| Acknowledgments | vii |
| Introduction | ix |
| CHAPTER 1: Making Windows Work for You | 1 |
| Which Windows? | 2 |
| A Quick Lap Around Windows 98 | 2 |
| Instant Gratification: 5½ 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 | 325 |
