Buying a Computer For Dummies 2005 Edition

CPU, Ghz, Mhz, DIMMS, RAM, ROM, AGP, ISA, PCI, USB, CRT, LCD, NIC, CCD, CIS, DP, Kbps. What do all of these acronyms mean?
Are you baffled by computer technology and technology? Intimidated by computer salespeople who grimace or grin when you say “gizmo?” Buying a Computer For Dummies 2005 Edition gives you the ABCs of buying a computer. You don’t have to be able to talk tech; you just have to know what you want and how to get it. This guide turns evaluating the mind-boggling options into a simple five-step process, complete with software and hardware worksheets to help you pick a computer just for you. You’ll discover how to:

Choose the right software for your needs
Pick the right peripherals, including monitor, printer, scanner, modem, keyboard, and more
Spend “extra” money strategically to get more computer power for your buck
Choose disk drives, including info on CD-ROM, DVD, Floppy, Zip, and flash memory cards
Be sure you get support
Written by Dan Gookin, the author of DOS for Dummies, the bestseller that spawned the entire line of For Dummies books, plus many other For Dummies big sellers, Buying a Computer For Dummies is updated to incorporate the latest technologies. It covers processor upgrades, flat panel displays, new peripherals, laptops, tablet PCs, wireless systems, and more. You’ll find information on:

Choosing a digital camera and getting images from it into your computer
Getting a network card (NIC) for a broadband modem if you want the fastest Internet connection
Making the right decisions: CRT or LCD monitor? Laser printer or ink jet? Wired network or wireless?
Software for word processing, databases, desktop publishing, home budgeting, spreadsheets, graphics. and more
Essential utilities, including antivirus, anti-spyware, and firewall software
It also arms you with important questions to ask a dealer and warning signs to look for in ads or sales pitches. Whether you are buying your very first computer, considering upgrading your current system, or replacing a system that’s outdated by today’s standards, this guide gets you past the jargon and into the wise buying mode. ASAP. PDQ.

Oh, and it also tells you what all of the acronyms at the top stand for!

Synopsis
With a generous dash of humor and fun, bestselling author Dan Gookin shows people how to select the right machine and tackle typical laptop challenges Laptop sales recently surpassed those of desktop machines–a trend that seems likely to continue A must for laptop newbies as well as road warriors who need to get the most out of their machines Covers synchronizing with the desktop, accessing the desktop remotely, coordinating e–mail pickup between two machines, wireless networking, managing power, and securing a laptop

– Realizing that purchasing a computer is a significant investment, beloved author Dan Gookin assists readers in finding a tailor-made computer that suits specific needs while also offering longevity
– Delivers all the know-how in an understandable, enjoyable, friendly style so readers don’t feel overwhelmed by all the choices they’ll face when buying a computer
– Walks readers step by step through all the new developments: CD burner/DVD combo drives, processor upgrades, flat panel displays, new modem and networking options, new peripherals, and more
– An essential reference for first-time computer buyers looking to make a wise purchase, and for anyone looking to get an additional computer

If you’re like most people, the above seems like nonsense. Actually, it’s computer sense―C programming. After digesting C For Dummies, 2nd Edition, you’ll understand it. C programs are fast, concise and versatile. They let you boss your computer around for a change. So turn on your computer, get a free compiler and editor (the book tells you where), pull up a chair, and get going. You won’t have to go far (page 13) to find your first program example. You’ll do short, totally manageable, hands-on exercises to help you make sense of:

All 32 keywords in the C language (that’s right―just 32 words)
The functions―several dozen of them
Terms like printf(), scanf(), gets (), and puts ()
String variables, numeric variables, and constants
Looping and implementation
Floating-point values
In case those terms are almost as intimidating as the idea of programming, be reassured that C For Dummies was written by Dan Gookin, bestselling author of DOS For Dummies, the book that started the whole library. So instead of using expletives and getting headaches, you’ll be using newly acquired skills and getting occasional chuckles as you discover how to:

Design and develop programs
Add comments (like post-it-notes to yourself) as you go
Link code to create executable programs
Debug and deploy your programs
Use lint, a common tool to examine and optimize your code
A helpful, tear-out cheat sheet is a quick reference for comparison symbols, conversion characters, mathematical doodads, C numeric data types, and more. C For Dummies takes the mystery out of programming and gets you into it quickly and painlessly.

Synopsis
If the fact that PCs are everywhere still hasn’t made you feel warm and fuzzy when you use one, you’re not alone. They may be transforming how we all live, work, get our cars repaired, and balance checkbooks, but they’re not exactly intuitive. Now you can take charge of these useful but perplexing creatures, and turn them into the productive citizens you know they can be. What’s exactly is a motherboard? Is virtual memory real memory? Once you learn the fundamentals, it’s gets much less complicated. So jump right into this all new 10th Edition of the bestselling “PCs For Dummies”, and you’ll quickly start getting the basics in plain English. Far and away the most popular and bestselling reference for beginning PC users, this friendly guide will explain how to: understand how a computer works, including the basics of I/O, processing, software, and storage; unpack it, set it up, and plug in all the gizmos; kick around on the desktop and fire up the printer; open up the console and poke around the insides; mind your monitor, mouse, modem, memory, and more. And that’s just the first half. In his cheerful and irreverent style, bestselling author Dan Gookin builds on the basics and really revs things up. You’ll learn how to network computers, map drives, set up a firewall, and tackle the trendy stuff like wireless networking, playing games, burning CDs, and searching the Web. Along the way, you’ll quickly appreciate why there’s been nine previous bestselling editions of this book. It’s funny, fun, and practical! Keep “PCs for Dummies” on hand and you’ll learn: ten common beginner’s mistakes; ten tips from a PC guru; step by step instructions on managing information; up to date guidance on connecting to and using the Internet; updates on the latest in hardware and software; ten things worth buying for your PC. Beginners or seasoned users, show your PC who’s boss with “PCs for Dummies 10th Edition”. It’s the fun and easy way to get started!

If the fact that PCs are everywhere still hasn’t made you feel warm and fuzzy when you use one, you’re not alone. They may be transforming how we all live, work, get our cars repaired, and balance checkbooks, but they’re not exactly intuitive.
Now you can take charge of these useful but perplexing creatures, and turn them into the productive citizens you know they can be. What’s exactly is a motherboard? Is virtual memory real memory? Once you learn the fundamentals, it’s gets much less complicated. So jump right into this all–new 10th Edition of the bestselling PCs For Dummies, and you’ll quickly start getting the basics in plain English. Far and away the most popular and bestselling reference for beginning PC users, this friendly guide will explain how to:

Understand how a computer works, including the basics of I/O, processing, software, and storage
Unpack it, set it up, and plug in all the gizmos
Kick around on the desktop and fire up the printer
Open up the console and poke around the insides
Mind your monitor, mouse, modem, memory, and more
And that’s just the first half. In his cheerful and irreverent style, bestselling author Dan Gookin builds on the basics and really revs things up. You’ll learn how to network computers, map drives, set up a firewall, and tackle the trendy stuff like wireless networking, playing games, burning CDs, and searching the Web. Along the way, you’ll quickly appreciate why there’s been nine previous bestselling editions of this book. It’s funny, fun, and practical! Keep PCs for Dummies on hand and you’ll learn:

Ten common beginner’s mistakes
Ten tips from a PC guru
Step–by–step instructions on managing information
Up–to–date guidance on connecting to and using the Internet
Updates on the latest in hardware and software
Ten things worth buying for your PC
Beginners or seasoned users, show your PC who’s boss with PCs for Dummies 10th Edition. It’s the fun and easy way® to get started!