Customer Reviews

The Zune Pocket Guide

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The Zune Pocket Guide is very well written. But the title tells it all - it is a pocket guide. Simple, basic and to the point. I had anticipated the guide to be pretty basic, with some advanced tips toward the end. I was however disappointed to discover that it is very basic. I'm still reading through it - but there appears to be NOTHING that I couldn't figure out on my own about the Zune. I am technically inclined, but Microsoft products also tend to be fairly user friendly - as in, if you play around enough you can figure it out. (I've probably just opened myself up for a lot of attacks on that comment.) One thing ALL Microsoft products lack though is a decent user manual. Granted, enough play and you can figure their products out. But some people out there are afraid to play, so I really wish MS would spend just a little extra and include manuals that are a little thicker than the 4 page booklets they have been using (and that only include all those safety warnings we all know and don't read). However, The Zune Pocket Guide by Farkas is just that. It IS the manual that MS should have included with the Zunes. Basic, straightforward and simple to follow. Great starting point for anyone who is not a Techno-Geek (have I just shown my age with that comment?). The entire book appears to be the manual written for the Zune that somewhere along the line got rejected before the release date - it even includes a fair amount of publicity for the Zune accessories available at the press time. So far, I've only found 2 useful pieces of information in it - info about the first sync erasing all the preloaded media on your Zune and the difference between basic and detailed online status. I'm only half way through the book, but I don't anticipate learning much more. Check it out from the library if you have figured out most of the Zune workings. Buy it if you are looking for more info before buying a Zune or if you are technically impaired.

Bart G. Farkas delivers on the promise of the book's title, by offering a small sized guide that summarizes all the functionality behind Microsoft's audio player, including the software that supports it. However, the first two thirds of the book can be fairly basic for intermediate users, as it takes the reader through numerous tasks and instructions that may only be new to the beginner user. For intermediate users, the book gets more useful as you approach the end, where you can find tips and tricks and a host of resources and recommended accessories to make the most of your Zune.

The reviewers that are slamming this book for not being more detailed, more technical, should take a look at the cute little icon on the back cover! It shows, with graphics - you don't even have to read - that this book is for "Intermediate Users"! I bought my Zune and was disappointed with the LEAFLET Microsoft passed off as a manual. I do have to say the Support section at [...].
If you grew up with computers, this book won't tell you much that you don't already know or can figure out for yourself. I still need the comfort of an actual book because when I graduated only NASA had computers! I will probably never WiFi anybody anything but when I needed a step-by-step guide on "ripping" a CD, or getting the album art to show up on my computer, "The Zune Pocket Guide" showed me the way. I also have to give kudos to Mr. Farkas for having what appears to be the first book for the Zune on the shelves. If you want an advanced skill level book, this isn't it - you will just have to wait until somebody else writes one!

This was a very basic look at the zune...not a how to or trouble shooting guide. I found the zune website more helpful when I had a challenge.

My Zune is the first mp3 that I have ever owned...so this guide did help me out...I did have a few questions that it didn't answer..at least I didn't find the answer...like how to size a video that I have already purchased to put on my zune...I don't belong to the zune marketplace, by choice, and it seems this guide would be more helpful to someone who did sign up for the Zune MarketPlace.

This book was not very helpful. It missed a lot of technical data including how to power off the unit, reboot it, etc. It was much too basic and not what I expected. I was looking for a manual that was comprehensive and detailed. There were minimal technical tips on downloading music. No mention or discussion on downloading a book into a playlist. This was written for my six year old, not a adult.