A
abbyandme.com, 177, 213, 263, 293, 295, 335, 370, 373, 400
Acer customer service, 414
action buttons, 173
Adobe Acrobat portable document file (.pdf), 246, 306
Adobe Photoshop, 263
air conditioners, 44
airline tickets, 357–359
align left/right icons, 208
amazon.com, 330
American Bar Association, 347
American Council of the Blind, 22
American Foundation for the Blind, 22
Android (Droid) phones, 388–389
annualcreditreport.com, 220
antiques websites, 416
anti-spyware software, 229
antivirus software, 411, 414, 418
Apple (company), 418
Apple customer service, 414
Apple Macintosh computer. See Mac
Apple Works document (.cwk), 246, 306
application software. See also specific types
buying considerations, 27, 68–69
cost of, 69
customer service numbers, 414
installing, 25–26
manufacturers and technical support, 414
software “suites,” 197–198
upgrading, 28–29
applications window, icons in, 156–157
apps (applications), 384–385, 418
arrow (cursor)
becoming a hand, 109, 123, 174, 241
changing into I-beam, 109, 123, 203
changing speed settings, 147, 160
flashing vertical line, 202
left-facing, 137
shape changes and mouse functions, 12, 104, 109, 123
ATM PIN, 218
attachments
receiving (downloading), 242–246
safety precautions, 242–243, 412
saving, 244–245
scanning for viruses, 243
sending (uploading), 247–249
unrecognized file format, 245–246
AT&T customer service, 414
auction websites, 352–356, 416
audiobooks, 390
B
back arrow, 181
background, changing, 148–149, 161
“backing up” computer, 260–262, 318
back pain, 44
banks
giving information to, 222, 361
online banking, 184, 225, 360–362, 363
online registration, 360–361
PIN numbers, 218
Barnes & Noble Nook, 395, 396, 422
batteries
cell phone, 377
digital camera, 264
extending life of, 377
iPod, 392
wireless keyboard or mouse, 403
Bcc: (blind carbon copy), 191, 239
Better Business Bureau, 347
biddingforgood.com, 353
bid siphoning, 355
bill paying online, 360–362, 363
Bing, 323
bits per second (bps), 418
BlackBerry phones, 385–387, 388
blockbuster.com, 367
blogger.com, 296
blogsearch.google.com, 295–296
blogs (web logs), 295–297, 302, 416, 418
Bluetooth technology, 387, 401, 418
bold type, 207
bookmarks (favorites), 179, 327, 418
“booting up” the computer, 405–407, 418
bridge game websites, 373
britannica.com, 333
broadband connection, 418. See also high-speed connections
Brother International customer service, 414
browsing history, clearing, 338
bug (error or defect), 418
“burning” data, 27–28, 260–262, 318
C
cable (Internet) connection, 17
cameras. See also digital cameras on cell phones, 383
Canon customer service, 414
carpal tunnel syndrome, 82
carpeting, computer safety and, 43, 411–412
car websites, 416
“case sensitivity,” 170–171, 325
Cc: (carbon copy), 191
C: Drive. See hard drive (C: Drive)
CDs (compact discs)
about, 25
“burning” data onto, 27–28, 260–262, 318
CD-R, defined, 418
CD-ROM (read-only memory), 151, 418
inserting into drive, 16, 26, 151–152, 162
installing software from, 25–26
music, listening to, 151–152, 162–163
storing and organizing, 412
transferring data onto, 27–28, 260–262
cell phones, 375–383. See also smartphones
adjusting settings on, 381–382
batteries, 377
Bluetooth technology and, 387, 401
buttons on, 378–379
buying strategies, 376–377
cameras on, 383
etiquette, 389–390
keyboards, 380
looking up phone numbers, 338
making phone calls on, 378–379
on/off button, 378
signal strength, 376
storing phone numbers on, 379–380
styles and sizes, 376–377
using while driving, 389
voicemail on, 380–381
vs. smartphones, 383–384
cellular network signals, 395
center icon, 208
“Certificate of Authenticity,” 102
children, and computer use, 186, 411
circle icon, 109
classifiedads.com, 356
click and drag maneuver, 130, 131, 134, 141, 155, 419
click, defined, 419
click, drag, and drop maneuver, 310–311, 318
clip art, 356
close box, 107, 113, 115, 121–122, 123, 125–126, 419
cloud, defined, 419
cnn.com, 370
.com (commercial websites), 176
communication
emoticons, 236
shortcuts, 267
community websites, 416
compressed data file (.zip), 246, 306
computer case
“brain” of computer, 14–16
components contained in, 14–15
defined, 419
“on” switch, 100
shapes and sizes, 14
computer classes, 9
computers. See also specific topics
average length of ownership, 64
benefits of, 7
“brains” of, 14–16
“crashing,” 101
customer service numbers, 414
desktop (See desktop computer)
different drives on, 15, 16, 17
“dying,” 101
ergonomic safety tips, 41–42, 44, 96–97
hardware parts, 11–14
laptop (See laptop)
Mac (or Apple) (See Mac)
manufacturers and technical support, 414
modems for, 16–17
new, unpacking, 90–93
on-site installation for, 60
PC (See PC [Personal Computer])
registering, 81
safety precautions, 42–43, 44, 411–412
shopping for (See shopping for computers)
shut down time, 135
standby, or “sleep” mode, 101
taking 15-minute breaks from, 42
“computer” window, icons in, 137–138
connections, on LinkedIn, 291
Consumer Reports, 346
contacts, e-mail, 194
control panel
about, 138–139
date and time, 144–146
firewall status, 217
cookies, on computer, 184, 224–227
copy (editing tool), 419
copying and pasting, 206, 237–238
cords
for dial-up connections, 17, 97
labeling, 92
missing, 96
Corel Paint Shop, 263
C:DOS prompt, 408–409
costs
of high-speed connections, 71
laptops vs. desktops, 36
online shipping, 343
used computer equipment, 77
CPU (central processing unit)
cats sleeping on, 44
operating software for, 24
craigslist.com, 356
credit card information
deleting cookies containing, 184
entering on website checkout pages, 220, 345, 346–347
monitoring, 362
stored on Amazon Kindle, 397
credit cards
establishing online account, 362
expired, cutting up, 220–221
fraudulent use of, 347
making copies of, 220
stolen, filing reports about, 220, 230
credit reports, 220
Ctrl, Alt, Del key function, 405–406
cursor. See also arrow (cursor)
flashing vertical line, 202
vertical line (I-beam), 109, 123, 203
customer service numbers, 346, 414
customerservicenumbers.com, 414
cut (editing tool), 419
cutting and pasting, 204–205
.cwk (Apple Works document), 246, 306
cyberspace, defined, 419
D
date/time, adjusting, 144–146, 150, 158–160
dating websites, 297–301, 302, 416
D: Drive, 16, 26, 138, 151–152, 419
defrag, 315–316
delete key, 104, 118, 191, 405–406
Dell customer service, 414
desks, workspace, 39–41
desktop computer, 419
air circulation around, 100–101
buying considerations, 36
connecting hardware for, 18–20
hardware pieces, 11–14
leaving on, 100–101
new, setting up, 94–97
new, unpacking, 91–93
turning on, 99–100
upgrading hardware, 77–78
desktop (main screen display), 419
changing background on, 148–149, 161
changing screen savers on, 101, 149–150, 161–162
on Mac, 117–118
on PC, 107–108
dial-up connections
about, 17
connecting computer to, 95
hacker threats and, 218
phone cords for, 97
phone jack and modem for, 39
sounds made during dial-up, 173
digital cameras. See also photos
about, 255
basics of, 256–258
batteries, 264
buying, 256
memory cards for, 255, 256–257, 264
digital certificate, 419
directions and maps, 329–330
discussion groups, online, 292–294
disk cleanup, 313–314
disk defragmenter, 315–316
disk drive, defined, 419
disk error message, 407
disks. See CDs; DVDs; floppy disks
.doc (Microsoft Word document), 246, 306
documentation, for new computer, 90
documents. See also attachments
closing, 202
copying to new computer, 318
deleting, 409
folders for, 137
naming, 201
new, creating, 200–201
opening, 202
renaming, 318
saving, 203
searching for, 317–318
spell checking, 209–210
domain name extensions, 175–176
domain names, 170, 175, 188, 419
donations, “free,” 327
“don’t” icon, 109
DOS prompt on PC screen, 408–409
double-clicking, 110–111, 122–123, 124, 419
double-clicking, alternative to, 123, 164
download, defined, 419
driver’s license, 220
driving and talking on phones, 389
Droid (Android) phones, 388–389
drugstore.com, 349
DSL (digital subscriber line), 17, 72
DVD-RW Drive, 57–58
DVDs (digital versatile discs)
“burning” data onto, 27–28, 260–262, 318
installing software from, 25–26
movie rentals, 366–368
storing and organizing, 412
transferring data onto, 27–28, 260–262
“dying,” 101
E
earbuds, 395
EarthLink customer service, 414
eBay, 353
e-cards, 241
editing photos, 262–263
editing text, 203–209
educational websites (.edu), 176
.edu (educational websites), 176
electrical outlets, 39
electricity, static, from carpets, 411–412
e-mail addresses, 419
for contacts (address book), 194
for LinkedIn, 290
looking up, 338
secondary, establishing, 222–223, 234
e-mail (electronic mail), 419. See also attachments, 241–249, 412
description of, 7
e-mail services for, 72
establishing account, 188
false identities and, 235
free websites, 416
inserting web links into, 239–241
lack of anonymity and, 235
old, deleting, 194
phishing, 221–222
printing, 192
replying to, 193
retrieving, 191–192
safety precautions, 236–239, 242–243, 249, 412–413
sending, 187–196
spell-checking, 196
storing, 249
web-based services, 233–234
work accounts, 236
writing, 189–191
encyclopedias, online, 333–334
end task, 406
entertainment
gaming websites, 371–374
movies, 364–368
recommended websites, 416
TV shows, 368–371
video clips (YouTube), 370–371
entertainment software, 24, 68
Entourage, 234
epicurious.com, 335
Epson customer service, 414
Equifax, 220
ergonomic safety tips, 41–42, 44, 96–97
error messages
defined, 420
on Mac computers, 409
non-system disk or disk error, 407
while accessing web pages, 180
while signing on to e-mail, 173
writing down message, 406
Ethernet cables, 229
e-tickets (electronic tickets), 9, 358
evite.com, 241
ew.com, 372
expedia.com, 358
Experian, 220
extended warranties, 59, 62, 79–81
external keyboard, for laptops, 37
external modems, 420
external monitor, for laptops, 37
external mouse, for laptop, 37, 135
F
archived information stored on, 302
compared with Twitter, 284–285
how it works, 276–278
for the iPad, 399
limiting visits to, 289–290
searching for people on, 329
family websites, 416
fandango.com, 365
favorites (bookmarks), 179, 327, 418
Federal Trade Commission, 347
#FF (Follow Friday), 287
files. See also attachments; documents
closing, 202
copying to new computer, 318
file name suffixes or extensions, 246, 305–306
moving into folders, 310–311
never to alter or delete, 312–313
new, creating, 200
opening, 202
renaming, 309
retrieving from trash, 312
saving, 203
searching for, 317–318
vs. folders, 306
finance websites, 416
financial management software, 24, 68, 414
flash drive, 318
flashing vertical line (cursor), 202
flights.com, 358
floppy disks, 16, 17, 25, 260, 407, 420
fodors.com, 357
folders
creating, 307–309
creating systems for, 306–307
moving files into, 310–311
moving into existing folders, 310–311
moving onto Desktop, 318
new, accessing, 126–127
renaming, 309
retrieving from trash, 312
vs. files, 306
followers, on Twitter, 283, 286
fonts (typefaces), 208–209, 420
Food and Drug Administration, 349
foodnetwork.com, 335
food-related websites, 335, 416
footrests, 41
force quit, 406
4G connections, 395
fragmenting, 315–316
freecycle.org, 356–357
freerice.com, 327
free stuff, 356–357
frommers.com, 357
fun(ny) websites, 416
G
Gameboys, 373–374
gigahertz, 15
glasses, prescription, 42
golf.com, 335
good deeds websites, 416
Google search engine, 180–182, 323
.gov (government websites), 176
graphic or image file (.jpg), 246, 306
graphics software, 24, 68, 197
greeting card websites, 416
grocery shopping websites, 417
Groupon, 363
H
hand strain, 105
hand with index finger icon, 109, 123, 174, 241
hard drive (C: Drive)
additional, buying, 401
window, on Mac, 153–155
hardware. See also specific types
connecting, 18–20
defined, 420
specific types of, 11–14
upgrading, 77–78
health information websites, 331–332, 417
Hewlett Packard customer service, 414
highlighting text, 204, 205, 237–238
high-speed connections
DSL (digital subscriber line), 17, 72
installing equipment for, 39, 70, 169–170
history websites, 417
hoaxbusters.org, 237
hobby websites, 335
home page, 173–174, 177, 185, 186, 421
hotels.com, 357
household websites, 417
http (hypertext transfer protocol), 175, 421
Huffington Post, 295
hulu.com, 368
I
IBM customer service, 414
IBM PC (IBM Personal Computer), 47
icons
align left/right, 208
in applications window, 156–157
center, 208
circle, 109
in “computer” window, 137–138
“don’t,” 109
hand with index finger, 109, 123, 174, 241
list of, for mouse functions, 109, 123
opening without double-clicking, 164
print, 212
for software programs, 306
spinning circle, 102
underline, 207
identity (ID), for websites, 347
identity theft, 219–221, 230, 273
imdb.com, 335
inbox, 191–192
information
backing up, 27–28, 260–262, 318
copying to new computer, 318
on the Internet, 4–5
sharing, on Facebook, 275
information superhighway, 421
insert key, 213
installing, defined, 421
instant messaging (IM), 266–267, 421
instruction manuals, 99
insurance, travel, 359
Internet. See also Internet connections; websites
examples of searches on, 5–6
optimizing searches on, 321–338
safety considerations, 228
search history, clearing, 228
temporary internet files, 226
vs. World Wide Web, 8
Internet connections, 17. See also dial-up connections; high-speed connections
Internet Explorer, 226, 227, 404
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
choosing, 168–169
customer service phone numbers, 169
defined, 421
Home Page, 173–174
routers provided by, 218
setting up connection, 39, 70, 169–170
iPads, 398–400
iPhoto, 263
iPods
about, 390
batteries, 392
earbuds for, 395
features, 390–391
how it works, 394
iPod Touch, 388
speakers for, 395
syncing with iTunes, 393–394
transferring music from iTunes, 393–394
italicized type, 207
iTunes
about, 391
buying TV shows from, 369
downloading music from, 393–394
downloading software to computer, 391–393
for playing music on Mac, 162–163
syncing with, 393–394
J
jokeaday.com, 372
.jpg (graphic or image file), 246, 306
K
kayak.com, 358
keyboards, cell phone, 380
keyboards, computer
external, for laptops, 37
freezing up, 405
placement of, 42
test-driving, 59
for visually impaired, 22
wrist rest for, 82
keys (on keyboard)
alternate (alt), 405–406
control (ctrl), 405–406
delete (del), 104, 118, 191, 405–406
insert, 213
Keytronics customer service, 414
Klondike (card game), 127
L
laptop
air circulation under, 101
buying considerations, 36
defined, 421
external peripherals for, 37, 135
fragile screen on, 94
hardware, 11–14
keeping powered on, 101
mouse types for, 36
new, setting up, 94
new, unpacking, 91
“on” switch, 100
ports on, 19
top manufacturers, 65
upgrading hardware for, 78
vs. desktop computer, 34–37, 55
wired Internet connections, 229
left-handed mouse, 95, 146, 147
letters, underlined, 114
links
clicking on, 327
embedded in e-mails, 239–241
embedded in tweets, 284
noticeable, on websites, 325–326
sponsored, 327
liquids, near computers, 43, 411
livejournal.com, 296
llbean.com, 341–346
login name, 421. See also user name
login password, 421. See also passwords
log on, 421
lonelyplanet.com, 357
M
Mac
Apple ID, 116
Apple Mail, 234
backing up information on, 261–262
buying, from Apple store, 51
checking for firewall on, 217
click and drag maneuver, 134
creating folder on, 308–309
desktop on, 117–118
error messages, 409
initial setup, 115–117
keyboard shortcuts, 426
manipulating mouse on, 118–132
opening folder on, 134
operating system on, 136–163
operating system updates, 317
pros and cons, 49
restarting, 409
routine maintenance, 313
soft boot, 406–407
startup screen, 116
vs. PC, 48–51
window parts on, 124–126
Macintosh computer. See Mac
MacWarehouse customer service, 414
Mac Zone customer service, 414
magazine websites, 417
magnets, near computer, 43, 411
mail order purchases, 81
manuals, instruction, 99
mapquest.com, 329–330
maps and directions, 329–330
maximize box, 113–114, 140, 422
mayoclinic.com, 331–332
McAfee customer service, 414
medical information, 331–332
medication, prescription, 349
memory. See hard drive; RAM
memory card reader, 257
memory cards, 255, 256–257, 264
menu bar, 113, 198–200, 210–211, 422
menu box, 112
message boards, online, 292–294
metacritic.com, 366
Microsoft, 48. See also Windows (Microsoft)
customer service, 413
Digital Image Suite, 263
Excel spreadsheet (.xls or .xlsx), 246, 306
Office, 30
operating system updates, 316–317
Outlook, 234
PowerPoint Presentation (.ppt), 246, 306
Word 2010, 199
Word document (.doc or .docx), 246, 306
modems
speed measurements, 77
troubleshooting, 404
monitor
external, for laptops, 37
freezing up, 405
“on” switch, 99–100
placement of, 41
size, 57
turning off, 135
mouse
buttons, defined, 422
click and drag maneuver, 130, 131, 134, 141, 155, 419
click, drag, and drop maneuver, 310–311, 318
desk space for, 135
double-clicking, 110–111, 122–123, 124, 419
double-clicking, alternative to, 123, 164
freezing up, 405
on laptop, 36
learning to use, 104–115, 118–132
for left-handed people, 95, 146, 147
Parkinson’s disease and, 22
positioning hand on, 95
practice exercises, 110–115, 123–124, 126–127
reversing functions on, 147
right-click features, 111, 147, 261, 423
scrolling without, 164
single-clicking, 110, 120, 122–123, 124, 419
types of, 58–59
mouse arrow. See arrow (cursor)
moviefone.com, 365
movies
buying from iTunes, 393
buying movie tickets online, 364–365
DVD rentals, 366–368
on iPod, 390
live streaming, 368
online databases, 335
watching on computer, 366–368
.mov (Quick Time movie), 246, 306
music
buying from iTunes, 393
on iPhone, 388
on iPod Touch, 388
playing on computer, 151–152, 162–163
m-w.com, 335
mysimon.com, 350
N
netflix.com, 366–368
netiquette, defined, 422
.net (network business websites), 176
newbie, defined, 422
newspapers, online, 372
news, up-to-the-minute, 370
news websites, 417
nonprofit websites (.org), 176
notebook computer. See laptop
Notepad, 197
notifications, Facebook, 277
nytimes.com, 372
O
Omidyar, Pierre, 353
123greetings.com, 241
123people.com, 329
online services. See also Internet Service Provider (ISP)
choosing, 168–169
customer service numbers, 414
error messages, 173
free trial period, 168
offering virus scanning with attachments, 412
signing on and off, 171–172
software, 70–71
oovoo.com, 269
operating software
upgrading, 28–29
operating system
orbitz.com, 358
organizing file folders
creating new folder, 307–309
deleting folders, 311–312
files never to alter or delete, 312–313
files vs. folders, 304–307
finding lost files, 317–318
moving files or folders into existing folders, 310–311, 318
moving files to new computer, 318
moving folders onto Desktop, 318
renaming file or folder, 309
retrieving files and folders from trash, 312
routine computer maintenance, 313–317
.org (nonprofit websites), 176
oxforddictionaries.com, 335
P
padlock, on browser window, 346
Parkinson’s disease, 22
passwords
Facebook, 276
for initial computer setup, 103, 116–117
LinkedIn, 290
login, defined, 421
privacy considerations, 184
safety precautions, 218
Skype, 270
Twitter, 285
website registration, 347
writing down, 294
paste, defined, 422
patch, defined, 422
PayPal, 356
PBKC (“problem between keyboard and chair”), 164
PC and Mac Connection customer service, 414
PC compatible, defined, 422
PC (Personal Computer)
accessing Solitaire on, 134
backing up information on, 260–261
checking for firewall on, 217
creating folder on, 307–308
DOS prompt on PC screen, 408–409
initial setup, 101–103
keyboard shortcuts, 426
manipulating mouse on, 104–115
Microsoft system updates, 316–317
“Microsoft Windows Startup Menu” on, 408
operating system on, 136–152
origins of, 47
pros and cons, 49
restarting, 408–409
routine maintenance, 313–317
soft boot, 405–407
vs. Mac, 48–51
window parts on, 113–115
writing down make and model, 413
.pdf (Adobe Acrobat portable document file), 246, 306
Peachtree customer service, 414
people.com, 372
people, searching for
on Internet, 328–329
recommended websites for, 329, 416
people.yahoo.com, 329
peripherals. See also specific types
personal computer, defined, 422
phone. See telephone
photo printers, 63
photos
backing up, 260
copying to new computer, 318
editing software, 262–263
for Facebook profile, 280
on iPod, 390
for online dating sites, 298, 300
pixels and, 257–258
renaming, 258–259
scanned, 264
searching, on Internet, 324–325
taken by cell phones, 383
transferring to computer, 256–257
uploading to websites, 263, 264
websites, 417
picasa.com, 264
PlayStation, 373–374
pointer (cursor), 12, 423. See also arrow (cursor)
ports. See also specific types
examining, 93
on Mac and PC, 49
post, defined, 423
ppi (pixels per inch), 257, 423
.ppt (Microsoft Power Point Presentation), 246, 306
prescription medication, 349
pricegrabber.com, 350
printer
customer service numbers, 414
manufacturers and technical support, 414
multi-featured, 20
“on” switch, 100
photo printers, 63
stopping print jobs, 409–410
Test-Drive Form for, 60–62
turning off, 135
used, buying, 77
wireless, 13
print icon, 212
print window, 211–212
privacy
social networking sites and, 278, 297
Product ID, 102
Product Key, 102
profiles
defined, 423
LinkedIn, 290–291
for online dating sites, 298, 300
Twitter, 285
programs. See also software
accessing, on PC, 111–113
punctuation, in file names, 305
Q
Questions & Answers
arranging workspace, 44
cell phones, e-readers, and tablets, 401
computer hardware, 22
computer safety, 228–230
desktops vs. laptops, 37
digital cameras and photos, 264
e-mail, 249–250
entertainment websites, 373–374
Internet searches, 338
introduction to computers, 8–9
Mac vs. PC, 51
online services, 72
operating system, 164
organization tools, 317–318
sending e-mail, 196
setting up computer, 97
shopping and banking online, 363
social networking, 302–303
software, 30
surfing the net, 185–186
turning off computer, 135
word processing, 213–214
Quicken customer service, 414
quick response code. See QR code
Quick Time movie (.mov), 246, 306
R
RAM (random access memory), 15, 57, 76, 423
rebates, 80
recipe websites, 335
red circle box, 120–122
registration cards, 93
repair, mail-in, 80
reply vs. reply all, 193
research websites, 417
resolution measurements, 254, 256, 423
return policies, 85
reversephonedirectory.com, 328
rhymezone.com, 335
right-click, 111, 147, 261, 423
ringtones, 390
round spinning ball, 116, 123, 158
S
safe mode, 408
safeshopping.org, 347
salespeople, working with, 83–85, 86
scanner
installing software for, 252
scanning instructions, 252–255
science websites, 417
screen savers, 101, 149–150, 161–162
scrolling
with scroll bar, 139, 142–144, 156–157, 423
with scroll box, 143, 157, 423
without mouse, 164
search engines
recommended websites, 321, 417
shopping-related, 350–351
typing search terms, 180–182
searches. See also search engines
case sensitivity, 325
choosing keywords, 323–324
choosing letters, 325
clearing browsing history, 338
encyclopedic, 333–334
example of, 325–327
excluding words from, 324
guessing website addresses, 336–337
homework assignment, 337
interesting websites, 334–336
maps and directions, 329–330
medical information, 331–332
optimizing, 321–338
reverse phone lookup, 328–329
in sentence form, 325
using exact phrase, 324
your own name, 324–325
zip codes, 329
secondlife.com, 372
seniors websites, 417
serial numbers, 91–93
“server not responding” message, 404
shca.org (Siberian Husky Club of America), 335
“shills,” 355
shipping costs, 343
shopping.com, 350
shopping for computers
accessories, 82–83
new equipment, 78–86
test-driving, before buying, 9, 52–65
working with salespeople, 83–85, 86
shopping online, 339–359
advantages of, 340
auction websites, 352–356
basic procedures for, 341–346, 349–350
free stuff, 356–357
group coupon discounts, 363
practicing restraint, 362–363
prescription medication, 349
price comparisons, 350–351
recommended websites, 417
registration process, 343–344, 347–348
safety considerations, 346–347
travel arrangements, 357–359
shopzilla.com, 350
shut down, 133
shutterbug.com, 263
@sign, in tweets, 286
SIM cards, 380
skepter.com, 356
skyauction.com, 353
“sleep” or standby mode, 101
adding apps to, 384–385
Android (Droid), 388–389
BlackBerry phones, 385–387, 388
Bluetooth technology, 387, 401
buying advice, 383
driving and, 389
etiquette, 389–390
features on, 384–385
online information about, 389
syncing information on, 386–387
vs. cell phones, 383–384
SMS (short message service), 401, 424
snail mail, defined, 424
social networking
blogs, 295–297
dating websites, 297–301
future of, 301
list of sites, 301
message boards and discussion groups, 292–294
privacy issues, 297
safety precautions, 273, 300–301
Social Security numbers, 184, 218, 219–220, 273, 361
software
about, 23
application (See application software)
bundled, 67
buying considerations, 29
cost of, 30
customer service numbers, 414
for Mac to run PC applications, 48
manufacturers and technical support, 414
operating (See operating software)
registering, 28
store-installed, 30
trial versions, 67
on used computers, 76
Solitaire
accessing, on PC, 134
how to play, 128–132
opening, on Mac, 128
playing on PC, 111–113
versions of, 127
Sony PlayStation, 373–374
speakers
iPod, 395
turning off, 135
spell checking, 209–210
spinning circle icon, 102
spinning round ball, 116, 123, 158
sports websites, 335, 372, 417
spreadsheet software, 197
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), 346, 424
standby, or “sleep” mode, 101
start button, 111
start menu, 111
“Startup Menu” on PC screen, 408
static electricity, 411–412
storage space, in work area, 43
styluses, 385
support
technical, 59–60, 79, 173, 403, 413, 414
toll-free, 62
surfing the net, defined, 424
switchboard.com, 329
Symantec customer service, 414
syncing information, 386–387, 393–394
system preferences window, 158–160, 161–162, 217
T
task manager, 406
technical support, 59–60, 79, 173, 403, 413, 414
telephone numbers
searching names associated with, 328–329
storing on cell phones, 379–380
televisions, as computer monitors, 22
television shows
on iPod, 390
live streaming, 368
watching for free, 368
temporary internet files, 226
Test-Drive Form, 56–62
preinstalled software, 60
printer, 60–62
support and warranties, 59–60
system information on, 56–59
text
changing look of, 207–209
copying and pasting, 206, 237–238
copy tool, 419
cut (editing tool), 419
cutting and pasting, 204–205
editing, 203–209
pasting, 422
typing shortcuts, 267
Text Edit software, 197
theonion.com, 372
3G connections, 395
time/date, adjusting, 144–146, 150, 158–160
time-travel.com, 335
Toshiba customer service, 414
touch pad/point, 36, 104, 106, 120, 424
toysoldiersgallery.com, 335
trackpad, 160
Trans Union, 220
travelocity.com, 358
tweets, on Twitter, 283, 284–285, 286, 302–303, 424
Twitter, 283–290
compared with Facebook, 284–285
for the iPad, 399
limiting visits to, 289–290
lingo, 286–287
privacy settings, 302–303
sample page, 284–285
setting up, 285
website features, 288–289
typewriters, 24
typing
shortcuts, 267
text messages, 382
U
uBid.com, 353
underline icon, 207
upgrading hardware, 28–29, 425
upgrading software, 28–29, 425
upload, defined, 425
URL (uniform resource locator), 287, 425
usatoday.com, 372
USB (Universal Serial Bus) cables, 50
defined, 425
flash drive, 318
ports, 58
user name
for discussion groups, 294
for Facebook, 276
login name, defined, 421
for Skype, 270
usfigureskating.com, 335
V
video calls, 268–272
viruses
defined, 425
virus protection software, 412, 414, 418
visually impaired, 22
voicemail, 380–381
W
warranties
on computers, 59
on printer, 62
webopedia.com, 221
web page, defined, 174, 175, 425
websites
accessing, 176–177
addresses, 175–176
basic elements, 175
clicking links in, 178
copying links into e-mails, 239–241
customer service numbers, 346
description of, 4–5
guessing addresses, 336–337
moving around, 178
printing pages from, 182–183
recommended sites, 322, 334–336, 416–417
registering with, 343–344
returning to home page on, 330
search history, clearing, 228
“server not responding” message, 404
typing without “www,” 323
welcome page. See home page
WEP (wired equivalent privacy), 184
whitepages.com, 329
wi-fi (wireless fidelity)
e-readers and, 395
at home, 39
safety precautions, 183–184
wireless hot spots, 184
Wii, 373–374
wikipedia.com, 333–334
window (main screen display)
adjusting size, 139–141, 154–155
defined, 425
on Mac, learning parts of, 124–126
opening, on Mac, 120–121
on PC, learning parts of, 113–115
windows, computers placed near, 42
Windows (Microsoft)
“Certificate of Authenticity,” 102
“Classic View,” 103
operating system updates, 316–317
“Startup Menu” on PC screen, 408
Windows 2000, 103
Windows Vista, 76, 102, 103, 425
wired.com, 372
wireless fidelity. See wi-fi
wireless network card, 58
WordPad, 197
wordpress.com, 296
word processing
choosing, note about, 69
introduction to, 197–214
manufacturers and technical support, 414
opening program, 198
tutorial (Help), 198, 209, 213–214
workspace
choosing place for, 38–39
computer desks, 39–41
ergonomic safety tips, 41–42, 96–97
setting up, and safety precautions, 42–44
storage space, 43
World Wide Web (www), 8, 167, 175, 425
worm, defined, 425
WPA (wi-fi protected access), 184, 425
X
Xbox, 373–374
.xls (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet), 246, 306
Y
yahoo.com, 188, 234, 243, 323, 414
YouTube.com, 370–371
Z
zip codes, 329
.zip (compressed data file), 246, 306
Zones customer service, 414