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How Computers Work (9th Edition) (How It Works)

List Price: $34.99
Our Price: $20.44
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Manufacturer: Que Average Customer Rating: Average rating of 4.5/5Average rating of 4.5/5Average rating of 4.5/5Average rating of 4.5/5Average rating of 4.5/5

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How Computers Work (9th Edition) (How It Works)

Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 004.16
EAN: 9780789736130
ISBN: 0789736136
Label: Que
Manufacturer: Que
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 464
Publication Date: 2007-11-24
Publisher: Que
Studio: Que
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Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5
Summary: Great Book For a Introduction
Comment: I read this book before I really got interested in computers but when I find myself dealing with computers I have to know how something does its work. This book was great for that and this book almost felt like it was made for beginner types like me at the time. I found myself intrigued by how processors work and its pretty insane to think about to me. A lot of stuff some people don't think about I wonder about like how a computer understands what you are typing or how the monitor understands what to display or even how a computer starts up. I wouldn't say this book will make you a computer genius but it will build a better understanding for those interested in computers. My first idea about computers were they are to complicated but after reading this I find myself comfortable building my own. It gave me a better understanding of how hackers operate and like I said this book is good for those who just want a simple understanding and not have to have someone translate what its saying. Overall pretty simple and lots of pictures and very good for people who want to learn or get an idea of what is going on with computers. The one problem I had was when I finally wrapped my mind around how something worked I wanted to more but I had to look elsewhere for the answer.
Customer Rating: Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5
Summary: It's about time.
Comment: I'm a HUGE fan of "How stuff works" kinda books. This is THE book I have been looking for. It's written in such an interesting way. Personally, I feel pictures and diagrams are ESSENTIAL to understanding something thoroughly, and this book delivers and executes on that matter. If you are a visual, hands-on kinda person, then chose this book over others. It's second only to a real hands-on experience and live teacher.
Customer Rating: Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5
Summary: Great book for beginners - High Level Overviews
Comment: I use this book whenever I am explaining to a class a general overview of computer technology. The artwork and graphics are a fantastic talk point to depict how things are working inside the machine.

Secondly, the terminology is accurate and well organized / defined.

I'm a big fan of "For Dummies" books when giving someone a first pass of any topic. These are just a step up in complexity, in my opinion.


Customer Rating: Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5
Summary: Make your own call
Comment: Rather than add to endless "This sucks!" "No it doesn't!" arguments, my review is simple - if you need an understanding of how computers work, give this book a try. THEN, and only then, make your own decision. Other people's opinions are great, but only you can determine a book's worth to you.

Customer Rating: Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5
Summary: Rife with typos, but helpful for a general understanding
Comment: (My copy did not come with a CD, so I can only comment on the book itself.)

My edition (Ninth Edition) was clearly assembled and edited in a hurry. A couple of quick examples: the diagram on p. 12 shows a computer with numbered parts, and the accompanying text refers to the numbers and describes the respective parts. The diagram in my book has no #6 -- the text is there, but unless you already know where the part is, it's not helpful. Other little typos include the following text from p. 26: "See how a transistor works, p. XXX" (They forgot to replace the XXX with the actual page number).

Neither of these errors is a deal-breaker, of course, but it makes me wonder if I am unwittingly being misinformed by other typos. Much of the book, though -- because of the illustrations and simply worded text -- is quite helpful to a beginner.

Having said that, I would not pay full price for this. As I write this review, there is a used edition for $6.99, and that sounds about right.
  
Editorial Reviews:

Having sold more than 2 million copies over its lifetime, How Computers Work is the definitive illustrated guide to the world of PCs and technology. In this new edition, you’ll find detailed information not just about every last component of hardware found inside your PC, but also in-depth explanations about home networking, the Internet, PC security, and even how cell phone networks operate. Whether you’re interested in how the latest graphics cards power today’s most demanding games or how a digital camera turns light into data, you’ll find your answers right here.

 

Ron White is a former executive editor and columnist for PC Computing, where he developed the visual concept behind How Computers Work. Founder of one of the

earliest PC user groups, he has been writing about computers for 25 years and is known for building wildly extreme computers.

 

Timothy Edward Downs is an award-winning magazine designer, illustrator, and photographer. He has directed and designed several national consumer, business, technology, and

lifestyle magazines, always infusing a sense of “how it works” into every project.

 

A full-color, illustrated adventure into the wonders of TECHNOLOOGY

 

This full-color, fully illustrated guide to the world of technology assumes nothing and explains everything. Only the accomplished Ron White and award-winning Tim Downs have the unique ability to meld descriptive text with one-of-a-kind visuals to fully explain how the electronic gear we depend on every day is made possible. In addition to all the content you’ve come to expect from prior editions, this newly revised edition includes all-new coverage of topics such as:

 

•    How tablet PCs put the power of a PC quite literally in your hands

•    How Windows Vista makes your Windows desktop translucent and makes your PC more secure

•    How advances in optical disc technology such as dual-layer DVD, HD-DVD, and Blu-Ray discs continue to push the envelope

•    How Apple’s new iPhone is revolutionizing what cell phones can do

•    How BitTorrent technology enables anyone to share information with everyone

 

For a decade, How Computers Work has helped newbies understand new technology, while at the same time hackers and IT pros have treasured it for the depth of knowledge it contains. This is the perfect book about computing to capture your imagination, delight your eyes, and expand your mind, no matter what your technical level!

 

Category: General Computing

Covers:    PCs/Hardware

User Level:    Beginning–Intermediate

 
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