What do the following people all have in common:

  • Bill Gates
  • Barack Obama
  • Oprah Winfrey
  • Tiger Woods
  • Angelina Jolie
  • Beyonce Knowles
  • David Beckham
  • Johnny Depp
  • My mother-in-law
  • You
  • Me

Besides all being human (purposefully leaving out the obligatory mother-in-law joke), they were all first time computer users at some time.  They all sat at a keyboard for the first time, stared blankly at the screen, and then said, “Now what?”

So, I decided to put together a list of books that every noobie should have on their shelves!  I’ve also copied a brief description of each book so that you can see what you’re getting yourself into.

General Computers

Just the Computer Essentials: A Plain-English, No-Nonsense Guide to Buying and Maintaining a PC Running the Windows Vista™ Operating System for Your Home or Home Office

You’ve seen the books for “dummies” and you’re beyond that - you know how to turn a computer on, check your email, and surf the Internet. There are books for geniuses that focus on getting over-detailed on technology you don’t care anything about. Why can’t there be a book for you - a book to help you buy a new computer or help you protect your computer and data without all the useless information???

You’ve come to the right place! Just the Computer Essentials is a book written for the everyday user.

Essential Introduction to Computers, Seventh Edition

The perfect coverage of essential computer concepts. Topics include hardware, software, communications, networks, the Internet, and covers information on how to purchase computers for personal use.

Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics (4th Edition)

Who knew how simple computers could be?

 

What can you do with your new PC? The sky’s the limit! Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics will show you how to set up and configure your PC, including how to connect to the Internet. Then you’ll learn how to fix your digital photos, create digital scrapbooks, download digital music to your iPod, burn your own custom CDs, watch DVD movies, write letters and memos, balance your checkbook, and create show-stopping presentations. And if you need more computing horsepower, you’ll even learn how to upgrade your PC and add new peripherals. It’s all easy, thanks to Michael Miller’s step-by-step instructions and helpful advice!

 

Now updated for both Windows Vista™ and Windows® XP, Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics will have you using your new PC in no time! Here’s a preview of

what you’ll find inside:

  • Learn how to set up and configure your new computer, and install new computer hardware and software

  • Get the scoop on how to work with Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista, and how to personalize it just for you

  • Learn how to use the most popular computer programs—including Microsoft®  Word, Microsoft®  Works, Microsoft®  Money, and Quicken

  • Connect to the Internet for web surfing, email, instant messaging, blogging, and podcasts—and create your own MySpace page

  • Become a digital media pro—learn to work with digital cameras and photos, download and listen to digital music, and burn your own CDs and DVDs

  • Find out how to protect your PC from spam, viruses, spyware, and computer attacks

  • Learn how to set up a wireless home network and share your Internet connection with multiple PCs

Internet

The Internet for Dummies

This bestselling guide has introduced flocks of folks to the Internet, but the Internet evolves faster than you can turn pages. So jump aboard our cyber-ship and discover the newest Internet. Along with classic tasks like e-mail and Web browsing, this edition covers new trends like online video, photo albums, and even using the Internet as your telephone!

  • Connect your computer to the Internet
  • Send and receive e-mail safely
  • Find bargains online
  • Post photos for your friends
  • Download music and watch video
  • Play online games

Internet Simplified

The content boom on the Internet has been explosive in the past few years with more than a billion people surfing worldwide. Internet Simplified shows beginning level computer users how to get comfortable surfing the web and how to navigate the flood of information once they find what they’re looking for. Users will find helpful information on the most talked about newcomers to the online world such as social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, blogging, and downloading media content from YouTube and iTunes, as well as an introduction to the old standbys such as email, auction sites, and instruction for safe surfing. Coverage on how to safeguard against viruses and SPAM and keep computers free from unwanted visitors is approached in a gentle, user-friendly manner so anyone can apply the techniques and be free from troublesome intrusions. Full-color screen shots and numbered, step-by-step instructions guide readers through the intricacies of navigating the web in a friendly, approachable way. The updated design features a more sophisticated look and larger fonts and images to make this a perfect reference for all ages.

Digital Photography

David Pogue’s Digital Photography: The Missing Manual

If you’re ready to jump into digital photography or would like to increase the skills you already have, David Pogue’s Digital Photography: The Missing Manual is just what you need. Bestselling author David Pogue provides a no-nonsense guide to the entire process, including how to: buy and use a digital camera; get the same photographic effects as the pros; manage the results on your Mac or PC; edit photos; and, finally, share the results with your adoring fans — on paper, online, or on mugs, jigsaw puzzles, and blankets.

After reviewing hundreds of digital cameras and photo services in his weekly New York Times column, David Pogue knows digital photography. With this new Missing Manual you will:

  • Get expert advice on how to choose a digital camera, including information on the only specs that matter. (Hint: it’s not about megapixels).
  • Learn the basics of lighting, composition, and shooting lots of photos
  • Understand how to choose the best camera settings for 20 different scenarios
  • Unravel the problems of correcting images and storing them
  • Learn David’s tips and tricks for sharing and printing images
  • Get a special troubleshooting section you can turn to when things go wrong

David Pogue’s witty, authoritative voice has demystified the Mac, Windows, iPods and iPhones for millions of readers. Now, he offers step-by-step instructions and plenty of friendly advice to help you join in the fun and get real satisfaction from digital photography.

Operating Systems

Windows Vista® Plain & Simple Kit

Whether you’re helping friends and family get up and running, or buying a new computer for yourself or a family member, this easy, colorful, two-book kit is designed for you. It’s loaded with tips and tricks to make it easy for you–or the new user you’re helping–to set up and use a new Windows Vista-powered PC. This kit features two great resources: The WINDOWS VISTA PLAIN & SIMPLE GUIDE TO HELPING FRIENDS & FAMILY answers the most common questions and how-to’s related to selecting, setting up, and running a new PC. It uses real-world analogies to explain basic computing concepts and offers helpful techniques, support sidebars, Web site suggestions, and more. You also get the popular WINDOWS VISTA PLAIN & SIMPLE book–the easy, colorful, SEE-HOW guide to getting things done with Windows Vista. Topics include running programs and gadgets, browsing the Web, burning CDs, organizing photos and music, playing games, troubleshooting, and other everyday tasks and topics.Each book offers practical examples and troubleshooting tips–written in plain English–for the tasks that novices want to accomplish most. Get up and running quickly–and get to the good stuff faster!

Beginning Ubuntu Linux

Beginning Ubuntu Linux, the award–winning and best–selling Ubuntu book for beginners, is now in its third edition, presenting readers with an up–to–the–minute introduction to the world of Linux and the open source community. A detailed overview of Ubuntu’s installation and configuration process encourages you to take the plunge and switch to Linux, and from there you’ll learn how to wield total control over your newly installed operating system. Guided through the most commonly desired tasks such as printer configuration, listening to audio CDs and MP3s, watching movies, performing office and Internet–related tasks, as well as general system maintenance matters, authors Keir Thomas and Jaime Sicam will soon have you using and enjoying Ubuntu Linux and never looking back.

You’ll also find a series of comprehensive tutorials on Linux internals and the command–line prompt—essential for any Linux user—along with special sections on optimization, security, and system maintenance that will broaden your knowledge to professional level.

The complete Ubuntu Linux distribution is included free on the DVD inside the book. Simply insert the DVD and follow the instructions in the book to install Ubuntu Linux!

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office 2007: Essential Concepts and Techniques

In Microsoft Office 2007: Essentials Concepts and Techniques you’ll find features that are specifically designed to improve retention, and prepare readers for future success. Our trademark step-by-step, screen-by-screen approach now encourages users to expand their understanding of the Outlook 2007 software through experimentation, exploration, and planning ahead.

Security

Cyber Crime Fighters: Tales from the Trenches

Written by leading cyber crime investigators, Cyber Crime Fighters: Tales from the Trenches takes you behind the scenes to reveal the truth behind Internet crime, telling shocking stories that aren’t covered by the media, and showing you exactly how to protect yourself and your children. This is the Internet crime wave as it really looks to law enforcement insiders: the truth about crime on social networks and YouTube, cyber stalking and criminal cyber bullying, online child predators, identity theft, even the latest cell phone crimes. Here are actual cases and actual criminals, presented by investigators who have been recognized by the FBI and the N.H. Department of Justice. These stories are true—and if you want to stay safe, you need to know about them.

 

     •    Learn how today’s criminals can track your whereabouts, read your emails, and steal your identity

     •    Find out how much of your personal information is already online—and how to keep the rest private

     •    Learn how cyber stalkers really think—and how to protect yourself  from them

     •    Protect your laptop, your iPod, and your precious data from getting stolen

     •    Encounter the “dark side” of Internet dating

     •    Discover the hidden crime wave on today’s specialized social networks

     •    Uncover the cell phone “upskirters” and “downblousers” —and the technicalities that keep them out of jail

     •    Follow cyber crime specialists as they investigate and catch online sexual predators

     •    Get the real truth about phishing, pharming, criminal spam, and online scams

     •    See how investigations really work—and why TV crime shows often get it wrong!

     •    Walk through your own personal, step-by-step, online safety checkup

Other Resources

If you are interested in getting started on pretty much any technical topic, you really can’t go wrong with something from the Dummies Series. These books assume nothing, giving you clear and concise that is not only easy to follow but is in language that doesn’t require a pocket protector or and advanced degree in engineering to understand.

And once you get used to using that Internet thing, your first stop should be Newbie.org!

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Tim Fehlman