Customer Reviews

Windows Me: The Missing Manual

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Every time you think you have figured out Microsoft they come up with a new way to confuse you. Windows 98 was released and finally I thought I understood the product and then along comes Windows ME, the Millennium Edition. O'Reilly Press and the Windows Millennium, The Missing Manual is making short work of the newest OS.

In this 413 page book, that Microsoft should have given you when you bought the product, you have a world of information that the writers have taken the time to lay out in a format that is easy to follow and easy to understand. The writers have really done their homework with this one.

In Part 1 the ME Desktop, you cover areas like the desktop, the start menu, folders, taskbar and help, icons and shortcuts. While most of the things are identical to 95 and 98, for those new to the OS game this is a great starting point.

Part 2, Components, takes on subjects like programs, Sound, movies and the control panel. Part 3 Online, talks about the changes in the Internet functionality of Windows ME. Part 4, Plugging into ME you have topics like printing, fonts, PNP, Users and troubleshooting to look at.

Finally Part 5, Building the Small Network to show what new networking capabilities ME has. Overall the book is made for the beginner to intermediate user, however some of the more advanced user may find useful information included in the book.

First off, let me tell you that if you are updating your old PC and have bought a new one with Windows ME, or have updated your old PC with the new operating system, you need this book.

Windows ME is the home operating system (as opposed to Windows 2000 which is more business and network oriented.) It's sufficiently different from Windows 98 that you can get a lot of benefit by using a guidebook such as this. The online help and tutorials that come with Windows ME are just not enought.

The first part of the book deals with moving around the operating system at the basic level. While most things will look familiar to you, the browser-like Explorer is vastly improved. The first section of the book explains how you can have customized views for your pictures and graphics, helpful for the home digital photographer. After reading this section, you will be able to optimize your Explorer to suit the types of files you keep on the PC.

Realize that some of the power of Windows ME is that it was designed to improve how you interface with the internet. However, networking was totally redone in Windows ME and greatly improved. You'd be surprised how many people are using home networks, so this is an important development. There is an excellent section in this book dealing with networks, and this is probably worth buying the book alone for this information, if you intend to do any networking with Windows ME.

Windows ME is also designed for multimedia and there is plenty in here for learning how Windows ME is used with various peripherals. And lastly, internet access is another focus of the improved functions in Window ME, and there are topics to deal with the many changes that have been made to the operating system.

From the intro: "To learn about the thousands of pieces of software that make up (Windows Me), you're expected to read the online help screens. Unfortunately, as you'll quickly discover, these help screens are tersely written, offer very little technical depth, and lack examples and illustrations. You can't even mark your place, underline, or read them in the bathroom."

Exactly. I had been fiddling with W/Me for five months before I got and absorbed this nifty little book. Before, I could figure out most things most of the time, and still be scratching my head about how I just got something to work. Now, I understand what I'm doing, where I can find help that really helps and not confuses, and spend more of my time getting real work done, and less or none at all trying to get the darn thing to do what I want it to do.

I really don't need a book lying around my desk proclaiming to all who pass that here resides a "dummy." Just because I'm a novice doesn't make me stupid. This book will help out the novice and experienced user alike, with plenty of explanations and tips that will give you your money's worth in one week. Mr. Pogue writes in a style that is easy to follow, with just enough levity to keep your attention and not sound glib or sarcastic. He offers plenty of examples to demonstrate his topics, with printed screens exactly as they appear on the monitor. And of course, you can read it in the bathroom.

I wish I had this book at my side five months ago.

I tend to buy computer books and then never use them. Not so with this one. I found it very well written and easy to use. It was filled with information that was actually useful. It is indeed the book that should have been in the box! I would recommend it for beginner to intermediate level users.

Well done and organized. Can't imagine better. Really puts the "win" in Windows.

The text recommended by our adult ed.instr.is dull, heavy in every way. We found this in our local bookstore. The instructor liked it enough he's planning to order some for next several terms. We Love it. Easy to sort out Q's and A's. Application suggestions interjected with wit, flexibility, even humility. Not a novel surely, but a fun read nonetheless. We aren't versed well enough to be snobbish re rudiments, Q's, etc. "The only dumb Q. is the one not asked."

This is a terrific book for a novice or beginner. It has very little to offer advanced users, however.