REMEMBER WHEN eBay USED TO BE A GREAT PLACE FOR SMALL SELLERS TO BECOME BIG SELLERS?

Unfortunately, recent changes at eBay have made online auctions less reliable and profitable. So where can you sell when you can’t sell on eBay? Online auctions are the past; fixed-price selling is the future. It’s time to move beyond eBay and first-generation online selling and start Selling Online 2.0. Second generation online selling means migrating from eBay to other online marketplaces, including craigslist, Amazon, and your own e-commerce website. You’ll need to make some new plans, learn some new skills, and change some of the things you do--but you’ll find that there’s more money to be made on your own than relying on traditional eBay online auction sales.

• Put together a plan to maintain your sales level and profitability--to counteract eBay’s changes
• Discover how to shift from auction sales to fixed-priced listings on the eBay marketplace
• Find out if running an eBay Store or selling on Half.com makes sense for your business
• Learn out how to sell locally on craigslist and other online classifieds sites
• Discover how to sell fixed-price merchandise on the Amazon marketplace
• Find out how to launch your own e-commerce website--and promote your online store
• Learn how to sell products across multiple channels--and manage multichannel conflicts

 

Introduction     1

What’s in This Book     2

Who Can Use This Book     3

How to Use This Book     3

There’s More Online...     4

Making the Move     4

I BEYOND ONLINE AUCTIONS: CREATING A SUCCESSFUL ONLINE BUSINESS     5

1 The Problem with Online Auctions     7

What eBay Used to Be Like...     7

Why Is eBay Abandoning Smaller Sellers?      10

Changes Are Afoot--and You Probably Won’t Like Them     12

Emphasizing Fixed-Price Sales over Auction Sales     12

Changes to the Fee Structure     12

Changes to the Payment System     14

Changes to the Feedback System     15

Changes to Search Results     15

eBay’s Deal with Buy.com     16

How Do eBay’s Changes Affect You?      16

2 Planning for Selling Success     19

Planning for Life Beyond eBay Auctions     19

Asking--and Answering--Key Questions     20

What Type of Merchandise Do You Want to Sell?      20

How Much Money Do You Want to Make?      21

How Do You Intend to Manage Your Business?      23

Where Do You Want to Sell?      25

Conceiving a Business Plan     26

Understanding the Components of a Useful Business Plan     28

Mission     29

Opportunity     30

Strategy     30

Organization and Operations     31

Strengths and Weaknesses     31

Financials     31

Writing Your Business Plan     32

Implementing Your Business Plan     33

II FIXED-PRICE SELLING ON EBAY     35

3 Migrating to Fixed-Price Listings     37

Why Fixed-Priced Sales Are the Way to Go     37

Comparing Fees     38

Comparing Listing Lengths     40

Factoring in Customer Demand     41

Different Ways to Sell at a Fixed Pric     42

Understanding eBay’s Fixed-Price Listings     43

Understanding eBay’s Buy It Now Auctions     44

Understanding eBay Stores     46

Understanding Half.com     47

Creating an eBay Fixed-Price Listing      50

Creating an Auction Listing with a Buy It Now Price     51

Managing Fixed-Price Sales     52

Before the Sale: Setting the Price     53

After the Sale: Payment and Shipping     53

4 Fixed-Price Selling in an eBay Store     57

What Is an eBay Store?      57

Benefits of Opening Your Own eBay Store     59

Challenges of eBay Store Selling     60

Understanding eBay Store Subscription Levels     61

Understanding Insertion Fees and FVFs     63

How to Open an eBay Store     63

Further Customizing Your eBay Store     67

Managing Your eBay Store     68

Listing Merchandise for Sale in Your eBay Store     70

Handling eBay Store Sales     71

Marking Down Your Merchandise     72

Viewing eBay Store Reports     73

5 Fixed-Price Selling on Half.com     77

Getting to Know Half.com     77

Understanding the Half.com Shopping Experience     79

Understanding Half.com Fees     80

Listing on Half.com     81

Pricing Your Half.com Items     83

Calculating Shipping and Handling Charges     84

Managing Half.com Sales     85

6 Promoting Your Fixed-Price eBay Sales     87

Promoting Your Fixed-Price Listings on the eBay Site     87

Optimizing Your Listings for eBay Search     88

Linking from Other Sites to Your eBay Listings     90

Promoting Your eBay Store     90

Seeding Listings into the Traditional eBay Marketplace     91

Enabling Cross-Promotions     91

Creating an Email Mailing List     92

Linking to Your eBay Store     94

Adding a Stores Widget to Your Blog or Website     95

Creating a Listing Feed     95

Exporting Your Listings to Search Engines and Shopping Sites     96

Advertising on the eBay Site with AdCommerce     97

Advertising Across the Web with Google AdWords     99

Promoting Your Store in the Real World     101

Promoting Your Half.com Listings     102

III SELLING VIA CRAIGSLIST ONLINE CLASSIFIEDS     105

7 Online Classifieds: Are They Right for Your Business?      107

Understanding Online Classifieds     107

Examining Major Online Classifieds Sites     110

Absolute Beginner’s Guide to eBay®

Fifth Edition

 

Michael Miller

 

No prior eBay experience necessary!

 

 

Absolute Beginner’s Guide to eBay will show you how to successfully bid and sell on eBay, the world’s largest online auction site. eBay expert Michael Miller walks you through the process of buying and selling any type of item on eBay. You’ll learn how to safely place bids, win auctions with last-minute snipes, buy fixed-priced items in eBay Stores and Half.com, and use My eBay to track all your auction activity. His eBay tips and tricks will also show you how to create great-looking item listings and safely collect credit card payments via PayPal. Absolute Beginner’s Guide to eBay reveals all the secrets necessary to become a thriving eBay user–whether you bid or auction one item a month or a thousand!

 

Who knew how simple eBay can be?

 

Absolute Beginner’s Guide to eBay will have you bidding and selling in online auctions in no time! Here’s a small sample of what you’ll find inside:

• Learn how to place a last-second “snipe” bid–and win the auction without paying too much
• Discover how to buy fixed-price items on eBay without bidding
• Find out how to create eye-catching auction listings, complete with pictures
• Learn how to use PayPal to accept credit card payments
• Discover how to pack different types of items–and ship them out cheaply and safely
• Learn how to design cool-looking listings with eBayTurbo Lister–and track all your auctions with
• eBay Selling Manager
• Find out how to find a Trading Assistant to sell your items for you
• Uncover the secrets of successful eBay buyers and sellers

 

Michael Miller is a top eBay seller and a successful and prolific author. He has a reputation for practical, real-world advice and an unerring empathy for the needs of his readers. Miller has written more than 75 nonfiction books over the past two decades, including Easy eBay, eBay Auction Templates Starter Kit, Tricks of the eBay Masters, and Making a Living from Your eBay Business. He has been interviewed about eBay by Family Circle magazine, Black Enterprise magazine, and numerous radio stations across the country. Miller’s eBay user ID is trapperjohn2000.

 

Category: Collectibles

Covers: eBay

User Level: Beginning

 

...

&>

 

Who knew how simple computers could be?

 

What can you do with your new PC? The sky's the limit! Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics will show you how to set up and configure your PC, including how to connect to the Internet. Then you'll learn how to fix your digital photos, create digital scrapbooks, download digital music to your iPod, burn your own custom CDs, watch DVD movies, write letters and memos, balance your checkbook, and create show-stopping presentations. And if you need more computing horsepower, you'll even learn how to upgrade your PC and add new peripherals. It's all easy, thanks to Michael Miller's step-by-step instructions and helpful advice!

 

Now updated for both Windows Vista™ and Windows® XP, Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics will have you using your new PC in no time! Here's a preview of

what you'll find inside:

• Learn how to set up and configure your new computer, and install new computer hardware and software
• Get the scoop on how to work with Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista, and how to personalize it just for you
• Learn how to use the most popular computer programs—including Microsoft®  Word, Microsoft®  Works, Microsoft®  Money, and Quicken
• Connect to the Internet for web surfing, email, instant messaging, blogging, and podcasts—and create your own MySpace page
• Become a digital media pro—learn to work with digital cameras and photos, download and listen to digital music, and burn your own CDs and DVDs
• Find out how to protect your PC from spam, viruses, spyware, and computer attacks
• Learn how to set up a wireless home network and share your Internet connection with multiple PCs

Introduction

I  Getting Started
1 Understanding Desktop PCs

2 Understanding Notebook PCs
3 Setting Up Your New Computer System

II Using Windows

4 Getting to Know Windows Vista

5 Using Windows XP on Older Computers
6 Personalizing Windows

7 Working with Files, Folders, and Disks
III Upgrading and Maintaining Your System

8 Adding New Hardware and Devices to Your System

9 Setting Up a Home Network

10 Performing Routine Maintenance

11 Dealing with Common Problems

12 Protecting Your PC from Viruses, Spam, and Other Online

IV Using Computer Software

13 Installing New Software

14 The Suite Spot: Working with Microsoft Works and Microsoft
15 Letters, Memos, and More: Working with Microsoft Word

16 Crunching Numbers: Working with Microsoft Excel 

17 Presenting Yourself: Working with Microsoft PowerPoint 

18 Banking and Beyond: Working with Microsoft Money and Quicken 

19 Connecting to the Internet—At Home and on the Road
V Using the Internet  

20 Sending and Receiving Email

21 Surfing the Web with Internet Explorer

22 Searching the Web

23 Shopping Online

24 Buying and Selling in eBay Online Auctions

25 Exploring Blogs and Podcasts

26 Social Networking with MySpace

27 Creating Your Own Web Page

28 Exploring Other Cool and Useful Websites

29 Sending and Receiving Instant Messages
VI Exploring the Digital Lifestyle

30 Using Your PC with a Digital Camera

31 Organizing and Editing Your Digital Photos

32 Sharing Your Digital Photos Online

33 Playing, Ripping, and Burning CDs

34 Downloading and Playing Digital Music

35 Using Your PC with an iPod or MP3 Player

36 Playing DVDs and Videos on Your PC

37 Downloading and Playing Videos from the Web

38 Making Your Own Digital Home Movies
Index

 

Michael Miller is the best-selling author of more than 75 how-to books, covering topics such as Windows XP and eBay online auctions. Michael has helped more than a million readers be productive with their PCs and has earned a reputation for practical advice, technical accuracy, and making difficult topics easy to understand.

 

Category: Computers & Internet

Covers:    General Computing

User Level:    Beginning

 

$21.99 USA / $26.99 CAN / £15.99 Net UK

 

www.quepublishing.com

...

Is It Safe?

PROTECTING YOUR COMPUTER, YOUR BUSINESS, AND YOURSELF ONLINE

 

IDENTITY THEFT. DATA THEFT. INTERNET FRAUD. ONLINE

SURVEILLANCE. EMAIL SCAMS.

Hacks, attacks, and viruses. The Internet is a dangerous place. In years past, you could protect your computer from malicious activity by installing an antivirus program and activating a firewall utility. Unfortunately, that’s no longer good enough; the Internet has become a much darker place, plagued not only by rogue software but also by dangerous criminals and shadowy government agencies. Is It Safe? addresses the new generation of security threat. It presents information about each type of threat and then discusses ways to minimize and recover from those threats. Is It Safe? differs from other security books by focusing more on the social aspects of online security than purely the technical aspects. Yes, this book still covers topics such as antivirus programs and spam blockers, but it recognizes that today’s online security issues are more behavioral in nature–phishing schemes, email scams, and the like.

 

Are you being scammed? Learn how to spot the newest and most insidious computer security threats–fraudulent retailers, eBay scammers, online con artists, and the like.

 

Is your identity safe? Avoid being one of the nine million Americans each year who have their identities stolen. Today’s real Internet threats aren’t viruses and spam. Today’s real threat are thieves who steal your identity, rack up thousands on your credit card, open businesses under your name, commit crimes, and forever damage your reputation!

 

 Is Big Brother watching? Get the scoop on online tracking and surveillance. We examine just who might be tracking your online activities and why.

 

 Is your employer watching you? How to tell when you’re being monitored; and how to determine what is acceptable and what isn’t.

 

Michael Miller has written more than 80 nonfiction books over the past two decades. His best-selling books include Que’s YouTube 4 You, Googlepedia: The Ultimate Google Resource, iPodpedia: The Ultimate iPod and iTunes Resource, and Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics. He has established a reputation for clearly explaining technical topics to nontechnical readers and for offering useful real-world advice about complicated topics.

 

...

Googlepedia® Third Edition

The all-encompassing book about everything Google. Not only will you learn advanced search techniques, but you also will learn how to master Google’s web and software tools. It’s all inside!

 

Google Chrome

Google’s new web browser

 

Google Gadgets

create your own gadgets

 

Google Gears

turn web applications into desktop applications

 

Android

use Google’s phone

 

Blogger

create your own personal blog

 

Gmail

Google’s web-based email service

 

Google Web Search

the most popular search on the Internet

 

Google AdSense

put profit-making ads on their own website

 

Google AdWords

buy keyword advertising on the Google site

 

Google Product Search

find hot deals without ever leaving your office chair

 

Google Calendar

a web-based scheduling and public calendar service

 

Google Desktop

search documents and emails on your PC’s hard drive

 

Google Docs

create and share web-based word processing and spreadsheet documents

 

Google Earth

a fun way to view 3D maps of any location on Earth

 

YouTube

view and share videos over the Web

 

Google Groups

a collection of user-created message forums

 

Google Maps

maps, satellite images, and driving directions for any location

 

GOOGLE MAY BE THE INTERNET’S MOST POPULAR SEARCH SITE, BUT IT’S ALSO MORE THAN JUST SIMPLE WEB SEARCHES.

•    Use Google developer tools and APIs

     •    Create MySpace and Facebook applications with OpenSocial

     •    Use Google Gears to turn web-based applications into desktop applications

     •    Use Google to search for news headlines, scholarly articles, and the best prices on the Web

     •    Read and respond to blog postings and create your own blogs with Blogger

     •    View the latest viral videos with YouTube

     •    Use Android, the new Google phone

     •    Use Google with the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch

     •    Create maps and driving directions with Google Maps

     •    Use Google’s free web-based email service Gmail

     •    Create your own custom Google Maps mashups–and put customized Google search on your own website

 

 

Michael Miller has written more than 80 nonfiction how-to books, including Que’s Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics, YouTube for Business, and Photopedia: The Ultimate Digital Photography Resource.

 

Category: Internet

Covers: Google

User Level: Intermediate to Advanced

 

...

A music theory book that hits the high note …

This updated and expanded edition of The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Music Theory breaks down a difficult subject in a simple way—even for those who think they have no rhythm or consider themselves tone deaf. With clear, concise language, it explains everything from bass-clef basics to confusing codas. This new edition includes:

-A brand-new CD
-A comprehensive ear-training section
-Musical examples of intervals, scales, chords, and rhythms
-Aural exercises so readers can test their ear training and transcription skills...

Music-making made easy—CD included.

There are few books on arranging and orchestration, fewer yet that are recent, and none that explain the process easily in a fun-to-read fashion. This book demonstrates how to take a simple composition and arrange it for different types of instrumental and vocal ensembles. The same song is used as an example throughout the entire book, and a variety of different types of arranging are covered.

—For musicians playing in any type of band, songwriters and composers, and students learning the art of arranging and orchestration
—Follow-up to The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Music Composition and the bestselling The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Music Theory
—Combines essential reference material with progressive practical examples
—One composition is used throughout the book and CD to demonstrate different types of arrangements...

You can't beat this one for learning the basics!

This book covers everything the aspiring drummer needs to know-from an overview of drums and percussion history and theory; to information on purchasing, tuning, and maintaining drums; to basic music notation, rhythm, and time signatures; to snare drum fundamentals; playing a complete drum set; and basic beats for every style of music. In addition, this newly revised edition contains an audio CD featuring all exercises and solos from the book, tuning examples, and play along tracks.

€ Audio CD included
€ According to a Gallup survey, there are over 62 million amateur musicians in the U.S.
€ Drums are the third most popular instrument among amateur musicians...

Sams Teach Yourself Wikipedia in 10 Minutes gives you straightforward, practical answers when you need fast results. By working through the 10-minute lessons, you’ll learn everything you need to know to take advantage of the Wikipedia encyclopedia–and all of Wikipedia’s incredible resources.

 

Tips point out shortcuts and solutions

 

Cautions help you avoid common pitfalls

 

Notes provide additional information

 

Plain English explains new terms and definitions

 

10 minutes is all you need to learn how to…

 

• Navigate the Wikipedia site and discover its latest capabilities
• Use Wikipedia for fast, efficient research
• Verify Wikipedia information and check references
• Edit, correct, improve, and discuss existing Wikipedia articles
• Write new Wikipedia articles, and add images and media to them
• Find word definitions in Wiktionary and quotations in Wikiquote
• Download Wikimedia Commons photos you can freely reuse
• Read and edit free textbooks with Wikibooks
• Link to Wikipedia content on your own website
• Participate in the Wikipedia community

...

Rev up the search engines.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Search Engine Optimization is a comprehensive, easy-to-use overview of how search engines work, and addresses techniques for basic website optimization, including analysis and ongoing maintenance of a site’s optimization, and how search engine marketing fits within a company’s overall online marketing plan.

·More than 90% of all online users employ search engines to find what they are looking for on the Internet
·A study from IMT Strategies demonstrates that a company’s presence on relevant search engines is the most important medium for maintaining high brand awareness—more important than print media, radio, or TV commercials
...

Sams Teach Yourself YouTube in 10 Minutes

 

Sams Teach Yourself YouTube in 10 Minutes offers straightforward, practical answers when you need fast results. By working through 10-minute lessons, you’ll learn everything you need to know to view videos and post your own videos on the YouTube site.

 

Tips point out shortcuts and solutions

 

Cautions help you avoid common pitfalls

 

Notes provide additional information

 

Plain English explains new terms and

Definitions

 

10 minutes is all you need to learn how to…

•     View YouTube videos
•     Share videos with your friends
•     Create video playlists
•     View HQ and HD videos–as well as XL videos for large displays
•     Post videos to your blog
•     Link to and embed videos on your own web page
•     Shoot and edit your own video
•     Upload videos to YouTube
•     Annotate videos with note boxes and links
•     Replace a video’s soundtrack
•     View YouTube videos on your iPhone
•     Participate in the YouTube community

 

Category:  Internet

Covers:  YouTube

User Level:  Beginning

 

Register your book at

www.informit.com/sams/

register for convenient access to updates and corrections as they become available.

 

...

On February 17, 2009, analog television broadcasting in the United States will end. As of that date, all television stations will switch to digital TV broadcasts -- effectively making obsolete every analog television set in the country.

What do you need to do to keep watching television after the switch to digital? Do you need to buy a new television set? If so, what kind of set? Do you need a fancy high definition TV? Or is there a way to make your old TV still work with the new digital broadcasts? Should you switch to cable or satellite television? And what is digital television, anyway? These are just a few of the questions people are asking as the switch to digital TV approaches. 

All of these questions and more are answered in this short book. Don't be one of the tens of millions of people who are confused about the switch to digital TV and may lose their broadcast signal on February 17! Buy this book and take the guesswork out of the switch to digital TV!

 

What you can learn in this book -

 

o        What is the difference is between Digital TV and HDTV

o        How to switch your analog antenna reception to digital

o        What you need to do if you are a cable, DSL or satellite subscriber

o        How to connect a digital converter box

o        Tips on shopping for a new digital TV

o        Great solutions to your digital TV problems

 

...

Everything casual users need to know to get the most out of their new Windows 7 PCs, software, and the Internet

 

The best-selling beginner's guide, now completely updated for Windows 7 and today's most popular Internet tools - including Facebook, craigslist, Twitter, and Wikipedia

Easy step-by-step instructions cover setting up a new PC, getting online, working with digital media, using productivity tools, and much more

By the world's #1 author of beginning technology books, Michael Miller

 

This year, you may be one of the millions of casual computer users that will buy a new Windows 7 notebook or desktop PC. You'll want to know how to find your way around, get comfortable, and get the job done - without jargon, complexity, or hassle. There's a book for you: Michael Miller's Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, Windows 7 Edition. It's the one book that covers everything today's beginners and near-beginners need to know: not just about Windows, but also about software, hardware, and the Internet. Through 90+ books, author Michael Miller has established an unparalleled track record in explaining complicated concepts simply and clearly, and empowering beginners. Now, he's thoroughly updated his best-selling Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics to cover today's user experience - with Windows 7, Internet Explorer 8, and today's hottest online tools, from craigslist and Facebook to Twitter, Wikipedia, and Google Docs. Miller offers step-by-step instructions and friendly, practical advice for making the most of Windows 7's improvements, including the new taskbar, Action Center, and Aero Snap. He walks through setting up a new computer; connecting to the Internet; working with digital media; burning custom CDs; watching DVD movies; using Microsoft Office and other popular software; managing money online; setting up home networks; keeping PCs running reliably; and protecting them from spam, viruses, and spyware. This is the one indispensable book for today's PC novice

...

Cloud Computing: Web-Based Applications That Change the Way You Work and Collaborate On-Line

 

Computing as you know it has changed. No longer are you tied to using expensive programs stored on your computer. No longer will you be able to only access your data from one computer. No longer will you be tied to doing work only from your work computer or playing only from your personal computer.

 

Enter cloud computing–an exciting new way to work with programs and data, collaborate with friends and family, share ideas with coworkers and friends, and most of all, be more productive! The “cloud” consists of thousands of computers and servers, all linked and accessible to you via the Internet.

 

With cloud computing, everything you do is now web-based instead of being desktop-based; you can access all your programs and documents from any computer that’s connected to the Internet. Whether you want to share photographs with your family, coordinate volunteers for a community organization, or manage a multi-faceted project in a large organization, cloud computing can help you do it more easily than ever before. Trust us. If you need to collaborate, cloud computing is the way to do it.

 

     •    Learn what cloud computing is, how it works, who should use it, and why it’s the wave of the future.

     •    Explore the practical benefits of cloud computing, from saving money on expensive programs to accessing your documents ANYWHERE.

     •    See just how easy it is to manage work and personal schedules, share documents with coworkers and friends, edit digital photos, and much more!

     •    Learn how to use web-based applications to collaborate on reports and presentations, share online calendars and to-do lists, manage large projects, and edit and store digital photographs.

 

Michael Miller is known for his casual, easy-to-read writing style and his ability to explain a wide variety of complex topics to an everyday audience. Mr. Miller has written more than 80 nonfiction books over the past two decades, with more than a million copies in print. His books for Que include Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics,  Googlepedia: The Ultimate Google Resource, and Is It Safe?: Protecting Your Computer, Your Business, and Yourself Online. His website is located at www.molehillgroup.com.

 

Covers the most popular cloud-based applications, including the following:

     • Adobe Photoshop Express

     • Apple MobileMe

     • Glide OS

     • Google Docs

     • Microsoft Office Live Workspace

     • Zoho Office

 

CATEGORY:  Web Applications

COVERS:  Cloud Computing

USER LEVEL:  Beginner-Intermediate

...

Your new PC just arrived. You open the box, excited to hook it up, start surfing the web, send e-mails...and then you see all of the cords, CD-ROMs and parts that need to be connected and installed, and suddenly it doesn't seem like so much fun anymore. The instructions look even more intimidating. Don't panic! Easy Computer Basics can help. This up-to-date, full-color, highly visual guide will walk you through the entire set-up process and then show you how to use the different programs to accomplish common tasks. You'll learn how to:

• Use Microsoft Windows, Works and Word
• Connect to the Internet
• Surf the web
• Read and write e-mail
• View and edit digital pictures
• Download and listen to digital music
• Add new devices, such as printers and hard drives
• Perform basic maintenance and security tasks

Having a computer is supposed to be fun, so don't let its size or complexity take the fun out of your experience. Make your PC work for you with Easy Computer Basics.

...

Practice makes perfect-and this expert guide makes it easy... Using practices and exercises, popular music author Michael Miller gives intermediate musicians the skills to learn such improvisation techniques as chord theory, scales and modes, and melodies and phrasing. All types of soloists, including vocalists, will learn how to listen to and transcribe solos from existing recordings and how to create their own solos and styling. Filled with expert advice and interviews from experienced professionals from the worlds of rock, jazz and R&B, this book gives students the skills needed to move their music to the next level....

A beautifully composed journey through music history!

Music history is a required course for all music students. Unfortunately, the typical music history book is dry and academic, focusing on rote memorization of important composers and works. This leads many to think that the topic is boring, but bestselling author Michael Miller proves that isn’t so. This guide makes music history interesting and fun, for both music students and older music lovers.

• Covers more than Western “classical” music—also includes non-Western music and uniquely American forms such as jazz
• More than just names and dates—puts musical developments in context with key historical events
...

See it done. Do it yourself. It’s that Easy! Easy Computer Basics, Windows Vista Edition teaches you the fundamentals to help you get the most from your computer hardware and software. Fully illustrated steps with simple instructions guide you through each task, building the skills you need to do what you want to do. No need to feel intimidated; we’ll hold your hand every step of the way.

 

Learn how to…

• Set up and configure your new computer system
• Upgrade your computer with new hardware and software
• Use Windows Vista--and personalize it just for you
• Connect to the Internet for web surfing, email, and instant messaging
• Manage and edit digital photos with Windows Photo Gallery
• Play, copy, and burn your own music CDs--and download music from the Internet to play on your iPod
• Protect your family and your computer from viruses, spam, and spyware
• Set up a wireless home network and share your Internet connection with multiple computers

Easy steps guide you through each task.

Items you select or click are shown in bold.

Each step is fully illustrated.

 

Category: Computers

Covers: General Computing

User Level:  Beginning

 

Introduction 1

Part 1: Understanding How Your Computer Works 2

Part 2: Setting Up and Using a Desktop PC 14

Part 3: Setting Up and Using a Notebook PC 28

Part 4: Using Microsoft Windows Vista 38

Part 5: Working with Files and Folders 62

Part 6: Using Microsoft Word 78

Part 7: Connecting to the Internet 96

Part 8: Setting Up a Wireless Home Network 132

Part 9: Playing Music and Movies 150

Part 10: Working with Digital Photos 168

Part 11: Adding New Devices to Your System 190

Part 12: Protecting Your Computer 200

Part 13: Taking Care of Your Computer 214

Glossary 228

...

 

See it done. Do it yourself. It’s that Easy! Easy Computer Basics, Windows 7 Edition  teaches you the fundamentals to help you get the most from your computer hardware and software. Fully illustrated steps with simple instructions guide you through each task, building the skills you need to perform the most common computer tasks. No need to feel intimidated; we’ll hold your hand every step of the way.

 

In full color

 

Learn how to…

• Set up and configure your new computer system

• Upgrade your computer with new hardware and software

• Use Microsoft Windows 7–and personalize it just for you

• Connect to the Internet for web surfing, email, Facebook, and YouTube

• Manage and edit digital photos

• Play, copy, and burn your own music CDs–and download music from the Internet to play on your iPod

• Protect your family and your computer from viruses, spam, and spyware

• Set up a wireless home network and share your Internet connection with multiple computers

 

Category: General Computing

Covers: Hardware, Microsoft ® Windows 7

User Level: Beginner

 

Easy steps guide you through each task.

Items you select or click are shown in bold.

Each step is fully illustrated.

 

...

Speed It Up! A Non-Technical Guide for Speeding Up Slow Computers

 

Does your PC perform like grandma on a cold winter morning? Does it limp along slowly through everyday tasks, such as starting up, shutting down or just opening an email? Are you wondering if your PC’s get up and go has got up and left? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this is the book for you.

 

Sure, there are uber-geeky guides out there that provide tweaks and customizations appealing to the pocket protector nation, but there is no other book that addresses these common problems at the everyday consumer level. We think it’s time for a book that covers all of these topics in a way that appeals to real humans, like you. Let us help you keep your PC running like it did the day you brought it home from the store.

 

     •    Troubleshooting–We show you how to diagnose the cause of your PC’s dawdling behavior.  We help you determine whether the culprit is your hardware, software, the network, a cluttered registry, or even a virus.

     •    Software–We show you dozens of easy, non-techy things you can do to speed up Windows, your applications, your Internet apps, and more.

     •    Hardware–We show you easy upgrades you can do yourself. The solutions we provide are easy to implement.

     •    Network–We show you how to easily fix network issues that are robbing you of precious time.

     •    Buyer’s advice–If it’s time to put your beloved PC out to pasture, we offer some tried and true advice for choosing a new PC and keeping it in tip-top condition.

 

CATEGORY:  Windows Operating Systems

COVERS: Windows XP, Windows Vista

USER LEVEL: Beginning-Intermediate

 

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Write the songs that make the whole world sing.

A step-by-step guide to writing music, this book shows musicians how to compose simple chord progressions and melodies, and leads them through more advanced compositional techniques and musical forms. Designed for composers of all types of music, it includes instruction on composing stand-alone melodies, using different scales and modes, themes and variations, orchestration, and composing for film, theater, and videogames.

-Perfect complement to The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Music Theory and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Songwriting

-Includes a comprehensive glossary of musical terms, as well as an appendix of various computer-based composition tools

-Easy-to-use oversize trim...

You can't beat this one for learning the basics...CD included!

This guide presents all percussion instruments, from classical to marching band. Aimed at percussion and music students, conductors, and composers, it offers essential information about each percussion instrument, how to play it, and a demonstrative CD.

•The unique audio CD helps the reader decide whether or how best to incorporate various percussion instruments into musical compositions or programs.

•The perfect companion to author's The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to Playing Drums, Second Edition.

•Long-lasting trend in music: an increase in the diversity of percussion instruments

...

Windows Vista is the long-awaited upgrade to the Microsoft Windows operating system, and it's a lot different from the Windows you're used to. What's new in Windows Vista–and how do all those new features work?

 

How Microsoft Windows Vista Works is the first book to take you inside the new Windows Vista operating system and show you how all the pieces and parts work. With clear and simple explanations and illustrations that say, "You, too, can understand this," How Microsoft Windows Vista Works gives you detailed information on the hidden workings of Windows Vista–from the new Aero interface inside to the Windows kernel. It's a four-color, highly visual explanation of everything that matters about Windows Vista, including:

• How Windows Vista differs from Windows XP
• How Windows controls your computer
• How User Account Control protects your system
• How virtual folders and instant search work
• How Windows Vista renders graphics
• How the Aero interface and the Windows Sidebar work
• How Internet Explorer 7's tabbed browsing works
• How Windows connects to a wireless network
• How the new Windows Photo Gallery manages your digital photos

Contents 

Introduction  xi

Part I: What Windows Vista Is–and What It Does  2

Chapter 1      Understanding Windows and Other Operating Systems  6

Chapter 2      How Windows Vista Differs from Windows XP  14

Chapter 3      What Windows Vista Does  26

Part II: Basic Operations  32

Chapter 4      Powering On and Powering Off  36

Chapter 5      Managing System Resources  48

Chapter 6      Managing System Information  62

Chapter 7      Managing Users  70

Chapter 8      Managing Data  76

Chapter 9      Managing Applications  92

Part III: Windows Vista Graphics  100

Chapter 10     Understanding Vista Graphics  104

Chapter 11     The Vista Interface  112

Chapter 12     The Vista Desktop  122

Part IV: Digital Media  130

Chapter 13     Windows Media Center  134

Chapter 14     Digital Music  150

Chapter 15     Digital Images  166

Chapter 16     Digital Video and Movies  174

Part V: Networking and the Internet  182

Chapter 17     Windows Vista and the Internet  186

Chapter 18     Windows Vista Networks  204

Part VI: Security and Maintenance  220

Chapter 19     Windows Vista Security Features  224

Chapter 20     Routine Maintenance  238

Glossary  252

Index  266

 

 

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Want to make Windows 7 run faster, smarter, easier, better? Want to personalize Windows to look and act the way you want it to? Want to get
more efficient and ditch all those Windows hassles? You don’t need
a Ph.D in computer science or expensive upgrades. All you need is this book!

Michael Miller makes it easy to tweak Windows so it works just like you
want it to–and runs smooth as silk for years to come. No extreme hacking required: These are simple, step-by-step techniques anyone can perform in minutes–even beginners!

 

     •    Customize Windows 7’s desktop for the way you work

     •    Strip out bloated, worthless software that slows your PC down

     •    Get your network running faster and more reliably

     •    Surf the Web more quickly and safely

     •    Improve performance and battery life on notebooks and netbooks

     •    Get more security with fewer annoyances

     •    Discover great free and cheap alternatives to Microsoft’s built-in software

     •    Fix Windows 7’s most aggravating problems

     •    And much more...

 

 

Michael Miller has written more than 100 non-fiction how-to books over the past 20 years, including Que’s Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics, Speed It Up! A Non-Technical Guide for Speeding Up Slow Computers, and How Microsoft Windows Vista Works. His books have sold more than 1 million copies worldwide. He has earned a reputation for clearly explaining technical topics to non-technical readers and for offering useful real-world advice about complex topics.

 

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