Customer Reviews

The Unofficial Guide to Windows XP

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Being that I work at a company that uses Windows XP on the desktop, it's to my benefit to understand what it can and can't do (regardless of my personal feelings towards Microsoft). Michael S. Toot and Derek Torres have a well-balanced book that cuts right to the "how to" aspects of Windows XP... The Unofficial Guide to Windows XP.

Contents:
Part 1 - Installation, Configuration, and Customization: Preparing for Installation; Installing Windows XP; Managing the Windows Desktop
Part 2 - Manage the XP Environment: Managing Users; Managing Files and Folders; Managing Security; Mastering Multimedia with Windows XP
Part 3 - Networking with Windows XP: Networking and the Internet; Working with Network Services; Integrating with Active Directory
Part 4 - Manage the Hardware Environment: Working with Windows Internals; Working with Hard Drives; Managing Portable Computers; Troubleshooting Windows XP
Index

I think what I liked best about this book is it doesn't attempt to cover every single aspect of Windows with the zeal of a Microsoft evangelist. The authors cover the most often used and touched parts of XP and give you enough information to understand how to work with it and modify it to work the way *you* need to work. Also, if there's something better out there, they'll tell you. For instance, it's not often you'll find a book on Windows where the writers tell you they really dislike Outlook and have switched to Thunderbird for various reasons. I knew then I was getting information based on experience and not party line spin. There's also a large number of tips and hints that you probably don't know but that have bugged you for some time. Like learning that Windows XP and the power management features does not control the wireless connection, and it will drain your battery much faster than you'd think. Didn't know that... Actually, I found myself doing the "didn't know that" routine a lot in this book.

I'll be carting this book off to work on Monday in order to prevent a few help desk calls in the future. It might also help me help my users avoid a few, too...