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Big Book of Windows Hacks
 
 
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Big Book of Windows Hacks [Paperback]

Preston Gralla (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

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Book Description

0596528353 978-0596528355 October 30, 2007 1

Bigger, better, and broader in scope, the Big Book of Windows Hacks gives you everything you need to get the most out of your Windows Vista or XP system, including its related applications and the hardware it runs on or connects to. Whether you want to tweak Vista's Aero interface, build customized sidebar gadgets and run them from a USB key, or hack the "unhackable" screensavers, you'll find quick and ingenious ways to bend these recalcitrant operating systems to your will.

The Big Book of Windows Hacks focuses on Vista, the new bad boy on Microsoft's block, with hacks and workarounds that also work for Windows XP. You can read each hack in just a few minutes, saving countless hours of searching for the right answer. The step-by-step instructions let you apply the solutions in no time. This book takes you beyond the operating system with hacks for applications like Internet Explorer 7 and Office 2007, and hardware such as the Zune, your wireless router, and the PC itself.

The Big Book of Windows Hacks includes:

  • Expanded tutorials, new background material, a series of "quick hacks", and informative sidebars
  • Security hacks, including protection at wireless hotspots, hacking Vista file permissions and user account protection, and more
  • Efficiency hacks, such as tweaking your PC hardware, troubleshooting hardware problems, and speeding up system performance
  • Fun hacks, like building a custom Media Center PC or turning a PC into a digital video recorder
  • "Beyond Windows" hacks for running Linux inside Vista, dual-booting Linux/Windows or XP/Vista, or emulate classic video games on your PC
In all, this remarkable book contains more than 100 hacks so that the power user in you never again needs to be at the mercy of systems and hardware run by Microsoft's omnipotent Vista and XP operating systems.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Preston Gralla is the author of Windows Vista in a Nutshell, the Windows Vista Pocket Reference, and is the editor of WindowsDevCenter.com . He is also the author of Internet Annoyances, PC Pest Control, Windows XP Power Hound, and Windows XP Hacks, Second Edition, and co-author of Windows XP Cookbook. He has written more than 30 other books. He has written for major national newspapers and magazines, including PC Magazine, Computerworld, the Los Angeles Times, the Dallas Morning News (where he was the technology columnist), USA Today, and several others. A well-known technology expert, Preston has also appeared on many TV and radio programs and networks, including CNN, MSNBC, and NPR. In addition, he's won a number of awards for his writing, including Best Feature in a Computer Magazine from the Computer Press Association. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.


Product Details

  • Paperback: 652 pages
  • Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 1 edition (October 30, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0596528353
  • ISBN-13: 978-0596528355
  • Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 8.1 x 1.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #466,487 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

8 Reviews
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4 star:
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3 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Your Chance to Slap Windows Back, November 5, 2007
By 
Brett Merkey (Palm Harbor, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Big Book of Windows Hacks (Paperback)
§
Despite Microsoft's claims that their vaunted "focus groups" and client experience consultants have allowed them to offer us painless computing, you and the rest of the world know it isn't true. Waiting for Windows XP or Vista to boot up and shut down certainly are irritations in themselves worth a hack or two.

As you can imagine, this is a large book. <grin> That is not just the number of pages (650) but also the format -- of the fold-flat variety. This big book of hacks is easy to work with physically.

The editorial review on this page describes the contents well except that I would alter "contains more than 100 hacks" to "contains almost 200 hacks." Quite a difference.

The writing is clear and informed. I'm sure you have read many of Gralla's magazine contributions over the years. Be sure that the book is not all text. There are plenty of illustrations and even photos (for the hardware hacks) to guide you. The hacks themselves are directed at all versions of Windows, with the focus on XP and Vista.

Consider this book a compendium of all those tips you always rip out of your computer magazine subscriptions to save -- then lose track of. Here they are, all in one place, not easily lost given the size of this book!
§
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4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must' for any collection catering to patrons behind the novice stages., January 6, 2008
This review is from: Big Book of Windows Hacks (Paperback)
PC users who would understand the underlying power behind the Windows system will appreciate the weighty, information-packed Preston Gralla Big Book of Windows Hacks, a coverage packed with time-saving tips and hints. From how to save regularly-used searches to disabling Windows Mail's splash screen, stopping Firefox memory leaks, and backing up Vista hacks, THE BIG BOOK OF WINDOWS HACKS is a 'must' for any collection catering to patrons behind the novice stages.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for Windows XP and Vista users, December 18, 2010
By 
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Big Book of Windows Hacks (Paperback)
Neat tricks, hard to find web links, How to secure your computer. etc.

Good book. Wish there was one for Windows 7
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Inside This Book (learn more)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
protected mode, group policy editor, system configuration utility, ubuntu linux, user configuration, feed headlines, hacking the hack, performance console, font file, compression settings, privacy analysis, upload video, subnet mask, add search providers, bluetooth devices, router password, show mashup, default nteger, unused applets, troubleshooting hacks, analog video camcorder, ghosted devices, new search provider, gadgets folder, boot defragment
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Internet Explorer, Control Panel, Windows Explorer, Registry Editor, Windows Firewall, Program Files, Task Manager, Device Manager, Windows Home Server, Windows Media Center, System Restore, Microsoft Office, Windows Sidebar, Start Search, Windows Movie Maker, Cancel Figure, Exit the Registry, Windows Photo Gallery, Sync Center, Outlook Express, Windows Media Player, User Account Control, File Folder, Remote Desktop, Recycle Bin
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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