can you help me protect my netbook?

[ByWhoseStandards]

hello, have just typed a message and found it disappear (which should give you some idea of the level of internet expertise we're dealing with here) so apologies if I'm posting twice.

OK, I am a total technophobe who can't even make sense of using a mobile, and have decided to take the plunge and buy a netbook (Samsung N220).

I've just installed it and am panicking already. For starters it installed lots and lots of things that I don't think I want, and the computer is running really slowly, and I don't know what to get rid of or how (do I just use the remove programmes in control panel)

It comes with a free trial of McAfee. Now we've got McAfee on dh's laptop and to be honest I find it really slow and totally baffling, is there an easier to use internet security software out there that will not make my netbook run too slowly and will keep it safe?

I've downloaded Avast free as I've heard that it was good, should I upgrade to the Internet Security version?

I need the computer for browsing the web, shopping online, word-processing and sending word attachments, sending emails, and downloading/reading books, pamphlets etc. online.

Do I need to buy Microsoft Office? it seems rather expensive. I've got Windows 7 on my computer, how is this different from Vista?

And last but not least I am sick of being such an ignoramus so is there a good book for absolute beginners out there that will educate me about computers, the Internet, etc. etc. and I can work through it bit by bit?

many many thanks for anyone who can help me with any of this, sorry about all the questions.

Can't help with the anti-virus as I tend to use whatever is supplied by my ISP or Bank as those are free. Currently that's McAfee and I don't find it an issue - but I have a laptop not a netbook.

For wordprocessing - try OpenOffice. It's free and mostly MSOffice compatible.

Windows 7 will be different to Vista. Not sure how exactly but expect a lot of the underlying code will be different. You may find some older programmes won't work. So when looking at software, check for Win7 compatibility.

With a NetBook I'd suggest not actually installing much on it, as it's not designed for that... it's designed to work with the web.

Therefore you may find webservices such as GoogleDocs would be enough for your wordprocessing requirements.

What is a NetBook computer?

Zoho Writer another online WordProcessor

nannynick, that's brilliant, thank you, I read the article and feel a lot clearer (though a little indignant about all the stuff I didn't have much option but to install!)

Really really pleased I won't have to fork out for Office, thanks so much for your time