Clik to buy Computers
Simplified (4th Ed) by Ruth Maran Reviews Amazon.com IDG and maranGraphics have come
very close to the ideal "superdummy" format with Computers Simplified,
Fourth Edition. This book explains personal computing technology to
the complete neophyte, but unlike many books for nervous newbies, this
one manages to provide a complete picture without drowning the reader in
details.
This book does not cover the actual
use of a personal computer--you won't find any explanations of how to manipulate
a mouse or what the Windows 98 Start button does. Rather, Computers
Simplified gives an overview of personal computing technology, from
the components that make up an IBM-standard PC to the Internet and Web.
After reading this heavily illustrated book, readers will know which aspects
of computing interest them, and what they should look into next.
The great thing about Computers
Simplified is that it explains pretty much everything a new user will
wonder about. For example, even though digital cameras are a relatively
new phenomenon, novices will have heard about them and want to know what
they can do. This is also true for Zip drives, palm-size computers, scanners,
fax software, Windows NT, and dozens of other aspects of personal computers
that elementary books traditionally have neglected. Computers Simplified
is like a child's science book in that it mentions lots of advanced stuff,
but explains it in basic terms.
--David Wall
Book Description Computers Simplified®, 4th
Edition, the latest installment in IDG Books' award-winning 3-D Visual®
series, is the easiest way to get started in today's brave new technological
world. With chapters dedicated to broad-based topics such as application
software, portable computers, operating systems, and the Internet, Computers
Simplified, 4th Edition provides a painless introduction to Cyberia.
Computers
Simplified, 4th Edition deals in explanatory illustrations with sensible
explanations that are sure to convert even the most jaded Luddite. So if
you've been looking for an excuse to finally take the high-tech plunge,
here it is -- Computers Simplified, 4th Edition.
Synopsis This definitive beginner's guide
for learning about and using PCs covers all of the latest developments
in personal computer hardware, peripherals, and key software applications
and features easy-to-understand text and color graphics.
The reader will learn everything
they've always wanted to know about PCs with the latest edition of the
award-winning 3-D full-color guide. Updated to cover the latest developments
in portable, multimedia, networking, and microprocessors, this book is
perfect for the beginner and the busy executive. --This text refers
to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Excellent book for beginners A reader from SF Bay Area, California
As a computer teacher of older adults,
the "simplified" books are excellent for beginning students. I would like
fewer "cutesy" graphics, but the information is good, and it works well
for beginning students.
I recommend this book for new
and experienced users alike. A reader from Sydney, Illinois
A friend was taking a computer class
for new users and was told by the instructor that the class would use this
book. I looked at it and bought a copy. I am an experienced computer user
(Macintosh, Windows, Unix, Linux, Java, HTML, Office, Netscape, Explorer,
Perl, etc.) and this book taught me so much! I learned about the workings
of computers. Before I read this book, I know how to use computers, but
not too much about how computers worked.
I bought a Windows computer recently
from a customized computer store. Thanks to this book's teaching me about
the components of computers, I knew just what to buy and ordered with confidence.
At the end, when I was deciding what to do about speakers, the dealer showed
me some wildly powerful units. I looked in the book and told the dealer
I needed two 10-30 watt speakers. The dealer sold me a pair of sixty watt
speakers. My advice to you is get sixty watt speakers even though the book
mentions thirty watt speakers. I suppose that's my one gripe with the book.
If an experienced user can learn
so much from this book, a new computer user will definitely think of this
book as five-star. This book is very easy to understand; there is simple
language and the explanations are given step-by-step. Computers Simplified
is a great reference. If you want to learn hypertext markup language or
something else, go to the amazon.com Home Page, follow the links to Books,
type in Computers Simplified, and take a look at the results. I recommend
Creating Web Pages Simplified and agree with Amy Brazo about this book
cutting through all the jargon.
Others: This book should be the Bible
for computer users. The best book for the befuddled. This book is extremely easy to
understand.
Buying
the Perfect Computer – The FIRST Time by: Dan Preston
So you’ve finally decided it’s time
for a change. No matter what advice you follow that old work horse of a
desktop computer you have has outlived its usefulness with slow loading
applications and a continuous rise in operation noise.
Searching for that Perfect Computer
can be about as much fun as purchasing a new car and about as frustrating
also when sorting through the various brands while trying to decide which
“bells and whistles” best fit your needs. Besides all that trying to return
something that is so large can be both inconvenient and very difficult
to do.
So making the right decision the
FIRST time is the wise path of choice.
For starters you’ll need to decide
what you want to do with your computer. Are you into the video game scene
or are you someone who likes to just surf the internet and occasionally
do some book keeping with simple word processing software?
If you’re into video games you’re
going to want a machine that can handle the high level of graphics and
superior sound quality.
On the other hand if you’re not into
all that high adrenalin stuff can probably get by with a less expensive
system. Although, if you want to stay on the safe side I would recommend
going with something more “high-end” so you don’t have to spend another
large chunk of change to upgrade the system you just bought.
There are two basic routes you can
take when purchasing a new computer.
1) Purchase a “Brand Name” Computer
2) Purchase a “Clone” Computer
A “BRAND-NAME” computer is one that
is manufactured by a company that is recognizable by name.
Some Advantages/Disadvantages of
“Brand-Name” computers include:
Advantages-
Customer Support- If you are experiencing
problems with your computer you will have the option to contact a representative
of the company that you purchased the PC from to get help in solving your
problem.
Customer support is probably the
best reason to buy a brand-name computer.
Warranty- Having a warranty is always
nice since it acts as a type of security blanket for you.
In case a part on your computer should
fail you should be able to get the item fixed at no charge just as long
as the warranty has not expired.
Read and understand a company’s warranty
policy BEFORE you purchase a computer from them.
This way you’ll have a good understanding
of the procedures to follow in case a problem should arise.
Pre-installed Software- Many companies
will include software packages that are all set up and ready to go for
you on your computer.
Although, a disadvantage of buying
a brand-name computer with software pre-installed is that you usually end
up with more than fits your needs and usually just results with the wasting
of space on your storage device.
Additional Support- Most brand-name
computer companies are also able to provide you with web sites that may
provide you with current software updates, user manuals, or basic troubleshooting
help.
Disadvantages-
The use of Proprietary parts- the
term Proprietary refers to products that are unique to an individual company
and that company only.
So if a part was to malfunction on
your computer after warranty and you needed to replace it you could not
just go to your local computer store and purchase any old part even if
it was intended for the same function as the item that failed.
You would be forced to buy the exact
same item that came out of the computer or else the computer would more
than likely cease to function correctly.
Having to buy proprietary parts usually
involves the need to place an order which means you’ll have to wait for
the part to arrive or you’ll have to send your computer into the company
or an authorized dealer of that company for repairs.
People with a home based business
would probably not be too happy with that situation at all.
Integrated/On-board parts- In the
computer world when you hear the word integrated or on-board it means that
a particular part such as the modem or sound port where you plug in your
speakers, is built-in or part of the computer main board (Also known as
the Motherboard).
This means that if any of these items
should fail, you can’t just remove them from the computer and replace them
with a new part. They are usually soldered directly to the main board and
are stuck there.
Although, some computers do provide
a way to disable a malfunctioning device which will allow you to install
your own store bought device to take the place of the broken part.
From a computer technicians point
of view this is not always easy to do.
It just depends on what brand of
computer you currently have. Meaning some are easier to work on than others.
A “CLONE” computer is a clone or
a copy of its brand-name counterpart with the exception that instead of
company specific or proprietary parts, the items used to make a clone computer
are from several different companies instead of only one.
Let’s say that if you were to go
to a local company that builds “clone” computers, and you tell them what
you need, chances are they don’t use parts that are specific to only that
type of computer like the brand-name computer companies do.
This is a good thing because it means
that they will probably use components that are interchangeable with many
different brands and are easy to come by if needed.
Some Advantages/Disadvantages of
“Clone” computers include:
Advantages-
Cost- compared to brand-name computers
the clone will generally be easier on your pocket book when purchasing
one with similar features as its brand-name counterpart.
This is most likely due to the money
that is saved by not offering the high-end customer service. Although,
that may not be the only reason for the lower prices.
Easily Accessible Replacement Parts-
Since the clone computer was built with parts that are not any one company
specific, you can buy parts for the clone computer that can be used even
if the brand is different from the one that was in the computer when you
originally bought it.
Note: Before you buy any parts, it
is necessary to make sure that the replacement parts are compatible with
your particular computers system requirements.
Either consult the manual that should
have came with your computer or get help from a knowledgeable friend or
repair person.
Disadvantages-
Warranties- Unless you purchase a
service plan you will typically not have as an attractive warranty as you
would with a brand-name computer company.
Whatever you do just make sure you
understand how long the warranty is for and as to what kind of repairs
the warranty covers before you make the purchase.
Customer Support- With brand-name
computer companies you are usually provided with a 24-hour toll free number
that you can call if you have questions or concerns with your computer.
Clone computers are more than likely
not going to have a 24-hour help service, but rather you will be forced
to only be able to call during regular business hours.
Also, it is more than likely that
there will not be any one website that you can go to in order to find out
information concerning troubleshooting questions you may have.
For service it may be necessary to
take the computer back to the store that you bought it at or you may have
to do some research on the individual parts that went into the computer
and visit the manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting tips.
Finally, if all else fails you can
certainly take what you have learned from this article and being that you
know what you need now, but don’t know where to go and get that “Perfect
Computer”, the best resource at your disposal are the very men and woman
that work at your local electronics shop.
It is their duty to help you get
hold of that “Perfect Computer” that best fits your needs. All you need
to do is tell them what you plan on using that computer for and they should
be more than happy to help you from there.
About The Author Dan is the webmaster of a friendly
site called InfoHeaven Digital Books where he offers all who visit the
knowledge they seek in the form of How-To digital books and free articles.
You can find his website at http://infoheaven-digital-books.com Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/Getting
Started In Information Technology Computer Consulting
by: John Gall
One of the best things about being
in the Information Technology industry is consulting. For purposes of this
article I'm using the term consulting in reference to side jobs or moonlighting
work. While full time Computer Consultants can also benefit from the tips
in this article, I'm really writing at the IT Employee who works a full-time
IT job and then takes extra jobs for extra money on the side.
So your working your regular job
and you want to earn more working for yourself. Here's a few ideas to get
started. First realize that its now almost impossible to function these
days without a computer in your home. In fact many homes now have 2-3 PC's
and eventually they are going to break or will need to be hooked together.
Word of Mouth Is King
To start, get yourself some business
cards that explain your services. DO NOT LIST YOUR RATE I made this rookie
mistake and was tied to my lowball rate once I was more established. So
start by spreading the word at work. Hopefully your employer is tolerant
of this. To know the limits simply ask someone in HR if the company has
a policy regarding work outside of the job. If not you may be able to post
a notice in the lunchroom or company classified ad board. However if this
is not an option just spread the word among co-workers you trust. Word
of mouth is always the best way to bring in new business. Everyone knows
someone with a broken computer and you just need to get people talking.
Once you get an opportunity, provide more service than the customer expects.
Remember these initial jobs are seeds so even if you don't make a profit,
the goodwill you earn will keep you working down the road.
The golden ring in doing this is
to find someone who will recommend you to a small or medium size business
that does not have its own IT staff.
Why Businesses? Because its steady
work and businesses know that time is money. Businesses tend to pay on-time,
they don't keep junk on their systems, and if a job runs over the amount
of time you expect they are generally willing to keep the clock running
so long as their systems are fixed. Home clients on the other hand tie
the money for the job with the price of the PC. This works against us as
PC's become cheaper. Businesses assign a monetary value to their time and
data so these are easier clients to work with. They also view hiring you
as just another cost of business and will not hesitate to let any employee
call you in after you gain their trust.
Advertising
I've tried advertising in newspapers
and never found it to pay off. One of the best things I've done besides
word of mouth is to use my neighborhood. I put a flyer in each newspaper
box advertising my services. The target here is the person who works out
of a home office. This is another attempt to secure a client whose time
is money. From here apply the same principle of outperforming their expectations.
Let them know you appreciate referrals and provide them with plenty of
extra business cards. I once was hired to separate two businesses during
a purchase. While one half was my client I made sure the other business
owner knew the level of my service and went out of my way to ensure his
systems worked as well or better once I left. Of course I taped my card
to each of his servers. A better way than walking your neighborhood is
to obtain a list of the addresses in your neighborhood and visit
http://www.usps.com
and start a mailing campaign. Select the postcard mailing option and simply
upload your flyer, send them your list of addresses and enter your credit
card number. I've found that I can canvass a 300 house neighborhood for
about $40.00 - $50.00 much cheaper and more targeted then my other attempts.
The reason you want to use a postcard is two fold. 1) It's cheaper 2) Its
easy to hang on to. When I used 8 1/2 x 11 paper flyers I only could reach
those with an immediate computer problem. Everyone else simply tossed the
ad. The idea it to get them to keep your card for later so offer an incentive
to this. Give them $10.00 off their first job or offer a free consultation.
You want them calling you not the other guy.
Billing
Ok here's my take on billing and
getting paid. Judgment is the key. When you bill a business be sure to
add to your invoice that payment is due upon receipt. Does this mean you'll
get paid immediately? Nope but if you leave it out businesses will assume
a Net 30 approach and pay you 30 days after receipt and that's no good.
So put the payment due upon receipt and see what happens. I give them 30
days anyway before sending a second invoice with a clear notice that this
is a PAST DUE invoice. Most times this clears things up. Now I should add
that I do have some customers that are inconsistent about how long it takes
to get paid but they do pay and furthermore I LIKE working for them. Maybe
they are the type that doesn't watch over my shoulder or gives me the key
to the place or lets me take stuff home to work on. My point is you be
the judge where the hassle is worth the delay if this occurs. Most important
spell out your terms on the invoice and send reminders every 30 days. Now
home users are different, you should expect them to pay on the spot or
very soon after. Just as the local PC shop expects them to pay before getting
their stuff back you should too. Judgment comes into play here as well.
Some will ask you to stop by for one thing and then keep you longer than
expected. DO NOT bring a prepared invoice based on what you believe the
charge will be. It's always better to tell them the cost and then e-mail
them the invoice after you've been paid.
Tax Tips
If your serious about an on-going
consulting business take the time to set yourself up properly. This will
pay dividends in increased revenue and tax savings. Assign a room in your
house as your home office. This will let you deduct any costs related to
that office from your earnings as a consultant. There is no law your business
has to make a profit so as long as you document the expenses you deduct
you can do so even if the expenses exceed your earnings. The benefit here
is that you get some tax savings from your regular paycheck from the loss
of your business. Hopefully your business gets going and earns a profit
but until this is the case you may as well do what you can to save money.
A few examples of things you can deduct are the insurance, utilities, and
internet costs proportional to the % of square feet your office consumes.
I've even heard that technically you can deduct dog related expenses if
you can prove the dog also guards the home office. I don't recommend stretching
anything however.
Sales Tax
Get yourself established as a business
in your state so you can charge sales tax. I know this sounds crazy but
if your going to sell your time, why not sell the parts and mark them up
10% so you make more money. I used to require my clients to purchase items
and then call me to install them. Now I just make sure I trust they'll
pay and order the items myself. This lets me increase revenue and as long
as you keep track of what you charged you simply pay the sales tax at the
end of the year, couldn't be easier.
Hopefully those tips will help you
start a small business on the side. From there you can grow or shrink the
business as you see fit.
Businesses and individuals alike
have all grown to rely on computers. The reliance is never more apparent
than when something happens to the horrid little box that makes our lives
easier. We expect computers to react a certain way, in certain situations.
It nearly always comes as a surprise when the beloved little box, know
as a computer, refuses to boot up. Probably even more shocking, is the
dawning that we've neglected to backup or prepare for the unforeseen disaster
that has just been thrust upon us.
Regardless of the number of times
you have experienced the dread of being unable to access the information
trapped in the god-awful computerized contraption, we are always invariably
unprepared.
The reality of it is that computers,
not only contain moving parts, but they like other machines, they are prone
to failure at some point in their lives. Not only can hardware failures
occur, but viruses can also corrupt data making it impossible to retrieve.
Regardless of the litany of words used to bully the box into behaving,
the truth is that the only offence is a good defense.
So how do you prepare for a computer
tragedy?
Prepare for the Worst
In structuring an offense it's important
to realize the power of reinforcements: backups are invaluable and will
save countless hours of shameless degradation. Be sure that you backup
data and files on a regular basis, there are a number of tools that will
automate the process.
It is critical that you check the
backup log to ensure that a backup was completed properly. I cannot begin
to describe the devastation felt when it is realized that though there
was a backup process in place, the backup never actually occurred. Realizing
this during a restore is likely to push any computer lover over the edge.
It is a good idea to store a weekly back up off site. This is especially
helpful, if an unforeseen fire or a natural disaster strikes.
Protection is critical!
Build A Wall
If the computer has Internet access,
either a hardware or software firewall (or combination there of) must be
used. The firewall creates a barrier between a computer and the world.
Without a firewall, Internet worms are capable of exploiting security holes
and are able to create what are referred to as 'back doors'. These back
doors can then be used to gain access to personal information stored on
the computer, including password files, and financial information.
Trust No One
If you are an avid Internet surfer
or downloader be sure to scan any downloads prior to opening or installing.
Up to date anti-virus software should be used to ensure, that computers
do not become infected with malicious viruses that will ruin your life.
Scan any email attachments prior to opening regardless of whom they are
from. Files that end with .scr, .pif and .exe can contain viruses that
will wreak havoc with your data and emotional well being.
Preparedness goes a long way, and
a little foresight will ensure that, while a computer might be an inconvenience,
you will not be defeated.
