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Windows XP Professional: The Missing Manual

By David Pogue, Craig Zacker, L.J. Zacker
First Edition  January 2003 
Pages: 672
Series: The Missing Manuals
ISBN 10: 0-596-00348-X | ISBN 13: 9780596003487

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Book description

This superbly written book isn't for system administrators or OS theory geeks; it's for the novice or budding power user who wants to master XP Pro and get down to work. Coauthored by New York Times technology columnist and Missing Manuals creator David Pogue, this crystal clear, jargon-free book uses wit, technical insight and scrupulous objectivity to demystify Microsoft's newest and most reliable operating system.
Full Description

Windows XP is the latest, most reliable, and best-looking version of the world's most widely used operating system, combining the extremely stable engine of Windows NT and 2000 with the user-friendliness of the Windows 98 and Me consumer models. In its first year, XP became the fastest-selling Windows OS ever. But one major failing remains unaddressed: XP Pro comes without a single page of printed instructions. This superbly written guide fills the gap. Coauthored by David Pogue, New York Times technology columnist and Missing Manuals creator, Windows XP Pro: The Missing Manual uses wit, technical insight, and scrupulous objectivity to light the way for first-time and intermediate PC fans. The book reveals which features work well and which don't, such as the Remote Desktop software that enables people to connect to the office from home, the encryption file system that protects sensitive information, and the Windows Messenger that enables real-time text, voice and video communication. Contents include:
    Getting started. The book's early chapters cover using menus, finding lost files, reducing window clutter, and taming the new, multi-column Start menu. Mastering the network. Special chapters help you navigate the corporate network, dial in from the road, and even set up your own small-office (peer-to-peer) network, step by step. Understanding security. User accounts, file encryption, and the NTFS file system keep your private files private, while still offering network access to coworkers you specify. Flying the Net. This book demystifies Outlook Express 6 for email, Internet Explorer 6 for Web browsing, and the new Windows Messenger for voice, chat, and video conferencing.
Windows XP Pro: The Missing Manual isn't for system administrators or OS theory geeks; it's for the novice or budding power user who wants to master the machine and get down to work. Yet, anyone who uses XP Pro (including hardcore techies) will find this new system much easier -- and more fun -- to digest with this new Missing Manual. This is the crystal-clear, jargon-free book that should have been in the box.

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Media reviews
"One of the beauties of the Missing Manuals is that there is always something new to discover and the research is quite thorough...I kept finding snippets of information, in the way of Tips or Notes, that would give just that bit extra."
-- Graham K. Rogers, Bangkok Post


"Pogue, the New York Times computer columnist, is among the world's best explainers."
-- Kevin Kelly, co-founder of Wired


"I have reviewed quite a number of Missing Manual books and I am always impressed with them. David Pogue is a Mac master and the depth of his knowledge shines through."
-- Roger Bernau, ACT Apple User Group Incorporated

"Even if you've used every version of Microsoft Windows since 3.0, you're still likely to be foxed once in a while. You can't turn to the manual because there isn't one--or there hasn't been until now. O'Reilly's excellent range of Missing Manuals includes a thorough guide to Windows XP Professional, which describes just about every aspect of the OS from basics such as using Outlook Express to more complicated troubleshooting techniques and obscure utilities. This title fills the gap between the woefully inadequate leaflet you get with Windows and Microsoft's expensive and technical Resource Kit."
--Simon Edwards, Computer Shopper, October 2003

"This is a thorough and remakably comprehensive text with numerous notes, tips, troubleshotting advice and infrequently asked questions. Where there is cause to criticise Winxp the authors are on the consumer's side-and offer work-arounds to oversome some of its obstinate features...I could not detect any aspect of the WinXP Pro operating system that has been missed. A thorough, padding-free coverage that should be part of every end-user's resources."
--Major Keary, Book News, 2003 No. 4

"Touted as being the true manual that Microsoft should have bundled with its last OS release, this title is a great introductory tool to the world of Windows XP Professional...This book achieves its objectives of making Windows XP easier to use and allowing PC users from all walks of life to harness the full working power of Windows XP Professional. The jargon-free text was a joy to read and use when dealing with a problem within XP."
--Ryan Shaw, "Australian PC World," June 2003

"The latest in the 'Missing Manual' series from O'Reilly. These fill in the blanks found, or rather 'not found,' in the manuals provided by software companies. They add a lot more than that, explaining what's happening and how to change it or delete it, in language that's much clearer than the manuals that come with the products."--Bob Schwabach, On Computer, February, 2003

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"One of the beauties of the Missing Manuals is that there is always something new to discover and the research is quite thorough...I kept finding snippets of information, in the way of Tips or Notes, that would give just that bit extra."
--Graham K. Rogers, Bangkok Post