Customer Reviews

Microsoft Windows XP Step by Step (Step by Step (Microsoft))

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

 

 

Whenever a new Operating system from Microsoft comes along I like to make sure that I understand the basics to ensure that I can support the end user community when the transition takes place. Microsoft Press step by step series is a great way to work with the application and learn what it takes to support it at the same time.

The book begins right at the very beginning with the login process to both the Professional and Home versions of the software. The book has you working with the desktop and the user profiles. I found that the coverage of both versions is good but there could have to separate books produced.

Setting up user accounts, the taskbar, shortcuts are the next areas you will work with. From there you move to the hardware section, working with local and network printers, scanner and cameras to name a few of the hardware components.

Files management is given serious coverage and well as folders and the personalization of the XP environment. Working with the communication section you'll be able to link up to others, the internet and a network.

Games, Music, Photos and troubleshooting round out this very complete book. With the practice files on cdrom included and the ability to learn at your pace maybe the new trend in the learning process.

Like "Windows XP for Dummies", this "Windows XP Step by Step" was designed for beginners. It is a gentle guide which will make your understanding of Microsoft's latest Windows less energy-sapping. The chapters are easy to follow: they let you maintain the gear at your own pace. The emphasis of this book (and its accompanying CD-ROM) is on training. Trouble-shooting tips were outlined in an easy-to-find manner. The quick-reference sections give a bird's-eye view of the chapters. The only weakness is that this book is not detailed enough as to meet the needs of most advanced learners. For that purpose, a bigger, more detailed text may be required.

If you have any prior experience with windows, get another book! Provides a good overview of Windows XP but no real depth. I will only recommend this book to anyone who has never used Windows before. For them, it is a great book! For me, it was a waste of time. Thats why I'm giving it a 3.

When I received the Windows XP Step by Step book I was surprised that the cover was as bright as the windows xp wallpaper that is in the windows xp software. What I like about the book is every section is color-coded making it easier for the windows xp user to find the answer to their questions. The book makes it easy to learn how to use windows xp without the computer langage that sometimes can confuse the novice. The exercises make learning windows xp fun. The book is great for everyone-Beginner/Novice.

I repair computers and install XP upgrades. I give my good customers this book as a gift if they buy Windows XP because the XP manual is not very good and for what I charge them to install it, they deserve more. This fits the bill nicely. It is very attractive, informative and is a pleasure to thumb through.

This is a very good book for novice Windows users. Experienced users who are looking for something more in depth may be disappointed. The book covered very basic concepts, most of which are quite instinctive to experienced Windows users of previous versions. It does not have much coverage on more technical topics such as networking or security.

If you already have good knowledge of Earlier versions of windows (as I do) you can easily figure out most of XP on your own.

I bought this book to quickly learn the new multimedia features of XP (i.e. how it handles music files and picture files).

I completed the whole tutorial and, though most of what it covered I could have figured out for myself, I found it to be useful. Going throught the book was very quick as I skipped over a lot of the stuff that is obvious or the same as in previous windows versions.

But in doing the tutorial I learned a lot of those cool details. (you know.......the ones that when you see someone do something cool and you wonder why, after using windows for a long time...you didn't know that you could do that.)

If you are an experienced computer user you don't need this book, but if you have a little extra cash and some time it probably wouldn't be wasted if you bought the book.

If you are a beginner with computers and you have windows xp this is a definite MUST GET.

For those of you who don't have Windows XP...Its really cool...consider getting it.

I bought my computer a month before ordering this book. Was familiar with Windows' other operating systems, but not XP. I am VERY pleased with this book. There are many colorful pictures, and illistrations in it. The CD wasn't very helpful, but not needed. Anyone thinking about buying this book should BUY IT NOW. I will definately give the book to my dad and let him learn about XP too.

I used this book as an aid in teaching a Beginning Computer Class at the senior center I belong to. The book was fine for this purpose. However, the book referred to corporate uses of Windows XP which I didn't need and I skipped those sections when I assigned homework. If the book had not included these topics it would have better served my purpose. Otherwise the book is well written and the examples help the learning process.
Ted Davidson

This book is strictly for beginners. I already knew most of the information before I read the Book. I was hoping this book would give be an advanced understanding of Windows Xp. It hasn't. It wasn't worth 30 bucks.