Customer Reviews

Computers for Beginners (Usborne Computer Guides)

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I bought this book for my 12 year old to prepare for a computer literacy test he took to 'test out' of a required middle school course. While he uses computers a lot and I have for years, the illustrations helped both of us to better understand how computers work. I've suggested that our school purchase a set for the computer lab.

To those who use a computer but are as computer phobic as I, this is not the fun, clear, "any-child-could-grok-this" page-turner I'd hoped for.

In answer to: Should I? Nope.

Sorry.

Computer for Beginners

This is an informational book that gives a broad overview about computers and how they work along with input and output devices. It really helps one to understand how a computer initially works, who invented it and what computers do for us today. Margaret Stephens and Rebecca Treays give a short but informational coverage about what computers are and how they work. I recommend this book because it gives the information clearly so one can get the information in a simple glance. That's what I want to do on my site [...].
The first chapter informs us that a computer is a device that takes data and processes it into information; a computer also has hardware and software that is placed throughout the computer. The second chapter, Bits and Pieces informs the reader about computer logic and what silicon chips are also part of a computer that help decides what job each chip can do.
Throughout this short informative book input hardware devices such as the mouse, keyboard and scanners are introduced in pictures and short snappy statements. Output devices are also introducde in large colorful pictures and gives examples about different kinds of monitors such as the cathode ray monitors, monochrome monitors and flat screen monitors. The printer chapter gives immense detail about items such as the dot matrix, daisy wheel, laser, printer driver and the print spooler. The text talks about mainframes and how they work and what different kinds of computer do the job.
Toward the end of the book it talks about the first computers, how to sit at a computer right and how to buy a computer so you do not get the wrong one.
Basically the whole shebang that this book covers is the basics about computers in a short, cute, peppy way that catches your attention and I recommend this book for one who just wants a short outline of information.