Computers Simplified

by Ruth Maran, McGraw-Hill, Ian Campbell

Book Overview

Are you new to computers? Does new technology make you nervous? If so, then this title is designed with you in mind. It includes chapters dedicated to broad-based topics in computing such as application software, portable computers, operating systems and the Internet.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764535242
• ISBN13: 9780764535246
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Length: 227 Pages
• Weight: 1.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.5" x 10.1"

Customer Reviews

A thorough overview

I bought this to help my clients and friends that aren't techie at all. They own a computer and want to know more but the volumes of reading that can be done is overwhelming for many. I am a Microsoft Professional and I really enjoyed reading this from cover to cover. I found the information within to be accurate, informative, fun and fast. In fact while on vacation 2 of my relatives, who liked it as much as I did, bought it (with me in the store to be sure they found the right book)!

I can't imagine a better introduction: a must-have!

I really do owe the author of this book, as well as the book salesperson who included this book, without my asking, with two other books on computers which I had asked be held for me at a local bookstore for me ( all three of which I picked up later), many thanks, because I did not know that I needed this book and I absolutley did. At the time I was thinking of buying a computer for the fist time, knowing very little about computers at all, and this book provided me with information that I absolutey needed in order to make an informed choice about what kind of computer to buy. I am very happy with my purchase and don't know what I would have done without this book. The book provides a good overview of computers including hardware and software, how computers work, bytes, and types of computer systems(PC-personal computer, Macintosh, mainframe, set-top box) and then, using very helpful graphics-a typical computer, as well as operating systms, 9 pages on the Macintosh, plus a very nice introductions to the internet and web,including what the internet offers, e-mail, getting connected, web browser, multimedia on the web, web portal, children on the web, web pages and shopping, ), as well as buying a computer (considerations such as cost, Brand-name and clone,and after sale-service), upgrade(condsiderations such as cost and effective upgrades), mouse, keyboard, input and output, printer (ink-jet and laser),modem, processing ( memory-memory size, program requirements, memory chips, virtual memory,ROM and CPU, Memory Cache and Bus). If you are thinking of buying a computer, especally if you are new to computers, but even if you are not, I really can't recommend this book enough to help you in making your decision. The edition of this book that I have is the Fourth Edition © 1998 and it only goes up to the Windows 98 operating system and Windows NT in Windows and Mac OS 8 in Macintosh (UNIX is also covered, as is MS-DOS), however. It's time for a new edition.

Review

This is a great book to give to computer 'newbies' . I gave it to my parents who are buying a computer for the first time, they have never been on the internet, and barely know how to use the mouse. It explains things very well. It covers the basics without being too simplistic. Its an 'easy' read that doesn't intimidate computer 'newbies'. It does a great job explaining hard drives, RAM, chip sets, bus speed, modems, etc. It even tells how to make sure your phone is properly set up for the Internet - like turning off call-waiting. The illustrations are great! This is a great book to help a person decipher all the computer talk when it comes to buying a computer for the first time!

This book should be the Bible for computer users.

I started a Computer Tutor Service in Ocean Pines, MD and wanted to get a easy book to read and understand for my clients. I spent many hours looking for just the right book. This is that book! I even learned a few things myself. Now I have a few copies and when someone doesn't understand something, one picture is worth a thousand words, I just loan them the book. Many clients buy it as a reference.