By William R. Stanek
First Edition
February 2007
Pages: 942
ISBN 10: 0-596-52800-0 |
ISBN 13: 9780596528003
(Average of 4 Customer Reviews)
Whether you're a beginner, power user, or seasoned professional, this complete guide has everything you need to customize the operating system, master your digital media, manage your data, and maintain your computer -- regardless of which Windows Vista edition you're using. Windows expert William Stanek doesn't just teach you the steps you need to follow, he also tells you how features work, why they work, and how you can adapt them to meet your needs.
Full Description
Whether you're a beginner, power user, or seasoned professional, Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide has everything you need to customize the operating system, master your digital media, manage your data, and maintain your computer -- regardless of which Windows Vista edition you're using.
Why this book and not some other resource? Bestselling author and Windows expert William Stanek doesn't just teach you the steps you need to follow, he also tells you how features work, why they work, and how you can customize them to meet your needs. You'll learn how to squeeze out every last bit of power out of Windows Vista, and how to make the most out of its features and programs, including how to:
- Set up, customize and tune Windows Vista - Optimize its appearance and performance; install, configure and maintain software; customize your hardware; and install printers, scanners and faxes
- Manage your files - Search your computer more efficiently; secure your files and data; share and collaborate; and get the most out of accessories such as the Mobility Center
- Master your digital media - Create media libraries with Media Player; manage digital pictures and videos with Photo Gallery; make DVDs with DVD Maker; and create movies with Movie Maker
- Get connected and start networking - Set up a home or small-office network; learn to use Windows Mail, Calendar, and Meeting Space; conquer Internet Explorer 7; and master on-the-go networking
- Protect your computer - Keep your family safe while on the Internet; set up parental controls and content ratings; navigate the computer security maze; configure Windows Vista's security features
- Manage and support Windows Vista systems - Deal with user accounts, disks and drives; handle routine maintenance and troubleshooting; and resolve advanced support and recovery issues
- Learn advanced tips & techniques - Manage the Windows boot environment, explore Group Policy, discover keyboard shortcuts, and much more
Cover | Table of Contents | Colophon
Featured customer reviews
Collector's Worth, June 23 2007
Finally something core on Windows Vista.
This book starts with a simple TOC, which lets you get to the landing page - if you are a pro user of vista - or if you are a beginner. Chapters 1 to Chapter 5 talk about setting up your Vista enviornment, getting used to the new interface and getting familiar with the configurations
Chapter 6 to Chapter 13 talk about Windows Explorer, Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, Windows Photo Gallery, Windows DVD Maker, Printers and other add-ons with Vista. In short - it talks about improving your experience with Digital Media and Data
Chapter 14 to Chapter 17 talk about Networking and Emails. From this section onwards, the book moves up a gear and starts talking advanced topics.
Chapter 18 to Chapter 21 describe features that help you manage your computer. It talks about user security, diagnostic tools, the new and improved Help and Support and Troubleshooting of the OS.
The last part of the book includes topics which would excite the power users and administrators. Starting with the Vista Boot environment, the Boot Config Data (BCD), Vista's Security Policy changes, the Media Center, Group Policies, and IE 7 policies.
Overall, this is a must have book for all types of readers, weather you want to learn vista, or you want to know about the internal changes. A recommended for all audiences.
A well covered Vista book, April 29 2007
This is very comprehensive book that covers the different Windows Vista editions, a must for beginners and advanced users. First it takes you out of the Windows Vista “jungle” and keeps you there. Once problems are ironed out, and options understood, it serves as a great learning tool.
I particularly liked the key shortcuts in the index. Without a reference such as this, it is hard to remember that they even exist!
Very good and easy to read, March 15 2007
This is really a great book absolutely packed with everything you need to know about Windows Vista. I haven't upgraded just yet - Microsoft seem intent on ripping of Australian consumers compared to USA.
But this book covers everything making it an essential purchase.
Outstanding reference...., March 15 2007
This book does an excellent job of covering the various user inferfaces within Vista. The book is generally grouped by setting up your interface (desktop, menus, etc.), managing programs and files, managing peripherals, multimedia, networking, security, and installation. Each section is broken down into chapters that cover a genneral topic. The book is well organized and generally is ordered in such a way that more basic questions would be answered in the earlier chapters and the more difficult questions in later chapters. One suggestion I might have would be to put the section on installation up front since anyone installing Vista right now is like doing so for the first time and may need help with this. The book does cover installation quite well though. This section is located in the back of the book in the advanced section. Some of the best feature in my opinion are the chapters dedicated to networking and security. Vista handles these topics significantly differently that XP and the author took the time to explain the new features clearly. The login chapter is disjoint from the security chapter but this is not too much of an inconvience since the login section is located up front which does make sense. The section on keyboard shortcuts will be particuarly helpful for system admins and power users that avoid the mouse when possible. A poster or cut out of these would have been a nice addition. Overall the book is excellent in its information content, readability and indexing.
Media reviews
"
This book is an excellent resource for cautious people like me. I was impressed with how quickly the author got past the basic intro material and kept the focus on the use value of Vista features. There is no "for dummies" talk here. The material is both extensive and is not aimed at a particular experience level."
-- Brett Merkey, Amazon Reviewer
"The book starts out explaining what you need to know to get started and use Vista, the user interface, and teaches some special characteristics and key combinations on Vista that are not well known. I really liked how the author drew the distinction between appearance and performance and what lies underneath Vista's graphical user interface. There are also helpful sections for the new Search function and Menus. The book explains how to use the included applications and utilities, and even goes as far as introducing all the multimedia apps from the point of view of an experience expert. I never really appreciated the power of the Vista multimedia applications until I read this section of the book. Stanek writes he been using Vista for 5 years, and it shows in the depth and scope of his advice."
-- Arlene Casey, Amazon Reviewer
"Every important setting and feature in Microsoft's new operating system is covered in a guide which packs in listings for hundreds of commands, windows, menus, and other Windows Vista elements. From the new operating system's basic user interface and differences between Vista and other operating systems to tips in installation, keyboard shortcuts and more, this should be a basic reference for quite some time, offering essential keys to understanding and streamlining Vista's capabilities. Libraries will find it an increasingly valuable reference as Vista products permeate the stores and replace older systems in the next year or two."
-- Diane Donavan, Midwest Book Review
