An e-book downloads directly into your computer, you print it out with your printer, and then you read it. It's cheap - and these days often free - because you don't have to pay for the printing company, the bindery, the truck that hauls the book to the bookstore, the bookstore rent, or the bookstore clerk.

     Here's how you go about it:

FIRST OF ALL

     Most e-books are in PDF form, and in order to read them you need Adobe Reader on your computer. Adobe Reader is free, and you probably have it already. Find out by clicking on your Start menu, then clicking on Programs. If you don't find Adobe listed among your programs, go to the address below and follow the instructions to download it.

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html

WHERE TO PUT THE E-BOOK

     Once you've clicked on Download Book, your computer will ask where it should put the e-book it downloads. Most people choose Desktop. That means the book will download right on your computer's desktop icon page and you print it out from there.

     You might prefer to put the book in My Documents, so that it won't be cluttering up your icon page. If you don't see that option on the form your computer presents, click on the down arrow at the top right of the form, and that option should appear. The e-book will most likely land in the My Library part of the My Documents folder, and you can print it out from there.

     Once you've selected a destination, continue to follow the instructions to download the book.

     Go to the place in your computer where you downloaded it, print it out, and enjoy.

     This article has been adapted and updated from Chapter 7 of Janette Blackwell's 2006 e-book, Internet Predators On The Prowl!