My Google Chromebook

Description

My Google Chromebook brings together all the expert advice and easy, step-by-step know-how you’ll need to make the most of your new Google Chromebook —in no time! Chromebooks are laptop computers that are entirely based on Google Chrome OS, cloud-based OS that is a radical departure from traditional Windows and Mac OSes. Because of its web-based nature, using a Chromebook and the Chrome OS is quite a bit different from using a traditional notebook PC and Microsoft Windows. To get the most use out of your new Chromebook, you need to become familiar with how cloud computing works - as well as all the ins and outs of your new Chromebook. You’ll find all that and more here!

This full-color, fully-illustrated book simplifies even the trickiest of tasks. You’ll find step-by-step instructions with callouts to photos that show you exactly what to do. Coverage includes quickly setting up your Chromebook, logging in, and getting productive. You’ll master Google’s web-centric Chrome OS and you’ll learn to reliably connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi, 3G, or even Ethernet.

You’ll also learn how to:

·         Monitor 3G usage to avoid costly overages

·         Manage files stored on the web or your own flash drives

·         Play and edit online media

·         Browse and search the Web

·         Discover  great new Chrome extensions and Apps for fun, family, and social networking

·         Safely share your Chromebook with other users

·         Work with free or low-cost web-based productivity tools

·         Configure Chromebook for more security, privacy, performance, and battery life

·         Save time with built-in shortcuts

·         Troubleshoot and recover from problems

Extras

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Sample Content

Sample Pages

Download the sample pages (includes Chapter 6 and Index)

Table of Contents

P Understanding Chrome, Chromebooks, and Cloud Computing     3
What Is Cloud Computing?     4
  How Traditional Desktop Computing Works     4
  How Cloud Computing Works     4
  Defining the Cloud     5
Why Is Cloud Computing Important?     6
What Is Google Chrome OS?     7
What Is a Chromebook?     9
What Chromebooks Are Available?     10
Chromebook Pros and Cons     13
  Chromebook Benefits     14
  Chromebook Disadvantages     15
Should You Buy a Chromebook?     16
  What Types of Users Should Buy a Chromebook?     16
  What Types of Users Shouldn’t Buy a Chromebook?     17
1 Unboxing and Setting Up Your New Chromebook     21
Unboxing Your Chromebook     21
Turning on Your Chromebook—For the Very First Time     23
  Setting Up a Chromebook     23
Creating a New Google Account     26
  Creating a Google Account     26
2 Getting to Know Your Chromebook     31
Getting to Know Your Chromebook     31
  Screen     32
  Illumination Sensor     32
  Webcam     33
  Microphone     33
  Keyboard     33
  Touchpad     34
  Multi-Card Slot     34
  User Mode Switch     35
  SIM Card Slot     35
  USB Port (Right)      36
  Status Indicator     36
  Power Connector     36
  Monitor Port     37
  USB Port (Left)     37
  Headset Jack     37
Using the Keyboard     37
Using the Touchpad     40
  Moving the Cursor     41
  Clicking the Cursor     41
  Right-Clicking the Cursor     42
  Dragging an Item     42
  Scrolling the Screen     42
  Adjusting Touchpad Sensitivity     43
Connecting External Devices     44
  Connecting an External Mouse     44
  Connecting an External Keyboard     44
  Connecting an External Display     45
Adjusting Brightness and Volume     46
  Adjusting Screen Brightness     46
  Adjusting and Muting the Volume     47
3 Using Chrome OS     49
Starting Up and Shutting Down     49
  Starting Up and Logging In     50
  Putting Your Chromebook to Sleep     51
  Powering Off Your Chromebook     51
Navigating Chrome     52
Understanding Chrome’s Status Icons     53
Navigating Tabs and Windows     55
  Navigating Tabs     55
  Navigating Windows     55
  Switching to Full Screen Mode     56
  Zooming into a Page     57
Using the Customize and Control Menu     57
4 Managing Multiple Users     61
Adding Users to Your Chromebook     61
  Adding a User     61
Editing User Information     63
  Changing Your Chrome User Picture     63
  Creating Your Profile     65
Switching Users     67
  Switching User Accounts     67
  Logging in as a Guest User     67
5 Working Wirelessly     69
Connecting to a Wi-Fi Network     69
  Enabling Wi-Fi on Your Chromebook     70
  Connecting to an Open Wi-Fi Network     70
  Connecting to a Secure Wi-Fi Network     71
  Viewing Network Status     72
Connecting to a 3G Network     72
  Activating Verizon 3G Service     73
  Connecting via 3G     74
  Using Your Chromebook with a SIM Card     75
  Roaming with a Different 3G Carrier     76
  Monitoring Data Usage     76
Connecting to an Ethernet Network     77
  Connecting via Ethernet     77
Managing Network Connections     78
  Automatically Connecting to a Network     78
  Forgetting a Network     79
  Viewing Network Details     79
6 Configuring and Personalizing Chrome OS     81
Changing Themes     81
  Selecting a New Theme     83
  Resetting to the Default Theme     84
Configuring Basic Options     85
  Configuring Startup Behavior     85
  Changing Chrome’s Home Page     86
  Displaying the Home Button     86
  Displaying the Bookmarks Bar     87
  Changing Search Providers     88
  Enabling Google Instant     89
Configuring Personal Stuff     89
  Changing Your Account Password     89 
  Waking from Sleep     90
  Syncing Your Account     90
  Saving Passwords     92
  Enabling Autofill     93
Configuring System Options     94
  Changing Your Time Zone     94
  Managing Touchpad Sensitivity     95
  Customizing Languages and Input Methods     95
  Changing Search, Ctrl, and Alt Key Behavior     96
  Enabling Accessibility Features     97
Configuring Networking Options     98
Getting Under the Hood     98
  Configuring Privacy Options     98
  Displaying Web Content     98
  Changing Proxy Settings     99
  Translating Pages     100
  Managing HTTPS/SSL Security     101
Managing Users     101
  Disabling Guest Browsing     102
  Hiding Usernames     102
  Restricting Sign-In     103
7 Managing Files and Using External Storage     105
Using Chrome’s File Manager     105
  Viewing and Opening Files     108
  Renaming Files and Folders     109
  Deleting Files     109
  Creating a New Folder     110
  Saving Files from the Web     111
 sing an External USB Memory Device or Memory Card     113
  Connecting a USB Memory Device     113
  Inserting a Memory Card     114
8 Viewing and Listening to Photos,Music, and Videos     117
Viewing Digital Photos     117
  Viewing Photos from an External Storage Device     118
  Viewing a Photo Slideshow     119
Listening to Music     119
  Listening to a Single Track     120
  Listening to a Playlist     121
Watching Videos     122
  Viewing a Video     122
9 Browsing and Searching the Web     125
Browsing the Web     125
  Going to a Web Page     126
  Clicking Links     127
  Reloading a Page     128
  Moving Forward and Back Through Pages     128
Viewing and Managing Browser History     128
  Viewing Your Recent History     129
  Viewing Your Full History     129
  Deleting Browsing History     130
Searching the Web     131
  Entering a Query     132
  Using Google Instant     133
  Using Google’s Advanced Search     134
  Understanding Search Results     135
  Fine-Tuning Search Results     138
  Changing Change Search Providers     140
Managing Your Home Page     140
  Choosing a New Home Page     141
  Displaying the Home Button     141
Bookmarking Favorite Pages     142
  Bookmarking a Web Page     142
  Displaying the Bookmarks Bar     143
  Going to a Bookmarked Page     144
  Managing Bookmarks     144
Using Autofill     146
  Enabling Autofill     147
  Saving Form Information     147
  Automatically Entering Form Information     147
  Manage Stored Information     148
Browsing in Incognito Mode     149
  Opening an Incognito Window     150
10 Installing Chrome Extensions     153
Installing and Using Extensions     153
  Downloading and Installing Extensions     154
  Using Extensions     155
Managing Extensions     156
  Configuring Extension Options     156
  Disabling or Uninstalling Extensions     158
Examining Popular Extensions     159
11 Using Chrome Apps     163
Understanding Chrome Apps     163
Getting to Know the Chrome Web Store     165
Installing and Launching Apps     165
  Downloading and Installing Apps     166
  Launching Chrome Apps     167
  Using Chrome Apps     167
Managing Installed Apps     167
  Configuring App Options     168
  Uninstalling Apps     168
  Determining How Apps are Launched     169
Examining Chrome Apps—by Category     170
  Education Apps     170
  Entertainment Apps     171
  Family Apps     173
  Games     174
  Lifestyle Apps     175
  News and Weather Apps     176
  Productivity Apps     177
  Shopping Apps     178
  Social and Communication Apps     179
  Utilities     180
12 Working in the Cloud     183
Office Suites in the Cloud     183
  Google Docs     184
  Microsoft Office Web Apps     186
  Microsoft Office Live 365     187
  Zoho Docs     188
  Other Web-Based Office Suites     189
Word Processing in the Cloud     189
  Google Docs     189
  Microsoft Word Web App     190
  Zoho Writer     191
  Other Web-Based Word Processors     192
Spreadsheets in the Cloud     192
  Google Spreadsheets     193
  Microsoft Excel Web App     194
  Zoho Sheet     194
  Other Cloud Spreadsheet Apps     195
Presentations in the Cloud     195
  Google Presentations     196
  Microsoft PowerPoint Web App     197
  Zoho Show     197
  Other Web-Based Presentation Apps     198
Photo Editing in the Cloud     198
  Adobe Photoshop Express Editor     199
  Picnik    200
  Picture2Life     200
Finances and Banking in the Cloud     201
Calendars in the Cloud     202
  Google Calendar     203
  Yahoo! Calendar     204
  Windows Live Calendar     205
Email in the Cloud     205
  Gmail     206 
  Windows Live Hotmail     207
  Yahoo! Mail     207
Instant Messaging in the Cloud     208
  IM Solutions     208
  Using Google Talk     208
Skyping in the Cloud     210
13 Printing from Google Chrome     213
Understanding Google Cloud Print     213
Connecting a Printer to Google Cloud Print     215
  Connecting a Cloud Print-Ready Computer     215
  Connecting an Existing Printer     216
Printing to Google Cloud Print     217
  Printing from Your Chromebook     217
Sharing a Printer with Google Cloud Print     218
  Sharing a Printer     218
  Disabling Sharing     219
Disconnecting a Printer from Cloud Print     220
  Disconnecting a Cloud Print-Ready Printer     220
  Disconnecting a “Classic” Printer     220
14 Using Google Chrome Safely and Securely     223
Cloud Computing and Data Security     223
Chrome OS and Malware     224
Protecting Against Phishing     225
Practicing Safe Computing     227
  Protecting Your Personal Data     227
  Avoiding Cyberstalkers     229
  Protecting Your Children Online     229
Configuring Chrome’s Privacy and Security Settings     231
  Don’t Save Passwords     231
  Don’t Use Autofill     232
  Configure Privacy Settings     232
  Configure Content Settings     234
  Clear Browsing Data     236
  Restrict Sign-In     237
15 Optimizing Your Chromebook’s Performance     239
Optimizing Battery Life     239
  Using the Right Adapter     239
  Keeping It Cool     240
  Maintaining a Little Charge     .240
  Dimming the Screen     240
  Disabling Wireless     240
Speeding Up Performance     241
  Don’t Multitask     241
  Disabling or Removing Extensions     242
  Hiding Images     242
  Enabling DNS Prefetching     243
  Disabling Feedback to Google     244
16 Troubleshooting and Recovering from Problems     247
Dealing with a Frozen App or Web Page     247
Clearing Local User Data     249
Recovering from Severe Problems     250
Updating Chrome OS     252
A Google Chrome Keyboard Shortcuts     255
Index     261

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