Background ....................98 Changing the Color Scheme .....100 Choosing a Screen Saver ...100 7 Working with Files, Folders, and Other Storage ..... 103 Understanding Files and Folders ...104 Using File Explorer ............104 Launching File Explorer .....105 Exploring the File Explorer Window .................105 Working with Ribbons and Tabs ........................106 Navigating the Folders on Your PC ........................107 Viewing Files and Folders .107 Changing the Way Files Are Displayed ............107 Sorting Files and Folders ...108 Grouping Files and Folders .108 Searching for Files ........109 Performing Basic File and Folder Operations .......109 Creating New Folders ..110 Renaming Files and Folders 110 Copying Files ................111 Moving Files ..................111 Deleting Files ................112 Working with the Recycle Bin 112 Restoring Deleted Files .....112 Managing the Recycle Bin .113 Working with Compressed Folders ........................114 Compressing a File ......114 Extracting Files from a Compressed Folder .....115 Copying Files to Another Computer ......................115 Copying Files over a Network ..115 Copying Files with a Portable Drive ..................115 Copying Files via Email 116 Working with Microsoft SkyDrive ...117 Part III: Setting Up the Rest of Your Computer System 8 Connecting Other Devices to Your PC-and Your PC to Other Devices .............. 119 Getting to Know the Most Popular Peripherals ....120 Adding New Hardware to Your System .................121 Connecting Portable Devices to Your PC ..............123 Connecting Your PC to Your Living Room TV .......124 9 Working with Printers .... 127 Selecting the Right Printer for Your Needs ............128 Understanding Inkjet Printers ....128 Understanding Laser Printers ....129 Black and White or Color? 129 Understanding Multifunction Printers ...............130 Adding a Printer to Your System ...131 Connecting a Printer Directly to Your Computer .....131 Connecting a Printer to Your Network ..............131 Printing to Your System's Printer ....132 10 Adding Storage and Backup . 135 Understanding External Storage ....136 Connecting an External Hard Drive ........................137 Backing Up Your Important Files ...137 Backing Up to an External Hard Drive ..............138 Using the Windows File History Utility ..............138 Backing Up Online .......139 11 Setting Up a Home Network 141 How Networks Work .........142 Wired Networks ............142 Wireless Networks ........142 Connecting and Configuring ....143 Setting Up a Wireless Network in Your Home ......144 How It Works .................144 What You Need ............145 Making the Connections ...146 Connecting Your Computer to Your New Network ......146 Connecting via Ethernet ....147 Connecting Wirelessly .147 Adding Your Computer to a HomeGroup .............149 Accessing Computers on Your Network ................150 Accessing HomeGroup Computers ...................150 Accessing Other Computers on Your Network 151 Part IV: Using the Internet 12 Connecting to the Internet-at Home and on the Road ........ 153 Different Types of Connections in the Home ........154 Broadband DSL ............154 Broadband Cable .........155 FiOS Broadband ...........155 Broadband Satellite ......155 Sharing an Internet Connection .....156 Connecting to a Public Wi-Fi Hotspot ...................156 Activating Airplane Mode .158 13 Using Internet Explorer to Surf the Web .......... 161 Understanding the Web ...162 Using Internet Explorer (Modern Version) .............162 Launching Internet Explorer from the Start Screen .163 Browsing the Web ........164 Opening Multiple Pages in Tabs .......................164 Saving Your Favorite Web Pages .......................165 Returning to a Saved Page .166 Browsing in Private .......166 Using the Desktop Version of Internet Explorer ...166 Launching Internet Explorer from the Desktop .......167 Browsing the Web ........167 Revisiting History ..........168 Opening Multiple Pages in Tabs .......................168 Saving Your Favorite Pages .169 Returning to a Favorite Page ....170 Browsing in Private .......171 Setting Your Home Page ...171 14 Searching and Researching Online ..................... 173 How to Search the Web ....174 Constructing a Query ...174 Searching for an Exact Phrase ...174 Where to Search ................175 Google-The Most Popular Search Site on the Web .175 Bing-Microsoft's Answer to Google ................176 Other Search Sites ........178 Smart Searching from Within Windows .................178 Searching for People and Businesses ....................179 Using Wikipedia for Research 179 Understanding Wikipedia ..180 Searching Wikipedia ....180 Reading Wikipedia Articles .181 15 Shopping and Selling Online 185 How to Shop Online .........186 Step 1: Find an Online Store ....186 Step 2: Find a Product .187 Step 3: Examine the Product ....188 Step 4: Order the Product .188 Step 5: Check Out ........189 Step 6: Confirm the Order 190 How to Shop Safely ...........190 Buying and Selling on eBay ...191 How Does an eBay Auction Work? ...................192 Buying Fixed-Price Items ...193 Protecting Yourself Against Fraudulent Sellers 194 eBay Selling, Step-by-Step 195 Buying and Selling on Craigslist ....196 Understanding Online Classifieds .....................196 Browsing the Listings ...197 Buying on Craigslist .....198 Listing an Item for Sale 199 Making the Sale ............200 Part V: Communicating Online 16 Sending and Receiving Email 203 How Email Works ...............204 POP Email Versus Web Mail ...204 POP Email .....................204 Web Mail .......................205 Using Gmail ........................206 Navigating Gmail ..........206 Reading Messages .......207 Viewing Conversations .207 Replying to a Message 207 Composing a New Message .....208 Sending Files via Gmail ....209 Dangers of File Attachments ....209 Attaching a File in Gmail ...209 Opening an Attachment in Gmail .....................210 Managing Your Email with the Windows Mail App ......211 Checking Your Inbox ....211 Sending New Messages ....212 Adding Another Email Account 213 17 Social Networking with Facebook ...................... 215 How Social Networking Works .216 Getting to Know Facebook ....216 Signing Up and Signing In with the Facebook App 217 Getting to Know the Facebook App .................217 Keeping Tabs on Friends ..218 Finding Friends .............218 Searching for Friends ...220 Viewing a Friend's Timeline Page ......................221 Keeping in Touch with Status Updates ..................222 Posting Status Updates 223 Viewing Friends' Updates in Your News Feed .224 Sharing Photos ...................226 Uploading Photos to Facebook 226 Viewing Photos .............228 Managing Your Privacy on Facebook .....................230 Controlling Your Default Privacy ........................230 Selecting Who Can See (or Not See) Individual Posts 232 18 More Social Networking with Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Twitter ..... 235 Using Pinterest ...................236 What Pinterest Is and What It Does ..................236 Navigating the Pinterest Site ....236 Viewing Pinboards and Pins 237 Following Other Users .238 Pinning Items to a Pinboard 238 Repinning Existing Items ...239 Creating New Pinboards ....240 Using LinkedIn ...................241 Creating an Account ....242 Personalizing Your Profile ..242 Finding New Connections .243 Contacting Other LinkedIn Members ...............243 Using Twitter ......................244 Joining and Using Twitter ..245 Tweeting with Twitter ...246 Following Other Users .247 Customizing Your Profile ....248 Using Social Networks-Smartly and Safely ..........248 Protecting Your Children ....248 Protecting Yourself .......249 19 Managing Your Social Activity (and Contacts) in Windows .... 251 Understanding the People App .....252 Adding Accounts to the People App .....................252 Monitoring Social Networks with the People App .......253 Viewing Your Friends' Social Activity ................253 Posting to Facebook and Twitter .......................254 Managing Contacts in the People App .................255 Viewing Contact Information ....255 Adding New Contacts .257 20 Video Chatting with Friends and Family ........... 261 Video Calling with Skype ..262 Configuring Your Skype Account .......................263 Adding a Contact .........264 Making a Video Call .....264 Video Calling in Facebook .....266 Part VI: Working with Apps 21 Understanding and Using Windows Apps ........ 269 Using Apps in Windows 8.1 ...270 Searching for Apps .......270 Displaying All Apps ......271 Pinning Apps to the Start Screen ......................271 Switching Between Apps ...272 Working with Modern-Style Apps .274 Viewing and Configuring App Options ............274 Snapping Open Apps ..274 Closing an Open App ..275 Working with Traditional Software Apps ................276 Using Menus .................276 Using Toolbars and Ribbons .....277 Closing an Open App ..278 22 Exploring Windows 8.1's Built-In Apps .............. 281 Discovering the Apps and Utilities Included with Windows 8.1 ..282 Working with Popular Apps ....285 Weather 286 Maps ....287 Bing News .....................289 Bing Sports ....................290 Bing Finance .................291 Bing Travel .....................291 Bing Food and Drink ....292 Bing Health and Fitness .....293 Alarms ..294 23 Finding and Installing New Apps ........................ 297 Finding and Installing Apps from the Windows Store .298 Opening the Windows Store ....298 Browsing the Windows Store ....299 Searching the Windows Store ...299 Downloading an App ...300 Finding and Installing Apps from Your Local Retailer ..300 Finding and Installing Apps Online ........................301 Understanding Cloud Computing Apps ................302 Part VII: Doing Fun and Useful Things with Your PC 24 Doing Office Work .......... 305 Working with Microsoft Office .306 Using Office on the Desktop .....306 Using Office on the Web ...307 Which Version of Office Should You Use? ........309 Word Processing with Microsoft Word ...................309 Exploring the Word Workspace 309 Working with Documents ..310 Entering Text .................311 Editing Text ...................311 Formatting Text ............312 Checking Spelling and Grammar ......................312 Printing Your Document .....312 Working with Pictures ..313 Number Crunching with Microsoft Excel ...............314 Exploring the Excel Workspace 314 Entering Data ................315 Inserting and Deleting Rows and Columns ......316 Adjusting Column Width ...316 Calculating with Formulas .317 Including Other Cells in a Formula ...................317 Quick Addition with AutoSum ..318 Using Functions ............319 Formatting Your Spreadsheet ...320 Creating a Chart ...........321 Giving Presentations with Microsoft PowerPoint ..322 Exploring PowerPoint Workspace .....................322 Applying a Theme ........323 Inserting New Slides ....324 Adding and Formatting Text .....324 Start the Show! .............324 Exploring Other Office Suites 324 25 Staying Organized .......... 327 Using the Windows Calendar App 328 Displaying Different Views .328 Creating a New Appointment ...329 Using Web-Based Calendars ..330 Using Web-Based To-Do Lists 331 26 Viewing and Sharing Digital Photos ................... 333 Transferring Pictures from Your Camera, Smartphone, or Tablet .334 Connecting via USB .....334 Transferring Pictures from a Memory Card .......334 Transferring Photos from an iPhone or iPad .....335 Scanning a Picture ........335 Viewing Your Photos with the Windows Photos App ...336 Editing Your Photos with the Photos App .............338 Auto Fixing a Photo .....338 Rotating a Photo ...........339 Cropping a Photo .........339 Removing Red-Eye .......340 Retouching a Photo ......341 Adjusting Brightness and Contrast ....................341 Adjusting Color and Tint ...342 Applying Special Effects ....343 Using Other Photo-Editing Programs ...............344 Printing Your Photos ..........345 Choosing the Right Printer and Paper ..............345 Making the Print ...........345 Printing Photos Professionally ...346 Sharing Photos at an Online Photo Site ................347 Emailing Digital Photos ....348 27 Playing Music ................... 351 Using the Xbox Music App .....352 Playing Music from Your Library ........................353 Creating and Playing Playlists ...354 Purchasing and Downloading Music .................355 Streaming Music Online ....357 Using iTunes .......................358 Playing Your Digital Music .358 Creating and Playing Playlists ...359 Playing a CD .................360 Ripping a CD to Your PC ...361 Burning Your Own CDs 361 Downloading Music from the iTunes Store ......361 Listening to Streaming Music via iTunes Radio 363 Listening to Streaming Music Online .....................365 Exploring Streaming Music Services .................365 Listening to Internet Radio 367 Listening to AM/FM and Satellite Radio Online ......368 28 Watching Movies, TV Shows, and Other Videos ..... 371 Watching Streaming Video Online 372 Viewing Movies and TV Shows on Netflix ........372 Viewing TV Shows on Hulu Plus ........................374 Viewing Videos on Network Websites ..............377 Using the Xbox Video App ....377 Purchasing Videos ........378 Viewing Videos .............379 Viewing Videos on YouTube ...381 Searching for Videos ....381 Viewing Videos .............382 Sharing Videos ..............383 Uploading Your Own Videos to YouTube .........383 Watching Online Videos on Your Living Room TV .......384 Making Your Own Home Movies ...384 Playing DVD Movies on Your PC ...385 Part VIII: Keeping Your System Up and Running 29 Protecting Your PC from Computer Attacks, Malware, and Spam ........................ 387 Safeguarding Your System from Computer Viruses ......388 Watching for Signs of Infection .388 Catching a Virus ............388 Practicing Safe Computing 389 Disinfecting Your System with Antivirus Software ....390 Hunting Down Spyware ....391 Defending Against Computer Attacks ...................392 Using the Windows Firewall 392 Using Third-Party Firewall Software ...................393 Fighting Email Spam .........393 Protecting Your Email Address .393 Blocking Spammers in Your Email Programs ....394 Resisting Phishing Scams ..394 Shielding Your Children from Inappropriate Content ...395 Using Content-Filtering Software ......................395 Kids-Safe Searching ......396 Encouraging Safe Computing ...396 30 Performing Preventive Maintenance and Dealing with Common Problems ........ 399 Maintaining Your Computer ...400 Cleaning Up Unused Files .400 Removing Unused Programs .....401 Performing a Hard Disk Checkup with ScanDisk .....402 Keeping Your Hardware in Tip-Top Condition ......403 System Unit ...................403 Keyboard .......................403 Display .404 Printer ..405 Maintaining a Notebook PC ...405 Using the Windows Mobility Center .................405 Conserving Battery Life .....406 Securing Your Notebook ...407 Troubleshooting Computer Problems ....................407 Troubleshooting in Safe Mode .409 Reacting When Windows Freezes or Crashes .......409 What Causes Windows to Freeze? ....................410 Dealing with Frozen Windows ..410 Dealing with a Frozen Program 410 Dealing with a Major Crash .411 Restoring, Resetting, or Refreshing Your System ..412 Restoring Your System to a Previous State .......412 Refreshing System Files .....414 Resetting Your System to Its Original Condition .....415 TOC, 9780789752338, 12/18/2013

Additional information

Sku

GOR006446020

ISBN 13

9780789752338

ISBN 10

0789752336

Title

Computer Basics Absolute Beginner's Guide, Windows 8.1 Edition by Michael Miller

Author

Michael Miller

Series

Absolute Beginner's Guide

Condition

Used - Very Good

Binding type

Paperback

Publisher

Pearson Education (US)

Year published

2014-01-13

Number of pages

464

Prizes

N/A

Cover note

Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.

Note

This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Computer Basics Absolute Beginner's Guide, Windows 8.1 Edition Michael Miller

Computer Basics Absolute Beginner's Guide, Windows 8.1 Edition by Michael Miller

Computer Basics Absolute Beginner's Guide, Windows 8.1 Edition Summary

Computer Basics Absolute Beginner's Guide, Windows 8.1 Edition by Michael Miller

About Michael Miller

Table of Contents

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