My Google Chromebook

Description

Get comfortable with Google Chrome OS fast, with this media-rich, customized, hands-on learning experience!

* The Chrome OS is a new, fast, web-oriented operating system from Google, based on the Chrome web browser
* Tightly integrated with online video, screencast tutorials, podcasts, and more: the total learning experience for new Google Chrome OS users
* Practical, approachable coverage that completely flattens the Using Google Chrome OS learning curve

Using Google Chrome OS is a customized, media-rich learning experience designed to help you master Google Chrome OS quickly, and get the most out of it, fast! It starts with a concise, friendly, straight-to-the-point guide to Google Chrome OS. This exceptional book is fully integrated with an unprecedented collection of online learning resources: online video, screencasts, podcasts, and additional web content, all designed to reinforce key concepts and help you achieve real mastery. Using books are designed to offer a solid and accessible introduction-both tutorial and reference-to a topic. The Using series is written in a succinct yet friendly manner and offers real-world advice and step by step tasks.

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