Please recommend a book or DVD for my Dad wants to learn to use computer basics. My dad recently started using computer (windows XP) for the first time ever in his life. He is 60 yrs old and retired. He can open firefox, type in web address (of the few websites that he knows) and click on links in order to surf news website. Beyond that he pretty much doesn't know anything about computers. [more inside]
posted by tvjoshi on Jul 1, 2009 - 7 answers

I need a new mouse. My MS Intellimouse Explorer has served me well, with its 4 buttons, scroll wheel, and optical tracking, but is dying a slow (and annoying) death due to its cable connection coming loose somewhere. What's your mouse of choice? [MI] for some more specific requirements... [more inside]
posted by mkultra on Aug 31, 2004 - 18 answers

I've got US $1200 to spend on a new notebook. I'm not a gamer; just a college student who surfs the web, watches movies, listens to music, and does some programming. Care to point me in the right direction?
posted by Scottk on Aug 10, 2004 - 7 answers

My laptop, a somewhat rickety Dell C-series Latitude running Debian Linux, died. Can you help me choose or recommend a replacement? [Details of my requirements will be revealed when reading the comments.] [more inside]
posted by majick on Mar 12, 2004 - 21 answers