Customer Reviews

Windows 7: The Missing Manual

5 star:		(80)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

When you pick up a 904-page book, one of the first questions you ask yourself is "When can I put this puppy back down?"

For me, the answer in the case of "Windows 7: The Missing Manual" was that I couldn't put it down for two hours, because I was sitting in front of my computer at the time, with the book in my lap, and every time I turned a page I found another great new idea that I wanted to try. This went on for 172 fun-filled pages (yes, you read that correctly) before I took a break.

Let me back up and put this in perspective: I've been using Windows almost exactly 18 years, since Windows 3.1 was released in April of 1992, and I've been among the very first to try each new version of Windows since then. I've taught Windows courses. Most of the people I know consider me to be a power user of Windows. I don't necessarily agree with them, but I certainly consider myself to be comfortable with Windows, and I've never found myself thinking that I wish David Pogue would drop by and kick my productivity up a notch or two. (Besides, when someone drops by and starts kicking things, isn't there a chance you could get hurt?)

A little more perspective: I've been working in Windows 7 for several months now, and so I already knew that Windows 7 is not only the most powerful but also the fastest, most visually appealing, most user-friendly version of Windows ever released.

Yet while working my way through the first 172 pages of "The Missing Manual," I discovered dozens of new refinements in Windows and dozens of new, faster ways of doing things that until then had escaped my notice.

I think most readers can look forward to a similar experience, because the first 172 pages of the book describe techniques that everyone can benefit from, no matter what kind of work they are engaged in. This is where you'll learn surprising new ways to exploit the power of the Start menu, the Taskbar, and Windows Explorer, plus new ways to search and organize your files.

If you're thinking, "Great, because I'm new to Windows and I don't even recognize the terms you're using, much less how to do those things," then I can offer you the following reassurance: This book is highly illustrated. It is clearly written. It is entertainingly written. It will show you and tell you what you need to know.

If (as is more likely) you're thinking, "I already know how to do those things," then I invite you to think again: Of course you know how to do those things! Who doesn't? But these are some of the most common tasks you perform on your computer. You perform them hundreds if not thousands of times a day, day after day, week after week. What if you could perform them better and faster? What if you could perform them way better and way faster?

Everything I've said so far actually applies to pages 172 - 209, too, which pages cover changing the visual appearance of the Windows desktop and getting help from the Help system or from a user at a remote computer (whether down the hall or around the world) or from Microsoft.

The remaining 700 pages of the book are astonishingly comprehensive (and the writing is just as clear and just as engaging as the writing at the beginning), but few readers will want to bother reading every single chapter. Instead, this is the point at which you will return to the table of contents and pick and choose the chapters that matter to you. Later, you're likely to dip into specific sections as needed, guided by the excellent index. Major subject areas: Software included with Windows 7; Online Services; Pictures, Music, and Television; Hardware and Peripherals; and Networking (including the all-new, easy-to-use Homegroups).

A lot of people contributed ideas and expertise to this book. Their names are listed inside, but it is David Pogue's name on the cover, and whether by remote control or some other mysterious means, Pogue is the one who orchestrated the effort to produce the book. The results are superb. This is easily one of the most comprehensive and most readable books available on Windows 7. Even after spending just two hours with it, you'll be amazed at the power you've gained.

This is a review of Windows 7: The Missing Manual by Daivd Pogue. The book is written in Pogue's clear, easy-to-read, and entertaining style. Through it all, he maintains his sense of humor. It covers most everyone from the most basic beginner to the the advanced super user, although the most sophisticated users won't need much from this book. But even for them, it includes some handy pointers and reference material.

It provides a complete Windows 7 manual, with everything from how to install (Appendix A), to Windows basics (using Windows, file management and search, and setting your desktop) to finding and installing programs, to connecting to and using the Internet, to advanced features like joining a domain and VPN. And it covers everything else in between.

New features like Libraries and Jump Lists are covered nicely. He even describes the Library problems where you can't add a network location to a Library without making that folder available off-line. He correctly points out that this copies that entire folder onto the local hard drive, so you probably don't want to do this.

I especially liked that when features were missing from a particular version of Windows 7, Pogue points that out. He also points out when a feature is available only on certain versions. For example, Aero is not available in Windows 7 Starter Edition, and he points that out when talking about Aero.

The book provides special help for people transitioning from XP and Vista. When he can, Pogue compares things to the way they used to be in XP and/or Vista. For example, he explains how the Start menu and taskbar have changed from both earlier versions.

He also offers handy sidebars with tips and other related information throughout the book. For example, in the section that teaches you about faxing, he has a sidebar on how to create your own fax cover page.

One of my favorite features of the book are the extraordinarily useful keyboard shortcuts. He provides shortcuts for every situation that has one. In addition, he provides a full keyboard reference in Appendix D.

This is truly the Missing Manual for Windows 7. It is not, however, a reference manual. It's designed to be read like a book. And it's a really good book.

As a professional in the ever growing technical field i'm often asked "How can i keep up with technology?" And often times the answer is very blunt, "you really can't." With the release of Windows 7, I've been slowing promoting it to all of my clients, customers, co-workers and peers, but often i'm faced with the words "I don't have time to learn it."

I was graciously given the opportunity by O'reilly to review Windows 7: The Missing Manual. Most of the time while reading a book explaining anything technology, I become bored. It seems that often it is geared to the 'I'm Just learning about technology' individuals. After reading Windows 7: The Missing Manual, I was impressed to say the least. If I were to sum up Windows 7: The Missing Manual in a sentence i'd have to say, This book is one of the best instructive tutorial books I have ever read for any computer related product.

With their down to earth, yet at some points witty, instructive procedures, it was not only painless to read, but enjoyable. They tackle anything from switching screens, to folder options, to Taskbars. You name it, this book has touch based on it. To everyone that wants to start tackling Windows 7, whether computer savvy or not, I wouldn't only suggest to read this, I would highly recommend.

So, to the People of O'reilly, thank you for finally making a book to help, not only, the advanced users, but also the lesser of the computer savvy.

I gave this book three stars because the back cover says "Answers found here!" and I didn't find many answers.

I think this book should identify itself as either a reference manual or a user guide. It kinda looks like both, but actually is not either and I think that makes is less usable. It's also not properly organized/cross-referenced/indexed. It seems the book was not targeted for specific audience types, which is problematic. For example, to add a Win7 computer to an existing network of non-Win7 OSs (as in file and print sharing), you need to open the networking panel and change "homegroup" to "workgroup." You will not find this task/concept in this book, well, you can find information in several places that talk around the subject, but nothing that simply tells you that is what you need to do. The back cover lists the explanation of networking as a main feature of the book, but I had to google to figure this out, so I think this book is "missing" basic "answers."

This is a hefty book which covers all aspects of the Windows 7 operating system. The introduction provides several pages on what's new in Windows 7, and a sidebar offering advice on how to transition from Windows XP. More than just an operator's manual, you will also get the author's insights and opinions on the many applets (small applications) included. You will get to appreciate the author's style, which is straightforward, with a little irony and humor thrown in.

Early on, author David Pogue advises the reader to get Windows Live Update, a rather large download which contains the email program, Internet Explorer, and Photo Gallery, among other things. The book then covers the basics of manipulating windows, and goes into coverage of Media Center, Internet Explorer Windows Live Mail, and Photo Gallery, all of which are heavily used, and the new feature called Device Stage.

We learn that Device Stage was designed for plug-in devices, such as a digital camera, which presents a dialog box with specific information. For a camera, for example, the dialog box displays the number of photos to be downloaded, and how much space remains on the memory card. You can then perform a specific action by clicking the appropriate entry--such as downloading the photos to your PC. While device manufacturers have been writing this kind of software for some years now, Device Stage provides a standard format, so you don't have to puzzle out the interface every time you plug in a new device.

Chapter 10, Internet Security, covers web browsing. We all know about anti-virus software, but these days internet security involves a lot more. There is spyware, root kits, phony web sites, and other forms of evil software out there that can steal your ID, credit card numbers, bank accounts, and so on. Get some insight on all this from author David Pogue, who discusses all the counter-measures you can take to avoid being hit.

Valuable information in Chapter, 18, Hardware, covers how to interface additional devices to your PC, such as hard drives or scanners, and installing additional PC cards, such as network cards and modems. If you have installed a new device in your system and can't get it to work, you need to go to Chapter 18, Hardware, which outlines the steps you need to take to make the thing work.

No individual user will want or need all the apps that come with Windows 7--you might well do without the games, for example, or in my case, making video DVDs. This allows you to skip over pages and sections which don't apply to you (I skipped over Windows DVD Maker and Windows Live Movie Maker).

Don't overlook access to the web site at [...]. There you will find practice files, down loadable software, and every web address mentioned in the book. You also get access to the online edition of the book.

Summary. I have merely touched upon a few things which caught my interest-- the book covers a great deal more. Author David Pogue has provided a comprehensive manual for Windows 7, in a clear and readable style, with sufficient detail for even the most advanced users. This is a comprehensive book of 887 pages, with 27 chapters in eight parts, and 4 Appendixes. If you are serious about learning Windows 7, get this book.

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In my reviews, I have been pretty hard on certain Windows 7 books that have come out lately. [ Windows 7: The Definitive Guide: The Essential Resource for Professionals and Power Users ] This one is very good and, so far, has been fun to read while still offering the extensive range of information and comprehensiveness you want on a nearby shelf.

One of my first tests on a reference sort of book always involves the index. This book has almost 900 pages. An adequate index is absolutely necessary and a bad one or good one can measurably enhance or degrade the value of the book. A book written by as knowledgeable and experienced an author as this one should reflect interesting topics not normally associated with manuals--but how do you find them?

Ever heard of Window 7's "god mode"? This feature would certainly not be in any official Microsoft manual but word gets around, doesn't it? Well "god mode" is in the index. Test passed.

I recommend this book to other people, like myself, who do not like to waste time.

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"Windows 7 is the best-reviewed, best-loved Microsoft operating system ever. It brings you security, speed, good looks, and several trillion new features - but it still comes without a single page of printed instructions. Fortunately, award-winning author and New York Times columnist David Pogue is back, ready to serve as your clear, funny, expert guide to the world of Windows 7." So says the back of this wonderful book on Windows 7 Despite being an experienced Windows user and having spent much time using Windows 7, I learned a lot while reading this book.
The book begins by teaching you a basic understanding of the Windows 7 interface and goes all the way through to maintenance and high-level tweaks. Every user will gain something from this book. It is a worthwhile purchase and read for all levels of understanding. I give fair warning to more experienced users. Portions of the book will bore you. Despite this, "Windows 7: The Missing Manual" is a great resource. You don't need to read this book cover-to-cover. You can just read the sections that are relevant to you.
Of special interest to me were the appendices. Appendix A teaches you the different ways you can install Windows 7 and how to move your data and settings over to the new install. Appendix B shows you how to perform some very cool registry tricks to spice up Windows 7 and make it run more your own way. Appendix C helps you find all the items that you loved in previous versions of Windows that have disappeared in Windows 7. Appendix D takes you through a review of common keyboard shortcuts as well as several new ones that are very helpful.
All in all, I think "Windows 7: The Missing Manual" is a very worthwhile purchase and I highly recommend it.

While reading David Pogues Windows 7 the Missing Manual I found myself nodding along with his antidotes and the clear concise language he used. I am a computer professional and the thing that stood out to me was the way David phrased the instructions in each of his chapters. I have supported many users (read Mom) that did not understand the way I phrased things. What this book brings to the table is another way for us to say the same thing in a clear concise fashion. Having read the other reviews I am going to bypass the usual information and just say i agree that this book covers everything you need to know from a user standpoint and is written in a amusing and easy to read style. Finally anyone who supports friends in family may want to pick up several copies so that when the inevitable questions begin you can hand them a copy and say "Read the Friendly Manual"

Thank you Mr. Pogue! I was a given a pdf copy of Windows 7: The Missing Manaul by O'Reilly Media for the purpose of reviewing it. I found the book to be engaging and comprehensive. Technical manuals can be dry but Mr. Pogue has made it easy to read. It includes information for beginners but does not talk down to them and I found those parts well written and informative even though I am a very experienced computer user. But it is also comprehensive and has the answers needed by more advanced users. I appreciated all the tips on how to personalize Windows 7 so it will work the way you want it to. Anyone who uses Windows 7 needs this book. It is the manual that should have been included in the box.

I usually don't read manuals. I can do pretty well on my own plus a few google searches. However, from time to time I've found some gems that remind me of what I'm missing in "google world". This is one of them, well written, good all-around coverage and an excellent index. The book contents are well reviewed by other readers, so I won't bother to repeat the same compliments.

In short:
Do you want a comprehensive book on Windows 7? Get this one.
Are you a basic computer user? Get this one.
Are you an advanced user? Get this one.