Windows XP for Dummies Quick Reference [Plastic Comb]

Greg Harvey (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764574647 | ISBN-13: 978-0764574641 | Publication Date: October 29, 2004 | Edition: 2

Next to your keyboard and mouse, this could be your most important accessory. Just keep it next to your keyboard and your mouse and refer to it to capitalize on the terrific capabilities at your fingertips with Windows XP. Windows XP For Dummies Quick Reference Second Edition covers the latest updates to Windows XP, including enhanced security and changes to Internet Explorer. It starts with the basics for true beginners, goes through everyday stuff, and progresses to the Web, accessories, and the control panel. After a quick introduction to the desktop, My Documents, dialogue boxes, and other basic info, you’ll explore:

• Customizing your desktop
• Saving music with Windows Media Player
• Browsing drives, folders and files
• Dragging, dropping, cutting, and pasting
• Playing music, videos and movies
• Browsing with Internet Explorer
• Sending and receiving e-mails
• Using Windows Accessories

Written by Greg Harvey, author of Excel 2002 For Dummies and more than 50 other computer books, Windows XP For Dummies Quick Reference, 2^nd Edition is so clear and concise it turns computer phobes into computer geeks with step-by-step guides to:

• Using the Home Networking Wizard so two or more home computers can share a single Internet connection and other resources
• Creating slideshows with your graphics files
• Producing videos with Windows Movie Maker accessory program
• Downloading Microsoft Reader free and then downloading eBooks (many are free) and saving them in My Library
• Using the link to the Photo Printing Wizard to format and print your digital photos
• Using Windows Media Player to play audio, video, and animation files you’ve saved, play Internet radio stations, view trailers for upcoming movies, and play MP3 audio files you’ve downloaded

Complete with a glossary and index, Windows XP For Dummies Quick Reference doesn’t delve into the technology and terminology: it sticks to exploring the things Windows XP lets you do and describing how to!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Covers the latest Windows XP updates including Service Pack 2

Windows XP essentials at your fingertips!

If you like your answers quick and your information up-to-date, look no further. With this concise, superbly organized reference, you'll get the latest information on Windows XP, including the hot new updates in Service Pack 2. From navigating the desktop, launching programs, and creating files to the new firewall, wireless user interface, and Windows Movie Maker 2, find what you need in a hurry!

About the Author

Greg Harvey, the author of more than 50 computer books, has had a long career of teaching business people the use of IBM PC, Windows, and Macintosh software application programs. From 1983 to 1988, he conducted hands-on computer software training for corporate business users with a variety of training companies (including his own, PC Teach). From 1988 to 1992, he taught university classes in Lotus 1-2-3 and Introduction to Database Management Technology (using dBASE) in the Department of Information Systems at Golden Gate University in San Francisco.
In mid-1993, Greg started a new multimedia publishing venture, Mind over Media, Inc. As a multimedia developer and computer book author, he hopes to enliven his future online computer books by making them into true interactive learning experiences that will vastly enrich and improve the training of users of all skill levels.

Product Details

• Plastic Comb: 237 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (October 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764574647
• ISBN-13: 978-0764574641
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,269,759 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > Computers & Technology > Microsoft > Applications > Office XP

More About the Author

Greg Harvey has authored tons of computer books, the most recent being Excel Timesaving Techniques For Dummies and Roxio Easy Media Creator For Dummies, and the most popular being Excel 2003 For Dummies and Excel 2003 All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies. He started out training business users on how to use IBM personal computers and their attendant computer software in the rough and tumble days of DOS, WordStar, and Lotus 1-2-3 in the mid-80s of the last century. After working for a number of independent training firms, he went on to teach semester-long courses in spreadsheet and database management software at Golden Gate University in San Francisco.
His love of teaching has translated into an equal love of writing. For Dummies books are, of course, his all-time favorites to write because they enable him to write to his favorite audience, the beginner. They also enable him to use humor (a key element to success in the training room) and, most delightful of all, to express an opinion or two about the subject matter at hand.
Greg received his doctorate degree in Humanities in Philosophy and Religion with a concentration in Asian Studies and Comparative Religion last May. Everyone is glad that Greg was finally able to get out of school before he retired.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Horrible- unless you know absolutly nothing about computers!, January 21, 2002

By 

Dillon (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windows XP for Dummies Quick Reference (Plastic Comb)

This book had to be the most horrible book for novices in the world! First of all, this book covers the bare-bone basics. It's basically only for the people that don't even know hwat Windows XP is. Second, most of the book is devoted to showing only what everyone else knows how to do in previous Windows versions. It does explain a little about XPs new features such as fast user switching and the welcome screen, but not enough. I also find some of the "Go get your system administrator for this one!" extreemly annoying! The type of people who would buy this book are home users. Now how many of us have system administrators running about in our home?
Save yourself the money, and the frustration, and buy yourself another book. You'd have to be a real big dummy to get this one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have Book!, May 12, 2003

By 

Bill "billsrrempire" (Southern Maryland, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Windows 95 for Dummies Quick Reference (Paperback)

Some of us are still using Windows 95 and Windows 95 for Dummies Quick Reference is a great reference tool when used alone or along with Windows 95 for Dummies. It's compact size and alphabetical format assists in finding the answers quickly.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Worthless, October 30, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Windows XP for Dummies Quick Reference (Plastic Comb)

I have been referring to this guide for six months now and have not taken a single item of help from it.