Don't tell 'em, show 'em!

That's the heart of the teaching strategy the authors have developed during their many years of presenting successful computer workshops to beginners. And that's the philosophy you'll find throughout all books in our Step by Step series.

There are no long paragraphs with abstract explanations. Instead, you'll find on every page a list of specific, concrete steps to carry out at your computer. Do the steps and you'll understand the topic far better than just reading about it. Besides, who has the patience for reading when sitting at a computer?

The authors also recognize that not everyone is interested in the same topics in the same order. So they've organized the book to make it easy to jump to the things you're interested in, and get going. If a topic depends on an earlier one in the book, a signpost icon at the top of the page gives directions.

If you're a teacher or trainer, you'll find the division of the book into separate short topics - more than a hundred in all - makes it easy to use for everything from a three-hour beginner workshop to a ten-week course. A separate Instructor's Guide with lesson plans and more than 20 reproducible proficiency tests is available.