Windows XP Visual Encyclopedia [Paperback]

Kate J. Chase (Author), Jim Boyce (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0471756865 | ISBN-13: 978-0471756866 | Edition: 1

If you prefer to see what things look like and how to perform a task, instead of just being told, this is your ideal A to Z reference. Part I shows every Windows(r) XP tool and how to use it. Part II provides step-by-step instructions for more than 160 key tasks and techniques. Both are arranged alphabetically and illustrated in full color. It's the ultimate Visual resource--you'll see!

* Each tool and technique illustrated in full color
* Alphabetical listings for easy reference
* Step-by-step instructions for performing dozens of tasks
* A comprehensive guide for visual learners

A Visual guide to
* Using each of the Windows XP Wizards
* Backing up your files automatically
* Managing user and administrator accounts
* Configuring your computer's IP address
* Creating and managing Media Player playlists
* Securing your system on and offline

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

If you prefer to see what things look like and how to perform a task, instead of just being told, this is your ideal A to Z reference. Part I shows every Windows® XP tool and how to use it. Part II provides step-by-step instructions for more than 160 key tasks and techniques. Both are arranged alphabetically and illustrated in full color. It's the ultimate Visual resource—you'll see!

• Each tool and technique illustrated in full color
• Alphabetical listings for easy reference
• Step-by-step instructions for performing dozens of tasks
• A comprehensive guide for visual learners

A Visual guide to

• Using each of the Windows XP Wizards
• Backing up your files automatically
• Managing user and administrator accounts
• Configuring your computer's IP address
• Creating and managing Media Player playlists
• Securing your system on and offline

About the Author

Kate J. Chase (Woodbury, VT) has more than three dozen references for Windows operating system, Microsoft applications including the Microsoft Office Suite, Web design and publishing, and the Internet. She has previously written Norton Desktop Reference For Dummies and Build It Yourself Visually: Windows Media Center PC. A general freelance writer as well as a columnist and journalist, Kate also works on science, medical, political, and other topics. She is perhaps best known as PC Kate (www.pckate.com) from America Online and the Microsoft Network where she led thriving technical communities for more than a decade and is a Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional).

Jim Boyce (Rothsay, MN) has authored/co-authored 50 books on computer software and hardware. His more recent titles include Outlook 2003 Inside Out, Windows 2003 Server Bible (with Jeffrey Shapiro), Windows XP Power Tools, and Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Microsoft Office 2003. He is a former contributing editor and columnist for WINDOWS Magazine and has contributed to several publications including PC Magazine, Connected Home, Cadence, CADalyst, InfoWorld, Home PC, and others. He is also a frequent contributor to techrepublic.com and WatchIT.com, and he writes daily Windows 2000 Professional and Windows 2000 Server TechMails for techrepublic.com. He has also authored white papers and reports for techrepublic.com and developed content for online training and white papers for Microsoft.

Product Details

• Paperback: 445 pages
• Publisher: Visual; 1 edition (May 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471756865
• ISBN-13: 978-0471756866
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 1.1 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,642,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A winning all-color visual format pairing step-by-step examples with photos, screen shots and more, July 24, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windows XP Visual Encyclopedia (Paperback)

Windows XP Visual Encyclopedia: Your Visual A to Z Reference provides a winning all-color visual format pairing step-by-step examples with photos, screen shots and more. Half the book provides a reference of XP tools, the second focuses on techniques for using them - and illustrations are packed, not peppered, into the mix. From using the Wizards to backing up files automatically to handling file management, WINDOWS VISUAL ENCYCLOPEDIA most assuredly should have been in the box with the operating system. It's not - so be sure it's on your shelf as a basic, quick, at-a-glance reference.

Diane C. Donovan

California Bookwatch

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stop the cycle of being the family computer support person..., May 28, 2006

By 

Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Windows XP Visual Encyclopedia (Paperback)

So are you tired of Uncle Joe and Aunt Mae calling every day asking how to do something in Windows XP? Give them this book... Windows XP Visual Encyclopedia by Kate J. Chase and Jim Boyce.

The Visual series is focused on people who don't have the geek background and learn better by visuals. Styled like an encyclopedia, it's broken up into two parts. The first part deals with tools. So if you want to know about accessibility, you can look under "A" to see how to get there. Having problems finding the Desktop Cleanup Wizard? It's under "D". If the book stopped at Part 1, I don't think I'd find it very useful. Once they point out the tool, there's not much else given once you learn how to launch the tool. But Part 2 rectifies that. That part deals with techniques. You would use that portion if you knew you wanted to do something like formatting a disk. You'd find that under "F" and "Format". Uncle Joe wants to tweak his task bar? Send him to the "T" area under Taskbar: Customize the Taskbar. For many of the family members you have to "support", this may be all you need to reclaim your spare time.

If you're a techno-geek, you probably won't gain a lot of information from this book. But if you're a techno-geek who does family computer support (whether you want to or not), you might think about making this a Christmas gift for that "special someone"... :)

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It was not what I wanted or what was advertised, July 28, 2006

By 

Icydog (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Windows XP Visual Encyclopedia (Paperback)

I bought this expensive book to learn how to better use Windows XP. I was not happy with my purchase. It is like the

"Little Golden Book" of Windows XP, in that it is written as if for children. There are no real explanations, this is a basic dictionary of terms in alphabetical order. Nothing flows in this book,as I mentioned before it is more a dictionary than encyclopedia, so if you are trying to learn Windows XP this is the wrong book for you.