Complete Idiot's Guide to Microsoft Windows Millennium (Complete Idiot's Guide) [Paperback]

Paul McFedries (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: August 2, 2000

If you one day sit down at your desk to discover Windows Millennium installed on your computer, you're going to want some guidance on how to use it. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Windows "Millennium" is aimed at people who, through no fault of their own, have ended up with Microsoft's latest consumer operating system. Computers are now an integral part of many people's lives, but that doesn't mean every user is an expert. This book uses a light, irreverent tone that engages your interest and has a little fun at Windows "Millennium's" expense. All the new Windows "Millennium" features are covered, including personalized menus, the latest version of Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, MSN Messenger Server, networking, digital camera and scanners and more.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The newest and probably best Microsoft operating system for home and small-office computers is documented in The Complete Idiot's Guide to Windows "Millennium". This book assumes that you have little prior knowledge, so it explains everything, including how to use a mouse and print a file from a standard Windows application. Once the fundamentals are covered adequately--with the use of numbered steps and quite a few screen shots--it digs into the new features of Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, or Windows Me. The part about the Home Networking Wizard is particularly good, and the information on Windows Me for portable computers is good, too.

Some of the content is questionable, however. For example, a couple of pages are devoted to hoax virus warnings, but there's nothing about the real viruses--such as "Melissa" and "ILOVEYOU"--that Windows can pick up by way of e-mail attachments. More information on setting up a high-speed Internet connection under Windows Me (through a digital subscriber line (DSL) link or a cable modem) would have been nice, but this topic goes unmentioned.

In sum, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Windows "Millennium" does a fair job of explaining a lot of essential technical material. People whose first computing experience is with Windows Me get the super-basic information they need, and users of Windows 95 and Windows 98 who want help in making the leap to the new Windows will find it here. --David Wall

Topics covered: Windows Me and its various capabilities, explained for the benefit of inexperienced users. The basics (starting your computer, running programs, manipulating files and folders, and dealing with icons) come first, followed by instructions for using Microsoft Internet Explorer and Outlook Express. Coverage also goes to setting up and using a small local area network (LAN), customizing the appearance of Windows, and using utilities like Microsoft Backup.

From the Back Cover

If you one day sit down at your desk to discover Windows Millennium installed on your computer, you're going to want some guidance on how to use it. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Windows "Millennium" is aimed at people who, through no fault of their own, have ended up with Microsoft's latest consumer operating system. Computers are now an integral part of many people's lives, but that doesn't mean every user is an expert. This book uses a light, irreverent tone that engages your interest and has a little fun at Windows "Millennium's" expense. All the new Windows "Millennium" features are covered, including personalized menus, the latest version of Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, MSN Messenger Server, networking, digital camera and scanners and more.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Alpha (August 2, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789724073
• ISBN-13: 978-0789724076
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,215,452 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Paul McFedries runs Logophilia Limited, a technical writing company, and has been writing computer books for more than 17 years. He is the author or coauthor of more than 60 books that have sold more than 3 million copies worldwide. Paul is also the proprietor of Wordspy.com, a website that tracks new words and phrases as they enter the language.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for people new to Windows, August 26, 2000

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Complete Idiot's Guide to Microsoft Windows Millennium (Complete Idiot's Guide) (Paperback)

This is not a book for those with a previous relationship with Windows. It is written at a level where someone with little or no experience with Windows can use it. Everything is presented in a small step-by-step manner with few assumptions concerning knowledge of how you interact with Windows. If you are someone just starting a relationship with Windows, then this is the book for you. However, if you have used it before, then you will have to read a lot to learn very little. I can't help wondering how big that market really is.
All of the fundamentals such as creating, saving, moving and deleting files are covered, as well as e-mail and basic customization features. Networking features and the use of specialized hardware such as scanners are explained in great detail.
Boring if you are experienced, an effective guidebook if you are a newbie, this is a book with little middle ground. Simply put you, either you need it or you don't.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A quick guide to all ya need to know about Win ME, February 10, 2001

By 

D. Hunter - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Complete Idiot's Guide to Microsoft Windows Millennium (Complete Idiot's Guide) (Paperback)

I picked this book up just to understand the differences between '98 and ME. It's worked great! Mcfedries basically tells the newbies where to start, and the rest of us can just get crackin' on the changes!

There is still a lot of basic information, but it's still good to review these things when you keep changing operating systems!

This is a pretty good guide to Window's ME, I'd say for this price, you probably won't find a better introduction!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Having a good time with a much needed book!, July 20, 2001

By 

Michael Kramer (Menominee, Mi.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Complete Idiot's Guide to Microsoft Windows Millennium (Complete Idiot's Guide) (Paperback)

When I first got this book, I took a few cursory glances at it, crunched a few buttons and made mistakes (and, blamed it on the book). However, I decided to buck up and pour myself into this tome just like I would a college text and start at the beginning. Yes I knew a lot of the basics, but wanted to give the book the benefit of the doubt. What I found out was (duh!), was that once I committed myself to actually learning from Mr. Mcfredries, read and follow along, I'm getting stuff done the right way. I am impressed with the no-nonsense, sometimes humorous stylings of this book. As I progress through, I feel I am having more control over my Operating System , rather than being intimidated by it. This is a valuable resource to any newcomer to the world of Windows, or to those who upgraded to ME.