Windows 8.1 for Seniors: For Senior Citizens Who Want to Start Using Computers (Computer Books for Seniors series) Large type / large print edition

To Whom it may concern:We at Cary SeniorNet were evaluating this manual for the purpose of teaching senior citizens to use Windows 8.1 computers at our computer lab. This is the internal memo I wrote which I am sharing with you.Evaluation of Studio Visual StepsWindows 8.1 for SeniorsEvaluation Criteria 1-10 Multiplier Score1. Easy to understand terminology 10 x2 202. Covers Key Topics 5 x2 103. Reasonable Cost 3 x2 64. Modifiable (will adapt to our style) 1 x1 15. Chapters fit our class schedules 1 x1 16. Organization 1 x1 1Total 39Overview:My initial impression upon first looking through the manual was quite positive. There are many images and many of the topics are covered. Once I started digging more thoroughly into it, however, I quickly became disappointed. Yes there are many images, but there are TOO MANY. For example, there are 7 separate images of the keyboard where one image with supporting text would do. Even worse there are about 36 separate images of the Wordpad screen showing every screen for every step of a simple activity. There are also no exercises for Wordpad but they have you type a few lines in and then work with them.There are no good mouse practice exercises. Instead they have you open the calculator and have you use that window to do your mouse practice. It takes them about 75 pages to cover using the mouse (from page 24 to page 100).There are two chapters on word processing, One on working with text, and one on word processing. On the surface it soundss like what we do, however, I feel they over emphasize trivia and gloss over much of what we teach as being imortant. For example, they make an issue of dragging and dropping a paragraph. Much of what we teach they regard as an incidental “TIP”. Such as clicking, highlighting, swiping across a word etc. to select. The insertion point isn’t even mentioned. You can’t even find it inthe index.They then go into Files and Folders in Chapter 5. We reserve this for Beginning skills 2. Then they go into Files and folders, (Our CS2). There is no coverage of Using the Paint program, Setting up and administrative account, adding new users, Personalizing your desktop, and other items we cover in CS2. They then go into surfing the internet in Chapter 6 (our CS3) .Chapter 7 covers working with e-mail, however, you have to have a Microsoft account and one of the following e-mail providers: hotmail.com, outlook.com, or live.com. The also try to steer you into a Microsoft account. They point out that Microsoft does not support a POP3 account. I question if this is false information. You can access other providers through internet explorer.Certainly you can go to google to access Gmail. Chapter 8 covers working with photos, videos, and music which we mostly cover in CS3. They also go into a lot of what we cover in Digital photography including connecting your camera to your computer and importing pictures from your camera.Chapter 9 “Useful Settings” covers some of what we usually cover in CS2 including working with the start screen and lock screen, changing backgroud color of the start screen, going into the control panel to change mouse settings, desktop backgriound, letter & icon sizes and a few other options we cover in CS2.There are 3 additional bonus chapters which are available on line for download. These cover:Working with a touchpadWorking with a touchscreenDownloading apps.They also have practice files available for download but these only include 10 pictures and two videos.After spending $22.95 for this book, some of the material we cover requires the purchase of a second book “More Windows 8 for Seniors” which covers:● Adjust your workspace● Create user accounts● Work with photos● Play and manage music● Burn CDs and DVDs● Use system restore options, create backups and clean up the computerfor an additional $22.95I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book as a reference book. It has a great Appendix called “How Do I Do That Again?”. It also has a great index sorted alphabetically.As a teaching tool for us, I feel that the Que book that Dave Cree mentioned in an e-mail sound a lot more promising.

I like the book because it told me more about Windows 8 than other books. I realize Windows 8 is a new operating system and authors had to scramble to get their books on the market, ergo each book has something in a field I need to know. I.e. what does it take to send photos over the internet. The step by step instructions and pictures make it easy for old folkies to get in the swing of a new operating system. I personally decided to jump into the future with both feet and enjoy Windows 8. The authors bent over backwards to make Windows 8 understandable to people who have limited knowledge on computers, when following the step by step instruction seniors should have no problem getting in the swing of things on the computer with Windows 8.

I just got a new computer with Windows 8.1, and was having a lot of problems and sorry I ever purchased it. I have worked on PC's for years, when I retired I purchased a new Dell PC, and had no problem learning it, and loved it, I had it for 14 years, then it finally crashed. so I went out and bought another Dell, but could not get one like what I had, so I just went with Windows 8.1. When I saw this book I thought, I would give it a try and see if it would help me to be able to learn what this PC is capable of doing, and it is a lot. now when I have a problem, I just check the Table of Contents, find out what I'm looking for and go right to the information I need, I have found it is easy to understand and I really find the large print just great. I haven't gone through the exercises yet, but eventually I will.

I am retired now but at work I was doing basic computer work but having not used that for a while I lost a lot of knowledge so I decided to buy this book and I found it extremely useful. It does exactly what I was hoping it would do. For example, when I follow their instructions I see on my computer screen exactly the same as what appears in the book which means I am doing something right :) Fred.

I'm really not a senior but things are very hard for me to turn I understand this book and is slower and that's what I need to know, I think it's a good book and I like it. Joe

I'm in my 80"s so having both pictures as well as explanations have helped me a lot.My windows 7 was fine, but 8 is a case of it's own.Thanks..............

Great book! I would have been lost without it. Use it almost every day when I come upon something new that I want to do.

I was happy with this book. It gave me the info I was looking for. It was quite informative and easy to follow.

Bought this for my father to help him get used to him new laptop. Very well written and easy to follow. Takes the reader step by step through the OS with many illustrations and great tips.

I have had several Studio Visual Steps for seniors books and they are all so good , this is one is the same high quality . John.

I bought this for my Mum, It is easy to read and understand and covers everything she will need to know to use her windows 8.

great

very handy to have as windows 8 is different, nice to have information close at hand.can carry it with the laptop