# Need recommendations on computer books. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 11, 2001, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-on-computer-books/72086 "2001-07-11T13:43:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2001, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-on-computer-books/72086/1 "2001-07-11T13:43:35Z")
Ok, I grew up with an apple two plus 48k with a special sound card that maxed that baby out to 64k. I needed a key to start it and a vent to the outside for the fumes. I taught myself how to program it, and got a decent knowledge as to how a computer was thinking at any given moment, thus making it easy to diagnose problems. I have a good mind for computerthink but am grossly behind on pc’s. I mean, i can do alot of things but dont really know the reason. I dont understand the registry or the internet, how to do a trace router and diagnose whether my latest 3d game performance can be improved with a better graphics card or more ram. I don;t need a “The cpu is like the brain of your computer” but i don’t want Professor Frink’s guide to programming directly in ones and zeros. I don’t need an idiot’s guide - more like a smart but uninformed guide to all things pc. A little about windows, once again, not what i can do with it but rather how it works, a little about how memory works, and a little about the internet and what graphics cards do. Any suggestions? If you need more info about the kind of book/s im looking for just reply with a question. Thanks ahead of time. KC ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2001, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-on-computer-books/72086/2 "2001-07-11T13:52:46Z")
I’ve got the address for a website that would probably be along the lines of what you’re looking for, but it’s at home. I’ll post it this evening. ---
**Author:** ![Popup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@Popup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Popup)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2001, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-on-computer-books/72086/3 "2001-07-11T14:08:16Z")
In general the [O’Reilley](http://www.oreilly.com/) books are very good. At least for specifics like languages, OSs etc. I’m not sure if they have any ‘Computers in a nutshell’ book, but it wouldn’t surprise me… I had a quick look and on of their titles is [Optimizing Windows for Games, Graphics and Multimedia](http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/win9x/). Is that what you’re looking for? ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2001, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-on-computer-books/72086/4 "2001-07-11T19:16:29Z")
- - - I have not seen any single book that covers all the subjects you mentioned in any meaningful way. My two cents anyway: - The first thing to decide is if you want to learn info for operation or info for programming. These will not be the same books: I can write a C++ program to open and display an MS Word document, but I don’t know how to use one-tenth of all the features MS Word has. - Either way, I would suggest investigating the “teach yourself”-type-books, they are written clearly and are written as stand-alone references. They are also usually cheaper than the monster computer books, $20-$30 as compared to $50-$60. _Some_ of them are good but many are lame, so try to get a look at them first before buying if you can. - MC ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2001, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-on-computer-books/72086/5 "2001-07-12T00:59:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ultrafilter \* > \*\*I’ve got the address for a website that would probably be along the lines of what you’re looking for, but it’s at home. I’ll post it this evening. \*\* The Complete Illustrated Guide to PC Hardware can be found at two locations, [http://www.karbosguide.com](http://www.karbosguide.com) and [http://www.mkdata.dk/click/](http://www.mkdata.dk/click/). ---
**Author:** ![Chas.E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e99b99/32.png) [@Chas.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chas.E)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2001, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-on-computer-books/72086/6 "2001-07-12T02:51:01Z")
What you need: [http://www.informit.com](http://www.informit.com) Free registration required. I used a fake name to avoid their spams, I had no problems. Lots of free online books on programming, networking, OS topics, etc. It’s a gold mine.