Personal Computing Demystified | DeMystified

Personal Computing Demystified

Authors: Larry Long

Published: June 2004

eISBN: 9780071469982 0071469982 | ISBN: 9780072255140

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Contents at a Glance

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Part One: Personal Computers

Chapter 1 Processing Information: Inside the PC

Going Digital: Bits and Bytes

The System Unit

The Motherboard

The Processor

Memory

RAM: Random Access Memory

Cache: High-Speed Memory

Flash Memory: Nonvolatile Memory

Adding Peripheral Devices: Ports and Jacks

The USB Port

FireWire or 1394 Port

The Keyboard and Mouse Ports

Monitor/Video Port

Game/MIDI Port

Serial and Parallel Ports

Ethernet Port

Audio Jacks

Internet Access Port

The Evolution of Interface Technology

Expansion Cards: Add-on Capabilities

Chapter 2 Storing Information: Disks, Discs, and Flash

The File: The Basic Unit of Storage

Fixed and Removable Disk Storage

The Hard Disk

The Floppy Disk

CD and DVD Disc Drives and Media

Popular CD and DVD Disc Drives

Measuring Disc Drive Performance

Flash Memory for Permanent Storage

The Best Mix of Storage Options

Chapter 3 Getting Information In: Input

The Mouse

Mouse Technologies

Operating the Mouse

Mouse Properties

Other Types of Mice

The Keyboard

Do You Need to Learn Keyboarding Skills?

Keyboard Technologies

The Keyboard Layout

The Headset with Microphone

Speech Recognition

Headset Technology

The Scanner

Scanner Applications

Scanner Technology

The Desktop Video Camera

Chapter 4 Getting Information Out: Output

The Monitor

Types of Monitors

Monitor Technology

Graphics Adapters

Monitor Operation

Dual Monitors

The Multimedia Monitor

The Projector

The Printer

Types of Printers

All-in-One Multifunction Devices: Print, Scan, Copy, and Fax

Printer Technology and Features

The Audio System

Speaker System

Sound Card Technology

Part Two: Windows and File Management

Chapter 5 Working with Windows

Startup/Shut Down

System Startup: The Boot Procedure

System Shut Down

Windows Overview

The Window

Help

The Desktop

Icons

The Windows Application

Running an Application

Parts of an Application Window

Resizing and Repositioning an Application Window

Viewing an Application Window

Switching Between Windows

The Dialog Box

Wizards

The Windows Clipboard: Copy, Cut, and Paste

Keyboard Shortcuts

Customizing Windows

Chapter 6 Working with Files

Types of Files

What to Do with a File

Windows Explorer: File Management

The Explorer Command Interface

Viewing Files and Folders

Organizing Files into Folders

Personal Folders: My Documents

Shared Documents

The Path

Folder Options

Common File Management Activities

Open

Save/Save As

Copy and Cut

Rename

Paste

Delete and Restore

Zip and Unzip

Search

Undo

Part Three: Buying and Using a PC

Chapter 7 Buying Issues and Considerations

When to Buy?

The PC Investment

Things to Think about Before Buying a PC

How Much to Spend?

Which PC: Desktop or Notebook?

Which Platform?

Who Will Use the PC and How Will It Be Used?

Will the New PC Be Part of a Home Network?

Things to Think about when Buying a PC

What Software Is Preinstalled on the PC?

What Type of Hardware/Software Support Services Are Available?

Is There a Need to Synchronize with Handheld Devices?

How Soon Will the Hardware/Software Become Obsolete?

Chapter 8 What and Where to Buy

Hey Larry! What Computer Do I Buy?

What Do You Get when You Purchase a New PC?

General Categories of Personal Computers

Entry-Level PCs

The Performance PC

Sweet-Spot PCs

Customizing a PC

Upgrade RAM for Improved Performance

Buy an Extended Warranty for Peace of Mind

Upgrade the Hard Disk for More Storage Capacity

Upgrade the DVD-ROM Drive to a Rewritable Drive

Upgrade the Sound Card for Superior Audio

Upgrade the Graphics (Video) Card for Enhanced Viewing

What Input/Output Peripheral Devices Do You Need?

1. Upgrading Prepackaged I/O Devices: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, and Speakers

2. Printer or All-in-One Multifunction Device

3. Headset with Mike

4. Scanner

5. Desktop Video Camera or Webcam

6. Game Controllers

What Special Hardware Do You Need for Internet Access and Home Networking?

Where to Buy Hardware and Software

Bricks-and-Mortar PC Retailers with Comprehensive Service Centers

Bricks-and-Mortar PC Retailers with Upgrade Service Centers

Bricks-and-Mortar PC Retailers Without Service Centers

Direct Marketers

Online and Telephone-Order Retailers

Retailers of Pre-owned Computers

Online Auctions

Build Your Own PC

Which PC Manufacturer Is Best for You?

Chapter 9 Supplies, Services, and Accessories

The Total Cost of Ownership

PC Supplies

Printer Supplies

Storage Media Supplies

Subscription Services: Internet Access and Internet Protection

Internet Service

Virus Protection Service

PC Accessories

Power Protection

Accessories for Notebook PCs

Miscellaneous PC Accessories

Chapter 10 Installation, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting

System Setup and Installation

Set Up Your Workspace

Unpacking

Hardware Setup

Installing Software

Uninstalling Software

Testing Your New PC

Maintaining a PC System

Protecting Your PC and Your Files

Hardware Maintenance

Software Maintenance

Troubleshooting

DOA and Lemons

The Universal Solution to Most PC Problems

Vendor/Manufacturer Troubleshooting Assistance

System Restore: Undo System Changes

Migrating to a New PC

What to Do with Old PCs

Part Four: The Internet

Chapter 11 Internet Basics: Going Online

What Is the Internet?

What Do You Need to Go Online?

Single-User Hardware for Internet Access

The Internet Services: ISPs

American Online: AOL

Internet Access: Setup and Installation

Internet Basics

Sending/Receiving Information on the Internet: Packet Switching

Information Organization on the Internet

The URL: Internet Addresses

Web Sites and Hyperlinks

Web Pages and HTML

Browser Basics: Retrieving and Viewing Internet Content

Finding What You Want on the Internet

Marking What You Find: Favorites

Chapter 12 Internet Applications: Cruising the Internet

The World Wide Web

File Transfer Protocol: FTP

Communicating with People via the Internet

E-Mail

Instant Messaging

Chat

Mailing Lists

Newsgroups

Blogs and Blogging

Internet Telephony, or VoIP

Webcasting

The Personal Home Page

Chapter 13 Internet Security: Protecting Your PC

The Firewall

Internet Threats

Computer Viruses

Spyware

Adware

Cookies

Spam and Spim

Transaction Security on the Internet

Part Five: What You Can Do On a PC

Chapter 14 Building a Software Portfolio

PC Software in Perspective

Imperfect PC Software

PC Software Trends

Software Choices

Your Software Portfolio

The Tier 1 Software Portfolio

The Tier 2 Software Portfolio

The Tier 3 Software Portfolio

Tips for Growing Your Software Portfolio

Software Licensing and Activation

Chapter 15 Personal Computing Applications Galore

System Software

Internet/Web Software

General Productivity Software: The Office Suite

Home Applications Software

Education and Training Software

Reference Software

Chapter 16 Working with Digital Media

The Multimedia Experience

Capturing the Elements of Multimedia: Images and Sound

Digital Cameras: Digital Photography

Digital Camcorders

Scanners

The Microphone

Graphics Software: Creating and Working with Images

Paint and Draw Software

Image Editing

Drag-and-Drop

Image Viewer and Management

Multimedia Software

Presentation

Video Editing

Viewing and Playing Digital Media

Burning Your Own CDs and DVDs

Chapter 17 PC-Based Gaming

Introduction to Gaming

The Upside of Gaming

The Downside of Gaming

PC-Based Gaming vs. Console-Based Gaming

Gaming Genres

Action

Adventure

Strategy

Role Playing Game

Simulation

Sports

Racing

Puzzle

Game Ratings

Buying Gaming Software

Check It Out First

System Requirements

Finding and Purchasing Games

Software Updates, Mods, and Expansions

Gaming Hardware and Hardware Considerations

Gaming Controllers

Critical Hardware Components for Gaming

Playing the Game

Singleplayer Locally Installed Games

Multiplayer Locally Installed Games

Browser-Based Games on the Internet

Gaming in Perspective

Part Six: At Home: Networking and Telecommuting

Chapter 18 Building a Home Network

Networks and Networking

What Can You Do with Home Networking?

Home Networking Technologies

Connectivity: The Transmission Media

Connectivity: The Hardware

The Network Adapter

The Access Point

The Residential/Home Gateway

Making Home Networking Decisions

Steps to Installing a Home Network

Chapter 19 Working @ Home

The Trend Toward Working at Home

Arguments for Working at Home

Arguments Against Working at Home

Is Telework for You?

The Workplace

The Tools of Telework

Backup and Recovery

Working Smart

Index