Sebastopol, CA--For many years, Windows and Office users complained they were unable to tap into their unwieldy programs' full potential. Thankfully, Microsoft has relieved users' frustrations by revamping their most popular software. The Seattle-based company is now winning praise for overhauling, simplifying, and beautifying its Windows operating system--named Vista--and the Office 2007 program suite. Yet the radical redesign, new icons, screens, and interfaces present a new challenge for business and home users, and students.
Namely, what are the most useful new features and how to use them?
O'Reilly's For Starters series stands ready to assist the millions who need to relearn these updated Microsoft programs. And consulting the For Starters books--developed by New York Times tech columnist David Pogue, also the creator of the Missing Manuals--can save home and business users valuable time. "Think of them as mini-Missing Manuals--just as engaging as their big siblings, but condensed into a handy package to get you started quickly, easily, and with all the clarity you expect from a Missing Manual," says David Pogue about the For Starters series.
In clear, easy-to-understand prose, the new books cover the basics, get users up and running quickly, with no need for workshops or expensive training. More than an introduction, but far less daunting than a heavy tech book, these hands-on guides supply much needed information that readers won't find in overly simplified online help screens. Large, readable type and practical, everyday examples make the content relevant.
The 2007 Starters Missing Manual series includes four of the most frequently used applications and Microsoft's new operating system:
Windows Vista for Starters: The Missing Manual (O'Reilly, US $19.99) helps PC users confidently navigate the new Vista operating system. Written by series creator David Pogue, this guide gives tips and tricks as well as detailed instructions, providing the most useful advice on Vista's new features.
Access 2007 for Starters: The Missing Manual by Matthew MacDonald (O'Reilly, US $19.99) demystifies databases and shows users how to design and create them painlessly. This guide also covers organizing and filtering information, and generating effective reports.
Excel 2007 for Starters: The Missing Manual (O'Reilly, US $19.99) teaches everything readers need to know about using this ubiquitous spreadsheet program effectively. Author Matthew MacDonald uses humor and clarity to explain all the major features of Excel 2007, including how to build spreadsheets, add and format information, print reports, create charts and graphics, and use basic formulas and functions.
PowerPoint 2007 for Starters: The Missing Manual by E. A. Vander Veer (O'Reilly, US $19.99) shows readers how to create winning presentations using the redesigned interface and tabbed toolbar. Readers learn how to add pictures, video, and sound along with incorporating spreadsheets and animations.
Word 2007 for Starters: The Missing Manual (O'Reilly, US $19.99). Author Chris Grover provides a quick and user-friendly primer showing readers how to work with Word's most-used features and the timesaving new interface.
Additional Resources:
Windows Vista for Starters: The Missing Manual
David Pogue
ISBN: 0-596-52826-4, 408 pages, $19.99 US
More information about the book, including table of contents, index and author bio
Access 2007 for Starters: The Missing Manual
Matthew MacDonald
ISBN: 0-596-52833-7, 377 pages, $19.99 US
More information about the book, including table of contents, index and author bio
Excel 2007 for Starters: The Missing Manual
Matthew MacDonald
ISBN: 0-596-52832-9, 332 pages, $19.99 US
More information about the book, including table of contents, index, and author bio
PowerPoint 2007 for Starters: The Missing Manual
E. A. Vander Veer
ISBN: 0-596-52831-0, 305 pages, $19.99 US
More information about the book, including table of contents, index, and author bio
Word 2007 for Starters: The Missing Manual
Chris Grover
ISBN: 0-596-52830-2, 338 pages, $19.99 US
More information about the book, including table of contents, index, and author bio:
About The Missing Manual series; the books that should have been the box: http://www.missingmanuals.com/about.html
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