PCs: The Missing Manual [Paperback]

Andy Rathbone (Author)

Book Description

Series: Missing Manual | Publication Date: December 30, 2005

Your vacuum comes with one. Even your blender comes with one. But your PC--something that costs a whole lot more and is likely to be used daily and for tasks of far greater importance and complexity--doesn't come with a printed manual. Thankfully, that's not a problem any longer: PCs: The Missing Manual explains everything you need to know about PCs, both inside and out, and how to keep them running smoothly and working the way you want them to work.

A complete PC manual for both beginners and power users, PCs: The Missing Manual has something for everyone. PC novices will appreciate the unassuming, straightforward tutorials on PC basics, such as hooking up a monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, and scanner. Families will enjoy sections on networking several computers to share an Internet connection, sharing one monitor between two PCs, connecting portable media players, and creating a home theater system. Adventurous PC users will like the clear photos explaining how to take your PC apart and replace or upgrade any failing parts; IT professionals will be grateful to have something to hand to their coworkers who need solid, trusted information about using their PC.

In PCs: The Missing Manual, bestselling computer author Andy Rathbone delivers simple, reliable advice on the kinds of things PC users confront every day. He shows you how to connect and configure today's must-have devices (including digital cameras, portable music players, digital camcorders, and keychain drives); burn CDs and DVDs; scan and fax documents, and more. His section on the Internet explains how to choose the best Internet Service Provider and web browser for your needs; send email; find information quickly on the Web; share photos online; set up a blog; set up a webcam; access TV and radio through the Internet; and shop safely online. And Rathbone delivers plenty of guidance on keep your privacy and your PC safe by installing firewalls, creating safe passwords, running antivirus software, removing spyware and adware, and backing up important files.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Andy Rathbone first wrote "Windows for Dummies" back in 1992, and since then he's updated the book for every subsequent version of the operating system. All of the editions combined have sold more than 11 million copies. He's also the author of "Upgrading and Fixing Your PC for Dummies" and "Tivo for Dummies". All told, Andy has more than 15 million books in print, making him one of the bestselling computer book writers on the planet. He's been on bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, and many others.

Product Details

• Paperback: 600 pages
• Publisher: Pogue Press; 1 edition (December 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596100930
• ISBN-13: 978-0596100933
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,183,983 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've written more than 50 books in the past 20 years, including the "Windows For Dummies" series, "Upgrading and Fixing PCs For Dummies," and "Motorola Xoom For Dummies."

Feel free to visit my Web site at www.andyrathbone.com, where I answer a reader's question each week.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best PC Teaching Book In Print, March 7, 2006

By 

Daniel McKinnon "Dan" (Tewksbury, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: PCs: The Missing Manual (Paperback)

Without a doubt, if you want to learn about all the ins and outs of using a PC in the modern day, the only place you need to go is 'PCs: The Missing Manual' by Andy Rathbone. This is beyond a good book, it is a GREAT book. Expertly written by a seasoned professional in the world of computer books, if you want to ramp up quickly and have fun doing so, this book is an absolute STEAL at the price listed on the back cover.

Major topics covered

Hardware internals of PCs - how they are laid out, what different ports, cards, etc mean (eg. video, sound, USB)

Discussion on common devices used with your PC - digital cameras, printers, scanners, MP3 players

Drives discussion - floppy drives, hard drives, CD/DVD drives, it's all here

Online topics covered - email, surfing the net, how to get online

Networking your PC

+ too many tidbits, history, and knowledge to quickly list here!!

If you or someone else has been interested in learning more about PCs, you owe it to yourself to pick up a copy of this book. Every time I write a "Missing Manual" review I praise the work of the authors, and that's because this is one of the best lines of books on the market today. Of the dozen or so Missing Manual books I have reviewed, this is one of my favor ties and I can't find any faults with this wonderfully written text.

***** HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Takes a Broad Subject and Does It Well, April 17, 2006

By 

Warren Kelly (Southern Ohio) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: PCs: The Missing Manual (Paperback)

Once upon a time, computers came with big, thick, intimidating manuals filled with every bit of arcane knowledge the designers thought that the user would need. Nobody ever read them, partly because of their size, but mainly because it was tedious, time-consuming work to sift throught the manual to try to find the answer you actually needed.

Eventually, manufacturers stopped making these massive manuals - instead, they printed up short "quick-start guides" to get people started. Unfortunately, these guides served much the same purpose as detour signs do in road construction. They take you just far enough to get you lost and then leave you there with no clue what to do next. Readers end up like drivers: lost, confused, and frustrated.

PCs: The Missing Manual is designed to change that. This book, like each of the other Missing Manuals books, gives users a base of knowledge to build on. Unlike those early computer manuals, the book does it in a way that people can understand and follow, and it doesn't just drop you off in the middle of nowhere. Also unlike the early manuals, it goes beyond the PC itself and covers many popular peripherals and accessories - including scanners, digital cameras, and MP3 players.

When writing a book like this, covering such a broad topic as PCs in general, it's easy to go into information overload. That's something that Rathbone manages to avoid, mainly by offering a lot of content online through O'Reilly's Missing CD web site.

The most valuable resources in the book are the troubleshooting guides. Printer troubles, camera problems, even network difficulties are covered and in enough detail that the average user can solve the most common problems quickly and easily. There's also a section covering security and maintenance, including combating spyware and phishing schemes.

PCs: The Missing Manual is basic enough that average computer users can read it and make good use of it. If you are looking for something that will teach you details about modifying and upgrading your system, this isn't the book for you - you'll want to get a different O'Reilly book - Repairing and Upgrading Your PC (review forthcoming).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Andy Rathbone is the best !!!!, January 15, 2007

By 

R. Sanchez "Mago Evon" (Caracas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: PCs: The Missing Manual (Paperback)

Andy is an excellent professional and his literature work is awesome and very simple to follow. And if you ever requested a tech support on his Web site, you'll know that is the best support that any body can deliver. He's the best among the best without any doubt !!!!....Rafael Sanchez from Caracas-Venezuela :-)