Acknowledgments vii Introduction ix CHAPTER 1: Making Windows Work for You 1 Which Windows? 2 A Quick Lap Around Windows 98 2 Instant Gratification: 5 Ways to Make Windows Easier Right Now 5 Starting and Stopping 9 Deciphering the Start Menu 12 Customizing the Start Menu 18 Taskbars Translated Here 19 CHAPTER 2: Covering the Desktop 25 The Desktop Icons 25 Making and Using Shortcuts 31 Windows Explorer and My Computer 36 Changing the Desktop Display 38 Choosing Screen Savers 42 Help on the Spot 44 Help on the Web 46 CHAPTER 3: Running Programs 49 Opening and Switching Between Programs 49 Closing Programs 52 Installing Software 55 Uninstalling Software 58 Running Non-Windows 98 Programs 59 Essential Software That s Free (or Cheap) 64 CHAPTER 4: Working with Files and Folders 67 Using Folders 67 Selecting Files and Folders 78 The Association Between Files and Programs 79 Copying and Moving Files and Folders 83 Learning to Recycle 84 Working with Floppy Disks 90 CHAPTER 5: What IS That File? 93 What You See on the Hard Disk Drive 93 File Name Extensions and What They Mean 97 Meet the Registry 97 Registry Tricks 99 Getting Rid of Unnecessary Files 103 Files You Must Not Delete 106 CHAPTER 6: Fearless Web Browsing 111 Choosing an ISP 111 Using the Internet Connection Wizard 115 Connecting and Disconnecting from the Internet 117 Getting Around with Internet Explorer 120 Keeping Track of Web Pages 124 Searching on the Web 132 Downloading Files 135 CHAPTER 7: Using E-mail and Newsgroups 137 Setting Up and Personalizing Outlook Express 138 Reading E-mail 147 Writing and Formatting E-mail 153 Using the Address Book 156 Dealing with Large Amounts of E-mail 159 Newsgroups: All the News That s Fit to Print (and Then Some) 167 CHAPTER 8: Printing 173 Installing and Removing Printers 173 Getting the Most from Your Printer 175 Managing the Print Queue 182 Installing and Using a Network Printer 184 CHAPTER 9: Conquering Computer Hardware 189 Hardware and Windows 98 189 Using the Device Manager 190 Adding a USB Port 193 Installing a Scanner 194 Connecting a Digital Camera 194 Configuring Modems 196 Configuring ISDN 200 Making DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) and Cable Connections 201 Display Hardware and Settings 202 Changing a Mouse 207 Working with Game Controllers 207 Hardware Profiles 209 CHAPTER 10: Making Use of Control Panel Tools 211 Training a Mouse 211 Using Keyboard Options 215 Improving Accessibility 217 Multimedia Means Audio and Video 220 Using Media Player 223 CHAPTER 11: Playing It Safe 227 Stopping Hackers and Viruses 227 Maintaining Your Privacy 229 E-mail Security 240 Safe Shopping 243 Cover Your Tracks 245 Restricting Access to Objectionable Content 248 CHAPTER 12: Maintaining a Healthy Computer 251 Keeping Your Software Updated 251 Housecleaning 252 Optimizing System Performance 256 Backing Up Your Files 269 Dealing with Startup Problems 279 Dealing with Shutdown Problems 285 CHAPTER 13: Building and Using a Network 287 Before You Begin: Designing a Network 288 Building a Network 293 Sharing Files on a Network 302 Testing and Troubleshooting a Network 304 Protecting a Network from Hackers 308 CHAPTER 14: Connecting from Home or On the Road 313 Working with Dial-Up Connections 313 Working with VPN Connections 316 Dialing In to Your Computer While Away 321 INDEX