Books for Beginners

Introduction

Select from starter books on :-

• Windows
• Linux
• Hardware

Windows

For something more advanced, you might also want to look at our selection of Windows books in our Operating Systems category.

Windows XP for Dummies Microsoft Windows XP for people completely unfamiliar with the operating system and other recent versions of Windows. Coverage includes how to run programs, move and delete files, connecting to the Internet and using applications like electronic mail programs, Web browsers and multimedia players
Absolute Beginner's Guide to Windows XP Absolute Beginner's Guide to Windows XP, Second Edition is not just about using Windows, but also about how to live in a digital world where readers can share pictures, play and download music, communicate with each other and more! This book includes new coverage of security issues, music and video, wireless communication, and other new exciting technology. Designed for new users looking for an introduction to using a PC, existing users who want an easy-to-use guide without too many technical details, and upgrading users who want an introduction to the new features of the latest version of Windows XP.
How to Do Just About Anything on a Computer: Windows XP Edition Now fully revised and updated to take account of the new Windows XP operating system, this friendly, illustrated guide opens up hundreds of ways for you to get more out of your PC - from managing your household expenses to planning a garden: from cataloguing your favourite recipes to making your own Christmas cards (and addressing the envelopes!); and from keeping track of your family's health to shopping on the Internet - it's all explained in clear, jargon-free language. With step-by-step instructions based on a PC using Windows XP and standard Microsoft software, the projects offer expert advice and tried and tested shortcuts to make light work of any task they are also clearly illustrated with screen snapshots showing you what you'll see on your screen at each stage. This book also comes with a free CD-Rom containing tailor-make templates, images and fonts to make the tasks even simpler. Easy-to-use garden design software, and a gallery of free illustrations for livening up stationery and newsletters are just some of the exciting benefits of this CD-Rom. Whether you're a complete beginner or a more experienced PC user, this guide offers you a wealth of inspirational, bright ideas for accomplishing tasks you never even dreamed of tackling on a computer before.
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (Easy Series) Covers SP2, the latest Windows XP release! Covers more than 150 of the most important tasks, ranging from simple features such as opening a folder to more advanced topics such as installing new hardware or restoring a system. Uses visual learning to appeal to the Windows XP home user

Linux

For something more advanced, you might also want to look at our selection of Linux books in our Operating Systems category.

Linux Administration: A Beginner's Guide Administering a Linux system isn't much like administering a Windows machine. Though the goals are similar and comparable problems arise under both environments, they each require administrators to adopt a certain way of thinking about processes and data. Linux Administration: A Beginner's Guide helps readers adapt their Windows experience to Linux work. Author Steve Shah does a great job of clueing Linux newcomers into the environment. His explanations are clear, patient, accurate and useful, and they cover all aspects of the system administrator's job. He is careful to explain hundreds of commands in a logical way, including lists of options and examples of typical uses in many cases. But this is no mere command reference or novice's introduction. Shah doesn't shy away from explaining the really interesting aspects of Linux administration, including kernel compilation, Domain Name Service (DNS) configuration, sendmail set-up, and establishing firewall protection with IP chaining. For all of these subjects (and many more), this book includes clear statements of what concepts are relevant, which commands to issue, and what to expect in response. It's a great help in self-guided explorations. It's also worth having this book on hand for work assignments-you will find complete recipes for configuring all major Internet and local area network (LAN) services that also take into account easy maintenance and security.
Linux for Dummies Previous editions of Linux For Dummies have garnered rave reviews. However, there's one scary term applied to them outdated! The 6 th Edition remedies that with easy--to--understand information on the latest version of the most popular Linux distributions, including Fedora Core, SuSE, Mandrake, Xandros, Linspire, and Knoppix. This guide walks you though installing, configuring, tuning, and using each version of Linux, the low--cost, secure alternative to expensive operating systems. You'll discover how to: Prep your computer for Linux Boot and stop Linux Connect to the Internet, e--mail, surf the Web, and access and use cool Internet tools Manage files and directories Do word processing and more with Open Office.org Updated material includes: Info on the wireless Internet connection Coverage of the new SELinux infrastructure, an important new security feature Updated GNOME and KDE coverage The bonus DVD includes: The full, installable version of Fedora Core 3 and Knoppix ISO images (that will save hours of downloading time) for SUSE live, Mandrake full version, Xandros Open Circulation version, and Linspire full version. If you want to explore the different distributions of Linux, this is the guide for you!
Suse Linux X for Dummies Install SUSE Linux and take advantage of cool new tools. Use OpenOffice.org, go online with Firefox, set up a wireless LAN, and more SUSE Linux is gaining popularity everywhere, and you'll soon see why. This friendly guide will help you install and configure the newest version, then help you work with digital media, build a network, get acquainted with Firefox (the super-secure browser that has everybody excited), explore Skype and Linphone Internet phone services, and much more!
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 for Dummies Provides just what administrators need to configure, manage, maintain, and upgrade a Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) system Red Hat is the most popular Linux distribution, with 70 percent of the U.S. market; RHEL subscriptions climbed to 87,000 during the quarter ending February 2004-up 85 percent. Covers all four RHEL versions-Desktop, Workstation, Enterprise Server, and Application Server Delivers the lowdown on the X Window System, printer configuration, Samba, Internet server set up, administration of users and groups, backups and file restoration, and security.
Knoppix Linux for Dummies DVD lets you test-drive Knoppix in just minutes! Surf with Firefox, build secure Web servers, create network clients, and more. An adventure awaits you! With this book as your guide, you can start exploring Knoppix in just minutes. You'll be able to use the cool Firefox Web browser and Thunderbird e-mail, work with network clients and servers, play with Linux multimedia and games, use Knoppix to troubleshoot and repair Windows, and even build a Web server and firewall. Discover how to: use Linux without installing; install Knoppix without removing Windows; connect to a wired or wireless network; create diskless clients; and rescue and repair malfunctioning systems.
Teach Yourself Linux Are you looking for a reliable, low-cost operating system? Do you want to discover how powerful and straightforward Linux is? Do you need help cutting through the jargon? Teach Yourself Linux will help you to make the most of this powerful system. With this book you can set up a Linux system, add applications, make things happen automatically, connect to the internet, share files with other system and even learn the basics of programming. Extensive examples will help you to master everything from simple commands to setting up your own web server.
Linux in Easy Steps Begun as a small-scale labour of love, Linux has blossomed into the world’s most versatile and flexible operating system. The reasons for its appeal are manifold: This open source OS allows numerous users to simultaneously work with multiple applications without experiencing any traffic problems, thus making it an ideal operating system for web servers. In addition, Linux is an extremely stable operating system that serves as a platform for an ever-growing number of quality applications. And not least, it’s free! You can download it for nothing from the Internet. With Linux in easy steps, joining the Linux Revolution is as easy as one, two, three. Following its simple instructions, you can learn to install the operating system, configure the hardware, explore the desktop, and launch applications. This fully illustrated primer teaches you to climb the Linux directory tree, navigate with the File Manager, and much more. Its easy-to-understand tutorials guide you through the basics of the Open Office suite; creating and editing graphics; and even playing music and videos. Later chapters initiate you into advanced operations that can transform you into a SuperUser capable of refining the code yourself. Linux in Easy Steps opens the door to a whole new world of digital possibilities!
Beginning Suse Linux: From Novice to Professional Beginning SUSE Linux is designed for the newcomer to Linux. It aims to take the reader all the way to the ranks of expert in as quick a time as possible. It logically starts by setting the scene, explaining the background of Linux, then showing how to install the software on your system, use the basic functions, and tweak it's look and feel to your liking. The book is packed with troubleshooting features to ensure that even the most cautious beginner feels comfortable. After that, the book goes on to look at more advanced topics. In our modern age few will have failed to come into contact with some kind of computer so this book reproduces under SUSE Linux the kinds of tasks you might be familiar with, whether that's listening to audio CDs and watching video files, word processing and other office tasks, or just keeping your system in top shape. You'll also gain an in-depth understanding of the heart of Linux - mastering the command-line prompt, setting up your firewall and other security measures, administration tasks such as scheduling backups, managing users, and much more. And as if this didn't sound good enough already, the full version of SUSE Linux 9.1 Professional comes packaged with the book on a free DVD, so you’ll have everything you need to get a Linux system up and running! Packed with comprehensive information and advice, Beginning SUSE Linux will help you become a highly proficient Linux user.

Hardware

Looking For Something Else?