Sams Teach Yourself Computer Basics in 24 Hours is the replacement documentation that you don't get with sub-$1000 computers.

It's designed to be an "all-in-one solution" to help users to get up and running on their computer and learn all the software applications that came pre-loaded on their system.

This book is a cost-efficient alternative for the user who will probably not purchase separate books on general PCs, Windows, the Internet, Word, and Excel.

Unlike many other books for new users, this book is text-heavy, foregoing comic-book-like sequences in favor of numbered steps. The author begins by identifying the parts of a personal computer and helping you find the floppy disk drive, the mouse, and the other major components. She then steps back a bit, explaining how to assemble a typical PC right out of its box and start it up. Then, she details the critical conventions of Windows, explaining what a file is, how to use nested folders, and how to adjust screen resolution. She walks the reader through the Internet Setup Wizard (which the reader will use to get online) and touches on using Windows 98's Internet applications. She also explains a little bit about Microsoft Word, Microsoft FrontPage Express, Microsoft Works, and Microsoft Money 98.

Sometimes the author assumes that the settings on a reader's machine are a certain way, when there is more than one possibility for the settings--this could confuse a nervous new user. Aside from this flaw, Teach Yourself Computer Basics in 24 Hours is a competent introductory computer guide. --David Wall