Laptops for Seniors in easy steps
By Nick Vandome
£10.99
Publication: July 9, 2007
Pages: 192
ISBN: 978-1-84078-342-1
About the book
Laptops have often been seen as the domain mainly of students and businessmen. However, they are also an excellent option for senior users: their mobility means that they can be used in any location and with the advent of wireless technology they can be used in a variety of public places to surf the Web or keep in touch with family and friends. Laptops for Seniors in Easy Steps shows how these portable computers are ideal for the over 50s.
The book begins by covering some of the ergonomic issues surrounding laptops and shows how to be as comfortable as possible when using them and transporting them. It then gives an overview of the workings of laptops, including the software that is provided with them. Issues such as using your laptop on vacation and sharing it with other family members are then looked at, to show how laptops are versatile and family-friendly.
Extensive coverage is also devoted to networking and using a laptop wirelessly, with particular attention given to accessing the Internet from wireless locations (Hot Spots) such as airports, coffee shops and libraries.
Laptops for Seniors in Easy Steps demonstrates that the over 50s can have the freedom to take their computing and wireless technology with them at all times and be fully paid up members of the mobile computing revolution.
About the author
Nick Vandome is an IT writer and trainer who specialises in digital imaging and web authoring subjects. In addition to his writing, he also works designing websites and runs training courses. Before he started working with computers he wrote books about working and travelling abroad.
Contents
- Choosing a laptop
- A brief history of laptops
- Laptops v. desktops
- Types of laptops
- Laptop jargon explained
- Size and weight
- Getting comfortable
- Carrying a laptop
- Keyboard and mouse
- Using an external mouse
- Ports and slots
- The wonder of wireless
- Cleaning a laptop
- Choosing a carry case
- Spares and accessories
- Around a laptop
- Opening up
- Turning on
- Start button
- Start Menu
- Shutting down and sleeping
- Mobility Center
- Adjusting screen resolution
- Adjusting text
- Adjusting volume
- Loading CDs and DVDs
- Connecting a printer
- Scanners and cameras
- Pen drives
- Battery issues
- Types of battery
- Power consumption
- Battery management
- Charging the battery
- Removing the battery
- Dead and spare batteries
- Battery troubleshooting
- Laptop software
- Around Windows Vista
- Aero experience
- Using Vista Basic
- Welcome Center
- Sidebar and gadgets
- Windows Media Center
- Windows Media Player
- Writing a letter
- Creating a spreadsheet
- Viewing photos
- Editing photos
- Downloading music
- Managing music
- Downloading home movies
- Internet and email
- Connecting to the Internet
- Downloading new browsers
- Around the Web
- Shopping on your laptop
- Booking a vacation
- Researching family history
- Using email
- Sharing with your family
- About multiple users
- Managing your own account
- Adding family users
- Parental Controls
- On vacation
- Transporting your laptop
- Keeping your laptop safe
- Temperature extremes
- Laptops at sea
- Power sockets
- Airport security
- Downloading photos
- Organizing photos
- Sending photos
- Keeping a diary
- Making telephone calls
- Laptop networking
- What is a network?
- Network and Sharing Center
- Joining two computers
- Hardware for a network
- Creating a cable network
- Connecting more computers
- Viewing a network
- Viewing computers
- Sharing a network
- File sharing
- Saving files
- Sharing a printer
- Network security
- Networking with XP
- Going wireless
- Going wireless
- Equipping your laptop
- Setting up a wireless router
- Connecting to the Internet
- Connecting to a network
- Wi-Fi networking
- About hotspots
- Troubleshooting
- Protecting against viruses
- Using a firewall
- Windows Defender
- User Account Controls
- Security Center
- Updating software
- Backing up
- Restoring files
- System Restore
