Practical Computing

by Hogan, Lynn

• ISBN13: 9780131441330
• ISBN10: 0131441337
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

Appropriate for all beginning-level courses in personal computing. Practical Computing has been crafted to address the unique challenges novices face in mastering PCs. It combines user-friendly design, creative multimedia tools, and a focus on useful skills students can apply immediately, either at home or in the workplace. Lynn Hogan helps you ease students into computing, building their confidence as they learn about hardware, software, and the Internet. The book is organized to reflect the way new users typically explore their personal computers. Hogan first explains what computers do and how they function. She introduces the concept of software; then explains what Microsoft Windows does and how to work with it. Because many new users are frustrated by lost or missing files, Hogan carefully addresses managing files and folders. Next, students begin exploring the Internet and emailwith coverage of skills, concepts, and ethical issues. The book contains a full section on creating documents, spreadsheets, simple databases, graphics, and presentations with Microsoft Office. Throughout, Hogan draws upon her extensive experience teaching beginners, as well as the input of many other computer literacy instructors. Instructors have access to a comprehensive CD-ROM containing Instructors Manuals in Word and PDF formats; solutions to all questions and exercises; multiple, customizable PowerPoint slide presentations; Computer Concepts animations; TechTV videos, and all image files displayed in the text.

Table of Contents

Understanding Your Personal Computer	1	(28)
Introducing the Personal Computers	2	(3)
Powering On a Computer System	5	(1)
Taking a Tour	6	(17)
Input	6	(6)
Output	12	(3)
System Unit	15	(3)
Magnetic Disk Storage	18	(2)
Optical Disc Storage	20	(3)
Shutting Down Your System	23	(1)
Setting Up a New Personal Computer	23	(6)
Software	29	(33)
Understanding System Software	30	(12)
The Operating System	30	(3)
Windows	33	(4)
Mac OS	37	(1)
UNIX	37	(2)
Linux	39	(1)
System Utilities	40	(1)
Antivirus Software	40	(1)
Other System Utilities	41	(1)
Understanding Application Software	42	(20)
Distribution Methods	42	(1)
Commercial	42	(1)
Freeware	42	(1)
Shareware	43	(1)
Public Domain	43	(1)
Installing Software	43	(3)
Uninstalling Software	46	(1)
Running Software	47	(1)
Getting Help	48	(1)
Legal Issues	49	(2)
Major Categories of Application Software	51	(11)
Working with Windows	62	(36)
Understanding the Windows Concept	63	(1)
Knowing Your Way around the Desktop	64	(5)
Icons	65	(1)
Taskbar	65	(2)
The Start Menu	67	(1)
Toolbars on the Taskbar	68	(1)
The System Tray and Clock	69	(1)
Working with Programs and Windows	69	(5)
Menus	70	(1)
Dialog Boxes	71	(2)
Other Windows Elements	73	(1)
Understanding User Accounts	74	(3)
Creating a User Account	74	(1)
Modifying a User Account	75	(1)
Switching between Accounts	76	(1)
Managing Windows	77	(6)
Minimizing a Window	77	(1)
Maximizing a Window	78	(1)
Restoring a Window	79	(1)
Closing a Window	79	(1)
Moving and Resizing a Window	80	(1)
Working with More Than One Window at a Time	81	(2)
Customizing Windows	83	(5)
Setting the Clock	83	(1)
Changing Display Settings	84	(1)
Selecting a Background	84	(1)
Selecting a Screen Saver	85	(1)
Adjusting Screen Resolution	86	(1)
Adjusting Mouse Double-Click Speed	87	(1)
Adjusting Volume	88	(1)
Getting Help	88	(4)
Working with a Computer That Fails to Respond	92	(6)
Understanding Files, Folders, and Disk Maintenance	98	(26)
Understanding File and Folder Concepts	99	(3)
Files	99	(1)
Folders	100	(2)
Using My Computer	102	(5)
Viewing Contents of a Disk	102	(1)
The View Menu	102	(4)
File Types	106	(1)
Maintaining Disks	107	(8)
Using Disk Cleanup	108	(2)
Routine Disk Maintenance	110	(1)
Error Checking	111	(1)
Disk Defragmenting	112	(2)
The Scheduled Task Wizard	114	(1)
Backing Up (Copying Files)	115	(9)
Copying Files to a CD-R or CD-RW	116	(8)
Working with Files and Folders	124	(23)
Introducing Windows Explorer	125	(3)
Creating Folders	128	(2)
Renaming Folders	130	(2)
Creating Files	132	(1)
Renaming Files	133	(2)
Deleting Folders and Files	135	(1)
Understanding the Recycle Bin	136	(1)
Sending Files to the Recycle Bin	136	(1)
Managing the Recycle Bin	136	(1)
Customizing the Recycle Bin	137	(1)
Copying and Moving Files and Folders	137	(1)
Selecting Multiple Files and Folders	138	(2)
Finding Files and Folders	140	(7)
The Internet	147	(32)
Introducing the Internet	148	(2)
Connecting to the Internet	150	(7)
Computer Equipment	150	(1)
Connection Type	151	(1)
Dial-Up Modem	151	(1)
Cable Modem	152	(1)
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)	152	(1)
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)	152	(1)
Wireless	153	(1)
Internet TV	153	(2)
Internet Service Providers	155	(1)
Software	156	(1)
Creating an Account with an Online Service	157	(1)
Understanding Web Addresses	158	(3)
Understanding Browsers	161	(1)
Accessing Web Sites	162	(2)
Introducing Web Sites	164	(3)
Searching the Web	167	(5)
Search Engines and Directories	167	(2)
Phrasing the Search	169	(3)
Using Favorites (Bookmarks) and the History List	172	(2)
Understanding Societal Implications	174	(5)
Working with the Internet	179	(23)
Downloading Software	180	(3)
Collecting and Printing Items from the Internet	183	(4)
Collecting Text from the Internet to Save	184	(2)
Selectively Printing from the Internet	186	(1)
Capturing Clip Art	186	(1)
Managing Plug-ins	187	(2)
Understanding Privacy and Security Concerns	189	(13)
Viruses	189	(1)
Avoiding a Virus	190	(1)
Virus Symptoms	191	(1)
Removing a Virus	192	(1)
Firewalls	193	(1)
Understanding Adware and Spyware	194	(2)
Cookies	196	(1)
Digital Signatures	197	(5)
E-mail	202	(27)
Understanding E-mail	203	(2)
E-mail Servers	203	(2)
E-mail Clients	205	(1)
Creating an E-mail Account	205	(3)
Introducing Outlook Express	208	(1)
Selecting Outlook Express as Your E-mail Client	209	(1)
Sending E-mail	209	(8)
Reading E-mail	217	(1)
Working with Attachments	218	(4)
Creating and Adding an Attachment to an E-mail Message	218	(2)
Understanding File Compression Software	220	(1)
Retrieving, Saving, and Opening Attachments	220	(2)
Spam	222	(2)
Practicing E-mail Etiquette	224	(5)
Creating Documents (Using Microsoft Word 2002)	229	(27)
Introducing Word Processing	230	(1)
Creating and Managing Documents	230	(15)
The Word Interface	232	(1)
Document Views	232	(1)
Title Bar	232	(2)
Menu Bar, Toolbars, and the Ruler Bar	234	(1)
Task Pane	235	(1)
Status Bar	235	(1)
Creating a Document	235	(2)
Word Wrap	237	(1)
Correcting Mistakes	237	(1)
Checking Spelling and Grammar	237	(1)
Saving a Document	238	(1)
Saving a Document in a Different File Format	238	(1)
Closing a Document	239	(1)
Opening and Editing an Existing Document	240	(1)
Printing a Document	240	(3)
Print Preview	243	(1)
Print Settings	243	(1)
Creating a Document Using a Template	244	(1)
Formatting Text, Paragraphs, and Documents	245	(11)
Selecting Text	246	(1)
Changing the Appearance of Characters	246	(1)
Formatting Paragraphs	246	(3)
Formatting Documents	249	(7)
Creating Spreadsheets (Using Microsoft Excel 2002)	256	(35)
Introducing Spreadsheet Software	257	(3)
The Excel Interface	259	(1)
Creating and Managing Workbooks	260	(8)
Workbook Elements	260	(2)
Navigating within a Worksheet	262	(1)
Creating a Workbook	262	(1)
Working with Multiple Worksheets	263	(2)
Saving a Workbook	265	(1)
Closing a Workbook	265	(1)
Opening and Editing an Existing Workbook	265	(1)
Changing Page Setup Options	265	(3)
Printing a Workbook	268	(1)
Selecting, Copying, and Moving Workbook Contents	268	(6)
Selecting Ranges, Columns, and Rows	269	(2)
Inserting and Deleting Columns and Rows	271	(1)
Cutting, Copying, and Pasting Cell Contents	272	(2)
Working with Formulas	274	(7)
Creating Formulas	275	(2)
Understanding the Order of Precedence	277	(1)
Using Functions	277	(1)
Working with Absolute and Relative Cell References	278	(3)
Formatting a Workbook	281	(10)
Using Spelling Check and AutoCorrect	281	(1)
Aligning Data	282	(1)
Formatting Numbers	282	(1)
Adjusting Column Width	283	(8)
Appendix: Checklist for Purchasing a Home Computer	291	(1)
Interpreting Computer Advertisements	291	(2)
Recommended Minimum Specifications	293	(2)
Online or In-Store Purchase	295	(2)
Glossary	297	(8)
Credits	305	(1)
Index	306