Good XP Home manual?

[jace]

I have traditionally used the Windows Secrets series for 3.11 and 98,
authors Livingston and Straub. I liked the layout, the technical
clarity, and the secrets for doing customization and getting around
Windows' shortcomings. I found the books invaluable, written with
clarity, ease and even humor. Books an advanced user could benefit
from.

But I noticed Windows *XP* Secrets has broken away from the mold. It's
much shorter, written by another author, and it's gotten bad reviews
from many readers saying it wasn't anything like the previous books in
the series. (Including ME which I never personally got.) They say
there aren't any real secrets in it at all, and even basic things like
how to change the boot-up logo are missing. Also missing is a CD with
the book contents for quick search-and-find.

I noticed "XP Inside Out" got good reviews but I don't prefer it b/c
it covers XP Pro too and I don't want to wade past info that doesn't
apply to me.

Any suggestions for a good book that covers XP Home including SP1,
along the lines of the traditional Windows Secrets series?

Thanks,
Jace

 

[Jim Macklin]

TechTV has a book on the XP OS.
http://www.techtv.com/shopping/booksandvideos/story/0,23350,3462956,00.html



| I have traditionally used the Windows Secrets series for
3.11 and 98,
| authors Livingston and Straub. I liked the layout, the
technical
| clarity, and the secrets for doing customization and
getting around
| Windows' shortcomings. I found the books invaluable,
written with
| clarity, ease and even humor. Books an advanced user could
benefit
| from.
|
| But I noticed Windows *XP* Secrets has broken away from
the mold. It's
| much shorter, written by another author, and it's gotten
bad reviews
| from many readers saying it wasn't anything like the
previous books in
| the series. (Including ME which I never personally got.)
They say
| there aren't any real secrets in it at all, and even basic
things like
| how to change the boot-up logo are missing. Also missing
is a CD with
| the book contents for quick search-and-find.
|
| I noticed "XP Inside Out" got good reviews but I don't
prefer it b/c
| it covers XP Pro too and I don't want to wade past info
that doesn't
| apply to me.
|
| Any suggestions for a good book that covers XP Home
including SP1,
| along the lines of the traditional Windows Secrets series?
|
| Thanks,
| Jace

 

[Malke]

I have traditionally used the Windows Secrets series for 3.11 and 98,
authors Livingston and Straub. I liked the layout, the technical
clarity, and the secrets for doing customization and getting around
Windows' shortcomings. I found the books invaluable, written with
clarity, ease and even humor. Books an advanced user could benefit
from.

But I noticed Windows *XP* Secrets has broken away from the mold. It's
much shorter, written by another author, and it's gotten bad reviews
from many readers saying it wasn't anything like the previous books in
the series. (Including ME which I never personally got.) They say
there aren't any real secrets in it at all, and even basic things like
how to change the boot-up logo are missing. Also missing is a CD with
the book contents for quick search-and-find.

I noticed "XP Inside Out" got good reviews but I don't prefer it b/c
it covers XP Pro too and I don't want to wade past info that doesn't
apply to me.

Any suggestions for a good book that covers XP Home including SP1,
along the lines of the traditional Windows Secrets series?

Thanks,
Jace

I'm not familiar with the "Windows Secrets" books, but anything by Mark
Minasi is usually excellent.

Malke

 

[Tedd Riggs]

Jace,
Your right about the Livingston and Straub books, they did a good blend of
technical plus humor, I used both the Windows 3.11 and 98.

Have you looked at this one: It is paperback and around $18

Windows XP Home Edition: The Missing Manual (O'Reilly Windows)
by David Pogue
The professional reviews were very good and so were most of the users. I
used it when I first started XP and found out tons of info and its written
in a light hearted manor with humor, but not so much that it gets grating.

Another one that I think is good and runs from $28-40 is:
Mastering Windows XP Home Edition
by Guy Hart-Davis
This one get some pretty decent reviews and covers the "changeover from
98--XP" very well. It is a bit more dry then the above book as its somewhat
laid out like a reference manual, but one that is easy to follow. This could
be used by a beginner or someone that is in the middle. Also Guy has written
a ton of books and most of them get good reviews. I have found this to be
handy.

I can probably think of 10 others that are basically like what you are
talking about, but just picked my 2 favorites. The "XP In and Out" does get
good reviews as it covers about everything you could think about, but its
just not as enjoyable reading as the above. It does spend I would say about
25% of the time on XP Pro stuff as you said. Still a excellent book, but for
your needs, I would vote for the two above.
Tedd

 

[jace]

Jace,
Your right about the Livingston and Straub books, they did a good blend of
technical plus humor, I used both the Windows 3.11 and 98.

Have you looked at this one: It is paperback and around $18

Windows XP Home Edition: The Missing Manual (O'Reilly Windows)
by David Pogue
The professional reviews were very good and so were most of the users. I
used it when I first started XP and found out tons of info and its written
in a light hearted manor with humor, but not so much that it gets grating.

I did see that one and noticed the reviews. I'm not sure however that
it's a good match for what I'm looking for as it's so small I don't
see how it can be comprehensive enough.

Another one that I think is good and runs from $28-40 is:
Mastering Windows XP Home Edition
by Guy Hart-Davis
This one get some pretty decent reviews and covers the "changeover from
98--XP" very well. It is a bit more dry then the above book as its somewhat
laid out like a reference manual, but one that is easy to follow. This could
be used by a beginner or someone that is in the middle. Also Guy has written
a ton of books and most of them get good reviews. I have found this to be
handy.

That sounds more promising. Thanks.

And thanks to the others who provided input as well.

Jace