{"id":1219,"date":"2009-11-01T09:35:44","date_gmt":"2009-11-01T16:35:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bspcn.com\/2009\/11\/01\/15-free-guides-that-really-teach-you-useful-stuff\/"},"modified":"2009-11-01T09:35:44","modified_gmt":"2009-11-01T16:35:44","slug":"15-free-guides-that-really-teach-you-useful-stuff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/localhost\/wordpress\/2009\/11\/01\/15-free-guides-that-really-teach-you-useful-stuff\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Free Guides That Really Teach You USEFUL Stuff"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Written by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/pdf-manuals-round-up\/\" target=\"_blank\">Simon Slangen<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px\" vspace=\"5\" align=\"left\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_TXdnLKoYLHQ\/Su2xE5HNutI\/AAAAAAAAAfA\/fghYur6tgGE\/s800\/manuals.jpg\" \/>Over the past months, we&#8217;ve written quite a few PDF manuals for you, on all kinds of diverging subjects, including BitTorrent, iTunes, iPhone, Twitter, Mac, Linux, Photoshop and several other topics. <\/p>\n<p>Initially available only for subscribers, there are now multiple manuals released every month, for everyone to enjoy. After releasing 15 manuals and nearly half a million downloads we thought it was about time to look back and review what has been published so far. <\/p>\n<p>Enjoy! No sign up need, downloads are free, no strings attached.<\/p>\n<p>Do us a favor by sharing those manuals friends!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<h4>1 &#8211; Internet Guide for the Movie Addict<\/h4>\n<p>Written by Saikat Basu, this entirely free PDF production will show you anything you&#8217;ve ever dreamed about knowing related to movies on the web. Whether you want a quick heads-up, are looking for download and streaming possibilities, or even want to fix broken AVI&#8217;s &#8211; you&#8217;ll find it in there!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_TXdnLKoYLHQ\/Su2xCme0BaI\/AAAAAAAAAek\/QtRRCQaxayM\/s800\/moviesnippet.jpg\" width=\"588\" height=\"277\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/the-internet-guide-to-the-movie-addict-pdf\/\">Original Post<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/makeuseof.com\/short\/manuals\/movieguide\/\"><strong>Instant Download<\/strong><\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scribd.com\/doc\/19584172\/MakeUseOfcom-Internet-Guide-for-the-Movie-Addict\">Read Online<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>2 &#8211; Internet Guidebook for An Audiophile<\/h4>\n<p>In fourty pages, Will Mueller from tells you all you need to know about free internet listening to music, streaming audio to your computer, and free download music sites to get all your favorite songs and albums in a whim. Learn how to share music with others and track a band&#8217;s performance and album releases!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_TXdnLKoYLHQ\/Su2xDkEX7fI\/AAAAAAAAAew\/2xaRAG_la7g\/s800\/musicsnippet.jpg\" width=\"588\" height=\"277\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/the-internet-music-guidebook-pdf\/\">Original Post<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/short\/manuals\/music\"><strong>Instant Download<\/strong><\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scribd.com\/doc\/21698803\/MakeUseOf-com-The-Internet-Music-Guidebook\">Read Online<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>3 &#8211; The Incredible Free Manual for Every Mac User<\/h4>\n<p>Jackson Chung, devoted Mac writer and Assistant Editor on MakeUseOf wrote this slick, sixty-odd paged monster; based on Snow Leopard &#8211; the latest release of the Mac OS X operating system. In it, he tells you everything you need to know about Mac. Jackson supplies you with numerous tips, tricks and free applications. Get the hang of the interface and discover what your Mac is really capable of.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_TXdnLKoYLHQ\/Su2xDUu3idI\/AAAAAAAAAes\/YmvFMihfyDw\/s800\/macsnippet.jpg\" width=\"588\" height=\"277\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/the-incredible-free-manual-for-every-mac-user-pdf\/\">Original Post<\/a> |<a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/short\/manuals\/mac\"> <strong>Instant Download<\/strong><\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scribd.com\/doc\/20480712\/MakeUseOf-com-The-Mac-Manual\">Read Online<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>4 &#8211; The Underground Guide to the iPhone<\/h4>\n<p>Written by Stefan Neagu. Read about the basic user interface and a ton of incredible iPhone features you would&#8217;ve otherwise missed. Stefan explains in detail how to perform both the very simple and the most tedious tasks. Find out how to get your hands on fresh applications, how to keep your device synchronized and even how to jailbreak your iPhone!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_TXdnLKoYLHQ\/Su2xCIJmPoI\/AAAAAAAAAeg\/XdjCF2XDoZU\/s800\/iphonesnippet.jpg\" width=\"588\" height=\"277\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/the-unofficial-guide-to-the-iphone-pdf\/\">Original Post<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/short\/manuals\/iphone\"><strong>Instant Download<\/strong><\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scribd.com\/doc\/17857677\/MakeUseOfcom-iPhone-Guide\">Read Online<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>5 &#8211; Twitter: Best Practices &amp; Tips<\/h4>\n<p>In this massive guide, our very own publishing editor Mark O&#8217;Neill, tackles every Twitter feature and tips and tricks you can think of. Learn to work the interface, to Tweet from your desktop, cool Twitter bots and funniest people to follow. With this free manual, Mark will make sure you get your black belt in Twitter.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_TXdnLKoYLHQ\/Su2xDGrYF-I\/AAAAAAAAAeo\/ezGBmUDme1Y\/s800\/twitexcerpt.jpg\" width=\"588\" height=\"277\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/the-complete-guide-to-twitter-pdf\/\">Original Post<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/short\/manuals\/twitter\"><strong>Instant Download<\/strong><\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scribd.com\/doc\/19976874\/MakeUseOfcom-The-Complete-Guide-to-Twitter\">Read Online<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>6 &#8211; The Ultimate Guide to your Windows Mobile Phone<\/h4>\n<p>If you have a Windows Mobile phone, you will know that stuff can occasionally get pretty difficult. These devices, which are basically mini-computers, have endless possibilities &#8211; and thus endless possible difficulties as well.<\/p>\n<p>This is where we come in. Whether you want to (re)discover the most basic features and applications of your device, extend it with new applications and tools, or even flash a custom ROM, the Windows Mobile Guide comes to the rescue.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_TXdnLKoYLHQ\/Su2xBmg0pjI\/AAAAAAAAAec\/tMYH3ywLoZw\/s800\/winmobextract.jpg\" width=\"588\" height=\"277\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/the-makeuseof-windows-mobile-guide-pdf\/\">Original Post<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/short\/manuals\/winmobile\/\"><strong>Instant Download<\/strong><\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scribd.com\/doc\/21895009\">Read Online<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>7 &#8211; A Computer Geek&#8217;s Smart Productivity Guide<\/h4>\n<p>In this free twenty-paged PDF, Stefan Neagu (yes, he wrote quite a lot of manuals back then) will show you the most common productivity mistakes, as well as a number of applications to improve your touch typing, your time organization, and your global workflow.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.ggpht.com\/_TXdnLKoYLHQ\/Su2xAnmhEiI\/AAAAAAAAAeU\/9lA8ibAy2mw\/s800\/prodexerpt.jpg\" width=\"588\" height=\"277\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/a-computer-geeks-productivity-guide-pdf\/\">Original Post<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/makeuseof.com\/short\/manuals\/productivity\/\"><strong>Instant Download<\/strong><\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scribd.com\/doc\/21894787\">Read Online<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>8 &#8211; Building a Media Center for your Home<\/h4>\n<p>Active MakeUseOf contributor and eBook writer Stefan Neagu, will walk you through all the steps of understanding and creating your own media center.<\/p>\n<p>Read all about the different hardware components, software candidates and media extenders, in this manual for geek to techno-deprived.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_TXdnLKoYLHQ\/Su2xAz8ysyI\/AAAAAAAAAeY\/mnm-BQNqhlA\/s800\/mcsnippet.jpg\" width=\"588\" height=\"277\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/how-to-build-a-great-media-center-for-your-home-pdf\/\">Original Post<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/makeuseof.com\/short\/manuals\/mediacenter\/\"><strong>Instant Download<\/strong><\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scribd.com\/doc\/21899099\">Read Online<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>9 &#8211; The Only Easy Guide To Computer Networks<\/h4>\n<p>To help you set up your networks, as well as with all that comes after, MakeUseOf proudly presents the MakeUseOf Network Manual.<\/p>\n<p>In 33 illustrated pages, Stefan Neagu familiarizes us with the networking knowhow, from Adapters to Zimbabwe-proxies. It&#8217;s a great place to start off as a newbie, or to pick up as an already more advanced user.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_TXdnLKoYLHQ\/Su2xEriEtzI\/AAAAAAAAAe8\/Pfl_-8N82ww\/s800\/networking-overview.jpg\" width=\"588\" height=\"277\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/the-easy-guide-to-computer-networks-pdf\/\">Original Post<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/makeuseof.com\/short\/manuals\/network\/\"><strong>Instant Download<\/strong><\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scribd.com\/doc\/21894745\">Read Online<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>10 &#8211; The Big Book of BitTorrent<\/h4>\n<p>BitTorrent, is a great, perhaps even the best way to download files, both in concept as in use &#8211; that is, once you&#8217;ve got the hang of it. Saikat Basu takes newcomers by the hand and guides them in their first steps. Initiates, but also the more experienced users get their fair share of information.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_TXdnLKoYLHQ\/Su2w_6VuqDI\/AAAAAAAAAeM\/NRAxlMJxBP0\/s800\/30-04-2009-12-31-19.jpg\" width=\"588\" height=\"277\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/the-big-book-of-bittorrent-free-pdf\/\">Original Post<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/makeuseof.com\/short\/manuals\/bittorrent\/\"><strong>Instant Download<\/strong><\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scribd.com\/doc\/21894615\">Read Online<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>11 &#8211; A Newbie&#8217;s Getting Started Guide to Linux<\/h4>\n<p>In this free ebook you&#8217;ll be introduced to the basics of the Linux operating systems. Get to know what it is all about, and familiarize yourself with the practical side. Basically, if you&#8217;re a complete Linux newbie and looking for a quick and easy guide to get you started &#8211; this is it.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.ggpht.com\/_TXdnLKoYLHQ\/Su2xAQZi0nI\/AAAAAAAAAeQ\/oULadt4ifBg\/s800\/linux-extract.jpg\" width=\"588\" height=\"277\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/a-newbies-initiation-to-linux-free-pdf\/\">Original Post<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/makeuseof.com\/short\/manuals\/linux-newbie\/\"><strong>Instant Download<\/strong><\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scribd.com\/doc\/21894917\">Read Online<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>12 &#8211; The Idiot&#8217;s Guide To Photoshop<\/h4>\n<p>An Idiot&#8217;s Guide To Photoshop is the starter&#8217;s manual for every Photoshop initiate to carry! This guide starts right at the very bottom, assuming no knowledge at all, and walks you through all basic aspects of the application. The guide even comes with three full pages of shortcuts, cheat sheets covering all the application&#8217;s possibilities!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.ggpht.com\/_TXdnLKoYLHQ\/Su2w_op1QJI\/AAAAAAAAAeI\/FoDALGROw9Y\/s800\/photoshopguide.jpg\" width=\"588\" height=\"277\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/an-idiots-guide-to-photoshop\/\">Original Post<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/makeuseof.com\/short\/manuals\/photoshop\/\"><strong>Instant Download<\/strong><\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scribd.com\/doc\/21894772\">Read Online<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>13 &#8211; The Big Book of iTunes<\/h4>\n<p>50+ pages of great iTunes tips and tricks along with illustrative screenshots, written by our very own Mac writer Jackson Chung. The iTunes book has got plenty of cool iTunes tips and tricks for you, some were published on MakeUseOf before and others were collected from different parts of web.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_TXdnLKoYLHQ\/Su2xEcr5A4I\/AAAAAAAAAe4\/y2aYCVi4OfQ\/s800\/itunes.jpg\" width=\"588\" height=\"277\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/the-big-book-of-itunes\/\">Original Post<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/makeuseof.com\/short\/manuals\/itunes\/\"><strong>Instant Download<\/strong><\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scribd.com\/doc\/21894601\">Read Online<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>14 &#8211; The Idiot&#8217;s Guide to Building Your Own PC<\/h4>\n<p>With the complete amateur in mind who has no technical knowledge whatsoever, we show you how to build your own PC! This is a guide where we literally &#8216;hold your hand&#8217; every step of the way.<\/p>\n<p>MakeUseOf has teamed up with our very own Karl Gechlik to bring you nearly 50 pages full of screenshots, links to video demos and easy how-to instructions for every step involved. The result? The Idiot&#8217;s Guide to Building Your Own PC.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_TXdnLKoYLHQ\/Su2xEKqMC7I\/AAAAAAAAAe0\/og8HYxHw6w0\/s800\/how-to-build-your-own-pc.jpg\" width=\"588\" height=\"277\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/the-idiots-guide-to-building-your-own-computer\/\">Original Post<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/makeuseof.com\/short\/manuals\/buildpc\/\"><strong>Instant Download<\/strong><\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scribd.com\/doc\/21894681\">Read Online<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>15 &#8211; Laptop Buying Guide for 2009<\/h4>\n<p>MakeUseOf teamed up with Laptopical.com to give you a Laptop Buying Guide for 2009. It&#8217;s a quick 20 page guide with an abundance of screenshots and links to video reviews. This guide is intended to help buyers make an informed choice regardless of previous computer knowledge.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.ggpht.com\/_TXdnLKoYLHQ\/Su2xFYLGFeI\/AAAAAAAAAfI\/IF7ERSR1T70\/s800\/laptop-buying-guide.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/the-laptop-buying-guide-for-2009\/\">Original Post<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/makeuseof.com\/short\/manuals\/laptop\/\"><strong>Instant Download<\/strong><\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scribd.com\/doc\/21894697\">Read Online<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>(BONUS) PSP Up- and Downgrading Guide<\/h4>\n<p>Learn how all about up- and downgrading your PSP. We discuss the older software methods, as well as the newer, hardware tricks. With this guide in hand, you can put a modded firmware on nearly any available PSP. Explained to accommodate the absolute novice.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_TXdnLKoYLHQ\/Su2xFBP9oII\/AAAAAAAAAfE\/dA1U4KP2ZnI\/s800\/psp-downgrade-upgrade.jpg\" width=\"588\" height=\"277\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/how-to-downgrade-your-psp-upgrade-to-a-custom-firmware-part-two\/\">Original Post<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/makeuseof.com\/short\/manuals\/psp\/\"><strong>Instant Download<\/strong><\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scribd.com\/doc\/21894962\">Read Online<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Guys. Lots of work went into those manuals. Every manuals went through several people to make sure that it offers the best tips and tricks on topics. Please, help us, spread the word! Download, digg, stumble, retweet, and share them on Facebook!<\/p>\n<p><small>Image credit: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/20408885@N03\/3491465274\/\">Daz*<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Written by Simon Slangen Over the past months, we&#8217;ve written quite a few PDF manuals for you, on all kinds of diverging subjects, including BitTorrent, iTunes, iPhone, Twitter, Mac, Linux, Photoshop and several other topics. Initially available only for subscribers, there are now multiple manuals released every month, for everyone to enjoy. After releasing 15 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/localhost\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1219"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/localhost\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/localhost\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/localhost\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/localhost\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1219"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/localhost\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1219\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/localhost\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1219"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/localhost\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1219"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/localhost\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}