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My Google Chromebook, 3rd Edition

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My Google Chromebook, 3rd Edition

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Description

  • Copyright 2016
  • Dimensions: 6" x 9"
  • Pages: 352
  • Edition: 3rd
  • Book
  • ISBN-10: 0-7897-5534-3
  • ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-5534-6

Step-by-step instructions with callouts to Google Chromebook photos that show you exactly what to do

Help when you run into Chromebook problems or limitations

Tips and Notes to help you get the most from your Chromebook

Full-color, step-by-step tasks walk you through doing exactly what you want with Google Apps. Learn how to:

  • Browse and search the Web with Google Chrome
  • Manage your content wherever it’s stored: on your Chromebook, an external drive, or in The Cloud
  • Find great new apps and extensions for business, education, and fun
  • Strengthen privacy with Incognito Mode and Google’s privacy settings
  • Watch TV, movies, and other video with Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube
  • Listen to music you’ve downloaded or streamed from Spotify or Pandora
  • Print with Google Cloud Print, even if your printer wasn’t designed for it
  • Fix photos in The Cloud with Adobe Photoshop Express
  • Send, receive, read, and manage email through Google Gmail
  • Create, import, edit, and format documents with Google Docs
  • Build and share powerful spreadsheets with Google Sheets
  • Prepare and deliver live presentations with Google Slides
  • Optimize Chromebook performance and battery life
  • Troubleshoot and recover from problems

Downloads

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Please download the bonus chapters from with My Google Chromebook here.

Sample Content

Online Sample Chapter

Configuring and Personalizing Chrome OS

Sample Pages

Download the sample pages (includes Chapter 6 and Index)

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Understanding Chrome OS, Chromebooks, and Cloud Computing 3

    What Is a Chromebook?............................................................................................4

    What Is Google Chrome OS?.................................................................................6

    What Is Cloud Computing?....................................................................................7

        How Traditional Desktop Computing Works.................................8

        How Cloud Computing Works....................................................................9

    Should You Buy a Chromebook?....................................................................10

        Chromebook vs. Tablet...................................................................................11

        Chromebook vs. Traditional Notebook............................................13

Chapter 2:  Getting to Know Your Chromebook 17

    Understanding the Parts of a Chromebook.........................................17

        Screen.............................................................................................................................18

        Webcam........................................................................................................................18

        Microphone...............................................................................................................19

        Keyboard......................................................................................................................19

        Touchpad.....................................................................................................................20

        Headset Jack.............................................................................................................20

        Memory Card Slot................................................................................................20

        USB Ports.....................................................................................................................20

        HDMI Connector...................................................................................................20

        Status Indicator......................................................................................................21

        Power Connector.................................................................................................21

    Using the Keyboard....................................................................................................21

    Using the Touchpad...................................................................................................23

        Move the Cursor....................................................................................................24

        Click the Cursor......................................................................................................24

        Right-Click the Cursor......................................................................................25

        Drag an Item.............................................................................................................25

        Scroll the Screen...................................................................................................25

        Adjust Touchpad Sensitivity.......................................................................26

    Connecting External Devices............................................................................26

        Connect an External Mouse.......................................................................27

        Connect an External Keyboard................................................................27

        Connect to a Large-Screen TV..................................................................28

    Adjusting Brightness and Volume................................................................29

        Adjust Screen Brightness..............................................................................29

        Adjust and Mute the Volume....................................................................30

Chapter 3: Using Chrome OS and the Chrome Desktop 33

    Starting Up and Shutting Down.....................................................................33

        Start Up and Log In............................................................................................34

        Put Your Chromebook to Sleep...............................................................35

        Power Off Your Chromebook....................................................................36

    Navigating the Chrome OS Desktop..........................................................37

        Shelf and Launcher............................................................................................38

        Status Area.................................................................................................................40

    Navigating Windows and Tabs.........................................................................42

        Open a New Chrome Window.................................................................43

        Open New Tabs......................................................................................................43

        Navigate Tabs..........................................................................................................44

        Manage Window Size.......................................................................................44

        Switch Between Open Windows............................................................45

        Close the Window................................................................................................45

Chapter 4: Managing Multiple Users 47

    Adding Users to Your Chromebook.............................................................47

        Add a User..................................................................................................................48

        Add a Supervised User....................................................................................49

        Control Sites Supervised Users Can Visit........................................51

    Editing User Information.......................................................................................52

        Change Your Profile Picture........................................................................52

        Edit Your Profile......................................................................................................54

    Switching Users..............................................................................................................55

        Switch User Accounts.......................................................................................55

        Log In as a Guest User.....................................................................................56

Chapter 5: Working Wirelessly 59

    Connecting to a Wi-Fi Network.......................................................................59

        View Network Status.........................................................................................60

        Enable Wi-Fi on Your Chromebook......................................................60

        Connect to an Open Wi-Fi Network....................................................61

        Connect to a Secure Wi-Fi Network.....................................................62

    Connecting to an Ethernet Network..........................................................63

        Connect via Ethernet........................................................................................64

    Managing Network Connections...................................................................65

        Automatically Connect to a Network................................................65

        Forget a Network.................................................................................................66

        View Network Details.......................................................................................67

Chapter 6: Configuring and Personalizing Chrome OS 71

    Personalizing the Desktop...................................................................................71

        Change the Desktop Background........................................................72

    Configuring the Chrome Browser.................................................................74

        Configure Startup Behavior........................................................................74

        Display the Home Button.............................................................................76

        Display the Bookmarks Bar.........................................................................76

        Change Search Providers..............................................................................77

        Enable Voice Search...........................................................................................78

        Select a New Theme..........................................................................................79

        Reset to the Default Theme........................................................................80

    Configuring Other Settings.................................................................................81

        Configure the Touchpad................................................................................81

        Change Search, Ctrl, and Alt Key Behavior...................................82

        Wake from Sleep...................................................................................................83

        Sync Your Account..............................................................................................83

        Disable Guest Browsing.................................................................................84

        Hide Usernames....................................................................................................85

        Restrict Sign-In.......................................................................................................86

        Change Your Time Zone.................................................................................87

        Configure Privacy Options...........................................................................87

        Connect a Bluetooth Device......................................................................87

        Enable Autofill.........................................................................................................89

        Save Passwords......................................................................................................90

        Display Web Content........................................................................................91

        Customize Languages and Input Methods..................................92

        Translate Pages......................................................................................................93

        Manage Downloads...........................................................................................93

        Disable Google Drive........................................................................................94

        Manage Cloud Print...........................................................................................94

        Enable Accessibility Features....................................................................94

        Reset to Default Settings..............................................................................96

Chapter 7: Managing Files and Using External Storage 99

    Using the Files App.....................................................................................................99

        Open Files and Folders................................................................................ 103

        Rename Files and Folders......................................................................... 103

        Copy a File.............................................................................................................. 104

        Move a File............................................................................................................. 104

        Delete Files............................................................................................................. 105

        Create a New Folder...................................................................................... 105

        Save Files from the Web............................................................................. 106

    Using External Storage Devices.................................................................. 107

        Connect a USB Memory Device.......................................................... 107

        Insert a Memory Card.................................................................................. 108

        Connect an External Hard Drive......................................................... 109

Chapter 8:  Using Google Drive to Store and Share Files 113

    Getting Started with Google Drive.......................................................... 114

        Configure Google Drive............................................................................. 114

    Storing Files on Google Drive....................................................................... 116

        View Your Google Drive Files................................................................. 116

        Copy a File to Google Drive.................................................................... 116

        Open a File from Google Drive............................................................ 117

        Delete Files from Google Drive........................................................... 117

        Create a New Google Drive Folder................................................... 118

    Sharing with Google Drive.............................................................................. 118

        Share a File or Folder with Selected Users................................ 119

        Share a Link to a File or Folder............................................................. 120

Chapter 9:  Browsing and Searching the Web 123

    Browsing the Web.................................................................................................... 124

        Go to a Web Page............................................................................................. 125

        Click Links................................................................................................................ 125

        Reload a Page...................................................................................................... 126

        Move Forward and Back Through Pages.................................... 126

        Zoom In to a Page........................................................................................... 126

    Viewing and Managing Browser History............................................127

        View Your Recent History..........................................................................127

        View Your Full History..................................................................................127

        Delete Browsing History............................................................................128

    Searching the Web..................................................................................................130

        Enter a Query.......................................................................................................130

        Understand Search Results.....................................................................131

        Use Google’s Advanced Search...........................................................132

        Change Search Providers..........................................................................134

    Managing Your Home Page............................................................................135

        Choose a New Home Page......................................................................135

        Display the Home Button.........................................................................136

    Bookmarking Favorite Pages.........................................................................136

        Bookmark a Web Page................................................................................136

        Display the Bookmarks Bar.....................................................................137

        Go to a Bookmarked Page.......................................................................138

        Manage Bookmarks.......................................................................................139

    Browsing in Incognito Mode.........................................................................140

        Open an Incognito Window...................................................................141

Chapter 10: Using Chrome Apps and Extensions 143

    Understanding Chrome Apps.......................................................................143

    Getting to Know the Chrome Web Store............................................145

    Installing and Launching Apps....................................................................146

        Download and Install Apps....................................................................146

        Launch Chrome Apps..................................................................................148

    Managing Installed Apps..................................................................................148

        Determine How Apps Are Launched.............................................149

        Uninstall Apps.....................................................................................................150

    Installing and Using Chrome Extensions............................................150

        Download and Install Extensions......................................................151

        Use Extensions....................................................................................................152

        Manage Chrome Extensions..................................................................154

Chapter 11: Viewing and Editing Photos 157

    Viewing and Editing Photos in Chrome OS......................................157

        View Photos Locally.......................................................................................158

        Edit Photos with the Image Editor...................................................160

        View Photos Stored Online.....................................................................162

    Editing Photos with Adobe Photoshop Express Editor.........163

        Edit a Photo...........................................................................................................164

        Crop a Picture......................................................................................................166

        Rotate a Picture.................................................................................................166

        Remove Red Eye...............................................................................................167

        Apply Auto Correct.........................................................................................168

        Adjust Exposure................................................................................................168

        Adjust Color Saturation..............................................................................169

        Apply Advanced Adjustments.............................................................170

        Apply Special Effects.....................................................................................171

Chapter 12:  Viewing Movies, TV Shows, and Other Streaming Video 175

    Watching Streaming Video on Your Chromebook.....................175

        View Movies and TV Shows on Netflix..........................................176

        View TV Shows on Hulu.............................................................................178

    Purchasing and Renting Videos from Google Play....................181

        Purchase or Rent a Video..........................................................................182

        Watch a Google Play Video.....................................................................183

    Viewing Locally Stored Videos.....................................................................184

    Watching Videos on YouTube........................................................................185

Chapter 13: Listening to Music 189

    Listening to Streaming Music Services.................................................189

        Listen to Pandora.............................................................................................190

        Listen to Spotify................................................................................................192

    Listening to Music Stored Locally or Online....................................194

        Listen to a Single Track...............................................................................195

        Listen to a Playlist............................................................................................196

    Listening to Your Own Music with Google Play............................196

        Upload Your Music to Google Play...................................................197

        Play Music with Google Play..................................................................199

        Create and Play Playlists............................................................................200

Chapter 14:  Emailing with Gmail 203

    Getting to Know Gmail.......................................................................................204

        Access Gmail.........................................................................................................204

        Navigate Gmail...................................................................................................204

    Reading and Replying to Messages........................................................205

        Read Messages...................................................................................................206

        View Conversations........................................................................................207

        View Pictures and Other Attachments.........................................208

        Reply to Messages...........................................................................................208

        Forward Messages..........................................................................................209

    Sending New Messages.....................................................................................209

        Compose a New Message........................................................................210

        Attach a File to a Message.......................................................................211

        Add a Signature to Your Messages..................................................212

    Managing Your Messages.................................................................................213

        Assign Labels to a Message....................................................................213

        Filter Messages by Label............................................................................214

        Star and Mark Important Messages................................................215

        Search for Messages......................................................................................216

        Delete Messages...............................................................................................216

Chapter 15:  Word Processing with Google Docs 219

    Getting to Know Google Docs.....................................................................220

        Navigate the Google Docs Dashboard.........................................220

        Navigate the Google Docs Editor......................................................221

    Working with Documents................................................................................222

        Open an Existing Document.................................................................222

        Create a New Document...........................................................................222

        Import a Word Document........................................................................223

        Export a Document to Word..................................................................224

    Editing Documents.................................................................................................225

        Enter Text.................................................................................................................225

        Copy and Paste Text.......................................................................................226

        Move Text................................................................................................................227

        Check Your Spelling.......................................................................................227

    Formatting Documents......................................................................................228

        Format Text............................................................................................................228

        Format a Paragraph.......................................................................................229

        Apply Styles...........................................................................................................230

    Printing and Sharing Documents..............................................................230

        Print a Document.............................................................................................230

        Share a Document with Others..........................................................231

Chapter 16: Spreadsheets with Google Sheets 235

    Getting to Know Google Sheets.................................................................235

        Navigate the Google Sheets Dashboard....................................236

        Navigate Google Sheets............................................................................237

    Working with Spreadsheets............................................................................237

        Open an Existing Spreadsheet.............................................................238

        Create a New Spreadsheet......................................................................238

        Import an Excel File........................................................................................239

        Export a Spreadsheet to Excel..............................................................240

    Entering and Editing Data................................................................................241

        Enter Data...............................................................................................................241

        Edit Cell Data........................................................................................................241

        Select Rows and Columns........................................................................242

        Work with Sheets and Tabs.....................................................................242

    Formatting Cells and Data...............................................................................243

        Format Cell Data...............................................................................................243

        Format Numbers...............................................................................................244

        Format Cell Color..............................................................................................245

        Format Cell Borders........................................................................................245

    Working with Formulas and Functions................................................246

        Entering a Formula.........................................................................................246

        Using Functions.................................................................................................248

    Creating Charts..........................................................................................................250

        Create a Basic Chart.......................................................................................250

        Select a Different Chart Type.................................................................252

        Customize a Chart...........................................................................................252

    Printing and Sharing Spreadsheets.........................................................253

        Print a Spreadsheet........................................................................................253

        Share a Spreadsheet with Others......................................................255

Chapter 17: Presentations with Google Slides 257

    Getting to Know Google Slides...................................................................257

        Navigate the Google Slides Dashboard.......................................257

        Navigate Google Slides..............................................................................258

    Working with Presentations...........................................................................259

        Open an Existing Presentation............................................................259

        Create a New Presentation......................................................................260

        Import a PowerPoint File...........................................................................261

        Export a Presentation to PowerPoint.............................................262

    Managing the Slides in Your Presentation........................................263

        Add a New Slide................................................................................................264

        Delete a Slide.......................................................................................................264

        Rearrange Slides...............................................................................................265

    Working with Text and Graphics................................................................266

        Add and Format Text....................................................................................266

        Add Images...........................................................................................................267

    Changing the Look and Feel of a Presentation.............................268

        Choose a New Theme..................................................................................268

        Add Custom Background Colors and Graphics....................269

    Using Transitions and Animations............................................................269

        Add Transitions Between Slides..........................................................270

        Animate Elements on a Slide................................................................270

    Giving Live Presentations.................................................................................272

        Present Your Presentation........................................................................272

    Printing and Sharing Presentations.........................................................273

        Print Presentation Notes............................................................................274

        Share a Presentation with Others.....................................................275

Chapter 18: Printing with Google Cloud Print 277

    Understanding Google Cloud Print.........................................................278

    Connecting a Printer to Google Cloud Print....................................279

        Connect a Cloud Print-Ready Computer....................................279

        Connect an Existing Printer....................................................................279

        Disconnect a Printer from Cloud Print..........................................280

    Printing to Google Cloud Print....................................................................281

        Print from Your Chromebook................................................................281

    Sharing a Printer........................................................................................................282

        Share a Printer.....................................................................................................282

        Disable Sharing..................................................................................................283

Chapter 19: Optimizing and Troubleshooting Your Chromebook 285

    Using Chrome Safely and Securely..........................................................285

        Chrome OS and Malware..........................................................................286

        Protect Against Phishing...........................................................................286

        Don’t Save Passwords..................................................................................287

        Don’t Use Autofill.............................................................................................288

        Configure Privacy Settings......................................................................288

        Configure Content Settings....................................................................291

        Clear Browsing Data......................................................................................296

        Restrict Sign-In...................................................................................................297

    Optimizing Your Chromebook’s Performance...............................298

        Optimize Battery Life....................................................................................298

        Speed Up Performance..............................................................................299

    Troubleshooting Chromebook Problems...........................................300

        Deal with a Frozen App or Web Page............................................301

        Reset Your Chromebook............................................................................302

Appendix A: Google Chrome Keyboard Shortcut 306

9780789755346, TOC, 6/25/2015

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