How to Use Computers, 1st edition
Authors: Lisa Biow
Venue:  (1997)

From the Book:Introduction Over the past 20 years, personal computers have moved from the hobbyist's basement to most of the offices, storefronts, factories, banks, supermarkets, farms, and classrooms in the United States. They've found their way into more than half of the homes as well. Given this fact, the question has become not whether you'll have to deal with computers, but whether you'll understand them when you do. In most cases, the difference between someone who likes computers and someone who doesn't is a matter of knowledge. If you see the computer as a tool that can assist you in work or play, and that you can use for your own ends, you'll probably like it. On the other hand, if you see the computer as a mysterious contraption that you have to tolerate or appease in order to keep your job, you may need some time to warm up to it. This book is aimed at helping you turn the computers in your life from adversaries into willing helpmates. I've written this book for four types of readers: People who have recently been confronted with a computer, either at work or at home. People who don't have a computer, but are either thinking about getting one or simply wondering what the fuss is about. People who've been using a computer for a while (a week, a month, three years) without ever feeling comfortable with it. People who are fairly proficient with one particular program or one particular area of computer use, but who want to round out their knowledge. If you're totally new to computers, this book will tell you a little about everything you need to know. By the time you're through, you'll know what a computer is, what it's good for, and how it works in general. In short, you'll know the basic terms and concepts you'll need no matter how you plan to use your computer.. This book will also tell you enough about different ways of using computers to help you decide what areas you want to delve into further. When you're through, you may decide to learn all about spreadsheet programs so you can do your own financial projections. Or you may choose to wander the Internet in search of health tips, stock quotes, or new friends. In any case, you'll get enough of a background that you'll know where you want to head next. You'll also get the foundation you'll need for these further explorations. One of the hardest aspects of learning about computers is that most computer books and classes-even ones allegedly designed for beginners-assume that you already know the fundamentals. (As if people were born knowing the term "random access memory"!) By starting from the beginning, this book gives you the knowledge you need to use other resources such as books, classes, computer users' groups, and technical support staff. It will even enable you to converse with and understand computer salespeople and repair technicians.. If you're already using a computer, you can use this book to fill in the gaps in your knowledge. If you've spent years throwing around terms like memory, bits, and bytes without ever quite knowing what you're talking about, this is the book that will finally explain them to you. It will provide you with the concepts and skills you need to use your computer with more confidence and to move from knowing what keys to press to knowing what those key presses are doing (and what to do when they don't work). How This Book Works The heart of this book is pictures. Not just pictures of what a particular computer program or piece of equipment looks like, but pictures that illustrate concepts such as how the parts of a computer interact, or how information is organized inside a computer, or what you can do with a particular type of program.. Many of the pictures (and much of the text) draw analogies between computer components and things that are more familiar to you. You'll find parts of the computer compared to a set of mailboxes in a post office, for example, or to a sports stadium. You'll also find various computer components and programs personified in some of the pictures-not because I really believe there are little people in there, but because such images can help you visualize and remember the events taking place inside your computer.. This book focuses on IBM computers and compatibles, commonly known as PCs. If you have a Macintosh or other type of computer, you will find much of the material relevant, but will still probably want to purchase a book on your computer's operating system (the program that "makes it go"). I'll also be assuming that you are using, or plan to use, the Windows XP operating system. (You'll learn about operating systems in Chapter 1 and about Windows in particular in Chapter 5.) If you're using an older version of Windows, you will find much of the information is the same, it just looks different. Tell Us What You Think! As the reader of this book, you are our most important critic and commentator. We value your opinion and want to know what we're doing right, what we could do better, what areas you'd like to see us publish in, and any other words of wisdom you're willing to pass our way.. You can email or write me directly to let me know what you did or didn't like about this book-as well as what we can do to make our books stronger.. Please note that 1 cannot help you with technical problems related to the topic of this book, and that due to the high volume of mail I receive, I might not be able to reply to every message.. When you write, please be sure to include this book's title and author as well as your name and phone or fax number. I will carefully review your comments and share them with the author and editors who worked on the book.. E-mail: consumer@samspublishing.com Mail: Mark Taber Associate Publisher Sams Publishing 201 West 103rd Street Indianapolis, IN 46290 USA