My Google Chromebook

Michael Miller is a prolific and popular writer of more than 150 nonfiction books, known for his ability to explain complex topics to everyday readers. He writes about a variety of topics, including technology, business, and music. His best-selling books for Que include Easy Computer Basics, Computer Basics: Absolute Beginner’s Guide, My Facebook for Seniors, and Googlepedia: The Ultimate Google Resource. Worldwide, his books have sold more than 1 million copies.   Find out more at the author’s website: www.millerwriter.com   Follow the author on Twitter: @molehillgroup  

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

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