Synopses & Reviews
Netbooks are the hot new thing in PCs -- small, inexpensive laptops designed for web browsing, email, and working with web-based programs. But chances are you don't know how to choose a netbook, let alone use one. Not to worry: with this Missing Manual, you'll learn which netbook is right for you and how to set it up and use it for everything from spreadsheets for work to hobbies like gaming and photo sharing.
Netbooks: The Missing Manual provides easy-to-follow instructions and lots of advice to help you:
- Learn the basics for using a Windows- or Linux-based netbook
- Connect speakers, printers, keyboards, external hard drives, and other hardware
- Get online using a wireless network, a public network, broadband cards, or dial-up
- Write email, browse the Web, transfer bookmarks, and add tools to your web browser
- Use business tools like Google Docs and Office for Netbooks
- Collaborate with others online via instant messaging
- Edit and share photos, play games, listen to music, and watch TV and movies online
You'll also learn about web-based backup and storage, staying secure online -- especially when using wireless networks -- and tips for troubleshooting. Netbooks point to the future of computing, and Netbooks: The Missing Manual will show you how to get there.
Synopsis
Netbooks are the hot new thing in PCs -- small laptops designed for web browsing, email, and using web-based programs, without the need to store data or own a desktop program. Odds are that you don't know how to pick a netbook, let alone use one. Not to worry: with this Missing Manual, you'll not only learn which netbook is right for you, but also how to set it up and use it to perform everything from job-related tasks such as working with spreadsheets to fun activities like gaming and photo sharing. Netbooks: The Missing Manual provides complete, easy-to-follow instructions for connecting speakers, printers, keyboards, and other hardware to a netbook, and offers advice for using free software and web-based programs. These little notebooks may not look like much compared to today's expensive laptops, but netbooks are the future of computing --- and Netbooks: The Missing Manual is your guidebook.
Synopsis
Netbooks--small laptops designed for Web browsing, e-mail, and using Web-based programs--are the hot new trend in PCs. This guide offers complete, easy-to-follow instructions on how to choose a netbook and how to use its various applications.
Synopsis
Netbooks are the hot new thing in personal computers, but you may not know how to pick one out let alone use one. Not to worry: This book walks you through choosing and buying a netbook, setting one up, and all the common tasks you'll likely want to perform on your cool new toy. There's info about everything from collaborating with others online and sharing photos to playing music and games. You'll also learn about connecting speakers, printers, keyboards and other hardware to your netbook. And as this book explains, you can save big bucks by using free software and Internet-based programs with your netbook. According to IDC, 10 million netbooks were sold in 2008 and that number should double to 20 million in 2009. Originally created for developing world (and the One Laptop Per Child campaign), netbooks have caught on with U.S. consumers due to their $300-$400 price range. Also appealing is the user's ability to rely on sophisticated web-based word-processing and spreadsheet programs to perform tasks, and online storage systems to keep data.
Synopsis
Netbooks are the hot new thing in PCs -- small, inexpensive laptops designed for web browsing, email, and working with web-based programs. But chances are you don't know how to choose a netbook, let alone use one. Not to worry: with this Missing Manual, you'll learn which netbook is right for you and how to set it up and use it for everything from spreadsheets for work to hobbies like gaming and photo sharing.
Netbooks: The Missing Manual provides easy-to-follow instructions and lots of advice to help you:
- Learn the basics for using a Windows- or Linux-based netbook
- Connect speakers, printers, keyboards, external hard drives, and other hardware
- Get online using a wireless network, a public network, broadband cards, or dial-up
- Write email, browse the Web, transfer bookmarks, and add tools to your web browser
- Use business tools like Google Docs and Office for Netbooks
- Collaborate with others online via instant messaging
- Edit and share photos, play games, listen to music, and watch TV and movies online
You'll also learn about web-based backup and storage, staying secure online -- especially when using wireless networks -- and tips for troubleshooting. Netbooks point to the future of computing, and Netbooks: The Missing Manual will show you how to get there.
Synopsis
This all-in-one guide, by bestselling Missing Manual author and New York Times columnist J.D. Biersdorfer, covers all the basics of the popular new netbook PCs. Netbooks are the hot new thing in PCs: small laptops designed for web browsing, email, and access to web-based programs (such as Google Apps), without the means -- or need -- to store data and desktop programs. This book walks readers through choosing and buying a netbook, setting one up, and all the common tasks they'll likely want to perform. It includes everything from collaborating with others online and sharing photos to playing music and games.
About the Author
J.D. Biersdorfer is the best-selling author of iPad: The Missing Manual, Best iPhone Apps (Second Edition), Netbooks: The Missing Maunal, and The iPod Shuffle Fan Book. She is the co-author of iPod: The Missing Manual, Google: The Missing Manual (Second Edition), iPhoto '09: The Missing Manual, and The Internet: The Missing Manual. She has authored the weekly technology column "Q&A" for the New York Times since 1998 and often writes about art, books, and design for other sections of The Times. J.D. also co-hosts the independent Pop Tech Jam audio podcast, which explores current events in the world of technology and geek culture.
Table of Contents
The Missing Credits; About the Author; About the Creative Team; Acknowledgements; The Missing Manual Series; Introduction; Why Netbooks Are Not Notebooks; About This Book; Part I: Meet Your Netbook; Chapter 1: Buying and Setting Up Your Netbook; 1.1 What to Look for When Buying a Netbook; 1.2 Customizing and Buying Your Netbook; 1.3 Setting Up Your Netbook; 1.4 Transferring Files to Your Netbook; 1.5 Netbook Battery Options; 1.6 A Note About Netbook Keyboards; Chapter 2: Getting to Know Your Windows Netbook; 2.1 Which Windows?; 2.2 Seven Things You Should Know About Windows 7; 2.3 Setting Up a Windows XP Netbook; 2.4 The Start Menu: Where It All Begins; 2.5 Windows Desktop Basics; 2.6 Taking Control with Control Panel; 2.7 A Tour of the Windows Programs Menu; 2.8 Adding More Programs; 2.9 Removing Programs; 2.10 Organizing and Finding Files; 2.11 Checking Hard Drive Space; 2.12 Backing Up Your Windows Netbook; 2.13 Closing Down Your Netbook; Chapter 3: Getting to Know Your Linux Netbook; 3.1 Which Type of Linux?; 3.2 Setting Up a Linux Netbook; 3.3 Exploring the Linux Desktop; 3.4 Applications Menu: All Your Programs; 3.5 Places Menu: Organizing and Finding Files; 3.6 System Menu: Preferences and More; 3.7 Seeing How Much Hard Drive Space Is Left; 3.8 Backing Up Your Linux Netbook; 3.9 Closing Down Your Linux Netbook; Chapter 4: Connecting Devices to Your Netbook; 4.1 Mice, Trackballs, and Tablets; 4.2 Connecting an External Monitor or TV; 4.3 Setting Up a Printer; 4.4 Storing Data on External Drives; 4.5 Capturing Images: Connecting Scanners and Webcams; 4.6 Listening to Music: MP3 Players and External Speakers; 4.7 On the Road: Cases and Cables; Part II: Taking Your Netbook Online; Chapter 5: Getting Online; 5.1 Ways to Connect to the Internet; 5.2 What You Need to Connect; 5.3 Getting an Internet Service Provider; 5.4 Setting Up a Wired Network; 5.5 Setting Up a Wireless Network; 5.6 Connecting to a Wireless Network; 5.7 Common Wireless Network Problems; 5.8 Using Public Wireless Networks; 5.9 Getting Online with a Wireless Broadband Card; 5.10 Using Your Mobile Phone as a Modem; 5.11 Using a Dial-Up Connection with Your Netbook; Chapter 6: Email and Web Browsing; 6.1 Setting Up an Email Program; 6.2 Email Basics; 6.3 Using a Web Browser; 6.4 Transfering Bookmarks from Another Computer; 6.5 Adding Tools to Your Web Browser; Part III: Working on Your Netbook; Chapter 7: Business Basics: Word Processing and More; 7.1 Microsoft Office for Windows Netbooks; 7.2 Microsoft Office Live Workspace; 7.3 OpenOffice.org: Free Word Processing, Spreadsheets, and More; 7.4 Google Docs: An Online Alternative; 7.5 Working with Contacts; 7.6 Staying on Track with Calendars; 7.7 Online Calendars; 7.8 Viewing PDFs with Adobe Reader; 7.9 Working with Graphics; 7.10 Welcome to the Free World: Software; Chapter 8: Collaborating with Others; 8.1 What You Can Do Online; 8.2 Setting Up Instant Message Software; 8.3 Voice Chat by Instant Messenger; 8.4 Video Chat by Instant Messenger; 8.5 File Transfer by Instant Messenger; 8.6 Making Phone Calls with Skype; 8.7 Working Together with Google Docs; 8.8 Online Collaboration Sites; 8.9 Social Networking Sites; Chapter 9: Multimedia Fun: Photos, Music, and Video; 9.1 Importing Digital Photos; 9.2 Organizing Your Photos; 9.3 Editing Photos; 9.4 Sharing Photos Online; 9.5 Photo Sharing Websites; 9.6 Popular MP3 Jukebox Programs; 9.7 Playing Digital Music on the Netbook; 9.8 Recording and Editing Sound; 9.9 Watching TV and Video Online; Chapter 10: Playing Games; 10.1 Games That Come with Your Netbook; 10.2 Gaming Websites; 10.3 Downloading Games; 10.4 Serious Gaming on a Netbook; Part IV: Taking Care of Your Netbook; Chapter 11: Protecting You and Your Netbook; 11.1 Ten Online Safety Tips for Netbooks; 11.2 Keeping Viruses at Bay; 11.3 Putting Up a Firewall; 11.4 Other Security Software for Netbooks; 11.5 Public Wireless Network Security; 11.6 Protecting Yourself: Ergonomic Tips; Chapter 12: Troubleshooting Your Netbook; 12.1 Troubleshooting Common Problems; 12.2 Built-In Windows Help Files; 12.3 Tuning Up with Windows System Tools; 12.4 Using Windows System Restore; 12.5 Using Remote Assistance; 12.6 Reinstalling Windows; 12.7 Built-in Linux Help Files; 12.8 Maintaining a Linux Netbook; 12.9 Ubuntu Remote Desktop; 12.10 Installing (or Reinstalling) Ubuntu; 12.11 Finding Help and Information Online;