Customer Reviews

Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

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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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I really like William R. Stanek. Some of his books are frequent references for me. Sad to say, though, I think he blew it on this one.

Exclusive of the index, there are 889 pages here and a lot of information. The problem is that a lot of the information is essentially useless for the user experienced with Windows XP who is simply transitioning to Vista.

The organization of material is awful - and the index (or more precisely, the lack thereof) is a disaster.

For example, Stanek describes the Personal Folder, the replacement for a number of Windows fixtures like My Documents, on page 26. Fine and dandy. But there is nothing in the book that I have found about connecting other folders with the Personal Folder. Let's say that you want to keep your documents on the D: drive instead of C:. As far as I can tell, Stanek doesn't tell you how. It's not in the index and I was unable to find it in the book.

Way too much of the book seems oriented to the new user. Sections like "How Does the Operating System Obtain Driver Updates" and "Viewing Installed Hardware" or "Setting up your speakers" just don't offer much to the experienced user.

Like I said, I own a number of other Stanek titles and swear by them. This one is more suitable for swearing at.

A much better guide to Windows Vista is Windows Vista: The Missing Manual by Dvid Pogue.

Jerry

Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide is an excellent book. Every Windows Vista User should purchase this book to learn Windows Vista. The book covers everything most users want to know and should know about Windows Vista.

This book is clear and to the point with comprehensive coverage of Windows Vista. It covers all versions of Vista and the many included programs and utilities as well as new security features. It covers Internet Explorer 7 and how to make your own audio CDs and DVD movies. There is an extensive discussion on installation and advanced issues. At a hefty 921 pages it makes a thoroughly detailed reference.

Plus this book is written for easy reader understanding and for enjoyable reading. Great book if you really wish to learn Windows Vista. For administrators, I'd also recommend Stanek's Windows Vista Administrator's Pocket Consultant.

I have been using windows at home now for 14 years and with each operating system upgrade there's more to learn. I consider myself pretty savvy when it comes to Windows. So what if some people say "it's not definitive by any means," I find that it covers so much and even some things I won't need. I LOVE this book. It is not hard on your eyes, has plenty of diagrams and something I found especially interesting is how virus's, malware and all the nasties can enter your computer and the damage they can cause. I'm the type of woman who is not just satisfied with the "just do it this way" kind of help. I want more meat in the WHY I should do it this way. I use this book along with "Windows Vista: The Missing Manual" That books gives lot's of tips and stuff that has saved me much work and headache. These books work well together

Okay, I confess, I did this as a job for 15 years: Make computer do as I say, not the other way around; Vista included, Win 7 is already in the 'behavioural adjustment mill'. And I'm already used to calling upon its makers and them not being able to answer my questions, being I've tried all their suggestions before calling.

Still, I expected more from this massive chunk of paper - I was mislead to think it was for people like me, who find more on forums than in here! This is NOT definitive. It's 'definitively' large and heavy. I picked up a copy for £7.50 (about $11) and I'm already only really glad it's in such great condition that I'll be able to sell it on at no loss.

How do you install Vista. I don't know about the book, but I tend to insert the DVD - if it's pre-installed, I roll up my sleeves and get uninstalling uselessnesses put there by vendors (usually involving the odd row with one or two of them about registry-cleaning routines they don't like releasing).

How do I find the world Bluetooth in the index? I look in a different book - or should I not look under 'B'? So, okay, I have a laptop with a Bluetooth port on it - do they come without? That's a 'definitive' lack! That one last question I had, on my bluetooth settings, I'll dig up somewhere - but then, what did I get the book for?

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I'll be honest: I know a lot of people who can benefit from this book. In fact, I may not even sell it on, but post it to a good friend whose Vista is bugging her a lot.
The book
- is clean
- well organized
- has a lot for the accomplished user in it
- is written in a chummy style...
...and Mr Stanek knows quite something about Vista, which means that what he suggests is (usually) workable and not so bad, just that he doesn't suggest what to do with this one little bluetooth-nag :-).

But this is not the power-user's bible to forcing Vista down on its knees. And Vista has some stubborn legs, it's standing on; sort of a robocop of operating systems: "Don't you tweak around with me; I'll be bäck!".

You need quite an arsenal of weaponry to win against Vista. Sadly, I'm already done, and now that I'm sitting here with this book - for it was cheap - I find myself thinking, 'yeah, and nasty... oh, ball, I was really hoping this guy'd help me get this thing to run a tad slicker, still'. But I was to be wronged.

Either that's it for Vista and that's all one can do or there's another book out there that gives you more. Maybe it was my fault. If your Vista isn't cluttered and runs smoothly, don't make my mistake and get this book in the hope that you can polish its lacquer (Vista's, not the book's) a tad more. Not with this book, anyway...

***

Three Stars because it's a good all-round book for many intermediate to advanced users, and the daring beginners, too. But not more stars, coz to me it's worth about one...

A good effort gone wrong - or maybe the book just takes after the OS it's written for. Only, that I find Vista - whilst hellishly narcissitic and a bit of a clever-clog (not quite unlike myself ;-) - quite 'beatable', and this book's not giving me any new angles for another 'Tweak-Attack'. And that frustrates me :-(.

$$$

Okay, I've changed my mind; it's okay for $11...

William Stanek's pocket consultants are excellent - I've been a reader for years. In looking for a large reference for home, I saw this one - the definitive guide and chose it over Vista Inside Out and Vista Missing Manual. Stanek has a better style, and he understands the software better.

He once again is able to take technical topics and infuse clarity and depth while staying clearly focused. I have been running Vista since beta one, and this book is an excellent reference for those of us already familiar with the Windows operating systems.

In my opinion, this is an excellent book for all skill levels. Beginners will appreciate Stanek's ability to clearly and concisely explain even the most complex topics. The fact the book jumps right into the most important topics for home and office users doesn't hurt either.

Advanced users will find this book makes it easy to quickly get up to speed and to learn the new topics fast. Plus he writes in a friendly easy to understand language, so that you don't get lost in computer jargon. At the same time, he has a very organized and clear style. His details are never off topic and that's refreshing. His sense of what's important and what's not makes it possible for you to actually read the whole book and get all of the useful information out of it.

Pro users will find this book to be an excellent reference and regular reference. This isn't a book for administration though. Stanek's Vista ADministrator's Pocket Consultant is the best one for that.

This is THE MUST HAVE VISTA manual for the home and office. Thank you William Stanek for helping me get the most out of Vista!

Yes, this book is huge and has lots of information. Unfortunately, it is poorly organized and I have not been able to find ANY of the problems I've tried to find answers to in this book. I have been using Vista for a year and a half now, and bought this book shortly after I bought the computer; I am getting rid of Vista, I have gotten tired of trying to make things work that worked fine in Win98 and XP; and this book has been no help at all. Maybe, if I were to sit down and read this massive tome cover to cover I would learn something that would help, but I have better things to do with hundreds of hours of my time.

Vista Definitive Guide is a 922-page Vista bible, much better than Vista Missing Manual in my opinion. I got this after having excellent success with the author's other computer books. Extremely complete and full of answers. Kudos to the author for writing such an excellent book!