Pcs: The Missing Manual

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 :-)

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.

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.

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).

Without a doubt, if you want to learn about all the ins and outs of using a PC in the modern day, the only place you need to go is 'PCs: The Missing Manual' by Andy Rathbone. This is beyond a good book, it is a GREAT book. Expertly written by a seasoned professional in the world of computer books, if you want to ramp up quickly and have fun doing so, this book is an absolute STEAL at the price listed on the back cover. Major topics covered Hardware internals of PCs - how they are laid out, what different ports, cards, etc mean (eg. video, sound, USB) Discussion on common devices used with your PC - digital cameras, printers, scanners, MP3 players Drives discussion - floppy drives, hard drives, CD/DVD drives, it's all here Online topics covered - email, surfing the net, how to get online Networking your PC + too many tidbits, history, and knowledge to quickly list here!! If you or someone else has been interested in learning more about PCs, you owe it to yourself to pick up a copy of this book. Every time I write a "Missing Manual" review I praise the work of the authors, and that's because this is one of the best lines of books on the market today. Of the dozen or so Missing Manual books I have reviewed, this is one of my favor ties and I can't find any faults with this wonderfully written text. ***** HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION