Book Description

Want to create your own web site? Not sure where to begin? Afraid it might be expensive? Dave's book shows how to get free web design software, free internet access, free web server space, and a free web-based e-mail address. Dave takes you step-by-step through the web site creation process. Begin with a simple page. Add links, color, images, a background, sound, animation, and a message banner. Create a professional layout using tables. Convert your simple page to a multi-page web site. Add an image map, a visitor counter, a guest book, and a password-protected area. Convert to a free easy-to-remember web site address. Then register your web site with the key search engines. Dave shares his personal tips and tricks for avoiding pitfalls. Dave's Quick 'n' Easy Web Pages is used by North American educators from fifth grade through college. Great for small business owners too. Practical. Simple. "Quick 'n' Easy." ... Read more

Reviews (6)

HTML Simplified
When I agreed(okay, well, volunteered)to recreate a section of my employer's website I was, perhaps, a bit too confident in my skills. I am by no means computer illiterate, but I had very little experience with HTML and all else that is needed to design a webpage.

I was to be working with a well known web development program and tried as best I could to learn through the tutorials and such. Ha. Let's just say that didn't work out so well. And this program is suppose to make things easy. One of those, "even idiots can use this because this and that are already done for you" type things. But I guess I like doing things the hard way.

And that's where *Dave's Quick 'n' Easy Web Pages* came in. It details in very simple terms HTML coding, showing you what the page would look like in code and also what it would look like in a browser. Things like hyperlinks and how to insert become far less daunting with the instructions in this book.

I don't think that it matters that it was written by a very young man or that the publisher has seen fit to classify it as a young adult text. I found it infinitely more useful and usable than a good deal of the other books I picked up for help.

Wrong approach. Focuses solely on HTML.
I got this book, and was disappointed. It starts out teaching HTML, the language web pages are used for. HTML programming is the wrong way to start learning web page design. Tools like FrontPage and even MS Word will do ALL the HTML programming for you. After starting to read this book with my 8 year old daughter, we went down to the computer, started Microsoft Word, and made a couple web pages. That was a visual way to program, and it lets the tools handle the details. This book is the wrong way to learn web page development and design.

A simple, highly practical guide for web designers
Dave's Quick 'n' Easy Web Pages: An Introductory Guide To Creating Web Sites is a simple, highly practical guide for web designers ranging from beginning to intermediate experience and skill. Individual chapters address hyperlinks, animated images, sound, tables, additional features like counters and message boards, and much more in this superb, "user friendly", compact primer that can teach anyone to get a basic web page up and running in almost no time at all!

Dave's Quick 'n' Easy Web Pages
Although this is listed as a "kid's" book, it is a clear step by step procedural manual for anyone new to HTML and wanting to set up their own website. Dave takes us from a simple text-filled page through adding numbered lists, bulleted lists, colors for text and background, adding tables, adding images, creating hyperlinks with text or images, and creating an image map (an image that has "hot spots" to be clicked as links). He also has listed many websites for downloading free programs, clip art, backgrounds, etc. He shows how to set up, save, and then upload website pages onto the Internet. The procedures are easy to follow if the reader carefully recreates what Dave has written.

Definitely a good book for anyone new to creating personal webpages.

Quick is the Operative Word
Up until recently, web pages held a certain mystique for me. Not any more. One of the reasons for that is this little 116 page book.

Rather than load you up with a bunch of theory and technical jargon, Dave Lindsay gives you just what you need to get started. By the end of the first chapter (which is only nine pages), he has you creating your own basic web page. This all with the most basic of word processors (like Simpletext in MAC or Notepad for your PC)!

With information conveniently contained in the back of the book, he even shows you how to obtain software to upload this basic web page, a server to host your site, and how to upload your page -- all for free.

From there, the author guides you through more advanced techniques like adding sound, message banners and even animated images. This is really a lot more than I expected from a "basic" book, especially one that is just over 100 pages.

For web design "newbies" that just want to get their feet wet, this is a great place to start. It's all written in plain English with the bare minimum of technical codes. As you go through the book and each new technique, they are illustrated to demonstrate how it changes your site.

DAVE'S QUICK 'N' EASY is great for the person intimidated by technology or someone that just wants to dive right in, but doesn't know a lot about HTML (the language used to build web pages). For the complete novice or beginner, this book is like running a 100 meter dash. It gets you designing a web page in no time flat. ... Read more

Book Description

Surf your way to fun-filled adventure and school success in cyberspace!

Want to join in the search for real-life aliens, take a virtual trip into the eye of a hurricane, and learn magic as you master mathematics? With Online Activities for Kids, the fun never stops and the learning just comes naturally. Where else can you build research skills while creating a family Web page, or learn about world geography while going on an Internet treasure hunt? Take a journey on the Underground Railroad. Turn your room into a world-class art museum. Build a dinosaur from fossils. This easy-to-use, step-by-step guide is bursting with imaginative projects like these and many more, including:

• Design your own roller coaster
• Relive a day in the life of a Civil War soldier
• Write a letter in a language you don’t even speak
• Find out how much you’d weigh on Jupiter
• Write haiku poetry
• And much, much more . . .

With Online Activities for Kids, you’ll have a great time exploring the Internet, and you’ll amaze everyone with your fabulous projects and super cybersurfing skills. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Online Activities For Kids
This book is so much fun! It is easy to use and offers imaginative ideas for internet projects and cybersurfing. My favorite project was to write haiku poetry and get it published on the web. You won't want to put this book down until you've tried every single project, either with your family, your classroom, or even just by yourself. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (5)

Nice Book to read
I have read this book so many times due to the similarities that Jason and I share. I absolutely love this book, the book expresses what Jason thinks on matters like girl and family. He likes girls alot and manage a strange way to get them by showing them his step brother's picture. It's funny sometimes how Jason do things. I recommend this book to anyone that's around 10 to 15 years old. Read it, you will love it!

Somewhat Boring
Jason's parents are divorced, his best friend has a new girlfriend every week, and he has no romance in his life. His only solace is the love of his dog, and his online friend, Allison Gray. But when his father decides to get married to someone who resembles Miss Piggy, Jason's life takes a turn for the worse. Because now, not only does he have to deal with a new stepmother, but also a new stepbrother. Whom just happens to be Mr. High School All-American, and very popular with the ladies. But when his online pal wants a picture of him, and he sends one of his stepbrother, his life may just get a little bit worse.

I personally would not recommend this book to anyone. The characters are boring and uninteresting. And the plot is a bit cliched. I recommend reading something, like "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" instead of this.

Something Real To Relate To
This book is totally realistic! I can relate to it alot! It's all about a teenager, with a life that isn't perfect. His new stepbrother moves in, but he has stuff, and girls, on his mind all the time. They hate eachother until they discover theat they really are the same. Hey, they live together, they might as well get along! It's a very nice, book, with trouble that keeps getting bigger, and bigger! It's funny, and it makes you feel like there's someone out there just like you, struggling over things like that. I recommend it for teenagers, not anyone younget than a pre-teen because of the language, and some inapropriate contents. Otherwise, the book is great, and meaningful.

Totally Kickin'!
This was the best book I've read in a long time. FINALLY a real down-to-earth book with lots of humor in between! I loved the way Okimoto showed what was going on in Jason's head, and it was so funky to see that's exactly what I'd be thinking. Surely a favorite for years!

Realistic, funny book that boys will definitely like
That hard-to-find book--realistic fiction about a boy that boys will enjoy. Girls will like this too. Jason is a character teenagers can identify with, as he struggles with family, school, and romance. Seattle readers will enjoy the local setting. ... Read more

Book Description

INVENTION HIGHWAY CD-ROM is a software program, which includes thefollowing: CD-ROM Training System Twelve (12) learning games In-depth Manual Exclusive Membership to our Internet Site

Requirements: WINDOWS - Pentium 100 compatible or higher, 16MB RAM minimum; Windows 95/98/NT 4.0 or higher, 256 color VGA display, Sound Card, 8X CD-ROM drive, 10MB of available hard disk space.

POWER MACINTOSH - G3, Syustem 7.6.1 or higher, 16MB RAM minimum, 10 MB of available hard disk space, 256 Color VGA display, 8X CD-ROM drive, Apple Quicktime 3.0 or higher ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Jobs rocks the party that rocks the body
First of all... I am not an impartial judge of this book sice Jobs is my idle. I think book represents his life with Apple as well as personally fairly well. For cultist Apple fans like myself there weren't too many surprises. Overall a great read.
Also, I have been up for about three days now so I don't even know if I am coherent at this point. ... Read more

Book Description

Examines not only the developments that have brought us such conveniences of the information age as e-mail, cell-phones, and palm-top computers, but also offers valuable insight into a future brimming with amazing possibilities.The full spectrum of communications technology is covered, from Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics to the invention of the printing press, and the origins of today's Internet. Full-color spreads packed with informative captions, look at the past, present, and future of information systems in a variety of fields, including computers, entertainment, education, space, and personal communications.Communications is an ideal gift and a must-have resource for anyone who is curious about the Information Age.Illustrated timelines include major technological milestones and anticipated advances. Comprehensive glossary and index. "Crystal Ball" boxes feature predictions and highlight breakthroughs. "Blurred Vision" graphics show how people in the past envisioned the future. Related resources and websites. ... Read more

Book Description

Why Doesn't my Floppy Disk Flop? And Other Kids' Computer Questions Answered by the Compududes.

For the best answers, coolest Web sites, and excellent cyber-activities, pick up Why Doesn't My Floppy Disk Flop? This lively, informative guide provides the answers to dozens of questions that you (and your parents!) really want to know. Combining their popular brand of humor with cartoon illustrations, sidebars, and tons of advice, the Compududes make all the learning seem like play. From the ins and outs of hardware and software to the best ways to take advantage of the Internet to the exciting future of computing, the answers and explanations in Why Doesn't My Floppy Disk Flop? are guaranteed to plug you in, log you on, and turn you into a computer whiz in no time! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

From Children's Literature Review
Using a question-and-answer format with mundane cartoon illustrations, the authors deal with typical questions young readers ask about hardware, software, the Internet, computer manners, and the "hard to predict" future of computers. Aside from a few geeky projects (a CD-ROM mobile), the book has things fun to know, such as a list of emoticons, many interesting websites arranged by topic to try, and a helpful glossary for those who have trouble separating an FAQ from a CPU. Some answers are pretty technical for younger readers but this is the kind of book you read in rather than through, and computer users from the most naive to the above-average in skills will find something of use here.

Reviewed by Susan Hepler. Copyright @ 2000 Children's Literature. All Rights Reserved.

More reviews from Publishers Weekly, San Diego, etc.
Publishers Weekly:

May 24, 1999

The anchors of the CompuDudes NPR radio show answer kids' computer questions in Why Doesn't My Floppy Disk Flop? by Peter Cook and Scott Manning, illus. by Ed Murrow. From definitions of words such as "bug" and "hyperlink" to tips about how to get peanut butter off a keyboard, the book provides comprehensible and useful answers to a wide range of queries.

From The Union-Tribune - (San Diego, CA):

May 11, 1999

by Suzanne A. Smith

Why Doesn't My Floppy Disk Flop? is an excellent first book about computers for children ages 8 and up. The authors, Cook and Manning, are better known as the "CompuDudes," hosts of a popular computing show for kids on National Public Radio. This book is a compilation of the most frequently asked questions they have received on the show.

Cook and Manning answer questions, from the simple ("what is my computer doing when I first turn it on?") to the more complicated ("what is a cable modem?"), to the humorous ("why don't they make computers in colors?"). The answers to these questions are technically accurate and written in a casual, patient style that is easy for kids to read.

The book also includes some fun, computer-related activities, such as making a CD-ROM mobile, writing a simple program in BASIC, and helping Mom and Dad plan the family summer vacation using the Internet.

A useful chapter at the end of the book is titled, "Good Computer Habits." Here, kids learn how to considerately share a computer with others, back up the hard drive, safely participate in chat rooms, and even how to clean the computer monitor.

This book is good for young children who have expressed an interest in learning more about computers. Mom and Dad may even learn a few things as well.

Forecast - (Bridgewater, NJ):

May 1999

Discusses the history of computers and explains their various parts and uses, hardware, software, the Internet, good computer etiquette, and their future, and includes sidebars which answer questions that were asked on the author's radio show. Original. Grades 3-4.

Here's a review from the St. Paul Pioneer Press Newspaper
From the St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press newspaper:

Monday, April 12, 1999

JEFFREY C. KUMMER STAFF WRITER

"......For a fun guide to computers in general, try, ``Why Doesn't My Floppy Disk Flop: and Other Kids' Computer Questions,'' by Peter Cook and Scott Manning, John Wiley & Sons. Besides being a handy reference for the kinds of computer questions that baffle kids (and adults, too), the book is packed with activities to help children learn more about computers."

Here's a review from MetroKids Newspaper, Philadelphia, Pa.
From MetroKids - Philadelphia, Pa.

June 1999

By Frank Lipsius

"Peter Cook and Scott Manning's Why Doesn't My Floppy Disk Flop? (Wiley, $12.95) shows why the books for kids may be the place to start, even for adults. With simple, straightforward language, the authors go through the basics of PC's (not Mac's) that most kids might know, but they have added information useful even to experienced computer users. For instance, one way to increase the storage area of your hard drive is to decrease the space set aside for the recycle bin. (Right click on the bin, go to "Properties" to find the sliding scale dedicated to the "Recycle Bin." This of course comes after the reminder to empty the bin on a regular basis.)

Sophisticated Enough

While going through the basics of using the computer, the authors suggest good habits while imparting information on BIOS, RAM, ROM and other aspects of computing that separate the informed from the novice. In a field where kids tend to know more than their parents, this friendly guide matches the kids' sophistication while covering all the bases. The book owes much to the authors' decade-long dialogue with kids as the CompuDudes on Kathy O'Connell's Kid's Corner nightly radio show on WXPN (88.5 FM). Columnists for MetroKids during formative stages, Cook and Manning prove that success is a tribute to diligence, foresight and a great sense of humor. Keep it up, dudes."

Here's a review from PBS Online
From PBS Online:

Why Doesn't My Floppy Disk Flop: And Other Kids' Computer Questions Answered by the CompuDudes by CompuDudes: Peter Cook, Scott Manning

Finally, a book that answers all of the questions you and your students have about computers and the Internet! The CompuDudes are well versed in this area since they've had a radio show to help kids with computers since 1989. Now, they take their humor and know-how to the pages of this useful guide. The CompuDudes have truly mastered the art of forming simple, fun and easy to understand explanations for everything from floppy disks to zip drives. ... Read more

Book Description

Calling all kids! So you want your own Web site? Make Your Own Web Page! A Guide for Kids will help you get up and running with IBM- and Macintosh-compatible instructions. All you need is a plain text editor and a Web browser.Everything there is to know is here: step-by-step guidelines for basic planning and design, helpful how-to's on writing in HTML (hypertext markup language) and creating hypertext links, and terrific tips on adding graphics that will jazz up any Web site. There are even sample Web pages to help you get started, and special sections on safety, e-mail, communication, and publicizing your site so browsers will know where to find you.. Now, you don't have to be a computer expert to join the growing list of Web site personalities. With Make Your Own Web Page! A Guide for Kids, the next hot Web page on the World Wide Web can be yours! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Great!
I already had a web site when I got this book...but I got itanyway to see if I would learn anything new. Wow, I did, and it's agreat book. The directions are really simple, and it lets you make a great web site. They have step by step instructions to make a sample web site that really exists... It's really neat!

Make your own web page!
I already had a web site when I got this book...but I got itanyway to see if I would learn anything new. Wow, I did, and it's a great book. The directions are really simple, and it lets you make a great web site. They have step by step instructions to make a sample web site that really exists... It's really neat!

Great beginner website building book!
I bought this book at my sixth grade book fair at my school. It was my first introduction to HTML and web design, and I've been constantly designing websites ever since. The book is fun to read and is easy to follow, and within a week I had a website already created that had my personal picture, my personal biography, and my favorite links. I showed it to my teacher at school and impressed her quite a bit :) Now I'm building websites constantly (...). I highly, highly recommend this book for kids and adults alike!

Even a grown-up can learn from this book!
This book was very readable and easy to understand. Even though I am a beginner at this, it provided me with enough information to build my own web page. It is written in a conversational style with charts of useful code and many examples of how a page in progress would look. Index and glossary. Good book for both PC and Mac users.

easy to use
This book was good for helping you make a website...i made my own off of it! The problem was, there was too many details they told you to follow. I think it's a good book to get you started and for reference, but nothing more. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

jesi's thoughts
I would totally hate having to choose between my mom and dad on Thanksgiving. Oh wait, I already do! I do think that volunteering at the animal shelter did help matters. Except I don't know how you can relieve stress when picking up dog poop! The problem is that next year, she'll have to do it all over again!

THE BEST ONE YET!
This is the fifth book in the series, "Thanks for Nothing". I woud say out of the first 5 books, this one was the best. Madison is really upset because she isn't going to have Thanksgiving with her whole family anymore. Her gramma has a hip problem and her aunt and uncle are going to take care of her. Madison's Mom and Dad are divorced and she can't spend Thanksgiving with both of them. So its either her and Mom or her, Dad, and Stephanie. But when Madison makes a decision, she gets a big surprise and decides to do the original plan. Wanna know who she picks? Read the book! While all of this is happening, Madison decides to help out an Far Hills Animal Clinic and Shelter, where she meets a school friend who is also a volunteer. She also meets a very nice dog, but there is a surprise with the dog, too. Wanna know what happens? Read the book! As if all of this wasn't enough, Madison and Egg are paired up for a social studies project and they are having problems working together. But even though the first two surprises were bad, a surprise about the project is good! To find out what the surprises are and to read a fantastic book, get a copy of "Thanks for Nothing" today!

luv this bookie cuz DOGGIES~
i luv this book because it was bout Madison helping out at the animal clinit and she did have alot of fun during her everytime visit. =P Was having a little mad times when Egg's was late for the extra-credits project that the teacher assign they were partners, but the end it turned out FINE.I also likes this book because it was the first book i got and then i started to like reading Madison Finn! =D

Thanks For Nothing!
This is the 5th book in the series of Madison Finn. It takes place around Thanksgiving, which is Madison's first Thanksgiving without her dad.( Her parents are divorced) If you are a dog lover you'll like reading this book because Madison signs up to volunteer at the local animal clinic! This book was cool I thought.

This book is the bomb! I can tell you that for a fact!
To tell you for a fact. You need to read this book. This book has a lot of good stuff you should know. This book can let you stand up for yourself. I have read this book and I just can't stop reading it! some of the parts just make you so sad. Like, if you have family like the book, read it! You will understand!Read this book or buy it. It is sooooooo great! I feel like getting the whole pack of books of Madison Finn. Thats what makes me not to stop reading.see more about me! ... Read more

Book Description

Wouldn?t it be great to have a world-wide stage where you could share your thoughts and opinions and discuss them with others? Blogging lets you do exactly that?and more! Get ready to share your views with the world as you learn how to create and maintain your own blog. "Blogging for Teens" takes you through every step?from registering and building your blog to effectively expressing your thoughts and providing others with a way to respond. Your blog can provide an interesting forum for connecting with others and sharing your ideas. Let your blog be a reflection of who you are. Where you take it is up to you! ... Read more

Book Description

"I liked the approach, the content, and the presentation so well, I had to rate this a 10."

— Raymond Lodato, Slashdot contributor (Read the Slashdot review.)

• Your family and friends know everything you're doing on your computer!
• Someone is impersonating you during an instant messaging session.
• Sudden dropouts and lag occur during online game play.
• Your computer crashes unexpectedly and for no apparent reason.
• Mysterious pop-up windows appear at strange times.

This is a book about computer security and privacy, written especially for the many people who, just like you, are taking advantage of all the Internet has to offer. It goes beyond the "beware the dangers of chat room" warnings you're already aware of and tells you not only how to protect your computer form the latest invasions of viruses, worms, and Trojans, but also how to fight back and actually do something about them.

• You know how anitvirus tools and firewalls actually work&emdash;and how they can fail.
• You play online games without leaving your system open to attack.
• You can surf the Web and shop without leaving any traces to follow.
• You can clean viruses off a system&emdash;and even get paid for it!

Read a great review on About.com!

Parents with "computer active" teens: check out this review ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Treats you like an adult
The Apress publishing house has been making a name for itself with ultra-indepth technical texts for computer users. Here, Appleman gives us something slightly different. He pitches this book towards you, the teenager. All he assumes is that you use a computer connected to the Internet. You might perhaps have little or no prior experience. That's ok. He goes through a bunch of things you should be aware of. Like viruses and worms, and what to do if your computer gets infected. Or how to be cautious in chat rooms and when using Instant Messaging.

Appleman does go into a reasonable level of detail. More perhaps than a comparable Dummy's or Idiot's book. He believes that there is a certain modicum of detail you should know, and he does not dumb down a topic below that level. He's treating you like an adult.

Speaking of which, there are two other audiences for this book. One is parents. The other is teachers or librarians. There must be members of each group wondering if they need to catch up to their kids on this stuff. And casting around for a good text.

Timely Book
I wish the students of the university where I work would read this book...I wish the faculty and staff would read it as well. I wish my mom and younger brothers would read this book.

It was refreshing to find a book that tells the average computer user what they need to know to protect themselves when using a computer, both on and off the Internet...without making them feel stupid or forcing them to muck through tons and tons of details and complexity. I really appreciate the position that both technology and behavior are necessary to keep oneself safe when using a computer. Sure, the particulars will change over the years, but the lessons of personal responsibility and being necessarily cautious will endure.

This book covers all the major security threats faced today by average users. While targeted at teens, most anyone who uses a home computer, uses email regularly, or shops online will benefit from this book. It hits it all...wireless security, proper passwords, using a credit card instead of a check card when online, refusing 3rd party cookies... Chapter 5, the one on firewalls, does get long...but the author readily admits and warns the reader about that ahead of time.

At our university, we constantly fight the notion that, "the school has a firewall, so if my computer gets infected when using the school's network, it's your fault and the university should fix my computer." This book, and I'm so glad to see it covered starting on page 59, explains that when getting on a local network equipped with a firewall / router protecting you from outside attacks you are still vulnerable to attacks and infections from other local machines. It's your responsibility to install a software firewall and antivirus program to protect yourself from other students bringing infected systems in behind the firewall. I'd like to see that all incoming students read this book...either as part of their orientation or as part of their basic computing class.

Another issue we face at our university that's addressed in this book are the emails that pretend to be from someone else but are really from an infected third party. I routinely get calls from users wondering why they are getting virus warnings about messages they never sent or from others on our campus. This situation is explained (with pictures!) on page 25. I'm almost tempted to steal the picture and explanation to give to people when they call...instead I'm going to recommend this book to them!

Thanks for this timely book.

Now I feel protected!
I am a software engineer developing complex software products in the last 20 years mostly on Sun and Linux machines. I never invested the time to learn the Windows operating system since it was that toy operating system on my single home computer which was used mostly by my sons to play games. The machine was rarely connected to the Internet through a slow dial-up and thus was rarely attacked by viruses.

But....in the last few years something has changed. I now have 3 computers at home....all connected on a local network and permanently connected through a cable modem to the Internet. My computers are under constant attack by viruses and I had to re-install the O.S. several times...loosing a lot of valuable data in the process.

I bought the "Always Use Protection" book for my sons so they will learn to protect themselves from attack....and started to read it myself. I found it very easy to read and providing the right level of information. Although I am in the software business I did not know how viruses really operate and what weaknesses they use to cause damage.

The book is organized well. You first learn the essentials....i.e. having a firewall, installing antivirus and making sure you have the most recent security patches. Later the book moves to important but less essential topics like reducing SPAM, ad-ware, and protecting privacy.

It took me few hours to read the first essential chapters and then a weekend to re-install my computers' O.S. and upgrading them with the most recent patches. I feel now more protected and in control. I continued by reading the rest of the book and changed my web browser settings, my email tool setting, etc. to block ad-ware and SPAM....and there is a significant difference in the systems behavior.

I asked my sons to read the book too. This is important since some of the protection is coming from change of behavior. The book is explaining well what not to do if you want to protect your security and privacy

Overall...I find this book to be a great tool to learn and improve computer security.
Read and enjoy...

A great book
This is a well written easy to understand book about security. Mr. Appleman gives clear, concise how to's to keep your system uncompromised.

Great material for teens (and readers of all ages)...
Target Audience
Although the title suggests it's for teens who need to know the basics of computer security, it could also be useful to the vast majority of average computer users of all ages.

Contents
The book is written to cover the basics of computer security (firewalls, antivirus software, privacy, etc.) from the perspective of teens who use the computer in unique ways. The content is divided into four parts:

Part 1 - Protecting Your Machine - Gremlins In Your Machine; When Software Attacks: All About Viruses; From Sneaks To Slammers: How Viruses Get On Your System; The Built-In Doctor: Antivirus Programs; Guardians At The Gate: Firewalls; Locking Up, Part 1: Software Updates; Locking Up, Part 2: System And Application Configuration; Backups: The Most Important Thing You'll Probably Never Do; What To Do When You've Been Hit

Part 2 - Protecting Your Privacy - When They Think It's You, But It Isn't: Identity Theft; Passwords: Your Key To The Internet; The Traces You Leave Behind: What Your Machine Says About You; Every Move You Make, They'll Be Watching You

Part 3 - Protecting Yourself - Chat Rooms, Public And Private; Scams

Part 4 - Appendixes - Everyday Security; Registry Tricks; A Note For Parents; Index

Review
"The Teen's Guide To Safe Computing"... No, this isn't a moralistic guide to what sites are good and bad for your kid to be visiting. "Always Use Protection"... It's a book on what and how to secure your computer from attacks and scams, written with the unique needs of the teenaged computer user in mind. But don't let that stop you from reading the book if you're a parent (or even if you don't have kids). You'll learn plenty.

As you can tell from the table of contents, Dan Appleman covers the gamut of issues related to computer security. You'll learn what viruses are, and how they can get onto your computer in the first place. By using antivirus software and firewalls, you'll learn how to actively defend against virus attacks. And by keeping your software up to date, you'll lessen your chances even further of being a victim of the latest virus sweeping the internet. Appleman also goes into privacy and identity theft on the internet, and what you need to know about not exposing too much information that could be used against you.

So why is this written for teens? The typical teenage computer user fits a different profile than the adult computer user. There's more use of instant messaging and chat rooms to stay in touch with friends, as well as participation in file-sharing networks and online gaming sites. These types of computing activities can leave certain pathways open to your computer and make it more susceptible to attack. Rather than just say "don't do that" (which would be ignored anyway), the author explains how taking the right precautions can keep your computer from becoming the latest victim, while still participating in activities that you enjoy. The tone is light, humorous, readable, and non-judgmental, and shouldn't pose an issue to any teen's sensibilities.

But quite honestly, you could drop the word "teen's" from the title, and this would still be an excellent book for the vast majority of average computer users. Based on how viruses spread so quickly these days, most people are not following the basic information presented in this book. Unless you're a full-scale computer geek, you'll probably learn something regardless of your age. For me, the chapter on routers and firewalls was perfect. I just recently bought a router for my cable internet connection, and now I know how the internals work. Very nice stuff.

Conclusion
If you're the parent of teens who are "computer active", you owe it to yourself and them to get this book. And while you're at it, you might want to read it yourself. I guarantee you'll learn something and suffer far fewer virus attacks if you do. ... Read more

Book Description

Food for Today provides a comprehensive source of food and nutrition information. The text teaches students to make good food choices, use essential food preparation skills and be savvy consumers. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

a great text
I found this to be a good introductory textbook for a middle/high school age food and nutrition class.The text covers a wide range of topics related to food.One finds chapters on healthy eating and lifestyle, being a vegitarian, how to design a kitchen, and food profiles from around the world.Other chapters even discuss eating etiquette, buying food, and careers in food.The text starts with the basics (this is a whisk...) for the kitchen and for food.One is given profiles of food, nutritional information, and cooking ideas.While it may seem too basic for students who have some knowledge of cooking, it does a good job of introducing it to those who have to knowledge of it at all.

The writing is informative and easy to read.The text is well illustrated with bright drawings and photographs that expand on the written content.I enjoyed the recipes that were chosen for each chapter - they looked fun and doable.In all, this is a well balanced text that fulfills its purpose of presenting food for today. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Really great
We got this book for our inquisitive-minded kid; it's great because it's plainly written but not in a condescending tone (my kid hates that!). The illustrations are really good too. Our son tried a few of the internet links which were really great. Then it disappeared to resurface in the bathroom! Let's just say it's become a parent favorite too! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Gettign kids started on computers
This is a good start for small children, allowing them to have something to show for their efforts. It also means that they will have to do some work off of the computer, giving parents a way to get their children away from the machine. Great arts and crafts! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Bill Gates-Interesting
I first bought this book for a book report. I thaught since i love computers, i should write one on bill gates. I thaught that the author did a good job on this book. I liked this book alot. Very Interesting! ... Read more