Good book for beginner, if you are just learning get this book.There are things in this book that took me years to learn by trial and error unfortunaely for me I only learned a couple of new things, but it did give me some certainty in what I did know. However Im now looking for a intermediate book which is what I really needed.

Like most people,i avoided the 21st century technology by continuly saying to myself it was not something i needed.I finally took the plunge,a friend set up my Toshiba A2125 and found the"Absolute beginners guide on your web page.It,s format coinsides with my 73 year old mindset.Congradulations Michael Miller

The book lives up to its reputation as being a beginners guide. Good resource for those now getting into computers. And, it also has some good steps for Vista too.

I have been using a computer for many years and still did not understand all the task/programs I could have been using. This book has been extremely helpful working as a primer explaining everything very clearly and is still up to date with the Windows Vista. I would highly recommend this book.

This a great book for aquainting yourself with your computer. If you are new to the computer world as I was you will find this book very helpful in taking control of your computer instead of it controlling you. It covers both versions of Windows: XP & Vista. I would recommend it to anyone just starting out. I think it would be safe to say it could save you a lot of time in the longrun and maybe keep you from pulling your hair out!

I teach Intro to Computers at a local community college. I wish this was our textbook! It's easy to read and comprehend without getting too techie. The range of topics covered is incredible. Mr. Miller keeps the explanations simple, sometimes humorous without the clutter you find in the Dummies books, and layed out in a format that is easy on the eyes and the brain. I recommend this book to my beginning students to complement what we cover in the Intro class.

This book, unlike the dummies books, does not assume you have a basic knowledge of computer controls. The picture graphics from XP screens tie in to step by step intstructions that give you confidence to sit down and know you'll get a desired result. I strongly recommend this for someone like me who got their first computer at age fifty-five. Four months and five books later was still stymied with some facets. If you want to do it by yourself, or have to, this is the book to start with.

[This is a review of the SECOND EDITION.]

Miller continues in his series of introductory computer books with this offering. An easy look at computers, aimed at the complete tyro. Slightly cartoony in some of the figures. But it is not aimed at kids, though they could certainly gain from it. A typical user is suggested by the cover. Like perhaps a middle-aged person who thus far has sat out learning this stuff.

Like I said, it is not a kid's book. The narrative is sober. Miller is careful to minimise the use of computer jargon. And when he does introduce such jargon, you get s clear explanation. Look, you're not going to feel like you're reading your child's textbook. Whether by accident or design, Miller seems to have positioned this book as somewhat of a contrast to a Dummy's or Idiot's book, even though all 3 might be aimed at the same audience.

By the way, he concentrates on Microsoft computers. Apple and linux users may gnash their teeth at this, but he is just following the market realities.

This is a wonderful straight forward book for beginners and intermediate PC users. I have used PCs for years and just wanted to make sure that I did not have any gaps in my knowledge and I found out alot of stuff that I didn`t even know!!! 1st it has a whole bunch of really cool websites that you didn`t know about. Perfectly clear directions. Stuff on digital camera, PC maintenence, Personal Finance Applications this is a wonderful book and I would be throwing it away because it describes how to connect and use stuff that I haven`t even bought yet. Chapters are short. One thing though it is for Windows XP!!!! Lots of Pictures and it is so clear. BEGINNERS START HERE!!!!