NetGuide : Internet Guide

In some ways, the computer monitor is the forgotten peripheral. It dutifully sits atop your desk, serving as your window to the

Despite computer manufacturers’ continuing battle to improve the Out-Of-Box Experience (the so-called OBOES), getting up to speed with your new computer can be overwhelming. Assuming that you have all of the essential parts and that everything is plugged in correctly (I assume this because you’ve somehow made your way here), you are ready to become a productive member of the computing world. However, you may not even know how or where to begin. Fortunately, there are some great comprehensive computing tutorials for beginners that can be found on the Web.

Newsday maintains a surprisingly good computing site for beginners called Computer 101. Here you’ll find 5 weekly lessons on everything from unpacking your computer to Windows 95 shortcuts. Once you have graduated from Computer 101, you will want to move on to Computer 10, which eases you into using the Internet.

An Introduction to PCs is somewhat outdated but still offers easy to understand explanations of the major parts of your computer. This guided tour leads you through the basics of such overwhelming topics as BIOS, RAM, ROM and processors.

If computer terminology is tripping you up, there are a variety of technology dictionaries that can help you make sense of every befuddling computer term from A0 to z buffer.

Once you get the feel for your new computer, you probably will want to start adding peripherals, downloading software and customizing your desktop. CNET offers technology how-toss on hundreds of topics pertinent to the new computer user, ranging from how to stop unsolicited mass e-mail to how to use Windows 95 to how to buy your next PC online.