PCs for Dummies Quick Reference

By Dan Gookin and Sandra Hardin Gookin

Book Overview

Who has time to read computer manuals? Certainly, you don't. All you want to do is start up your PC and get something done. You don't have time to wade through some stuffy old computer manual looking for one little piece of information. You want to get in and get out fast . . . and get back to work. Or play, as the case may be. That's why PCs For Dummies Quick Reference, 2nd Edition , is the perfect resource for the time-challenged. This revised edition by Dan Gookin, veteran Dummies author of PCs For Dummies , gives you what you need to know about your Windows PC - only in bite-sized chunks and in a format that you can easily thumb through. No more trying to decipher the complex computerese of those other computer books. Here, in Quick Reference style, are some of the topics you'll find covered in PCs For Dummies Quick Reference, 2nd Edition The Basics: From starting your PC and navigating Windows to running applications and shutting down Plugging stuff in: Hard drives, joysticks, printers - if you can plug it into your PC, it's covered Using the keyboard and mouse Working with files and printing documents Getting on the Internet Maintaining and troubleshooting your PC Adding gadgets and upgrading your PC And - most importantly - having fun with your PC, no matter if you're at home or at work So whether you're a PC newbie or an experienced computer user, PCs For Dummies Quick Reference, 2nd Edition , makes it easy for you to find the information you need quickly. And it makes the perfect portable companion for your PC when you're on the road - just slip it into your briefcase with your laptop and off you go

• Format: Spiral-bound
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764519948
• ISBN13: 9780764519949
• Release Date: February 2003
• Publisher: For Dummies
• Length: 193 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.9" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Great tiny book for beginners and something for intermediate users.

This tiny guide delivers detailed "how to"s for somebody that really hasn't EVER used a computer. And even for seasoned users, having lists of usual Windows keyboard shortcuts comes in handy. The style is funny enough at times. At the Glossary (who reads those things :)?) the definition of "drivers": "D are programs that make hardware work. There are printer drivers, monitor drivers, women drivers" without any qualifications I think has the same matter-of-fact humour of, say, Buster Keaton. The chapter on networking is not so "easy", I suspect most users don't know a thing or two there. The author is a master at communicating, making simple the obtruse. One is not surprised to learn he sold more than 14 million copies of his "Dummies" series, and that his "DOS x Dummies" spawned the entire series. Note that this version covers Windows XP, NOT Vista. For that, surely you'll want the newer edition. My mum has XP, and I've still got one XP around (as most of us who want a working computer :) so if you have XP, buy this edition, not the newest. He's very sound in that he puts money considerations into the equation, as well as only explaining what Windows can do (in terms of the explanations). Not "third party software". For instance, you only get how to record CDs, not DVDs, for XP only has a CD recorder. Of course you can get more detailed coverage of topics, but... at this size? I think that in its genre, it could hardly be improved. That's why I give it 5 deserved stars.

I keep it by my computer

This book is full of great information and to the point. I hate books where I think, "Well I'll never need that information." But this book is stocked full of practical and useful computer topics. Stick this book by your computer like I did. I refer to it from time to time and it really helps me.

Quick and Easy

Quick and to the Point! I love this book. No extra verbage, just quick, easy steps to get the job done.

good tips

this book offers many practical tips for everything about pcs. the section on setting up a pc is helpfull.