PCs: The Missing Manual (Missing Manual)

PCs: The Missing Manual (Missing Manual)
| 2005-12-01 00:00:00 | | 0 | Computer Hardware


Your vacuum comes with one. Even your blender comes with one. But your PC--something that costs a whole lot more and is likely to be used daily and for tasks of far greater importance and complexity--doesn't come with a printed manual. Thankfully, that's not a problem any longer: `PCs: The Missing Manual` explains everything you need to know about PCs, both inside and out, and how to keep them running smoothly and working the way you want them to work.

A complete PC manual for both beginners and power users, `PCs: The Missing Manual` has something for everyone. PC novices will appreciate the unassuming, straightforward tutorials on PC basics, such as hooking up a monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, and scanner. Families will enjoy sections on networking several computers to share an Internet connection, sharing one monitor between two PCs, connecting portable media players, and creating a home theater system. Adventurous PC users will like the clear photos explaining how to take your PC apart and replace or upgrade any failing parts; IT professionals will be grateful to have something to hand to their coworkers who need solid, trusted information about using their PC.

In `PCs: The Missing Manual,` bestselling computer author Andy Rathbone delivers simple, reliable advice on the kinds of things PC users confront every day. He shows you how to connect and configure today's must-have devices (including digital cameras, portable music players, digital camcorders, and keychain drives); burn CDs and DVDs; scan and fax documents, and more. His section on the Internet explains how to choose the best Internet Service Provider and web browser for your needs; send email; findinformation quickly on the Web; share photos online; set up a blog; set up a webcam; access TV and radio through the Internet; and shop safely online. And Rathbone delivers plenty of guidance on keep your privacy and your PC safe by installing firewalls, creating safe passwords, running antivirus software, removing spyware and adware, and backing up important files.

User review
PCs: The Missing Manual Review
PCs: The Missing Manual is written by Andy Rathbone, one of the greatest computer book writer. For me he is. You know what Andy Rathbone, you are right. You should come with that book a long time ago. I was bad at troubleshooting computers. Since I bought that book, I know how to speed up my computer, remove viruses and many other threats. There is another tricks that remained unknown to me: Disk Defragmenter. After I knew how to run the Disk Defragmenter, my computer become as fast as Sonic. I did not finish reading that book yet, but if I finish reading that book, I will be a good computer technician or even a good computer engineer.

User review
Andy Rathbone is the best !!!!
Andy is an excellent professional and his literature work is awesome and very simple to follow. And if you ever requested a tech support on his Web site, you'll know that is the best support that any body can deliver. He's the best among the best without any doubt !!!!,,,,Rafael Sanchez from Caracas-Venezuela :-)

User review
Not only tells all, but in user-friendly language
Andy Rathbone's PES: The Missing Manual is another recommended winner, again helping bridge the gap between program and learner with a book which moves quickly from the basics to more advanced computer concepts - all linked to user needs. With its surveys of how software and hardware interact to how to tweak either for maximum performance, and how to troubleshoot common problems including spyware and Internet viruses, PES: The Missing Manual not only tells all, but in user-friendly language.

User review
`Missing Manual` by Andy Rathbone
This is THE book for the novice pc user or even the more experienced user, the Missing Manual truly should have been in the box when your new PC was brought to your door!It covers every subject from setting up your PC to connecting your favorite printer,digital camera,webcam,also, how to connect to the internet,surf the web, set-up e-mail, and so much more.

For the more advanced PC user, in the back of the book,The electronic reference library for programmers and IT professionals.

There is still more to be offered in this book, several useful and informative websites as you read from chapter to chapter, and finally,`as if there could be more to offer` visit [,,.] for a tidy list of the shareware programs described in this book, ready for you to download.

I highly recommend this book for anyone that wants to be as proficent and up-to-date as they can be with their PC.




User review
Takes a Broad Subject and Does It Well
Once upon a time, computers came with big, thick, intimidating manuals filled with every bit of arcane knowledge the designers thought that the user would need. Nobody ever read them, partly because of their size, but mainly because it was tedious, time-consuming work to sift throught the manual to try to find the answer you actually needed.


Eventually, manufacturers stopped making these massive manuals - instead, they printed up short `quick-start guides` to get people started. Unfortunately, these guides served much the same purpose as detour signs do in road construction. They take you just far enough to get you lost and then leave you there with no clue what to do next. Readers end up like drivers: lost, confused, and frustrated.


PCs: The Missing Manual is designed to change that. This book, like each of the other Missing Manuals books, gives users a base of knowledge to build on. Unlike those early computer manuals, the book does it in a way that people can understand and follow, and it doesn't just drop you off in the middle of nowhere. Also unlike the early manuals, it goes beyond the PC itself and covers many popular peripherals and accessories - including scanners, digital cameras, and MP3 players.


When writing a book like this, covering such a broad topic as PCs in general, it's easy to go into information overload. That's something that Rathbone manages to avoid, mainly by offering a lot of content online through O'Reilly's Missing CD web site.


The most valuable resources in the book are the troubleshooting guides. Printer troubles, camera problems, even network difficulties are covered and in enough detail that the average user can solve the most common problems quickly and easily. There's also a section covering security and maintenance, including combating spyware and phishing schemes.


PCs: The Missing Manual is basic enough that average computer users can read it and make good use of it. If you are looking for something that will teach you details about modifying and upgrading your system, this isn't the book for you - you'll want to get a different O'Reilly book - Repairing and Upgrading Your PC (review forthcoming).