“For Dummies” Books Reduce Stress & Learning Curve

Have you ever thought about trying something new but it seemed too complex or intimidating? The “For Dummies” series of books takes these topics and explains them in clear, simple language that makes learning fun and easy.

These excerpts from four popular “For Dummies” books show you the kinds of tips offered in the series. They’ll help you navigate the world of wine, keep your computer files safe, build a stylish wardrobe and learn some Facebook lingo.

For more tips, videos and articles, visit http://dummies.com.

Common Facebook Terminology
From “Facebook For Dummies, 2nd Edition” by Leah Pearlman and Carolyn Abram
Facebook connects you with the people you know and care about. It enables you to communicate, stay up-to-date, and keep in touch with friends and family anywhere.

You can share photos, videos, notes, gifts, even chat live with others online at the same time as you.

If you’re new to Facebook, you’ll run into some unfamiliar terminology. Here are some common terms and their definitions:

Profile: This is your page. It contains your photos and videos, a list of your friends, your recent activities, and anything else you choose to include on it.

Gift: This is a whimsical or cute icon. You can give these gifts to your friends for prices ranging from free to $1. Gifts appear in your friend’s Gift box on their Profile.

Wall: This is where you and your friends can write on your Profile. Your friends may write on your Wall to communicate with you, congratulate you, embarrass you, and more. You post on your own Wall to let your friends know what you’re up to.

News Feed: This is a continuous stream of updates about your friends’ activities on and off Facebook. It appears on your Home page.

Practice Safe Computing
From “Windows 7 For Dummies,” by Andy Rathbone

Viruses can travel not only in emails, programs and files, but also in screen savers, themes, toolbars and other Windows add-ons.

• Protect yourself by practicing safe computing – after all, the best defense is often a good offense. Consider these safe-computing tips:
• Make sure your antivirus program scans everything you download, as well as anything that arrives through email or a messaging program.
• Only open attachments that you’re expecting. If you receive something unexpected from a friend, don’t open it. Instead, email or phone that person to see whether he or she really sent it.

• Don’t install two virus checkers, because they often quarrel. Windows comes with a built-in antispyware program, Windows Defender, but no antivirus program. You need to buy your own program and pay its subscription fees so that it will keep recognizing the latest viruses.

• Windows 7′s Parental Controls offer several ways to police how people can access the computer as well as the Internet. These controls offer three categories of safeguards:

• Time Limits – you can define certain hours when children (or other account holders) may log onto the computer.

• Games – Some computer games come with rating levels. This area lets you choose which rating level your children may play, helping keep them from mature or violent content.

• Allow or block programs – This lets you set certain programs off-limits while allowing access to others.

From March 1, 2010 through April 30, 2010, “For Dummies” invites you to join the annual Dummies Month celebration. Get a $5 mail-in rebate with a purchase of any “For Dummies” book or audio set (with the purchase price of $6.99 or more). You can also enter a sweepstakes to win a new Apple iPad loaded with “For Dummies” apps. Enter at http://dummies.com/go/win.

- Courtesy of Family Features & Wiley Publishing

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