Free Downloads
"Is This Thing On?": A Friendly Guide To Everything Digital For Newbies, Technophobes, And The Kicking & Screaming

Like a personal trainer for the digital age, Abby Stokes is the hand-holding, motivating expert that newbies—specifically older newbies—turn to when they want to become digitally literate. And her book, Is This Thing On?, is as smart, comprehensive, reassuring, and jargon-free as she is: the epitome of user-friendly. And it is now completely revised and updated to keep pace with the fast-changing digital landscape, covering tablets, apps, video streaming, social media, and much more. With the skill and assurance of a teacher who for over 20 years has personally taught computer skills to thousands of seniors and technophobes, Stokes covers it all: How to choose, buy, and start using the computer or tablet that’s just right for you, plus how to set everything up for maximum comfort and safety. How to connect to the Internet, sign up for email, understand and use search engines, and get started with essential skills like word processing and text messaging. How to choose, buy, and start using a smartphone. How to take and share digital photographs and videos. How to discover online communities and participate in social media like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube, and blogs. How to explore the world of apps, online music, streaming movies, and ebooks. And, importantly, online security— including what to do when things go wrong. Appendices include both Apple and PC keyboard shortcuts and 200 recommended websites and 100 apps; there are FAQs at the end of each chapter and tips and tricks throughout. An all-new companion website—AskAbbyStokes.com—will include video tutorials explaining the latest technologies.

Paperback: 496 pages

Publisher: Workman Publishing Company; 3 Rev Upd edition (March 24, 2015)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0761183809

ISBN-13: 978-0761183808

Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 1.2 x 8.9 inches

Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #49,187 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #35 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware & DIY > Personal Computers #103 in Books > Computers & Technology > Operating Systems #106 in Books > Computers & Technology > Networking & Cloud Computing > Internet, Groupware, & Telecommunications

While this book is written at a very elementary level - and it was on purpose - I find that it has a lot of knowledge contained in it. In most areas of computers I would be considered somewhat advanced, I still have questions that I look to this book for answers. It is VERY easy reading and will help any person who thinks they are too late in life to learn about computers. I thoroughly am enjoying it,

"Is This Thing On?" is like having a friend sit beside me at the computer. Abby Stokes seems to anticipate my questions, and the explanations are very clear. It covers a nice span of topics, too!

I LOVE THIS BOOK! It has saved me many times when Im trying to figure out all this new technology. Dont waste your money on other books that are hard to understand , this one is so easy to read and understand. I also now know more about social media and how it works. Im on Facebook a lot but never did understand how it worked.So when you buy a new phone, I Pad , computer, etc save yourself the trouble of going back to the store and get this Wonderful Book. Thank you Abby , this has helped me so much.

I'm not very savvy when it comes to computers. This book is its weight in gold to me, I can follow the directions Abby writes in the book, since English is my second language.I'm glad that I came to your presentation to introduce your new book at Apache Junction. Love the book Abby,Thanks, Conny

This updated version gives a lot more information about the newest smart phones, tablets, and applications available now. Even though I have used a desktop computer for years, I took the time to read through this section from the very beginning, and learned quite a bit, especially about what to look and ask for when purchasing a new computer. The author writes very simply and clearly about each step to using electronic devices, and explains what the many everyday abbreviations stand for. I first borrowed this book from the library, and was so impressed with it that I purchased an updated copy for myself. I feel it is well worth the price for anyone who is new to computers, smart phones or tablets, or simply wants to better understand how they function.

Abby Stokes teaches, tickles the funny bone and helps one triumph over the technical challenges for those who are unfamiliar with all the new technologies. I teach computers to those who struggle in this tech-savvy world and find that Abby's books are so user friendly and helpful I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to any of my students. It is up to date and covers everything a newbie would be dealing with from what product is best for the individual to getting the most out of your purchases.

I enjoyed this book first hand because I learned a lot about the computer from this book I am a senior citisen and I used this book in learning how to use the computer It take the fear out of learning the computer or any other digital devise

This book is fantastic! Abby is able to describe so many topics at an easy-to-understand level. It's witty and very well written. I LOVE the stories and instructions that include her mother. Another reviewer said it's like having a friend sit beside you. That's a good description. I've attended some of Abby's speeches and if you ever get a chance to attend one -- GO! You won't be disappointed. I've learned a lot from her book and website, www.askabbystokes.com.

"Is This Thing On?": A Friendly Guide to Everything Digital for Newbies, Technophobes, and the Kicking & Screaming Is This Thing On?, revised edition: A Computer Handbook for Late Bloomers, Technophobes, and the Kicking & Screaming Eco-Friendly Cleaning: Money Saving Solutions for a Clean, Green, All-Natural, Non-Toxic, Eco-Friendly Home (eco-friendly, sustainability, homesteading, ... natural cleaning, green home, non-toxic) A Newbies Guide to Nook HD and HD+: The Unofficial Beginners Guide Doing Everything from Watching Movies, Downloading Apps, Finding Free Books, Emailing, and More! (Minute Help Guides) A Newbies Guide to Nook HD and HD+: The Unofficial Beginners Guide Doing Everything from Watching Movies, Downloading Apps, Finding Free Books, Emailing, and More! A Newbies Guide to Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Nook: The Unofficial Beginngers Guide to Doing Everything with the Nook Tablet The Everything Green Wedding Book: Plan an elegant, affordable, earth-friendly wedding (Everything (Weddings)) What No One Tells the Bride: Surviving the Wedding, Sex After the Honeymoon, Second Thoughts, Wedding Cake Freezer Burn, Becoming Your Mother, Screaming ... and Being Blissfully Happy Despite It All The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story Opera: What's All the Screaming About? The Screaming Middle: a memoir in verse of a very strange year Pokemon Go For Beginners: Guide,Tips,Tricks(Pokemon Go Guide,Ultimate Guide for Beginners,Pokemon Go for newbies,Hints,secret,Pokemon Basics,Pokemon Go FAQ,Pokemon Go for Dummies) Talk Cancer to Me: My Guide to Kicking Cancer's Booty! Fotografia Submarina / Underwater Photography: Tecnicas Fotograficas / Digital and Traditional Techniques (Ocio Digital / Leisure Digital) (Spanish Edition) The Newbies Guide to Kindle Touch: The Unofficial Handbook of Hack's, Tricks and Tips A Newbies Guide to iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 (Or Any iPad with iOS 8) Top 40 Costly Mistakes Solar Newbies Make: Your Smart Guide to Solar Powered Home and Business Measuring the Digital World: Using Digital Analytics to Drive Better Digital Experiences (FT Press Analytics) A Newbies Guide to OS X El Capitan: Switching Seamlessly from Windows to Mac Pokémon GO Guide for Newbies to Pokémania (iOS, Android, Tips, Tricks, Secrets, Game Plays, Pokémon Trainer, Pokémon Master, Pokéstops, Pokéballs, Gym)