Customer Reviews

Windows Vista Inside Out (Inside Out (Microsoft))

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're an administrator and are looking for a title to give you an edge on configuring, managing, deploying, etc. Vista, this title isn't for you; the Windows Vista(TM) Resource Kit is what you're looking for. This book is for average users new to Vista who want to familiarize themselves with the new OS and the bundled applications.

For the most part, the first 9 chapters cover the basics of Vista insofar as the user experience is concerned, concentrating on configuration, getting your plug and play hardware to work, understanding and using the embedded software, and using the provided support tools to help yourself and your friends. The coverage in this area is very complete, well written and easy to follow, with very little missing insofar as things "you should know". Although separated by a few chapters, chapters 15 thru 19 continue this coverage with information about the digital media (pictures, video, and music) tools included (Windows Media Player, Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, Media Center, and DVD Maker).

Chapters 10 thru 14 deal primarily with security and in-home networking. These sections include understanding what viruses, worms, and spyware are, reviewing the security tools and utilities in Vista that can protect you from these kinds of threats, and keeping your system updated. This is followed by an overview of local account management and parental controls, and finally setting up a peer to peer network and sharing resources. Again, all these sections are very well written and make it easy for those that might be uncomfortable with these areas to read and implement successfully.

The remaining chapters step up the technical level to include information on system maintenance, system tune-ups, troubleshooting tools, service management, as well as the registry. Many of these topics, if not properly explained, can cause the reader to have issues with their system when not properly implemented, but the authors have done a good job of explaining the what's and how's, as well as providing good recommendations on when to not do something.

If you're looking for a good end-user book to teach you the basics of Vista and then advance your skills on the OS, this is an excellent and inclusive read that won't leave you looking for additional materials later on.

Like XP Inside and Out before it, this book covers -- superbly -- every major aspect of Windows Vista. Major topics include setup and startup, personalization, security and networking, digital media, and system maintenance and management. Subtopics include Vista's new Aero look, the new start menu, the (awesome) new search features, the new and improved Windows Explorer, Internet Explorer 7, Media Player 11, the new security features (including a persuasive defense of Vista's new UAC feature), and the new system maintenance and performance tools. It is essential reading for all things Vista.

The book is chock full of practical information and advice on how best to install, configure, operate, and maintain Vista. If there is one way to do something, they tell you the correct way. If there is more than one correct way, they tell you that, too. They often make recommendations about what method you should choose. I was particularly interested in the sections covering how to get the most out of the new performance tools such as the revamped Task Manager and new Resource Overview tool. If you regard yourself as a power user, you are going to love these new tools.

In sum, this book is your instruction manual for how to get the most out of Vista. This is regardless of what Vista edition you use or whether you are a beginning, intermediate, or advanced user. As an extra bonus, the book also comes with a CD containing a searchable edition of the book and a few other goodies. You can install it on your hard drive and use it as a online guide. If I was going to buy only one Vista book, this is it. Just as the XP Inside and Out book was before it.

They've done it again. Those who have read Windows XP Inside-Out should proceed straight to Checkout because this Vista edition is the encore of that performance. Suffice it to say this book will fill your heart with the same joy and happiness you got from the last edition and so there is no need for you to read beyond this paragraph.

Multiple authors should be able to produce a better product than a lone ranger, and while that is not always realized, these authors have managed that achievement. The authors spent over three years on the book and solicited input from the source - the programmers and technical professionals who developed Vista. The result is a tome that is thorough and comprehensive.

Windows Vista Inside-Out covers all user features of all editions of Vista and indicates differences with XP - new or dropped features. The Inside-Out titles are not written for Grandma, and so it is presumed the reader is proficient at basic computing. After the basics, you can ride this tome from novice to power-user status or higher. There is plenty here to use or support Vista in a standalone or workgroup environment. Consider Windows Vista Resource Kit to fill the gaps, including deployment in server environments.

Click the book cover to see the table of contents.

Two books I consider as "Must Have" books for Windows Vista users are Windows Vista (Missing Manual) and Windows Vista Inside Out. I found most of what I needed to know in Windows Vista (Missing Manual), a great book to help one get up and running with the new Windows Vista operating system. I find the more technical information that interests me and allows me to keep learning even after I become a comfortable and competent user of Windows Vista in Windows Vista Inside Out. I would not be without either book.

Windows Vista Inside Out is and in-depth and comprehensive reference. Buy it. If you are technically oriented and enjoy continuous learning, this book will assist and guide you along. If you are like most Windows users, and I consider myself like most Windows users, you will not learn everything available to you in this book right away. As you use Windows Vista and need or want to know something more along the way, you are likely to find the information you need or want in Windows Vista Inside Out. I used Windows XP Inside Out and would not be without Windows Vista Inside Out.

Definitely a must-have book for anyone with Vista. Anyone. I especially appreciate all the warnings of cautions of what will happen if you do "x", not to mention recommendations of more powerful third-party software included throughout. The authors are well-known for their critical honesty toward Microsoft and their knowledge of Windows operating systems. Just buy it; you can thank me later.

Vista isn't very hard to use, but there are little things that I need to look up on occasion. I love the fact that I can install the eBook on my computer so I always have it with me. (I use a TabletPC and carry it to home and work and on trips.) Having all this information available to me at all times is great. People ask me a question (I do tech support), I search for the answer, tell them what they need to know, and they think I know everything. Having it on the computer makes all the difference to me.

This exactly what ever IT tech needs for Vista along with "Windows Vista Administrator's Pocket Consultant". Even though they where gong to delay the release of this publication to revise it for the actual released version of Vista, it is jammed full of professional IT info. When the next release and updated version of "Windows Vista Inside Out" is published I will be buying immediately. It is a must have for experienced computer enthusiast's and professional IT technicians.

Dennis K
Best Buy Geek Squad IT technician

If you enjoyed Windows XP Inside Out, you'll also enjoy this book. Its full of helpful hints.

If you're a beginner, I wouldn't suggest this book. If you're an advanced user you probably will learn a few new things. But if you're an intermediate user this is right up your alley.

Great thorough book for those who need to know the nitty gritty on Vista. This book is for tech savy people who want to get past the surface newness of Vista but really learn what the OS can do to chnage your computing.
Take it slow, theres a lot to read.

This book has some very good detail about just about every aspect of Microsoft's new client operating system. I've been playing with Vista since the betas and thought that I'd pretty much discovered everything new. I was wrong. Some of the detail seemed directed at a first time user of Vista. I would have liked to see some more command line stuff. Perhaps there will be an update.