iPad in easy steps

by Drew Provan

Published 3 January 2011

MacBook in easy steps

by Nick Vandome

Published 27 January 2011
Screenshots and step-by-step instructions guide readers through the basic tasks essential to operating a MacBook, covering battery issues, the operating system, Internet, email, networking, and more.

Mac Basics in easy steps

by Drew Provan

Published 1 January 2012
Covering the ac operating system OS X Mountain Lion, Mac Basics in easy steps shows you how to get up and running on your Mac with minimum time and effort. Useful for anyone new to the world of Mac computing. Mac Basics in easy steps covers all the essentials a novice needs to know, from getting started to security issues. Areas covered include: getting to grips with the Mac, dealing with Documents, mastering email, browsing the web with Safari, Calendars & Contacts, Photos & Videos on the Mac, the world of iTunes, networking using the Mac, Video chat, personalising your Mac, and troubleshooting.

Mac Computing for Seniors in Easy Steps begins with an overview of Mac computers, covering different types of desktops and laptops and touring them so that readers quickly feel confident. It also covers customizing the desktop so readers can set up their Mac exactly as they want it. The guide takes an in-depth look at the latest operating system, OS X Mountain Lion, covering everything from working with programs to organizing files. It also shows how to effortlessly share files with Windows PC machines.

Mac Computing for Seniors in Easy Steps covers working with photos, videos, and music in the popular iLife suite of programs. It deals with the iPod, iPhone, and new iPad and directs readers to hassle-free use of the Internet and email. The final chapters cover issues such as setting up your own wireless network and ensuring that your Mac stays secure and virus free.

iPhone in easy steps

by Drew Provan

Published 8 July 2010
In full-color and straightforward, jargon-free language, the sixth edition of iPhone in Easy Steps gives you all the information you need to get up and running with your new iPhone, so you will quickly feel you are in control of it. Learn how to find your way around the iPhone and customize it to your requirements, find and download apps, make and receive texts, phone and video calls, use email and social networking accounts, and access music, movies and books. Also discover how to take and edit photos and videos, surf the web and shop online, and share content with family members. The sixth edition of iPhone in Easy Steps takes the mystery out of using your iPhone and shows how it can become your most useful digital companion, ready to help keep you in touch, up-to-date and entertained. Covers iOS 9, the operating system released by Apple in September 2015.

100 Top Tips - Stay Safe Online and Protect Your Privacy contains tips covering all aspects of staying as safe as possible in the online world. These include:

Detailing the types of threats that are out there
Ensuring that passwords for all of your devices are as secure as possible
Identifying and avoiding common online scams and cons
Staying protected when using websites
Dealing with threats that can be contained within emails
Looking at general social media security threats
Understanding security issues related specifically to Facebook
Protecting yourself against identity theft
Keeping your money safe when using online banking
Using security options to keep children safe in the online world
With 100 Top Tips - Stay Safe Online and Protect Your Privacy at your side, you will be one step closer to protecting yourself from the ongoing threats in the online world.

100 Top Tips - Create Great Photos Using Your Smartphone contains tips covering all aspects of capturing, displaying and sharing photos on your phone. These include:

Finding and using your phone's camera settings so you can set up the camera exactly as you want
Using basic techniques that can instantly help you capture stunning photos
Looking at ways to improve the composition of your photos
Utilizing lighting conditions to get the best photos
Creating stunning portraits of family and friends
Releasing your artistic side with a range of creative options
Viewing buildings and architecture in a new way, to get the most effective photos
Capturing iconic shots of famous landmarks
Editing photos on your phone and also downloading them to a computer for more sophisticated editing to make them stand out from the crowd
Making sure your photos are safely backed up for safe keeping and sharing them with family and friends
100 Top Tips - Create Great Photos Using Your Smartphone will help the reader to capture eye-catching photos of a variety of subjects and in a range of lighting conditions.

Android is the mobile operating system that is used on the majority of smartphones worldwide. It is a robust and versatile operating system that can be used by any manufacturer to add to their handsets. This means that there is a wide range of Android phones available and also different versions of Android that run on them.

Android Phones for Seniors in easy steps, 2nd edition starts with a detailed look at the different versions of Android, and the range of models of phones that are available. It also explains the relationship with Google and the services that can be used with an Android phone.

The book looks at using the interface of an Android phone including:

Using Home screens
Organizing apps
Viewing notifications
Locking the phone
Searching for items
Accessing the range of Android settings
Syncing with other Android Devices
The book also covers all aspects of the standard communication functions that are now commonplace on smartphones:

Making and receiving calls
Making video calls
Sending text messages
Adding contacts
Sending emails
Browsing the web
Android phones are excellent for a range of mobile entertainment, and the book shows how to listen to music, watch videos and read books. It also deals with taking and viewing photos so that you can use your Android phone as a replacement for a digital camera.

Due to the range of versions of Android and models of phones, Android phones can sometimes appear a bit of a maze. However, Android Phones for Seniors in easy steps, 2nd edition provides a clear guide to navigate through the issues and ensure that you can get the most out of your Android phone, whichever version it is.

Updated for Android v7 Nougat

Photoshop Elements 9 in Easy Steps actually encourages
the reader to enjoy both fun and the functionality of
this leading image editing software. It covers exciting
new features and the core areas that have succeeded in
putting Elements into a league of its own. Editing
digital images is at the heart of Elements 9 and this
book covers it in depth. It has areas for full image
editing, Quick Fixes and also fully guided editing with
help features. The book covers all of the essential
editing techniques and also looks at some of the new
editing features in Elements 9 such as creating photo
effects and styles and also how to remove unwanted items
from photos. Elements 9 is outstanding when it comes to
sharing images creatively and this book covers its
stunning features including, improved effects, colour-
coordinated layouts, animated slideshows, dynamic online
galleries, photo emails and fun flip-books.

iPad @ Work in easy steps details the productivity options for the iPad so that it can be used instead of a laptop, or a desktop, in the workplace, at school or in higher education. While covering the iPad Pro and the Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil, the main focus of the book is on productivity apps that can be used on any iPad. Apps for word processing, spreadsheets and presentations are covered in detail in the book, specifically the Apple apps, Pages, Numbers and Keynote and the Microsoft Office apps, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The book also looks at sharing documents and collaborating on projects, File Management on the iPad, Email Management and a range of organization apps, including those for note-taking, calendars, address books and reminders. Printing and scanning is also covered, so that you can use your iPad for your entire productivity workflow.

Laptops have often been seen as the domain mainly of students and businessmen. However, they are also an excellent option for senior users: their mobility means that they can be used in any location and with the advent of wireless technology they can be used in a variety of public places to surf the Web or keep in touch with family and friends. Laptops for Seniors in easy steps shows how these portable computers are ideal for seniors.

Updated to cover the update to Windows 8 (Windows 8.1) the book begins by looking at some of the ergonomic issues surrounding laptops and shows how to be as comfortable as possible when using them and transporting them. It then gives an overview of the workings of laptops, including the software that is provided with them and some of the exciting new features in Windows 8.1. Issues such as using your laptop on vacation and sharing it with other family members are then looked at, to show how laptops are versatile and family-friendly.

Extensive coverage is also devoted to networking and using a laptop wirelessly, with particular attention given to accessing the Internet from wireless locations (Hot Spots) such as airports, coffee shops and libraries.

Laptops for Seniors in easy steps – Windows 8.1 Edition demonstrates that seniors can have the freedom to take their computing and wireless technology with them at all times and be fully paid up members of the mobile computing revolution.


iPad 2 in easy steps

by Drew Provan

Published 15 June 2011
The iPad 2 is an easy device to use and the aim of this guide is to help you make the most of your new iPad 2 - for work and for fun. iPad 2 in easy steps shows all the clever things you can do with this revolutionary device. It'll show you how to use and organise your apps and invest in the best apps available for your needs. iPad 2 in easy steps also covers the new apps included with the device such as Garageband and iMovie. iPad 2 in easy steps helps you optimise your settings so your new device functions in exactly the way you want. There are many tips and tricks, and even features not widely publicised by Apple, to get more out of your iPad 2 - all explained in the book. iPad 2 is popular for reading books and news. iPad 2 in easy steps covers purchasing eBooks (from iBooks)and reading them online with the in-built page turning software. You may want to use your iPad 2 at work for presentations, reading and writing documents, and handling Exchange Server email in the corporate world. This handy guide shows you how to manage documents and keep these in sync with your PC or Mac.
Finally, use this guide alongside your iPad 2, to blow your audience away by creating and projecting outstanding slides to accompany your presentations. An ideal reference guide to make the most of your iPad 2!

The No.1 consumer selling image editing software goes
from strength to strength and Photoshop Elements 10 in
easy steps covers its impressively enhanced range of
tools and functions to edit, display and share images in
some truly stunning and original ways.
This book covers all of the standard image editing
techniques and also looks at the new features of Elements
10, such as improved special effects and a new range of
Guided Edits to make producing stunning images even
easier. It also shows how text can be used to flow along
any chosen path, to give your images that extra wow
factor. Elements 10 also fully embraces social networking
and the book shows how to get the most out of your images
on Facebook and YouTube.
Photoshop Elements 10 in easy steps demonstrates both the
fun and the functionality of image editing, that puts
Elements 10 into a league of its own.

iPhone in easy steps, 7th Edition

by Drew Provan

Published 30 November 2017
In full-colour and straightforward, jargon-free language, iPhone in easy steps, 7th Edition gives you all the information you need to get up and running with your new iPhone, so you will quickly feel you are in control of it. Learn how to:



* find your way around the iPhone and customize it to your requirements

* find and download apps

* make and receive texts, phone & video calls

* use email and social networking accounts

* access music, movies and books

* take and edit photos and videos

* surf the web and shop online

* share content with family members



iPhone in easy steps, 7th Edition takes the mystery out of using your iPhone and shows how it can become your most useful digital companion, ready to help keep you in touch, up-to-date and entertained.

Windows 10 in Easy Steps

by Nick Vandome

Published 11 August 2015
Windows 10 introduces a range of new features to tailor the operating system more for specific devices, so that the desktop version is more suited to use with a mouse and keyboard and the mobile version is better suited to touchscreen devices such as Windows 10 tablets and smartphones. One of the biggest changes is the reintroduction of the Start menu which was removed in Windows 8 and 8.1. (The Start button was removed but then re-introduced.) This is similar to the function of earlier versions of Windows, such as Windows 7, XP and earlier, and provides the familiar Start button and menu, along with the live tiles feature that were introduced with Window 8 and 8.1. This is all customizable so that items can be added and removed so that each user can create their own look and feel. Apps are an integral part of Windows 10 and in the new version all apps will work on the Desktop, rather than having to switch between different environments depending on the apps being used. This creates a much smoother user experience and enhances the feeling that there is one single operating system at work. A new Taskbar feature is also added in Windows 10 so that it is possible to view and switch between open documents and apps and also see everything that you have open on your system. "Windows 10 in Easy Steps" provides full-color and comprehensive coverage of the new operating system and shows how to get the most out of it, whether you are using a desktop computer or a mobile device. It details the new features and shows how these integrate with the more traditional elements of the operating system. Windows 10 is one of the most significant upgrades in Microsoft's history and "Windows 10 in Easy Steps" is an essential companion to ensure that you can hit the ground running when it is released.

Rather than just getting by with the basics, explore all the clever things you can do on your Mac, and take control of it!

Mac Tips, Tricks & Shortcuts easy steps is packed with over 800 useful tips, smart tricks and time-saving shortcuts, including:

  • Customizing the Finder to suit you.
  • Time-saving keyboard shortcuts.
  • Printing tricks to save time.
  • Accessing your office Mac remotely from home.
  • Optimizing images for print, web or multimedia.
  • Personalizing your Mac to look how you like it.
  • Keeping your Mac safe and secure.
  • Managing your fonts, files, backups and hard drive to keep your Mac working at peak performance!

Mac Tips, Tricks & Shortcuts in easy steps even covers Unix commands, using Windows on your Mac, troubleshooting and other tricks to help you become a Mac Pro! Suitable for those new to the Mac as well as the more advanced user.


macOS Sierra in easy steps

by Nick Vandome

Published 30 November 2016

macOS Sierra in easy steps covers the essentials of the operating system that runs the stylish Mac desktop and laptop computers. This primer will get you up and running with your Mac in no time:

  • Obtain macOS Sierra and navigate using Multi-Touch gestures on a mouse or trackpad.
  • Find your way around your Mac using the Finder, personalize your Desktop, and use Siri to carry out tasks for you.
  • Enjoy the digital lifestyle – use your Mac computer for photos, music, video, books and games; find places with Maps; surf the web, use email, messaging and video calling to stay in touch; and get productive and organized.
  • Share photos, documents, apps and more, seamlessly between your Mac and other devices using iCloud Drive and Family Sharing – now you can work anytime, anywhere.
  • Gets straight to the point – ideal for Mac newbies as well as for those upgrading to macOS Sierra!

    Covers macOS Sierra (OS X 10.12), released September 2016.


    Tablet computers are now a familiar sight on the digital landscape. They are powerful, portable and packed full of functionality for most computing tasks. Android is the operating system on a wide range of tablets and it is one of the major players in this market. This determines the tablets user interface and also a lot of its functionality. The latest version of Android is 5.0 Lollipop and improves upon what is already the most widely used operating system for tablets. Android Tablets for Seniors in easy steps: Looks at the range of devices available and their specifications and functionality; Explains the Android operating system and how to use it on your tablet in terms of navigating around, performing all of your favorite tasks, getting online and turning your tablet into a mobile library and entertainment center; Focuses on the latest version of Android, 5.0 Lollipop, and shows the enhancements that have been made over previous versions, such as allowing guest users, viewing the latest notifications on your tablet and accessing quickly the settings that you use most often Android Tablets for Seniors in easy steps will show you how to: Get up and running with the interactive, touch screen experience so that you can quickly find your way around with Android; Use the Android settings to ensure that your tablet looks and works in exactly the way that you want; Find your way around apps: the programs that give Android tablets their functionality - from using the preinstalled apps, to downloading and using the huge selection available from the Google Play Store, which is linked directly to Android tablets. It also shows how to get the best apps for popular activities such as travel, health and wellbeing, family history and online shopping; Connect to the web via Wi-Fi, using email, making phone and video calls to family and friends with Skype and diving into the world of social networking; Keep your tablet safe - security on tablets is just as important as on any other computer and this is covered in terms of preventing access to your tablet and staying safe online and when using your apps Android Tablets for Seniors in easy steps gives you the confidence to enter the world of the tablet and get the most out of your device, using Android 5.0 Lollipop. The book features the Google Nexus but is applicable to all tablets running the Android operating system. Presented in larger type for easier reading.

    Dreamweaver remains the most powerful and versatile web authoring tool on the market. The Creative Suite 6 release offers even more functionality to create dynamic, state-of-the-art websites for more platforms.

    Dreamweaver CS6 in easy steps caters for the growing number of people designing their own websites as well as for professionals who need to promptly master the key aspects of the new release. For all but the most experienced, it takes some time to become familiar with all of Dreamweaver’s features. Dreamweaver CS6 in easy steps helps clarify this process and ensures you can get the most out of this industry standard program. All of the main functions of Dreamweaver CS6 are covered, so that you can get up to speed as quickly as possible and start designing and producing high quality websites, including:

    • Multiscreen Preview
    • Fluid Grid Layouts
    • Editing HTML
    • Using CSS
    • Creating and using hyperlinks

    Dreamweaver CS6 in easy steps shows you how to work with the different workspace views so that you can work in either design or code view. The book also looks at how to optimize a website for mobile devices using Fluid Grid Layout and the new Multiscreen Preview. CSS is integral to modern websites and this is covered in detail: from the basics of CSS, to creating and applying styles so that you can produce standards-based websites that have a consistent look and feel across all pages. Also, the new CSS3 Transitions panel shows you how to create original and engaging animated features with CSS.

    Dreamweaver CS6 in easy steps simplifies each stage of website creation, from planning to loading and managing your site, helping you to unleash your creative potential effectively and is aimed at anyone who wants to produce high quality websites, across different platforms including for tablets and smart phones.


    OS X El Capitan in easy steps

    by Nick Vandome

    Published 10 December 2015
    OS X El Capitan in easy steps opens up the gateway to the foundations of OS X: the Dock and the Finder. Then, it reveals a raft of ways in which you can make the most of OS X El Capitan:

    Multi-Touch navigation options for getting around in OS X El Capitan.
    Working with and managing your apps.
    Productivity options on your Mac.
    Getting online with Safari, Mail, Messages and FaceTime.
    Managing your digital lifestyle for photos, music, video, books and games.
    The invaluable iCloud online function for backing up and sharing your files.

    There is also a chapter on troubleshooting and keeping your El Capitan in tiptop shape
    OS X El Capitan in easy steps also covers the new features in the operating system, which include:

    A streamlined Mission Control function.
    An improved Notes app
    Enhanced Spotlight search functionality
    An updated Mail app
    Additional editing options in the Photos app.
    An enhanced Safari app

    Whether you're new to the Mac or just upgrading, use this book to master the essentials and then unleash the power of OS X El Capitan. Covers OS X El Capitan (10.11), due Fall 2015.