My Google Chromebook

Get comfortable with Google Chrome OS fast, with this media-rich, customized, hands-on learning experience! The Chrome OS is a new, fast, web-oriented operating system from Google, based on the Chrome web browser Tightly integrated with online video, screencast tutorials, podcasts, and more: the total learning experience for new Google Chrome OS users Practical, approachable coverage that completely flattens the Using Google Chrome OS learning curve Using Google Chrome OSis a customized, media-rich learning experience designed to help you master Google Chrome OS quickly, and get the most out of it, fast! It starts with a concise, friendly, straight-to-the-point guide to Google Chrome OS. This exceptional book is fully integrated with an unprecedented collection of online learning resources: online video, screencasts, podcasts, and additional web content, all designed to reinforce key concepts and help you achieve real mastery. Using books are designed to offer a solid and accessible introduction-both tutorial and reference-to a topic. The Using series is written in a succinct yet friendly manner and offers real-world advice and step by step tasks.

Michael Miller is a prolific and popular writer of non-fiction books, known for his ability to explain complex topics to everyday readers. He writes about a variety of topics, including technology, business, and music. His best-selling books for Que include Using Google Advanced Search, Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics,Windows 7 Your Way,Your First Notebook PC, and Facebook for Grown-Ups. Worldwide, his books have sold more than one million copies.

P Understanding Chrome, Chromebooks, and Cloud Computing     3
What Is Cloud Computing?     4
How Traditional Desktop Computing Works     4
How Cloud Computing Works     4
Defining the Cloud     5
Why Is Cloud Computing Important?     6
What Is Google Chrome OS?     7
What Is a Chromebook?     9
What Chromebooks Are Available?     10
Chromebook Pros and Cons     13
Chromebook Benefits     14
Chromebook Disadvantages     15
Should You Buy a Chromebook?     16
What Types of Users Should Buy a Chromebook?     16
What Types of Users Shouldn’t Buy a Chromebook?     17
1 Unboxing and Setting Up Your New Chromebook     21
Unboxing Your Chromebook     21
Turning on Your Chromebook—For the Very First Time     23
Setting Up a Chromebook     23
Creating a New Google Account     26
Creating a Google Account     26
2 Getting to Know Your Chromebook     31
Getting to Know Your Chromebook     31
Screen     32
Illumination Sensor     32
Webcam     33
Microphone     33
Keyboard     33
Touchpad     34
Multi-Card Slot     34
User Mode Switch     35
SIM Card Slot     35
USB Port (Right)      36
Status Indicator     36
Power Connector     36
Monitor Port     37
USB Port (Left)     37
Headset Jack     37
Using the Keyboard     37
Using the Touchpad     40
Moving the Cursor     41
Clicking the Cursor     41
Right-Clicking the Cursor     42
Dragging an Item     42
Scrolling the Screen     42
Adjusting Touchpad Sensitivity     43
Connecting External Devices     44
Connecting an External Mouse     44
Connecting an External Keyboard     44
Connecting an External Display     45
Adjusting Brightness and Volume     46
Adjusting Screen Brightness     46
Adjusting and Muting the Volume     47
3 Using Chrome OS     49
Starting Up and Shutting Down     49
Starting Up and Logging In     50
Putting Your Chromebook to Sleep     51
Powering Off Your Chromebook     51
Navigating Chrome     52
Understanding Chrome’s Status Icons     53
Navigating Tabs and Windows     55
Navigating Tabs     55
Navigating Windows     55
Switching to Full Screen Mode     56
Zooming into a Page     57
Using the Customize and Control Menu     57
4 Managing Multiple Users     61
Adding Users to Your Chromebook     61
Adding a User     61
Editing User Information     63
Changing Your Chrome User Picture     63
Creating Your Profile     65
Switching Users     67
Switching User Accounts     67
Logging in as a Guest User     67
5 Working Wirelessly     69
Connecting to a Wi-Fi Network     69
Enabling Wi-Fi on Your Chromebook     70
Connecting to an Open Wi-Fi Network     70
Connecting to a Secure Wi-Fi Network     71
Viewing Network Status     72
Connecting to a 3G Network     72
Activating Verizon 3G Service     73
Connecting via 3G     74
Using Your Chromebook with a SIM Card     75
Roaming with a Different 3G Carrier     76
Monitoring Data Usage     76
Connecting to an Ethernet Network     77
Connecting via Ethernet     77
Managing Network Connections     78
Automatically Connecting to a Network     78
Forgetting a Network     79
Viewing Network Details     79
6 Configuring and Personalizing Chrome OS     81
Changing Themes     81
Selecting a New Theme     83
Resetting to the Default Theme     84
Configuring Basic Options     85
Configuring Startup Behavior     85
Changing Chrome’s Home Page     86
Displaying the Home Button     86
Displaying the Bookmarks Bar     87
Changing Search Providers     88
Enabling Google Instant     89
Configuring Personal Stuff     89
Changing Your Account Password     89
Waking from Sleep     90
Syncing Your Account     90
Saving Passwords     92
Enabling Autofill     93
Configuring System Options     94
Changing Your Time Zone     94
Managing Touchpad Sensitivity     95
Customizing Languages and Input Methods     95
Changing Search, Ctrl, and Alt Key Behavior     96
Enabling Accessibility Features     97
Configuring Networking Options     98
Getting Under the Hood     98
Configuring Privacy Options     98
Displaying Web Content     98
Changing Proxy Settings     99
Translating Pages     100
Managing HTTPS/SSL Security     101
Managing Users     101
Disabling Guest Browsing     102
Hiding Usernames     102
Restricting Sign-In     103
7 Managing Files and Using External Storage     105
Using Chrome’s File Manager     105
Viewing and Opening Files     108
Renaming Files and Folders     109
Deleting Files     109
Creating a New Folder     110
Saving Files from the Web     111
sing an External USB Memory Device or Memory Card     113
Connecting a USB Memory Device     113
Inserting a Memory Card     114
8 Viewing and Listening to Photos,Music, and Videos     117
Viewing Digital Photos     117
Viewing Photos from an External Storage Device     118
Viewing a Photo Slideshow     119
Listening to Music     119
Listening to a Single Track     120
Listening to a Playlist     121
Watching Videos     122
Viewing a Video     122
9 Browsing and Searching the Web     125
Browsing the Web     125
Going to a Web Page     126
Clicking Links     127
Reloading a Page     128
Moving Forward and Back Through Pages     128
Viewing and Managing Browser History     128
Viewing Your Recent History     129
Viewing Your Full History     129
Deleting Browsing History     130
Searching the Web     131
Entering a Query     132
Using Google Instant     133
Using Google’s Advanced Search     134
Understanding Search Results     135
Fine-Tuning Search Results     138
Changing Change Search Providers     140
Managing Your Home Page     140
Choosing a New Home Page     141
Displaying the Home Button     141
Bookmarking Favorite Pages     142
Bookmarking a Web Page     142
Displaying the Bookmarks Bar     143
Going to a Bookmarked Page     144
Managing Bookmarks     144
Using Autofill     146
Enabling Autofill     147
Saving Form Information     147
Automatically Entering Form Information     147
Manage Stored Information     148
Browsing in Incognito Mode     149
Opening an Incognito Window     150
10 Installing Chrome Extensions     153
Installing and Using Extensions     153
Downloading and Installing Extensions     154
Using Extensions     155
Managing Extensions     156
Configuring Extension Options     156
Disabling or Uninstalling Extensions     158
Examining Popular Extensions     159
11 Using Chrome Apps     163
Understanding Chrome Apps     163
Getting to Know the Chrome Web Store     165
Installing and Launching Apps     165
Downloading and Installing Apps     166
Launching Chrome Apps     167
Using Chrome Apps     167
Managing Installed Apps     167
Configuring App Options     168
Uninstalling Apps     168
Determining How Apps are Launched     169
Examining Chrome Apps—by Category     170
Education Apps     170
Entertainment Apps     171
Family Apps     173
Games     174
Lifestyle Apps     175
News and Weather Apps     176
Productivity Apps     177
Shopping Apps     178
Social and Communication Apps     179
Utilities     180
12 Working in the Cloud     183
Office Suites in the Cloud     183
Google Docs     184
Microsoft Office Web Apps     186
Microsoft Office Live 365     187
Zoho Docs     188
Other Web-Based Office Suites     189
Word Processing in the Cloud     189
Google Docs     189
Microsoft Word Web App     190
Zoho Writer     191
Other Web-Based Word Processors     192
Spreadsheets in the Cloud     192
Google Spreadsheets     193
Microsoft Excel Web App     194
Zoho Sheet     194
Other Cloud Spreadsheet Apps     195
Presentations in the Cloud     195
Google Presentations     196
Microsoft PowerPoint Web App     197
Zoho Show     197
Other Web-Based Presentation Apps     198
Photo Editing in the Cloud     198
Adobe Photoshop Express Editor     199
Picnik    200
Picture2Life     200
Finances and Banking in the Cloud     201
Calendars in the Cloud     202
Google Calendar     203
Yahoo! Calendar     204
Windows Live Calendar     205
Email in the Cloud     205
Gmail     206
Windows Live Hotmail     207
Yahoo! Mail     207
Instant Messaging in the Cloud     208
IM Solutions     208
Using Google Talk     208
Skyping in the Cloud     210
13 Printing from Google Chrome     213
Understanding Google Cloud Print     213
Connecting a Printer to Google Cloud Print     215
Connecting a Cloud Print-Ready Computer     215
Connecting an Existing Printer     216
Printing to Google Cloud Print     217
Printing from Your Chromebook     217
Sharing a Printer with Google Cloud Print     218
Sharing a Printer     218
Disabling Sharing     219
Disconnecting a Printer from Cloud Print     220
Disconnecting a Cloud Print-Ready Printer     220
Disconnecting a “Classic” Printer     220
14 Using Google Chrome Safely and Securely     223
Cloud Computing and Data Security     223
Chrome OS and Malware     224
Protecting Against Phishing     225
Practicing Safe Computing     227
Protecting Your Personal Data     227
Avoiding Cyberstalkers     229
Protecting Your Children Online     229
Configuring Chrome’s Privacy and Security Settings     231
Don’t Save Passwords     231
Don’t Use Autofill     232
Configure Privacy Settings     232
Configure Content Settings     234
Clear Browsing Data     236
Restrict Sign-In     237
15 Optimizing Your Chromebook’s Performance     239
Optimizing Battery Life     239
Using the Right Adapter     239
Keeping It Cool     240
Maintaining a Little Charge     .240
Dimming the Screen     240
Disabling Wireless     240
Speeding Up Performance     241
Don’t Multitask     241
Disabling or Removing Extensions     242
Hiding Images     242
Enabling DNS Prefetching     243
Disabling Feedback to Google     244
16 Troubleshooting and Recovering from Problems     247
Dealing with a Frozen App or Web Page     247
Clearing Local User Data     249
Recovering from Severe Problems     250
Updating Chrome OS     252
A Google Chrome Keyboard Shortcuts     255
Index     261

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