can u recommend Computer Beginner's book(s)

[tomos]

getting in late on the christmas pressies:

no access to a book shop till it's too late for xmas - can anyone recommend a book or series of books for absolute-beginners/basic-users on the PC (Windows 7). It is for a 'senior' but doesnt have to have big text but I suppose it's no harm - I was thinking of the Windows 7 For Seniors For Dummies

Another edit/ it's for a couple, she's very mouse centric but he prefers using the keyboard - I suspect a lot of beginner books might ignore this aspect (extensive use of keyboard shortcuts)

thanks in advance


[edit] on Amazon I get to look in the book - and see the table of contents and index - super, I've no idea what the thing is really like... [/edit]

[cranioscopical]

I always think those For Dummies books are okay to buy for myself (you can guess why!) but a little insulting to give to others.

[tomos]

I always think those For Dummies books are okay to buy for myself (you can guess why!) but a little insulting to give to others.

yes, I know what you mean but in this case I think no offence would be taken!


also edited original post

Another edit/ it's for a couple, she's very mouse centric but he prefers using the keyboard - I suspect a lot of beginner books might ignore this aspect (extensive use of keyboard shortcuts)

[kyrathaba]

I like the "Head First" series, by O'Reilly.

[mahesh2k]

Annoyances.org has some good books for beginners to learn operating systems. I think O'reilly publishes their stuff.

[tomos]

thanks for the tips folks

[Renegade]

I always think those For Dummies books are okay to buy for myself (you can guess why!) but a little insulting to give to others.

+1 for Dummies. It's a good starter.

After that, Microsoft Press or Sams are ok.

Apress and O'Reilly are out as they are way too advanced.

The Idiots series might be worth looking at.

[tomos]

yeah, I went for the dummies book.

That is really odd about amazon "look inside" thing - if I had a seen one page of the actual book (as opposed to just TOC & index) I would have been able to make a decision based on that.
I found a chapter excerpt on the dummies store site (link first post, missed it first time round). First chapter may be a bit too basic but as they have yet to discover windows explorer (and file management in general) I think the book will suit