TechTV Microsoft(R) Windows XP for Home Users [Paperback]

Jim Louderback (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0789726513 | ISBN-13: 978-0789726513 | Publication Date: October 25, 2001 | Edition: 1st

This book is written in a lighthearted and conversational style but at the core is clear, practical information. This book shows readers how to customize and configure their systems, how to prevent and fix problems, how to add hardware and software, and how to have fun with Windows XP by exploring its many features. The entertaining style makes it fun to read, but readers will come away feeling as if the have learned a lot, too. It is assumed that most readers will have this software, although someone might buy the book as an introduction to Windows XP before upgrading from an earlier version. This book focuses almost exclusively on Windows XP and how earlier versions worked differently.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Nearly every new Windows PC for personal and family use comes with Windows XP Home Edition, and more than a few users of older Windows versions have opted for an upgrade. Microsoft Windows XP for Home Users looks inside the candy shell of Windows XP Home Edition, providing its readers with the information they need to use their computers productively and enjoyably. Jim Louderback doesn't, unfortunately, explain how to use the Microsoft Office suite or any other popular applications, but he does a good job of showing his readers how Windows XP itself works. In other words, you get full coverage of most of the software that ships with the operating system, including Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Windows Media Player, and Messenger.

Louderback's coverage gets straight to the point, and generally assumes that features will work as advertised. In explaining some element of the operating system, he typically provides a quick background briefing (one on the relative strengths of different kinds of broadband Internet access is typical), then gets into procedures that explain how to carry out typical tasks. These procedures could be better illustrated, as novices usually appreciate visual confirmation that they're doing things right. A chapter on troubleshooting explains Safe Mode and the System Restore utility in a comfortable way. --David Wall

Topics covered: The book covers Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition for people who aren't too familiar (or very comfortable) with it. Everything a home user would typically want to do with the operating system itself (that is, not with subsequently installed applications) is covered, including sending mail, surfing the Web, managing files, and using peripherals such as printers and digital cameras.

From Library Journal

These four guides approach Microsoft's newest operating system (which may or may not be generating requests at your library) from different perspectives. TechTV focuses only on Windows XP Home Edition yet assumes some familiarity with previous Windows versions and is more appropriate for upgraders or those buying an additional PC than for first-time Windows users. A valuable addition to XP collections, it will supplement more basic guides. On the other hand, Teach Yourself, Norton's, and Unleashed clearly target intermediate to advanced users and include information on both XP Home and Professional editions. A self-study resource for patrons who quickly need to get up to speed with XP, Teach Yourself is a solid series addition, with helpful summaries, Q&As, quizzes, and exercises. Norton's is a characteristically thorough reference packed with tips for power users and resources for further information. Unleashed mostly covers Windows XP Professional and features useful appendixes on related topics such as TCP/IP, but it is less clear and less detailed than Norton's. All three will suit larger public libraries with a business and technical population. [For more reviews of XP titles, see Computer Media, LJ 11/1/01. Ed.]
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 380 pages
• Publisher: Techtv; 1st edition (October 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789726513
• ISBN-13: 978-0789726513
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,928,503 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Overview for Home users, October 31, 2001

By 

Jim Louderback (San Francisco CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: TechTV Microsoft(R) Windows XP for Home Users (Paperback)

This book offers a great over view of Windows XP, focused on the home user. Other books I looked at try to have it both ways. If you are buying XP for home, either as an upgrade, or on a new system, this is the book for you.

Chock full of fun details, tips, tricks and secrets. It has already saved me hours and hours of pain...

Good for beginning and intermediate users, advanced technical details are not here, though.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Saved my bacon, January 14, 2002

By 

"oldswabby" (St Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: TechTV Microsoft(R) Windows XP for Home Users (Paperback)

A quick thank you for all of the help I was able to get from your book "MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP FOR HOME USERS".

Two days ago I experienced my first major system crash. After downloading a "free" firewall application Windows went in the tank. It would boot and get to a point where a message appeared requesting the registration of the new software then it would go into a re-boot! No way to stop this strange behavior so I went through the book until I found the proceedures I needed
to recover.

Enough boring details. I just want you to know that without your book I'd still be looking for a way to solve the problem. It got me out of a black hole and I'm grateful.

THANKS,
Newton Ferguson

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful, January 14, 2002

By 

kris jones (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: TechTV Microsoft(R) Windows XP for Home Users (Paperback)

I just wanted to let someone know how thrilled I am about the book I just bought and am reading from cover to cover -"TechTV's Microsoft Windows XP For Home Users" by Jim Louderback & Michael Miller.

In thirty years of reading (or attempting to read) computer related books, this is the only one I am so completely satisfied with in terms of being able to understand, use and learn the most needed practical information - it is exactly what the public wants, a useable and exhaustive book.
I am amazed and appreciative of every page I read, where usually the experience is confusion, disappointment and aggravation! Please forward my kudos and thanks to the writers.