Windows XP for Starters - Exactly what you need to get started

Windows XP powers millions of PCs and is without a doubt the most widely used operating system in the world today. This rock solid operating system offers dozens of features for consumers, plus powerful applications and integrated networking tools all blended into an elegant interface. But working your way through all of these features and applications can be complicated. Whether you use this software at home or at work, sometimes you just want to learn the most commonly used features, not every option and nuance.
For anyone interested in zeroing in and learning just the information they need without all the complicated jargon, Windows XP for Starters: The Missing Manual provides just the solution.
The Author delivers an accessible and much needed guide with his trademark humor and friendly style. Windows XP for Starters: The Missing Manual provides clear explanations, with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions, and plenty of illustrations that make for a refreshingly simple approach to XP.
Far more than a skimpy introduction but much less daunting than a weighty tech book, Windows XP For Starters: The Missing Manual unveils easy tips and tricks for making the most of the XP experience.
Whether you're a first-time user who just wants the basics, or an experienced user who simply needs a quick overview, our new Windows XP For Starters: The Missing Manual is designed from the ground up to save you time and deliver what you need to know. Find out why this book is exactly what you need.

List of contents

The Missing Credits;
About the Author;
About the Creative Team;
The Missing Manual Series;
Introduction;
About This Book;
Basic Terms;
About MissingManuals.com;
Part One: The Windows XP Desktop;
Chapter 1: The Very Basics;
1.1 What Is Windows, Anyway?;
1.2 Working Windows Smarter;
Chapter 2: The Desktop and Start Menu;
2.1 Logging In;
2.2 The Elements of the XP Desktop;
2.3 The Start Menu;
2.4 Start ¿ Log Off;
2.5 Start ¿ Shut Down (Turn Off Computer);
2.6 Start ¿ All Programs;
2.7 Start ¿ Search;
2.8 Start ¿ Help and Support;
2.9 Start ¿ Control Panel;
2.10 Start ¿ My Network Places;
2.11 Start ¿ My Computer;
2.12 Start ¿ My Music, My Pictures;
2.13 Start ¿ My Recent Documents;
2.14 Start ¿ My Documents;
Chapter 3: Windows, Folders, and the Taskbar;
3.1 Windows in Windows;
3.2 The Desktop Window Overhaul;
3.3 Window Toolbars;
3.4 The Taskbar;
3.5 Taskbar Toolbars;
Chapter 4: Organizing Your Stuff;
4.1 Creating a Folder;
4.2 The Folders of Windows XP;
4.3 Life with Icons;
4.4 Copying and Moving Folders and Files;
4.5 The Recycle Bin;
4.6 Shortcut Icons;
4.7 Burning CDs from the Desktop;
Part Two: The Components of Windows XP;
Chapter 5: Programs and Documents;
5.1 Launching Programs;
5.2 Switching Programs;
5.3 Exiting Programs;
5.4 When Programs Die;
5.5 Saving Documents;
5.6 Closing Documents;
5.7 The Open Dialog Box;
5.8 Moving Data Between Documents;
5.9 Filename Extensions;
5.10 Installing Software;
5.11 Uninstalling Software;
Chapter 6: Pictures, Music, and Movies;
6.1 Digital Photos in XP;
6.2 Scanning;
6.3 Windows Media Player;
Part Three: Windows Online;
Chapter 7: Getting on the Web;
7.1 How to Get Online;
7.2 Establishing a New Dial-Up Internet Account;
7.3 Manually Plugging in Internet Settings;
7.4 Dialing Up to the Internet;
7.5 Surfing the Web;
7.6 Internet Explorer;
Chapter 8: Outlook Express 6;
8.1 Setting Up Outlook Express;
8.2 Sending Email;
8.3 Reading Email;
Part Four: Beyond the Basics;
Chapter 9: Printers and Other Hardware;
9.1 Installing a Printer;
9.2 Printing;
9.3 Controlling Printouts;
9.4 Printer Troubleshooting;
9.5 Hardware;
9.6 Connecting New Gadgets;
9.7 The Device Manager;
Chapter 10: The Control Panel;
10.1 Navigating the Panel;
10.2 Accessibility Options;
10.3 Add Hardware;
10.4 Add or Remove Programs;
10.5 Administrative Tools;
10.6 Automatic Updates;
10.7 Bluetooth Devices;
10.8 Date and Time;
10.9 Display;
10.10 Folder Options;
10.11 Fonts;
10.12 Game Controllers;
10.13 Internet Options;
10.14 Keyboard;
10.15 Mail;
10.16 Mouse;
10.17 Network Connections;
10.18 Network Setup Wizard;
10.19 Phone and Modem Options;
10.20 Power Options;
10.21 Printers and Faxes;
10.22 Regional and Language Options;
10.23 Scanners and Cameras;
10.24 Scheduled Tasks;
10.25 Security Center;
10.26 Sounds and Audio Devices;
10.27 Speech;
10.28 System;
10.29 Taskbar and Start Menu;
10.30 User Accounts;
10.31 Windows Firewall;
10.32 Wireless Network Setup Wizard;
Chapter 11: Help, Maintenance, and Backups;
11.1 Navigating the Help System;
11.2 "What's This?": Help for Dialog Boxes;
11.3 Getting Help from Microsoft;
11.4 PC Maintenance: Internet Security;
11.5 Security Center;
11.6 Automatic Updates;
11.7 Microsoft Backup;
Part Five: Life On the Network;
Chapter 12: User Accounts;
12.1 Introducing User Accounts;
12.2 Setting Up Accounts;
12.3 Setting Up the Logon Process;
Chapter 13: The Home Network;
13.1 The Network Setup Wizard;
13.2 Simple File Sharing;
13.3 The Shared Documents Folder;
13.4 Sharing Your Own Folders;
13.5 Accessing Other Computers;
13.6 Working with Network Files;
Colophon;

About the author

David Pogue, Yale '85, is the weekly personal-technology columnist for the New York Times and an Emmy award-winning tech correspondent for CBS News. His funny tech videos appear weekly on CNBC. And with 3 million books in print, he is also one of the world's bestselling how- to authors. He wrote or co-wrote seven books in the "For Dummies" series (including Macs, Magic, Opera, and Classical Music). In 1999, he launched his own series of amusing, practical, and user-friendly computer books called Missing Manuals, which now includes 100 titles.David and his wife Jennifer Pogue, MD, live in Connecticut with their three young children.

Summary

Windows XP powers millions of PCs and is one of the widely used operating system in the world. For those interested in zeroing in on just the information they need without the complicated jargon, this book provides easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions, and illustrations. It is useful for a first-time and also for an experienced user.

Product details

• Authors: David Pogue, Pogue David
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.01.2005
• EAN: 9780596101558
• ISBN: 978-0-596-10155-8
• No. of pages: 385
• Weight: 680 g
• Illustrations: w. figs.
• Series: The missing manual; Missing Manuals; Missing Manuals; Missing Manual
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > IT, data processing; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > IT, data processing > IT; Windows XP, COMPUTERS / Operating Systems / Windows Desktop, COMPUTERS / Operating Systems / Windows Server, Microsoft (Windows) operating systems