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Computer Ease review by Molly Martin,
reviewer and 10+ year school teacher. Title:
Computer Ease
Informative Read …….. Recommended 4.5 stars The
Review
The work is a self help or how to book written by a long time computer expert for novice to intermediate computer users. Topics covered include use of mouse, getting the upper hand, locating files, accessibility and ergonomics, what to do when the computer won’t respond, computer speed, spyware and the inevitable crash and how to deal with it. A section with information about the internet and a small glossary round out the informative work. As a self taught computer user the writer
notes that computer user frustration is not distinctive to age of
user. Technology is what it is and can be learned by young and
old alike. I particularly liked the simple logic offered in
Chapter 2: ‘Most learning comes from repetition and practice, but
computers require we start with exploration and then practice
techniques once we find them. Exploring the computer is a necessary
first step, because you can’t just learn it by passive
interaction.’ It seems so obvious, but for any of us who are
learning to use computer when we are no longer children this particular
logic is often something we seem to forget.
I agree with the writer that files seem to
appear much as do mismatched socks in the sock drawer. I
plan to read and reread Chapter 3 until I am confident I can find and
manage my files with Windows Explorer File management.
Computer Ease is written in straight forward
language easily understood by frustrated, annoyed or just plain worried
users of these infernal machines. Writer Gallagher adds a few
personal instances of help she has provided to clients who may have
faced many of the same concerns as do many of us as we endeavor to
learn how to make sense of the computer sitting on our desk. The
text is most helpful to those of us who are a tad intimidated by fast
talking kids, our own, or those ‘helping’ us as we plod forward in our
attempt to gain computer knowledge. The reader is left with an
optimistic feeling of confidence that he/she too can learn to overcome
most computer problems we may face.
The chapter covering spyware is particularly
timely. My own computer was brought to a stand still a year ago
necessitating a trip to local guru. Adult son has installed two
spyware snatchers and computer is now perking along nicely.
Computer Ease is a book to keep next to the
computer. The book is a must have for the home library shelf, the
personal library and desktop
Molly Martin http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mollymartin Genre: Computer Training Manual Author: Helen Gallagher www.cclarity.com/ Line/Publisher Virtualbookworm.com Publishing Inc., P.O. Box 9949, College Station, TX 77842 Available Amazon $14.95, elsewhere on the Internet ISBN 1-58939-815-7 |
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