WebTV for Dummies (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Because you're reading these words, you have acquired a WebTV system (congratulations!) or are considering doing so..." (more)
Key Phrases: Plus Receiver, Web Home, Wheel of Fortune (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The very fact that WebTV for Dummies, 3rd Edition exists might be a negative comment on the supposedly simple, television-based means of accessing the Internet. No matter: this book accomplishes several goals, chief among which is to explain how to use the WebTV interface, clueing you in on how to send and receive e-mail, surf the Web, and participate in interactive TV shows. Although it's weird to read a technical book about how to aim a handheld remote control, the coverage is complete and accurate. You also learn how to find and use the WebTV Communities, and how to organize them for easy repeat access. Plus, there's a tutorial on basic online safety, etiquette, and information-finding techniques.

On the negative side of the ledger, WebTV suffers from a dearth of illustrations. Of the ones that appear in these pages, many aren't too useful. (Who benefits by seeing a picture of Yahoo!, for example?) However, as do most of the latest Dummies books, this one distinguishes itself by the high quality of its procedures. Instead of intermingling descriptions of steps to take with statements of the effects you should see as a result of your steps, these books keep cause and effect separate. Readers almost always can tell what they should do next, and they always know how to tell if they're on the right track. That's the kind of reinforcement that users of WebTV need. --David Wall

Topics covered: WebTV for those who are unfamiliar with the Internet and the Web, with emphasis on using WebTV to participate in social groups, locate information via Internet search engines, and communicate by using e-mail. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Tune in, turn on, and jump into the Internet fast lane from your television set with the popular WebTV For Dummies, 2nd Edition, the easiest way to get online without a computer! To get started, all you need is a TV, a phone line, and a WebTV set-top box. Then get a copy of WebTV For Dummies, 2nd Edition, and you'll be surfing the Web for the latest sports scores, cybermalls, and homework help. Find the best sites for sports, news, movies, classifieds, travel, games, online shopping, and much more in the special directory of hot Internet sites, and tap into kid-safe Web sites that are fun for the entire family. Read your e-mail during commercials, use the WebTV remote and wireless keyboards, play online games, and even create your own Web page with easy-to-follow instructions. WebTV doesn't replace sitting around the tube and watching Matlock -- it enhances your viewing experience and reaches its full potential when used simultaneously with broadcast or cable TV. If you're new to WebTV or are still thinking about joining the new revolution, then this is the book for you.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2nd edition (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764504614
• ISBN-13: 978-0764504617
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,548,860 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dummies Books Are The Best!, November 26, 1999

By	Terry (Logansport, IN) - See all my reviews

I have been reviewing many of the "Dummies" books for the past year, not only the internet ones, but also those on other subjects. I find them entertaining and written in such a way that the writer seems like a friend looking over your shoulder, guiding your steps."WebTV for Dummies" was a lifesaver! I wanted to do more with my webby than just surf the net and chat, and "Dummies" showed me how to find what I needed. The "cheat sheets" are great; a fast, easy-to-find guide that I don't have to search through the whole book to find. This was the first reference book I bought after I got my webby, and probably will be the onlyone, unless they come out with another!Go, Dummies!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good resource for the Dummies in us all!, October 8, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Waterford, Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

After having Webtv for two weeks I needed something like this. I was totally lost until received my copy. I am surprized that Webtv shippers don't pack a real guide like this. On screen helps are no help if you have to back-track a great deal. To save time.

One key item was the 20 yellow pages of http address for Webtvers; Key items like where to find graphics and so forth.

I would have gotten rid of my Webtv unit if t were not for this book.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book explains Webtv and the internet in plain english., June 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Webtv for Dummies (Paperback)

I purchased a WebTV plus in January of this year (after a disasterous couple of months with RCA). In the infomercials "plus" is touted as simple. This is maybe true for the younger generation who are raised in this world of hi-tech. Us older folks who were raised with the hand cranked phone it wil always be a miracle. After some frustrating weeks realizing I was not using the internet's full potential I decided to buy a book to help me. The bookseller recommended "WebTV for dummies" and that qualified me. Brad Hill not only explains everything in plain english he does it with a good sense of humor. I have only one question, it seems sometimes that the end results in the book are for the classic and little is said about the plus unit. Maybe another book will be written exclusive for the WebTV plus.