Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide [Paperback]

William Stanek (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0596528000 | ISBN-13: 978-0596528003 | Publication Date: March 5, 2007 | Edition: 1st Ed.

Whether you're a beginner, power user, or seasoned professional, Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide has everything you need to customize the operating system, master your digital media, manage your data, and maintain your computer -- regardless of which Windows Vista edition you're using.

Why this book and not some other resource? Bestselling author and Windows expert William Stanek doesn't just teach you the steps you need to follow, he also tells you how features work, why they work, and how you can customize them to meet your needs. You'll learn how to squeeze out every last bit of power out of Windows Vista, and how to make the most out of its features and programs, including how to:

• Set up, customize and tune Windows Vista - Optimize its appearance and performance; install, configure and maintain software; customize your hardware; and install printers, scanners and faxes
• Manage your files - Search your computer more efficiently; secure your files and data; share and collaborate; and get the most out of accessories such as the Mobility Center
• Master your digital media - Create media libraries with Media Player; manage digital pictures and videos with Photo Gallery; make DVDs with DVD Maker; and create movies with Movie Maker
• Get connected and start networking - Set up a home or small-office network; learn to use Windows Mail, Calendar, and Meeting Space; conquer Internet Explorer 7; and master on-the-go networking
• Protect your computer - Keep your family safe while on the Internet; set up parental controls and content ratings; navigate the computer security maze; configure Windows Vista's security features
• Manage and support Windows Vista systems - Deal with user accounts, disks and drives; handle routine maintenance and troubleshooting; and resolve advanced support and recovery issues
• Learn advanced tips & techniques - Manage the Windows boot environment, explore Group Policy, discover keyboard shortcuts, and much more

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

William R. Stanek has over 20 years of hands-on experience with advanced programming and development. He has written 61 books including: "Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Administrator's Pocket Consultant", "Windows Server 2003 Inside Out", "Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Administrator's Pocket Consultant", and "Microsoft IIS 6.0 Administrator's Pocket Consultant" (all from Microsoft Press). These are currently the best sellers in their respective markets. Mr. Stanek has an MS degree in Information Systems with distinction, and a BS degree in Computer Science magna cum laude.

Product Details

• Paperback: 944 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 1st Ed. edition (March 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596528000
• ISBN-13: 978-0596528003
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.1 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,152,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William has over 20 years of hands-on experience with advanced programming and development. He is a leading technology expert, an award-winning author, and a pretty-darn-good instructional trainer. Over the years, his practical advice has helped millions of programmers, developers, and network engineers all over the world. He has written more than 100 books. Find William on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/WilliamStanekAuthor.

William has been involved in the commercial Internet community since 1991. His core business and technology experience comes from over 11 years of military service. He has substantial experience in developing server technology, encryption, and Internet solutions. He has written many technical white papers and training courses on a wide variety of topics. He frequently serves as a subject matter expert and consultant.

William has an MS with distinction in information systems and a BS in computer science, magna cum laude. He is proud to have served in the Persian Gulf War as a combat crewmember on an electronic warfare aircraft. He flew on numerous combat missions into Iraq and was awarded nine medals for his wartime service, including one of the United States of America's highest flying honors, the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross. Currently, he resides in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and children.

William recently rediscovered his love of the great outdoors. When he's not writing, teaching, or making presentations, he can be found hiking, biking, backpacking, traveling, or trekking in search of adventure.

Follow William on Twitter at http://twitter.com/WilliamStanek. William also writes as Robert Stanek. To learn more about Ruin Mist, Magic Lands, Bugville Critters, visit http://www.bugvillecritters.com/.

William R. Stanek (www.williamstanek.com) lived in Japan from 1985 to 1989. He traveled extensively and made many friends. While living in Japan, he spent much of his free time in Aomori (青森), Hachinohe (八戸), Misawa (三沢), and Tokyo (東京). He misses the wonderful food and drink and the good friends he made. He says, "On break, I traveled all over. On the island of Hokkaidô in Sapporo they have these wonderful Ice Festivals. My favorite thing about spring was the Cherry Blossom Festival. I'd take day trips to Aomori (青森) and Hachinohe (八戸) all the time. While in Japan, I studied kendo, the Japanese language, and Buddhism."

William lived in Europe from 1989 to 1991. During that time, he lived in Germany (mostly) and had several extended stays in the UK and Scotland including deployments to Mildenhall, UK. He spent his time in the UK travelling, and especially enjoyed his visits to Cambridge and London. He's been a football (soccer) fan since he was old enough to kick a ball and especially enjoyed being in Kaiserslautern for the championships. He misses the wonderful food and drink and the good friends he made. He says, "There's nothing like Fridays at the pub or Saturday market."

William lived in Hawaii from 1991 to 1996. During that time, he worked shift-work at Kunia Field Station, attended Hawaii Pacific University and University of Hawaii, and spent a lot of time at the beach. He and his wife's first child was born in Hawaii. William's writing career began in Hawaii when his first book, Electronic Publishing Unleashed, was published in 1995. The runaway success of that book and it's sequel, Web Publishing Unleashed, helped establish him as a leader and innovator in technical writing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally - a truly excellent all around Vista book!, March 5, 2007

By 

Arlene Casey - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide (Paperback)

I only recently got involved with Windows Vista, when work required that I shift gears from XP to Vista. Therefore I am not familiar with all of the nuances of Vista, and needed answers fast. I started with a dummies book to get my feet wet, and then grabbed this one as soon I saw it was out. In true William Stanek fashion, however, this book smoothly got me very familiar with the features of Vista, which I am finding to be a combination of visual elegance and the underlying stability of Windows, adding up to a very solid operating system that, quite truthfully, I was not expecting.

The book starts out explaining what you need to know to get started and use Vista, the user interface, and teaches some special characteristics and key combinations on Vista that are not well known. I really liked how the author drew the distinction between appearance and performance and what lies underneath Vista's graphical user interface. There are also helpful sections for the new Search function and Menus. The book explains how to use the included applications and utilities, and even goes as far as introducing all the multimedia apps from the point of view of an experience expert. I never really appreciated the power of the Vista multimedia applications until I read this section of the book. Stanek writes he been using Vista for 5 years, and it shows in the depth and scope of his advice. I never knew before I read this book that Vista had features for speech and handwriting recognition!

In Part 3 the discussion becomes more advanced, and networking and more advanced security and wireless-related topics are discussed. Part four is rounded out by chapters on support Vista which includes details on parental controls, accounts, internet safety, disk configuration, compression and encryption.

In Part Five, Advance Tips and Techniques, there are advanced chapters on the boot environment, security changes, and policies. There is a whole chapter with a very useful "master list" of keystroke combinations.

This book is immediately valuable for beginners to intermediates to pros and I think it has much to say. I notice Amazon does not show a table of contents, so I include that here:

Ch 1. Getting Started with Windows Vista
Ch 2. Optimizing Windows Vista's Interface
Ch 3. Fine-Tuning Windows Vista's Appearance and Performance
Ch 4. Installing, Configuring, and Maintaining Software
Ch 5. Customizing Your Computer's Hardware Devices
Ch 6. Mastering Windows Explorer and Searching Your Computer
Ch 7. Navigating the Web with Internet Explorer 7
Ch 8. Creating Your Media Library with Windows Media Player
Ch 9. Capturing and Managing Your Digital Pictures and Videos
Ch 10. Making Video DVDs and Movies
Ch 11. Securing and Sharing Your Data
Ch 12. Setting Up Printers, Scanners, and Fax Machines
Ch 13. Making the Most of Your Computer's Accessories
Ch 14. Setting Up Your Network
Ch 15. Protecting Your Computer with Windows Defender and Windows Firewall
Ch 16. Using Windows Mail, Calendars, and Contacts
Ch 17. Mastering Dial-Up, Broadband, and On-the-Go Networking
Ch 18. Managing User Accounts and Parental Controls
Ch 19. Managing Disks and Drives
Ch 20. Handling Routine Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Ch 21. Getting Help and Handling Advanced Support Issues
Ch 22. Installing and Running Windows Vista
Ch 23. Exploring the Windows Boot Environment
Ch 24. Understanding Windows Vista Security Changes
Ch 25. Mastering Windows Media Center
Ch 26. Using Group Policy with Windows Vista
Ch 27. Navigating Windows Vista Policy Changes
Ch 28. Navigating Internet Explorer 7 Policies
Ch 29. Desktop Tips and Tricks with Keyboard Shortcuts

117 of 134 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not for true IT professionals; should be titled "Windows Vista: The POWER USER's Guide", May 6, 2007

By 

Rafael T. Dimas (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide (Paperback)

This is not a "definitive" guide of any sort. For an O'Reilly series book (especially with its title and book description), you'd expect a lot more technical information. This book contains WAY too much guidance with the "Hello and Welcome to Vista" type of approach and doesn't provide information regarding the true guts of Vista. This will make a fine doorstop.

37 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get this book even before you get Vista, March 13, 2007

By 

Brett Merkey (Palm Harbor, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide (Paperback)

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People are not standing in long lines to buy Microsoft's new operating system. But we know, sooner or later, that most of us will be buying a new computer -- and it will likely come with Vista. I got this book because I wanted to know *before* I get that next computer just what I can expect with Vista and how Vista features could help (or hinder) the way I use computers.

This book is an excellent resource for cautious people like me. I was impressed with how quickly the author got past the basic intro material and kept the focus on the use value of Vista features. There is no "for dummies" talk here. The material is both extensive and is not aimed at a particular experience level. If you are like me, you may skip a bunch of chapters and home in on Ch. 23 with its details of the Boot Configuration Data Editor. Of course, if you are not like me, you may have stopped off at Ch. 13 to learn about the Snipping Tool.

There are plenty of screenshots and I found it reassuring that the author made a point of clarifying, when appropriate, the often confusing differences between the various editions of Vista.

The organization of the book makes it easy to focus in on your current interest and the book is indexed for more detailed searches. To sum up, this book is a valuable guide to new users *and* a reference for experienced Vista users.
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