4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yet another handy pocket guide from O'Reilly, March 16, 2007
This review is from: Windows Vista Pocket Reference: A Compact Guide to Windows Vista (Pocket Guides) (Paperback)
This is a concise guide to most of the features in Vista and I've found it very helpful so far. Its brief nature keeps the book at a great size for leaving in one's travel bag, which is where I've got my copy.
The book makes great use of its small size. There's a nice grid comparing the different versions of Vista, and scads of little articles on features ranging from the control panel to User Account Control. The articles aren't very deep, but give you the necessary info to quickly get the gist of a topic. Where pertinent, there are also useful links to more detailed information on a given topic.
I particularly like that the book doesn't go too far around the bend with its coverage of the multi-media features of Vista. I'm also happy to see separate chapters on registry tweaks and use of the command prompt -- plus many of the articles give you the command prompt usage for features. Those two particular chapters aren't for everyone, but I'm sure many geeks like myself appreciate their inclusion.
Overall it's a great book for quickly finding bits you may not know about Vista, or refreshing yourself about bits you may have forgotten.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
It fits in your pocket but is no replacement for experience., March 12, 2007
This review is from: Windows Vista Pocket Reference: A Compact Guide to Windows Vista (Pocket Guides) (Paperback)
Windows Vista Pocket Reference is just that, a small and light book that will easily fit into your pocket or into a laptop bag.
With just five chapters and 182 pages, this is definitely a lightweight guide. It contains a short introduction to Vista, several chapters focusing on the programs that ship with the operating system and the controls for Vista. A short guide to the registry and a listing of all keyboard/mouse shortcuts.
Chapter 1 - A Crash Course in the Basics. A brief introduction to Windows Vista. This covers moving around the operating system, files and disk basics and the hardware requirements.
Chapter 2 - Shortcuts. Here you can find every conceivable combination of keyboard and mouse shortcut. From the Windows key on your keyboard to moving files around with your mouse.
Chapter 3 - Windows Components, Features and Settings. Here's sixty some odd pages covering many of the programs that ship with Vista, networking, security, user and program management, graphics and multimedia.
Chapter 4 - Registry Tweaks. This is a crash course on the registry and a few useful tweaks.
Chapter 5 - The Command Prompt. Here's a quick but comprehensive guide to the Windows Vista command prompt.
This guide doesn't pretend to be a comprehensive look at Windows Vista. It is a great pocket reference. The shortcut guide alone is worth the price of this book.
This book is defiantly going into my laptop bag for the simple reason that it's much faster too look something up in it than to wander through the OS until I find what I'm looking for.
The crash course in windows is a bit abrupt, it's good enough if you're familiar with Windows XP. If you're new to the game however this short guide will not be enough for you. Better to dig into Vista yourself and skip this chapter.
The guide to components and features is a great reference. Good for looking up quick facts on how to use the various programs and what the various features and wizards are really for.
Pros: Slim, with an great guide to every and any shortcut you could ever want to know. This is a great guide for experienced Windows users.
Cons: While this book is short and to the point, sometimes it's a bit too short. If you're a computer beginner or new to Windows, this book is not for you.
Recommend: If you have other, more comprehensive books on Vista then you may not need this guide. If you're a tech or power user new to Vista, then you'll find this guide helpful. It doesn't make for great linear reading but serves as an excellent and small resource for finding quick facts or finding out just what a Vista feature is used for.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quick and dirty pocket reference, March 6, 2007
This review is from: Windows Vista Pocket Reference: A Compact Guide to Windows Vista (Pocket Guides) (Paperback)
169(!) pages of Windows Vista "secrets" in a small pocket-size format! Following the traditions of "true geek" reference materials this book from O'Reilly is all you need to guide you through Vista quick and dirty.
Chapter1: A crash course in the basics; Chapter2: Shortcuts; Chapter3: Windows Components, Features and Settings; Chapter4: Registry Tweaks; Chapter 5: The command prompt.
No screenshots, no fluff... instead, you get a task-oriented reference guide for Windows Vista.
I didn't see anything on Active Directory integration...
Don't buy this book as a study guide.
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