Windows Vista® Plain & Simple Kit: Help Family & Friends Get Started With Their First Computer (Bpg -- Plain & Simple) (Paperback)

by Jerry Joyce (Author), Marianne Moon (Author), Katherine Murray (Author)
Key Phrases: input panel, password reset, dictating text, Windows Vista, Click the Start, Internet Explorer (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Whether you're helping friends and family get up and running, or buying a new computer for yourself or a family member, this easy, colorful, two-book kit is designed for you. It's loaded with tips and tricks to make it easy for you--or the new user you're helping--to set up and use a new Windows Vista-powered PC. This kit features two great resources: The WINDOWS VISTA PLAIN & SIMPLE GUIDE TO HELPING FRIENDS & FAMILY answers the most common questions and how-to's related to selecting, setting up, and running a new PC. It uses real-world analogies to explain basic computing concepts and offers helpful techniques, support sidebars, Web site suggestions, and more. You also get the popular WINDOWS VISTA PLAIN & SIMPLE book--the easy, colorful, SEE-HOW guide to getting things done with Windows Vista. Topics include running programs and gadgets, browsing the Web, burning CDs, organizing photos and music, playing games, troubleshooting, and other everyday tasks and topics.Each book offers practical examples and troubleshooting tips--written in plain English--for the tasks that novices want to accomplish most. Get up and running quickly--and get to the good stuff faster!

From the Publisher
Key Book Benefits:

-Your no-jargon, quick reference to everyday questions about Windows Vista -Covers common tasks including burning CDs, browsing the Web, organizing photos, playing games, running programs, and troubleshooting -Features an easy-to-read design--including numbered steps, concise information, and helpful tips and exercises--in full color -Delivers concise answers in visual format for people who want information they can put to work right away; ideal for beginning-level users of Windows Vista --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press (December 17, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735626731
• ISBN-13: 978-0735626737
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #197,423 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

214 of 214 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast and easy to understand., April 4, 2007

By	R. J Kaucher (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Windows Vista(TM) Plain & Simple (Bpg-Plain & Simple) (Paperback)

I am an IT professional and I have been running Vista since the beta. If you are a Windows XP expert a book like this is far too simple. However one of my main job responsibilities is in educating users who may be buying their very first computer. In my opinion this book has a number of features that set it apart from (and above) other books.

First is that it is written in a format that does not require the reader to read it like a novel, from front to back. You may simply set it next to your PC and refer to the ample index when you want to know how to perform a certain task. Need to know how to burn a data CD? Look up CD in the index, turn to the page and follow the steps as shown with full color photos and easy to understand text.

The second item that sets it apart is the full color photos, mentioned above, included with each step. Including so many color photos reassures users that they are not committing a catastrophic error that will require them to restore the system and potentially lose all their data.

I highly recommend this book for non-technical people who were not experts with Windows XP I also recommend that you use it to learn how to perform the following critical tasks:

1.Make regular backups of you data (pictures, documents, email, etc)
2.Perform basic system maintenance (defragment your disk drive, install programs and uninstall programs) This is like knowing how to put gas in your tank and air in the tires of your car, essential!
3.Actually enjoy using your PC!

50 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plain & simple Windows Vista, March 8, 2007

By	Michael E. Ashbaugh (West Jefferson, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Windows Vista(TM) Plain & Simple (Bpg-Plain & Simple) (Paperback)

This is a" must have" book for those of us that don't start up a new computer system every day. Easy to follow directions take you step by step from start to finish. I intend to keep my copy on my desk for easy reference.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Vista manual, September 17, 2007

By	Donald I. Page "Retired" (Dragoon, AZ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Windows Vista(TM) Plain & Simple (Bpg-Plain & Simple) (Paperback)

This is the first Microsoft operating system manual that I have ever had in which I found something, non-trivial, that I was looking in for an answer. I am impressed.