Abby Stokes
Page 43
trial versions, 67
on used computers, 76
Solitaire
accessing, on PC, 134
how to play, 128–132
opening, on Mac, 128
playing on PC, 111–113
versions of, 127
Sony PlayStation, 373–374
Sony Reader, 395, 396
sound file (.wav), 246, 306
spam, 195–196, 222–224, 424
speakers
computer, 58, 152, 368
iPod, 395
turning off, 135
spell checking, 209–210
spinning circle icon, 102
spinning round ball, 116, 123, 158
sports websites, 335, 372, 417
spreadsheet software, 197
spyware, 229, 424
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), 346, 424
standby, or “sleep” mode, 101
start button, 111
start menu, 111
“Startup Menu” on PC screen, 408
static electricity, 411–412
storage space, in work area, 43
styluses, 385
support
technical, 59–60, 79, 173, 403, 413, 414
toll-free, 62
surfing the net, defined, 424
surge protector, 82, 96, 424
switchboard.com, 329
Symantec customer service, 414
syncing information, 386–387, 393–394
system preferences window, 158–160, 161–162, 217
T
tablets, 398–400, 401, 424
task bar, 150–151, 164, 424
task manager, 406
technical support, 59–60, 79, 173, 403, 413, 414
telephone lines, 17, 97
telephone numbers
customer service, 346, 414
searching names associated with, 328–329
storing on cell phones, 379–380
televisions, as computer monitors, 22
television shows
buying, from iTunes, 369, 393
on iPod, 390
live streaming, 368
watching for free, 368
temporary internet files, 226
Test-Drive Form, 56–62
preinstalled software, 60
printer, 60–62
saving, 90, 413
support and warranties, 59–60
system information on, 56–59
text
changing look of, 207–209
copying and pasting, 206, 237–238
copy tool, 419
cut (editing tool), 419
cutting and pasting, 204–205
editing, 203–209
highlighting, 204, 205
pasting, 422
typing shortcuts, 267
text box, 170, 323
Text Edit software, 197
text messages, 382, 401, 424
theonion.com, 372
3G connections, 395
time/date, adjusting, 144–146, 150, 158–160
time-travel.com, 335
title bar, 113, 124, 424
Toolbar, 198–200, 210, 213
Toshiba customer service, 414
touch pad/point, 36, 104, 106, 120, 424
touchscreen, 388, 424
tower case, 14, 40
toysoldiersgallery.com, 335
trackball, 104, 106, 424
trackpad, 160
Trans Union, 220
Trash folder, 311, 312
travelocity.com, 358
travel websites, 357–359, 417
tweets, on Twitter, 283, 284–285, 286, 302–303, 424
Twitter, 283–290
about, 283, 424–425
compared with Facebook, 284–285
for the iPad, 399
limiting visits to, 289–290
lingo, 286–287
privacy settings, 302–303
sample page, 284–285
setting up, 285
website features, 288–289
typewriters, 24
typing
on cell phones, 380, 382
mistakes, fixing, 103, 191
shortcuts, 267
skills, 14, 103
text messages, 382
U
uBid.com, 353
underline icon, 207
updates, 316–317, 409
upgrading hardware, 28–29, 425
upgrading software, 28–29, 425
upload, defined, 425
URL (uniform resource locator), 287, 425
usatoday.com, 372
USB (Universal Serial Bus) cables, 50
defined, 425
flash drive, 318
ports, 58
user name
for discussion groups, 294
for e-mail, 170, 171, 188
for Facebook, 276
login name, defined, 421
for Skype, 270
for Twitter, 284, 285
usfigureskating.com, 335
V
video calls, 268–272
video clips, 370–371, 390
viruses
defined, 425
scanning for, 243, 412
virus protection software, 412, 414, 418
visually impaired, 22
voicemail, 380–381
volume controls, 152, 163
W
wallpaper, 148–149, 161
warranties
on computers, 59
extended, 59, 62, 79–81
on printer, 62
.wav (sound file), 246, 306
webcams, 20, 268, 425
webopedia.com, 221
web page, defined, 174, 175, 425
websites
accessing, 176–177
addresses, 175–176
basic elements, 175
bookmarking, 179, 327
clicking links in, 178
copying links into e-mails, 239–241
customer service numbers, 346
description of, 4–5
guessing addresses, 336–337
moving around, 178
printing pages from, 182–183
recommended sites, 322, 334–336, 416–417
registering with, 343–344
returning to home page on, 330
search history, clearing, 228
“server not responding” message, 404
typing without “www,” 323
welcome page. See home page
WEP (wired equivalent privacy), 184
whitepages.com, 329
wi-fi (wireless fidelity)
about, 183–185, 425
e-readers and, 395
at home, 39
on laptops, 17, 229
safety precautions, 183–184
wireless hot spots, 184
Wii, 373–374
wikipedia.com, 333–334
window (main screen display)
adjusting size, 139–141, 154–155
defined, 425
on Mac, learning parts of, 124–126
opening, on Mac, 120–121
on PC, learning parts of, 113–115
windows, computers placed near, 42
Windows (Microsoft)
“Certificate of Authenticity,” 102
“Classic View,” 103
operating system updates, 316–317
“Startup Menu” on PC screen, 408
Windows 7, 48, 102
Windows 95, 48
Windows 2000, 103
Windows Vista, 76, 102, 103, 425
Windows XP, 103, 425
wired.com, 372
wireless fidelity. See wi-fi
wireless network card, 58
WordPad, 197
wordpress.com, 296
word processing
choosing, note about, 69
introduction to, 197–214
manufacturers and technical support, 414
Menu Bar, 198–200, 210–211
&n
bsp; opening program, 198
software for, 24, 67, 68, 197
Toolbar, 198–200, 210, 213
tutorial (Help), 198, 209, 213–214
workspace
choosing place for, 38–39
computer desks, 39–41
ergonomic safety tips, 41–42, 96–97
setting up, and safety precautions, 42–44
storage space, 43
World Wide Web (www), 8, 167, 175, 425
worm, defined, 425
WPA (wi-fi protected access), 184, 425
wrist pad, 82, 425
X
Xbox, 373–374
.xls (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet), 246, 306
Y
yahoo.com, 188, 234, 243, 323, 414
YouTube.com, 370–371
Z
zip codes, 329
.zip (compressed data file), 246, 306
Zones customer service, 414
zoom box, 125, 154–155, 425
Table of Contents
Cover Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You
Contents
A Word Before We Begin
There Is Nothing to Fear but Technology Itself
Chapter 1 Bring the World to Your Fingertips
Research, find, and buy anything you can imagine, and communicate with loved ones without leaving home—what a computer and the Internet offer
Chapter 2 Hardware: The Thigh Bone’s Connected to the . . .
A simple introduction to the parts of a computer and how they relate to one another
Chapter 3 Software: Feeding the Computer Brain
An explanation of software and how it is used
Where Will It Sleep and How Often Do I Need to Water It?
Chapter 4 There’s No Place Like Home vs. Taking Your Show on the Road
Desktop vs. laptop
Chapter 5 Creating a Computer Comfort Zone
Tips on finding a comfortable and safe work area
Go for a Test-Drive
Chapter 6 Apples and Oranges
Macintosh vs. PC
Chapter 7 Would You Buy a Car Without Test-Driving It?
What to look for when you get behind a keyboard
Chapter 8 Choosing the Best Route
What software and Internet services fit you best
Let the Shopping Begin
Chapter 9 Make Your Purchase
Old vs. new, extended warranties, store vs. mail order, and what questions to ask
Baby’s First Day Home
Chapter 10 Counting Fingers and Toes
Taking your new computer out of the box and connecting all the parts
Chapter 11 Shaking Hands
Meet your computer and mouse
Chapter 12 Getting to Know You
Experimenting with what you can do on the computer
The Newlywed Game
Chapter 13 Spanning the Globe
“Surfing the net”—traveling around the World Wide Web
Chapter 14 Shall We Dance?
Let’s send e-mail
Chapter 15 Mind Your Ps & Qs
An introduction to word processing
Chapter 16 Practical Precautions
Secure your identity and your computer
Make New Friends and Keep the Old
Chapter 17 Advanced E-mail
Let’s go to the next level—web links, attachments, and more
Chapter 18 Picture This
Digital and scanned photos from A to Z
Chapter 19 Join the Conversation
Instant messaging, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, online dating and more
Chapter 20 Put It All in Order
Create a filing system, organize, and maintain all that lives on your computer
Exploration and Discovery
Chapter 21 Detective Work with Your Computer
Get the most out of your searches
Chapter 22 Shop Till You Drop
Shopping, auctions, airline reservations, prescriptions, and online banking
Chapter 23 The Wide, Wide World of Entertainment
Finding fun on the web
Chapter 24 Extra, Extra, Read All About It
The scoop on smartphones, BlackBerry, iPods, e-readers, and the iPad
Chapter 25 Troubleshooting
“I think it has a fever”—what to do if something doesn’t seem right
Appendices
Over 200 Recommended Websites
Glossary
Keyboard Shortcuts
Index