Customer Reviews

Dan Gookin's Naked Windows XP

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When I bought my new computer it came with Windows XP, being a long time Win 98 user I quickly learned to hate XP. It wouldn't run many of my programs and I couldn't navigate around it. The next best purchase I made was this book!
This book is written for those you have a working knowledge of Windows. If you have no experience with a computer and can't use a mouse, get one of the "For Dummies" books first or one of the free cd's you see advertised on tv to gain a basic knowledge. Gookin doesn't waste your time with chapters on how to move the mouse, etc. Instead he gives you an in depth view of the capabilities of XP. Much time is spent on alternate ways to accomplish tasks and on the new and versatile XP. I have to admit that I now do love XP, since I have learned to use it more effectively.
The book is easy reading and although Gookin's humor is somewhat corny, I read the book cover to cover. Enough said.
He also gives his email address in the book should you have any problems that were not addressed there. Yeh right. Well I sent him an email about a problem I had and I received an answer in 2 days. Microsoft and the software manufacturers can learn a big lesson here!
Bottom line. New to Windows XP. Get this book!

As a new user of XP, I liked the OS but was having problems getting used to the differences from Windows 98. This book made everything so clear to me, I feel like I now have my system set up in the way that's best for me. By following Dan's recommendations, I have a computer that's secure from accidental mess-ups by friends and family. Actually this book would even be helpful to someone deciding whether to upgrade to XP. I have a friend using Windows 98 who's presently scrounging the Internet for little programs and utilities to accomplish tasks that are built in to XP; but without Dan Gookin's book I would never have even known they were there! It's also written with a lot of humor; I wouldn't have thought a book about an Operating System could be amusing. Easy to read and understand if you have a basic knowledge of Windows; and clear directions to let you get the most from XP without having to wade through pages and pages of horrific, dull manuals.

Excellent book!! I thought I knew quite a bit about PCs and Windows, but this book pointed out several great features and tricks that I had no idea were possible in XP! It has the perfect blend useful information and humor, unlike some books that are either stuffy and boring, or waste too much time trying to be funny (and fail miserably at it) instead of giving information. If you use Windows XP, get this book!

The author says that this is not a beginners book, but it isn't for anyone much more advanced either. It doesn't contain anything of interest beyond the basics, as one might expect from the title and cover description. It tries to be cute about each topic, but there are few real laughs to be had. If you are looking for a some useful tricks and work-arounds try "Windows XP Annoyances" by David Karp. And "Windows XP Inside out" by Bott and Siechert is the best overall tratment I have so far found.

I'm 31yrs old and would consider myself an intermediate
user. I was planning on taking a XP course but I didn't want to sit through all that repetitive 'right click to CUT' stuff.
Naked XP tailored and honed my skills to a new level and paid for itself in the first five chapters. Hopefully now I can say I'm an Advanced Intermediate User w/ Extensive Integration.

ps: When you read the book you'll understand that last part.

Oh Danny boy,the pipes,the pipes,they are a calling.Ahh!!I feel better now.I started my confuser days with the dummy and mega bible books.The dummy books were somewhat helpful,the bible's I have no use for.Tooo many pages.Tooo clinical and cold.Could never find the answer to my dilema's.Your Naked Win XP is the type of book I've always looked for but could never find.And I shop at the giant bookstores.I've never found anyone,until now,writing for the intermediate user.Bravo.When humor is added it's a much more enjoyable read.Thanx,Mike

Despite the "intermediate user" level claim, this book is better crafted for people who either have never seen any Windows NT/2000/XP version before, or who have used Windows 9x/ME briefly and need a tour of the XP environment. The author has done a good job of creating a User Interface Guided Tour, laid out in such a fashion as to introduce the right step at the right time. After the Windows interface itself, the author also introduces many of the staple/included applications, such as the Internet Explorer, graphic programs, and e-mail.

Although providing technically accurate information, and upon completion a new user to Windows XP will feel comfortable in the environment, I had some trouble with the read itself. The book is written in a "for Dummies" format, but throughout the text, I felt the author tended to be a little too "witty" in the presentation of topics and included more extra fluff in the side-bars than needed.

All in all, if you need a fast-reading introduction into Windows XP, and your goal is to work more efficiently with the OS itself, this is good choice.

I guess maybe my idea of an intermediate user of Windows XP and a beginner who's never seen Windows at all are quite different from the author's. I am, by no means, a power Windows user, however as an upper-level intermediate user, I found much of this book boring to the point of skim and turn the page quickly. I read nearly the whole thing in 1 day.

Although there are a few things I did pick up, the level of detail the author goes through and the step-by-step instructions on processes is better suited for those who are buying their first computer and find themselves faced with Windows XP.

A thorough work, to be sure, but very elementary.

I found this book to be very informative and written in an entertaining way! It is filled with tips and tricks for using Windows XP and also includes helpful information about burning CD-Rs and CD-RWs, scanners, cameras, graphics, and much more. No matter how much you think you know (or don't know) about Windows XP, you will learn something from reading this book.

I have several of Dan Gookin's books and they are always down to earth, humorous, and written so that a "dummy" like me can understand them. I have another Windows XP book that is more elementary and got me started, but this one has information beyond the other. NAKED WINDOWS XP is not a reading book but rather a terrific reference book for when you have a question, or even a problem. For example, where does Windows XP hide ScanDisk these days? I'll probably never read the entire book, but I am thankful I have it available when I need it. You might also want to check out Mr. Gookin's web site.