Windows CE Clear & Simple (Clear & Simple (Digital)) [Paperback]

Craig Peacock (Author)

Book Description

Series: Clear & Simple (Digital) | Publication Date: October 15, 1999

Windows CE Clear & Simple teaches readers how to use, customize and optimize the new generation of palm-size and handheld PCs based on Microsoft's Windows CE operating system. Written by a topical expert who runs a very popular Windows CE Web site, this will be the first book to cover in detail Windows CE palm-size devices and the just-launched handheld PC Pro devices. Consistent with the "Clear & Simple" series, this book features a very visual and engaging style.

Windows CE is the version of Microsoft's Windows operating system designed specifically for small portable computing devices (the non-Microsoft "Palm Pilot" is the most recent successful manifestation of these). Windows CE 2.0, the last major release, shipped in late 1997 but has been upgraded significantly since then. Originally only designed for larger "Handheld PCs" (H/PCs), a new version of Windows CE in 1998 optimized the system for powerful H/PCs and enabled the system to run on smaller "Palm-Sized PCs" (P/PCs). The H/PC market has begun to grow rapidly, and Windows CE's share of the hot P/PC market is quickly increasing.


Covers the new Windows CE Handheld Professional Edition
Discusses in detail the new Windows CE palm-size PCs
Teaches customization techniques and workarounds

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

With the proliferation of handheld PCs, more and more people are working with Windows CE as often as Windows. Enter Windows CE Clear & Simple. This slender volume covers all the basics of working with the "lite" version of Microsoft's operating system.

Author Craig Peacock doesn't mince words; all Windows CE procedures--from working with the calendar to backing up data on a PC--are presented in the most straightforward fashion. The result is that the book is a bit dry, rather like a product manual. But that's also its strength. When you're searching for help on a specific function--say, adding a contact to your contact list--you'll usually find all the information located conveniently on one page.

Windows CE Clear & Simple is packed with annotated illustrations. Though the black-and-white illustrations are not especially attractive, they are simple and easy to understand. The graphics are especially helpful in the sections that cover the more complex tasks, such as working with the Pocket PowerPoint presentation application and setting up an Ethernet connection.

What this book lacks, however, is a troubleshooting guide. Peacock gives no advice on what to do in the event of system problems, or if some features don't work properly. Are we to assume that Windows CE is a flawless system? Not likely.

Other computer-related how-to books, such as IDG's For Dummies series, may be more entertaining and feature slicker graphics, but Windows CE Clear & Simple modestly and effectively gets its message across. --John Frederick Moore

Review

'This book is a 'must have' resource for beginning, intermediate and advanced Windows CE users.' - Pen Computing Magazine

'...an excellent new book written by Craig Peacock, one of the world's leading experts on the Windows CE operating system.' - Windows CE Business Solutions Journal

'It's the tips and tricks which will save you hours of frustration on the phone, or even on the Web, talking to other experts.' - ZDNet, UK

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Digital Press (October 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750672323
• ISBN-13: 978-0750672320
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,717,881 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Windows CE Clear & Simple, February 17, 2000

By 

Janet Nelson (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windows CE Clear & Simple (Clear & Simple (Digital)) (Paperback)

GREAT book! Easy/quick reading. Very nicely laid out and easy to follow. The title is very appropriate--"Clear & Simple". Step by step explanations and examples are given on how to use all of the features (plus many I wasn't even aware of) for both the H/PC and the P/PC. Neither of the two manuals I have for my H/PC gave me 1/10th the information that this book did! Put your Microsoft manuals in a drawer and use this book!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just What the Title Says, June 22, 2000

By 

Ellen Craw, Ilium Software (Ann Arbor, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windows CE Clear & Simple (Clear & Simple (Digital)) (Paperback)

Windows CE Clear and Simple is just what the title claims it is -- a simple, clear introduction to Windows CE. Covering both Handheld PCs (including H/PC Pro's) and Palm-size PCs, this book covers the most commonly-used Windows CE features and functions, and will answer all of the questions a new Windows CE user will have. While this book does not contain information about the new Windows-Powered Pocket PCs, it is a very useful introduction to new users of both Palm-size and Handheld PCs. It's easy to read, with pictures, tips and notes to really help new users find the information they need.