Windows 98 Complete (Sybex Inc) (Paperback)

~ Sybex Inc. (Author), James A. F. Compton (Editor), Douglas Robert (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Printed on newsprint in a single-ink color, Windows 98 Complete is designed to be a no-frills volume with a low price to match. But don't be put off by the humble format. Over 900 pages long, the book is a compilation of chapters from over 10 different Sybex publications that, collectively, cover just about everything an end user would ever want to do with Windows 98. This includes installation, mastering and customizing the Windows 98 interface, installing and running software, and using the Internet for Web browsing and e-mail.

Some of the sections--those on using and customizing the Windows 98 interface, for example--are fairly introductory in nature, the sort of basic orientation that will help a new user. But other sections get into the more powerful aspects of Windows 98 that turn a beginner into a power user. In the latter category are sections on printer and peripheral installation, disk maintenance, data compression, system troubleshooting, and using Windows 98's extensive remote-access features with a variety of protocols. Professional network administrators will need even more information about Windows 98 than this book contains, but its clear organization and high information density make it a strong pick for end users, whether they're computing for work or for fun. --Thomas Mace

Product Description

Comprehensive, reasonably priced, and packaged in a convenient almanac-sized format, this book includes complete Windows 98 coverage; essential PC upgrading and maintenance information; complete user guides to both Microsoft and Netscape Internet browsers; a PC/Internet dictionary; an Internet/Hardware/Software resource dictionary; a Windows 98 Command Reference; and much more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 950 pages
• Publisher: Sybex Inc (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0782122191
• ISBN-13: 978-0782122190
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,155,733 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Windows 98 SE: Incomplete, September 15, 2000

By	"twason" (Raleigh, NC, ISA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windows 98 Second Edition Complete (Paperback)

This book appears to be written for a mixed audience, serving none of them well. It has no declared author, which is the first clue that it is nothing more than a collection of pieces and parts from various places. For the beginner to Windows, I would suppose it provides some help. It explains how to use Windows and how to use the Internet to the beginner. But if I were a beginner, I'd get a book expressly for the beginner. For those who have to actually set up and maintain their own computer, this book is insufficient. For example, the chapter "Controlling 98 SE -- The Regisitry and .ini Files", gets you into these files, but does not provide the details you need to do anything actually useful beyond creating backup copies (a good thing to do, of course). The registry is a potentially hazardous place to tweak, and without some guidance in developing a plan for working on the registry, other than an early backup, it is of no help whatsoever. In fact, it teaches a bad habit, namely, hacking rather than plan--execute--test strategies. This book lacks the useful details needed to actually get into the system to maintain it. The coverage of the Autotexec.bat and Config.sys files is virtually non-existent. It does not explain such basic parts of the Autoexec file as "CLASSPATH" or the univerally used "%...%" notation. These are necessary details. The book is far from complete. Not recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Meet your computer., September 2, 2000

By	Sarah (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windows 98 Complete (Paperback)

This book is quite helpful for any "new to computer" people. I used this book to teach a summer school class how to efficiently use the Windows 98 program. It went well. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a better understanding of computers.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars beginners to expert will master 98 with this book, January 16, 1999

By A Customer

Having been disappointed with the books available in the help and books on line section of windows 98 operating system I purchased this book purely on the size and price of the thing. It tells you all about the little thing that Microsoft didn't mention like crashes and in compatibility! Well I haven't been without this book,and any problems that have occurred have been covered in it. Well done ....buy it!