Practical Computing

by Lynn Hogan and Amy Rutledge

Book Overview

Practical Computing has been crafted to address the unique challenges novices face in mastering PCs, combining user-friendly design, creative multi-media tools, and a focus on useful skills students... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0132839962
• ISBN13: 9780132839969
• Release Date: January 2012
• Publisher: Pearson
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.4" x 10.8"

Customer Reviews

Adequate for a brief overview, deficient otherwise

This book, designed to give the absolute beginner experience in using a computer running Microsoft Windows Vista, succeeds in giving the reader a fundamental overview in the basics. Each topic is presented in a visual manner with diagrams used to support and explain the more complicated operations. True/False and multiple choice problem sets are included at the end of each chapter. The topics are: *) Understanding your personal computer *) Working with Windows Vista *) Working with files and folders *) Working with the Internet *) Understanding electronic communication *) Understanding computer maintenance and security *) Creating documents (using Microsoft Word 2007) *) Creating spreadsheets (using Microsoft Excel 2007) *) Creating presentations (using Microsoft PowerPoint 2007) *) Working with graphics However, I would not consider using this as a textbook in basic computer classes as the coverage lacks the necessary depth. For example, 23 pages are devoted to Word, 31 to Excel and 33 to PowerPoint. Given the many diagrams and that the last four pages of each chapter are summary and problem sets, this is not enough to give the student the necessary detail. The entire book, including index is only 338 pages. If a superficial scan is all you need, then this book will be adequate. However, for anything beyond that you will have to look elsewhere.

Fantastic Book for Novices

Ms. Hogan presents a very comprehensive view of the basics of computing for novices (i.e. - people who may never have touched a computer before). She uses easy to understand language and avoids the use of jargon so as not to confuse her readers. I have taught frequently with this book in introductory computer classes at a community college and have never had any students say a bad word about it. Aside from the basics of computing in Windows, the book also covers an introduction to Word 2007 and Excel 2007. Surfing the Internet and using e-mail are covered extensively as these applications are so frequently used by novices and professionals alike. A previous reviewer noted weaknesses but I respectfully disagree. The topics that reviewer mentioned as weaknesses (lack of discussion of instant messaging, internet relay chat, peer to peer networks and blogs) are beyond the scope of the novices for which this book is designed. I myself found no weaknesses in this solid, well written text. Buy it for your parents (or grandparents). You won't regret it!