Windows XP Annoyances [Paperback]

David A. Karp (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2002

In an ideal world, an operating system would do its work in the background while you did your work in the foreground. In our world, however, operating systems constantly get in the way, and Windows XP is no exception. There hasn't been such a dramatic change in Windows computing since the introduction of Windows 95. Windows XP contains dozens of important new features designed to make your work easier, including improved performance, but also introduces numerous quirks and unaccountable behaviors that are guaranteed to increase your level of perplexity and frustration.

O'Reilly's popular series for troubleshooting Windows comes to the rescue with Windows XP Annoyances. This book is not designed to complain or criticize, but to acknowledge the problems and shortcomings of the operating system in order to overcome them. Complete with a collection of tools and techniques, this book allows users to improve their experience with Windows XP and establish control of the machine--rather than the other way around.

Based on the author's popular Windows Annoyances web site (http://www.annoyances.org), Windows XP Annoyances offers solutions, tips, workarounds and warnings that enable you to both customize and troubleshoot Windows, including:

• Understanding the Windows Registry, including the use of the Registry Editor and advanced topics such as finding the right Registry Keys and restoring a corrupted registry
• Customizing the interface beyond Microsoft's intentions, including many undocumented tweaks
• Mastering Windows built-in networking capabilities, including advanced technologies such as Internet Connection Sharing, Remote Desktop sharing, and virtual private networking
• Repairing Windows XP now that the DOS safety net is gone

As author David Karp says, "The more you know about a tool you use--specifically, Microsoft Windows XP--the better your day-to-day experience with it will be." Windows XP Annoyances is the intermediate and advanced Windows user's best resource for turning Windows into the user-friendly, customizable interface it was meant to be.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Microsoft Windows XP may be the latest in a popular family of operating systems, but that doesn't mean it's perfect. However, the designers of Windows XP have built enough flexibility into their product and provided users with a sufficiently large toolkit to overcome most shortcomings. In Windows XP Annoyances David Karp reveals his ideas about how to use Windows XP most effectively, for maximum fun and productivity and as little aggravation as possible. If you're comfortable working with Windows XP (or any of its recent predecessors) but find certain aspects of it, well, annoying, you'll find this book to your liking. Karp guides his readers through potentially risky procedures, such as editing the Registry and adjusting hardware device drivers, with skill and precision.

The author's tone is to the point and professional without being dry, without any of the phony, forced humor that appears in a lot of operating-system books. Though he inexplicably ignores the Windows XP Power Toys--some very handy utilities you can get from Microsoft's Web site--he does a great job of handling important questions. Case in point, the important issue of which files can be deleted to free up disk space, and which you shouldn't touch even though they look like pointless garbage. Similarly useful attention goes to the question of which background processes can be safely halted, and which are important. There's fine coverage of scripting with the Windows Script Host (WSH), as well. --David Wall

Topics covered: How to get the most out of Windows XP, even when it appears that the operating system is working against you. Troubleshooting techniques, hardware advice, Registry hacking, interface customization, and advanced networking subjects all find a place in this book.

Review

"This book gives an insight into how frustrated end-users can get when what should be simple and intuitive is anything but. It's required reading for any PC developer, especially those living in Redmont..." PC Plus, June 2006 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 586 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 1st edition (October 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596004168
• ISBN-13: 978-0596004163
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,529,381 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Timesaver, January 10, 2003

By 

J. Erb (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Windows XP Annoyances (Paperback)

I've put off using Windows XP as long as possible. I recently decided that I wanted to use it for the screen shots of my next book since it's in color and the palettes in XP look so much nicer. But it's driving me nuts! I hate the cutesy icons and the dumbed down feel. I have a copy of Windows XP Annoyances sitting right on my desk to help me overcome the many things that really do annoy me. I don't have time to read a tome on using Windows XP, so when I run into something I want to do I just grab this book.

As most O'Reilly book, it's easy to use because of its great indexing. I can normally find a topic within seconds, read it, fix it, and get back to work. I've been able to get rid of most of the cutesy stuff but not all of it. This book doesn't just cover the easy things either, it gets into networking and internetworking issues, working with and repairing the registry, lots of troubleshooting topics and scripting and automation.

Every Windows XP owner should also own this book.

101 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You cant go wrong with this book!, February 28, 2003

By 

James (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windows XP Annoyances (Paperback)

Windows XP Annoyances is one of a kind. If you are looking for a guide through XP, this is not the book to get, but if you want a book that explains Windows XP in more depth then this is the right book for you. This book tells about the problems with Microsoft's new system and how to fix and customize it for your personal needs. It explains how to use the registry in detail to get past the "cute" animations for maximum performance and less annoyance. It does a great job and will tell you things that Microsoft books won't, like changing the startup logo. REMEMBER, this is not a manual! It is as the cover says "Windows XP Annoyances." Although it does teach some basics it will not tell how to use the OS, but rather techniques and tricks to make its performance and appeal better.

58 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book has everything, October 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Windows XP Annoyances (Paperback)

Just when I thought I had seen it all, XP Annoyances comes around. Just a few minutes with this book, and I had improved the performance of my network connection, fixed a nagging problem I was having with the Search tool, and found some registry settings I didn't even know existed. The hype around these books seems justified; highly recommended.