Network Your Computers & Devices Step by Step (Step By Step (Microsoft)) [Paperback]

Ciprian Adrian Rusen (Author), 7 Tutorials (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 11, 2011 | ISBN-10: 0735652163 | ISBN-13: 978-0735652163 | Edition: Pap/Psc

Teach yourself how to use the networking features in Windows 7 to connect your home computers, even if they use different operating systems. With Step by Step, you set the pace -- building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them!

• Network your Windows 7-based PCs and set up security
• Add a Mac or Linux-based computer
• Share printers, devices, and files with everyone in your home
• Stream media over your network or to a remote PC
• Tweak your network and sharing settings
• Troubleshoot problems and perform easy maintenance

Your Step by Step digital content includes:

• Fully searchable online edition of this book -- with unlimited access on the Web

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...I must say that it is clearly written and has many relevant screen shots that will help you in setting up your new Win7 box and getting it going on a network." --GRApple, Volume 12, Issue 1, February 2011

"It's a great book, with loads of information, and compared to most tech books isn't very expensive. Well worth it, and hey, it's an official Microsoft Press book--written by a How-To Geek guest author." --Lowell Heddings, HowToGeek.com

"Even people who don't consider themselves tech savvy and find it difficult to even think about setting up the home network themselves, can go through the instructions in this book and get started." --Abhijeet Mukherjee, Guiding Tech

This book should form the backbone of any household's reference library. Taking complex concepts one step at a time is the best way to insure success, and this book lives up to its promise. --Marte Brengle, 7tutorials.com

About the Author

Ciprian Rusen is a technology aficionado, and former IT Project Manager for a major consumer goods corporation. He coordinates the team of bloggers at 7 Tutorials, writing tutorials for Windows and Windows Phone users, and helping them to get the best possible computing experience. He is also the author of Windows 8, Step by Step.

Product Details

• Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press; Pap/Psc edition (January 11, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735652163
• ISBN-13: 978-0735652163
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1.4 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,408 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Computers & Technology > Apple > Home Computing & How-to > Mac Administration & Networking
  • #7 in Books > Computers & Technology > Microsoft > Development > .NET
  • #9 in Books > Computers & Technology > Networking > Wireless Networks

More About the Author

Ciprian Rusen is a technology aficionado, former IT Project Manager for a major consumer goods corporation, and author of several books. He loves to experiment with the latest technologies, learn how to best use them and share his knowledge with others via his website 7 Tutorials - a portal providing help and how to for all Windows and Windows Phone users.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Handy guide for the netork novice. July 12, 2011

By Charles Alford

Format:Paperback

I believe this is intended for the novice and should help them setup a network for a variety of devices. There are loads of screen shots that should make the process easier. Chapters 10, 11, and 12 are helpful because the average home user will need a heterogeneous network. Make sure you also read chapter 13 on network security. No need to read the entire book. Just pick and choose what you need and set it aside until you decide to further enhance your network.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Cohesive and focused, even with five authors January 30, 2011

By Deoren

Format:Paperback

(Full disclosure: This book was provided for review at no cost to me)

Note: This book is geared towards a reader who is familiar with software installation and configuration. It also assumes you have a network card installed. This is mentioned in the introduction along with other requirements.

Expecting the book would be too basic for a SysAdmin, I still learned some new things. It was surprising that a book with five authors stayed both cohesive and focused.

Good Points:

* Instructions are detailed and accompanied by screen shots. Some steps are duplicated, but this helps each section stand on its own and references to relevant chapters are given.
* Both routers covered (in detail) are realistic choices based on popularity/price.
* WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is discouraged and readers are encouraged to use WPA2-PSK to secure their wireless network.
* The authors went beyond just networking your systems and also covered built-in security tools such as Microsoft Update, Windows Defender and Windows Firewall.
* Operating systems other than the book's focus (Windows 7) are covered including Windows Vista, Windows XP, Mac OS X 10.6, and even Ubuntu GNU/Linux 10.10.

One thing I might change would be the 35 pages spent in chapter 9 prepping Windows Media Player 12 for content streaming. However, it could be argued that this was necessary in order to give a more realistic starting point.

All in all, I would recommend this book to those looking to incorporate Windows 7 into their home network.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Not really for novices or the faint of heart July 18, 2011

By Thomas K. Eckle

Format:Paperback

This book is well written and documented, serving well as compendium of useful networking concepts and instructions, clearly illustrated and explained Similar to most technical books, I cannot imagine someone reading the book cover to cover, however skipping around among topics of need or interest appears to be the most valid way to use this book. Furtherrmore, I suspect the average computer user is challenged by the concepts of networking, though those willing to spend some time and effort could increase their competency and make themselves more proficient at networking their personal computing environment using the material contained in this book. In summary this book challenges the novice, may enlighten the proficient, and may even have some gems for the expert. I recommend this book to those who are looking to take the next step in the world of networking and have the will to learn.

Thomas Eckle

(I received a pdf copy of this book gratis so as to facilitate this review)