Product Description

∗ Jam–packed with more than 900 pages of comprehensive information on the Service Pack 2 update of Windows XP, this book covers the basics as well as more complex topics
∗ Features new coverage of Media Player 10, Movie Maker, and Service Pack 2, with sidebars, workarounds, solutions, and tips
∗ Focusing on Windows XP functionality, the book addresses the most popular Internet features, how to customize the work environment, maintain and tweak the system, and work with text, numbers, and graphics
∗ This is an ideal reference for users with limited Windows XP experience who need a comprehensive resource to make the most out of their hardware and operating system

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #703561 in Books
• Published on: 2005-02-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 1200 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Comprehensive in its treatment of Microsoft's latest and greatest operating system for the masses, Alan Simpson's Windows XP Bible has an answer to most "How do I..." questions that are likely to arise in the minds of Windows XP users, particularly those who aren't too familiar with recent versions of Windows. If you're going to buy a Windows XP reference book for your office, this would be a good choice. The author--the respected Alan Simpson, who's put out similarly comprehensive books before--must have incredible patience, because he manages to document almost every Windows procedure down to the last option and the final "OK" click. Most people won't need this level of handholding--almost everyone has gained knowledge of the basic Windows conventions by now--and perhaps this book could have been more compact (as it is, it's pretty hefty) or contained more obscure details without it. But don't accuse Simpson on neglecting details.

No one will read this book front to back. Most visits will begin with the table of contents (which is very detailed) or the index (which is even more so). A page-flip or two later, readers will have explanatory prose (which is clear and detailed, and almost always strictly business-like without being off-putting) and a procedure or two with numbered steps. The procedures have a particularly good design when it comes to options--it's clear what happens if you make different choices in dialog boxes. Again, coverage is absolutely comprehensive, with detailed explanations and procedures extending even to Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) and the new Internet Connection Firewall (ICF). --DavidWall

Topics covered: Microsoft Windows XP (Professional Edition and Home Edition) for beginning and intermediate-level users of the operating system, with a few bones thrown in for more advanced users. Internet connectivity (standalone and shared), file management, administrative duties such as backing up files and uninstalling programs, local-area networks (LANs), and all other user-level aspects of Windows XP are covered. Chapters on portable computer issues and security are particularly nice.

Review
"...The word ′comphrehensive′ certainly applies to this one.... We liked the writing style..." (Software World, 1 July 2002)

From the Back Cover
If Windows XP can do it, you can do it too ...

Windows XP is the undisputed market leader among operating systems, and the enhancements and security improvements in Service Pack 2 made it even better. So if you already know how to turn on a PC and use a mouse, here′s the place to learn how to use every fabulous feature of Windows XP. Let an expert show you the new security features and help you customize your Windows, manage files, go online safely, work with digital media, set up a network, and solve PC problems.

Inside, you′ll find complete coverage of Windows XP

• Customize your desktop, taskbar, and Start menu
• Set up multiple monitors and multiple user accounts
• Protect your PC and privacy with new SP2 features including Windows Firewall, Pop–up Blocker, Data Execution Prevention (DEP), and Outlook Express virus protection
• Connect and use modern USB digital cameras, MP3 players, portable media players, jumpdrives, memory cards, and more
• Wirelessly connect Bluetooth devices to your PC, and use the Wireless Network Setup Wizard to create a wireless network
• Improve your Internet efficiency with instant messaging, transfer files with MSN Messenger, and upload or download files with FTP
• Create and manage digital photos, music, and movies, and transfer data from VHS, vinyl, and other analog media
• Learn to keep your PC running at maximum speed
• Explore home or small business networking options
• Use Speech–to–Text to have e–books and other content read aloud
• Use speech recognition to dictate text to Microsoft Word and other programs

Customer Reviews

Easy steps in plain, simple language.
Like others in the 'Bible' series,this book is beautifully written, using simple language. It contains many clear illustrations which will greatly assist both the newcomer and the more advanced user. All of the many components of Windows XP are seperated into sections, making them easier to understand. I thought that I already had a good knowledge of XP, but this book taught me many new tricks.

its for people NEW to using XP
as it states in the first chapter, this is not an upgrade book for someone who has been using windows for years. its a book for newbies and for people who have neverr touched a computer, he says on the first page of the introduction - if you can understand the following, this book is not for you : "right-drag the selected items to the destination folder, drop , and then choose Copy Here or Move here, depending on which you want to do, from the shortcut menu". This is a book for people who can read the above sentence and honestly say, " I have no idea what he's talking about". having used this book It can answer any question you need on the user side of XP. a good user guide and reference for learners

Great for all
I bought and read this book a year ago when I first bought a computer, it proved helpful then and now nearly a year later I am re reading it, ok not word for word, and it is proving very helpful. Some of the info that I didn't understand then I do now! It is a useful reference book, and well worth getting!