[Troubleshooter]

Most people that are new to PCs just want people to show them how to operate and configure a computer without ever picking up a manual of any kind. That is the lazy way out unless you have PC techy assistance at arms length 24/7. Others like to read Microsoft Word dox & PDF ebooks and ask questions on various forums. Reading anything online is tough for me because staring dead into a monitor for lengthy periods is very hard on the eyes. I prefer to read a great book on what it is I want to learn and it retains much easier than switching Windows back & forth or waiting for unpredictable answers from unknown people who may lead you astray. There is a motto that goes...RTFM (read the fuckin manual)
Sit down and read and apply what you learned from a good recommended book at least once a month and your PC learning will soar much further than you expected.

Here are my recommended books on various subjects:

Upgrading and Repairing PCs by Scott Mueller(19th edition)DVD-ROM included

Upgrading and Repairing Laptops by Scott Mueller(2nd edition/3rd edition due April 2010)DVD-ROM included

Barron's Dictionary of Computer and Internet Terms(10th edition)

The Unofficial Guide® to Microsoft® Office Word 2007 by David J Clark

Building A PC in Easy Steps by Stuart Yarnold

Internet Simplified by Paul McFedries

The Beginner's Guide To Broadband And
Wireless Internet by Peter Burns

<Google books>
1)Learn Google by Michael Busby(the best)
2)Google for Dummies by Brad Hill
3)How to Do Everything with Google by Fritz Schneider
4)Google Hacks by(various)
5)Google Pocket Guide by(various)

(Dummy Manuals)
1)PCs For dummies by Dan Gookin(any edition)
2)Youtube for dummies
3)Troubleshooting Your PC for dummies[2nd/WinXP &
-3rd/WinVista edition]
4)Troubleshooting Your PC for dummies[2nd/WinXP &
-3rd/WinVista edition]
5)DIY Build Your Own PC for dummies by Mark Chambers

Some people would find these books laughable, but the information contained in all of them is indispensable and familiarizing oneself with the contents will build a good working familiarity with computers regardless if they are sometimes outdated. The difference between out-dated books and fresh off the rack books is like the difference between carburetor's and fuel-injected motors. You already know what they both do, so its a matter of sorting out the differences. My only hope is that anyone else who sees this thread will add their own book recommendations for noobs just getting their feet wet or books that have been a great help in expanding their PC knowledge.

[popeye67]

Cheers will see if i can download them, try going on emule, type in computer books you will get tons of stuff.

[TheSwarm]

lol i prefer Perl for dummies its a good book .

[Troubleshooter]

If anyone wants these in PDF format let me know, I have them allllll!

[TheSwarm]

lol ok probobly google for dummies xD but ive been using google for like 4 years so i think... im like a pro at it xD

[Troubleshooter]

Mainly I was aiming the books at the genuine noobs, guys. There wasn't any recommended books section so I put one up to direct certain people that appreciate it. I figured anyone that has had their own PC for a few months knows how to navigate their way around good enough to get them by. I cannot stress youtube enough when it comes to tutorials though as an alternative to reading an instruction manual for people who don't like to read.

[popeye67]

Originally Posted by teachmePCs

I figured anyone that has had their own PC for a few months knows how to navigate their way around good enough

Run that by me again.

[Troubleshooter]

Some people learn quicker than others. I know after I got my PC it took me all but 2 weeks to figure out touch typing, google, torrenting, myspace, alcohol 120%, and using media player's to burn media. There is not much else the average john does except emailing, myspace, and burning CDs/DVDs. Then there are the ones (us included) that need to know more and more and more. Meanwhile the soda cans/dishes pile up and phone rings off the hook as everybody tries to get a hold of us for PC support or troubleshooting their latest computer problem. Run what by you popeye?

[popeye67]

Cant help thinking the more you learn with computers you just end up realising how little you know, im alright if i can take a screwdriver to it but when your actually useing a computer its still pretty much learning as you go for me.

[Troubleshooter]

Right you are! You can read books until you are blue in the face, but it all boils down to playing with sensitive hardware. The actual practice and handling of hardware and using software. I only read a manual as a general guide and I really hate doing. I'd rather just jump headlong into the void and figure it out naturally. It all retains better; but there are those times that I wish I hadn't did that,because I run right quick into a moat of quicksand and I get stuck like chuck. Books are almost useless without a video tutorial to substantiate it. I read some thing's in a technical manual that I still cannot get right. Nevertheless, books serve a purpose;albeit small morsels or gives a clue. but computer knowledge truly comes from determination, all-niters, lots of caffeine, asking questions and attempting new thing's. Hell I shocked the shit out of myself(not literally) on some of the thing's I discovered that nobody in my city even knows exists, presumably.

PC's are like shrinks and we are like the patient. You seem to have to outsmart it to get it into proper working order and when you least expect it...the shittin thing drops a brand new puzzle in your lap to solve.