Customer Reviews

Mastering Windows 98

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've liked Cowart's books before, and this is no exception. As with previous versions of Mastering Windows by Cowart, this is well-written with clear explanations, useful asides, and seat-of-the-pants advice. He isn't afraid to say what works and what doesn't work with Microsoft's operating system, and how to work around obstacles. Until I saw the CD that is included, I was worried that it may not cover all of the areas I am used to referring to in this series. But then I found the CD, including more advanced topics such as editing the Registry, advanced networking, using the Windows Scripting Host, setting up web sites, and a huge section on gaming, including network gaming. It looks like about 800 additional 'pages' are on the CD. The CD format makes searching for subjects easy, and the information is right there on the computer - where I need it. I highly recommend this book - I refer to it daily for quick solutions to Windows problems.

Six years ago I bought my first computer. Of Course, back then (in the good old days?)computers and applications came with documentation. I struggled along and finally taught myself a little bit about computers by studying the manuals. Windows 3.x came with two of them. Not so with windows 95 or 98. No matter how I struggled, it was difficult to learn the systems or to find the information I really needed. Then I bought Mastering Windows 98. I learned more about Windows 98 in the first one hundred pages than in all of the previous books I had read. My copy lies, dog-earred, beside my computer as a constantly ready source of easy to understand information. Next to my computer, it's the most important purchase I've made. It really does show you how to Master Widows 98.

Mastering Windows 98 by Robert Cowell is so designed that anyone can master the software with minimal effort. It covers every feature of the operating system in a simplified manner, so if you are a beginner, an intermediate or advanced user, you can benefit immensely from this informative resource book. After reading several books on the subject, I would recommend this one. All the steps are clearly explained with ample screen shots for clearer understanding, so if you have never worked with Windows before, this volume will ensure quick mastery in the shortest possible time. The registry, in my opinion, is for specialized troubleshooters, programmers, etc. and not for the average user who is more interested in learning how to make Windows perform well for them, since meddling with the registry without proper knowledge could affect the PC's performance. For this reason I believe it is not covered in this volume but if you are interested in the subject you can always buy Windows 98 Registry Handbook, a Guide for Power Users, by Jerry Honeycutt. These books are all you will ever need if you are serious about mastering Windows 98 completely.

I found this book helpful in many ways to understanding the intermediate functions of Windows 98. What I found this book lacking was the most intregate part of W98, the Registry. There wasnt even a few pages dedicated to the most crucial function of the OS. The other problem was no troubleshooting section. This book was misnamed from the start. Nothing "Mastering" about this book. That is unless you want to learn how to "point" and "drag" your way around. This book clearly should have been named "Basic"Windows 98!

To "master" a subject means to "become an expert". After reading this book, on whose back cover is displayed "Thorough Coverage of ... Advanced Windows 98 Topics", you will not, in my opinion, have mastered Windows 98. In order to "master" any subject you have to find out "what is under the hood". The author devotes only SIX pages to the subject of the Registry! How can you "master" Windows 98 without a thorough understanding of the Registry? "Using Windows 98" would be a more appropriate title. I'm returning my copy for a full refund.

Robert Cowart's book is extremely useful. It's well organized, funny, and very thorough. It has a great index and is simple to use. Cowart's refreshing writing style makes it easy to read, especially when I'm frustrated with a computer problem. I refer to the chapters on advanced internet and networking regularly. It's huge, and even has a CD with the entire book on it (including all the figures) so I can easily search all 1600 pages for a topic quickly. I was a novice to the PC and Windows just a year ago, and Cowart's book has often come to the rescue. Whether it's the simple things, like installing new programs, or advanced topics such as editing the registry, or hooking up the LAN in my office, or even getting an Internet service provider and web server, it's covered. I am now actually creating, editing, and posting web pages for a New York City arts organization based on what I learned from this book. Having been a Mac person for the last 12 years, that's saying something. This book has made the conversion from the Mac to the PC pretty painless. I have even written email to the author and received speedy replies. I strongly suggest this book for any level of Windows 98 user.

I bought this book looking for internals information. My
mistake. The book is very good for someone who can't figure
out user interfaces and needs a book to help them do so, but
there wasn't any material *I* was looking for -- like internals
of DLL's, registry, and such. I just chose a wrong book.

I would fault the book for being so wordy -- at 893 pages, it
would be a heft manual for a user who wants to just use
windows to sit down and read.

Sample questions answered from inside back cover:
How do I:
1) Start up the computer?
2) Start a program?
3) Move or resize a window?
4) Switch between programs?
5) Find documents I worked on before?
6) Customize the view and sounds of my computer?
7) Copy files to removable disks?
8) Search the internet?
9) Check email?
10) Turn off the computer.
----------
Perhaps those questions give you an idea of the intended
audience. If that is where you are at -- go for it, it is
thorough, but if you want something deeper -- well, I'm still
looking.

This book may be useful for someone who is upgrading from windows 3.1 but if you have had any contact with windows 95 or 98 it is far too basic. A great amount of time and space is granted to describing every window. I was expecting more in depth coverage of windows 98. Everytime I have tried to reference something in this book, I have come up with no answers. At the very least the book could have benefited from a decent glossary and appendices.

It was worth paying a little more for this book than for the cheaper competition. This one couldn't be clearer and easier to use, even to a new Windows user like myself; yet at the same time, it give you useful depth and background if you want it. I prefer something more than a recipe-- I'd like to know why one must do this or should do that, and this book always makes that clear. In fact, it is helping me understand how Windows and PCs work in general, not just how to use 98. But, for all that, it is eminently practical. I have yet to run into a difficulty it doesn't solve for me with clarity and directness (by contrast Microsoft's help files are often useless, in that they presuppose too much knowledge on the user's part). The book is also thorough-- it has info on such useful things as how to use Outlook Express, or networking, or Kodak or Paint imaging, or multimedia. I strongly recommend this book for any user, whether a newcomer to Windows (like me) or an experienced one-- even the latter might well get something out of it. Quite an achievement. And the writing is quite good, too, which is something you can't take for granted, but makes a crucial difference.

Excellent book. Couldn't put it down after I started reading it. The authors not only cover every area of W98 but also give you some background on W95. Not to mention their sense of humor and straight forward recommendations and opinions. From the ubiquitous technical mercenary (utm) The Computer Channel