Rating: 
Summary: Do it yourself computer fixin'
Review: I believe if everyone had one of those "beat up your computer" dolls for taking out your computer problem aggravation on the doll instead of your computer, then they'd all look like they were hit by a truck. After calming down and finding your center, PC Annoyances is the nice tech support technician that's ready and willing to help resolve those (@#*$ problems without giving you back talk or the runaround.Before getting this book, I had wondered if it was going to focus on Microsoft products such as Outlook for email, Word, and Windows. It does, but not as much as I originally thought. The Email section starts with a chapter general email annoyances for different email clients followed by Outlook, AOL, Eudora, and Hotmail with their own chapters. Section two is Windows and it refers to Windows XP more than anything else, but there is help for other versions. The Internet earns its own section with Internet Explorer appearing often along with references to a couple of other browsers, Google, and Instant Messaging. The Microsoft Office section helps squashes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Outlook Express annoyances. No Access or FrontPage annoyances are included, but that's OK. I find most of my problems are not with the latter two. Get faster, more effective with Bass' Windows Explorer tips including how to delete a file it refuses to delete and speeding up file search. I benefit the most from the Music, Videos, and CDs section since it's an area I barely touch. Not only does it advise on dealing with multimedia, but also it discusses CD and DVD questions and concerns. I've thought about the CD nudging issue, which is when you gently push the CD tray to close it, but I never researched it. Bass answers the big question on whether to nudge or not to nudge. PC Annoyances is not only about the problems you cross, but also things you may have never thought considered. Those with a notebook computer who wish it came with a docking station can still make it dockable even if it's a standalone notebook. A couple of issues with the otherwise fine book; it has a ton of links with most pages have more than two links. This is risky because Internet addresses change faster than military people's mailing addresses. It also provides links to "for the fun of it sites," a common source of complaints based on my writing experience. These resources take up tiny space on the side of the page. Some references are to paid products, which to some is annoying. However, I've never been one to knock recommendations for non-free products because I believe if we like something, it's good to let others know about it. If it's in print, it durn well better be a good recommendation. You're a geek asking if you can find the answers on your own. Probably. But do you have the time it takes to find it? Probably not. Between the spouse and me (hardware and software geeks), we are learning a few good tricks from the book. The book's format lends itself for quick and easy scanning with side notes in the light red shaded area on the sides of the pages, useful screen shots, and boxes with tidbits. The book is just 177 pages, enough for you to find the tips you need without the needle in the haystack problem.
Rating: 
Summary: A readable computer book!
Review: I bought three copies of your book at Amazon and gave them as party gifts during private receptions. They were greatly appreciated. It was in fact a very selfish gift: I have hopes that your book will help these people and stop them from calling me each time their system has a hiccup. My friends overseas unfortunately are not fluent enough in English, their version of Windows is either French or German, otherwise I would already have shipped a couple of cases of your excellent book to get some peace in my Inbox.
Rating:
Summary: Great Job Steve/Thanks
Review: I enjoy reading Steve's newsletter and thought his new book "PC Annoyances" would really be worth reading also. Although I haven't read it cover to cover as of yet, what I have read has not only been interesting reading it has also been very helpful and timely as well.
If you are like myself, at the point of wanting to pull somebody's hair out because you don't have any left, because your computer don't want to act right. Sometimes thanks to Mr. Gates and other times thanks to software gurus in general, then I think you'll also be pleased to have this little tidbit of knowledge at your fingertips. I know for a fact that technical instructions can be quit boring most of the time, but Steve has enough hummer in his style of writing to even make the tech stuff easier to digest if you know what I mean.
At any rate I'm glad I purchased his book, and I think you will be also. Good Job Steve,
Milt Fletcher
Augusta, GA
PS.
PC World columnist Steve Bass writes weekly commentary on the technology products he loves; the strategies for getting the most out of them, and the got Chas that can cause computing misery.
Rating:
Summary: Useful AND Entertaining
Review: I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book on the plane and trying out things on my laptop. Steve's solution to the ^*&$*& Windows numbering problem alone (which has caused me no end of grief with every contract revision I do) is easily worth the cost of the book. More importantly, Steve's sense of humor and style is arguably the best in the industry. I highly recommend this book for beginners and experts alike.
Rating:
Summary: AND I THOUGHT I KNEW MY SYSTEM COLD...
Review: I like to think of myself as a fairly tech-savvy guy so if someone suggests that he has something to tell me about my PC that I don't already know, it's a bit difficult to warm up to. But Steve's book, like his PC World column, didn't fail to surprise me! It is everything that you expect from a typical O'Reilly publication: crisp, entertaining, and to-the-point. We cut to the chase pretty quickly: the annoyances, the solution, and some pretty nifty add-on humor if you are lucky. We get top-notch tips from spam control, to email management tricks, to virii solutions, to NAT woes, to some cool utility recommendations. NOTES/CAVEATS: (1) The book is relevant to Windows users only. Unless I have missed something, I doubt there is anything here for *nix/*nux or Mac users. (2) It's a book you probably won't read from cover to cover, but it came pretty close to that for me. A handy little reference stacked with some tips I wouldn't have thought about. (3) I wonder if there is much here that you couldn't find out yourself if you were game for a liberal dose of quality googling time, but it is pretty handy to have all this printed, pressed and neatly bound for 24-7 access between your fingers. (4) Speaking of which, I felt at first blush that the price was a bit steep for a tech self-help book, but in hindsight it is worth every shining nickel! (5) For a pretty good whiff of the book's style and content, check out the "Five More Annoying PC Annoyances" on O'reilly's website (google for it). I believe the site also has a sample chapter from this book unless they've removed it when you read this review. All in all, I highly recommend this handy little volume for just about anyone who who pushes the START button!
Rating:
Summary: This book should be included with every PC purchase!!!
Review: I spend more time on the PC than I care to account for, but let me tell you that the tips I've picked up from this book have elevated my PC life to a whole new level. I actually found an answer to pretty much all the bothersome, nagging problems about operating a PC that I run into everyday. I plan on buying this book for all my dear friends, so they can be indebted to me for life for all the wealth of information they get from this book. Seriously, this is must have for all computer user from the new user to the most experienced. Well-written and enjoyable to read.
Rating:
Summary: Helps you fix problems you didn't even know you had.
Review: I thought PC's were just supposed to be annoying. Whether my bike, car or PC, I always wish for an expert living next door with answers to problems I can't correct. Owning Steve Bass's book is like having such a friend. It is easy to read, with a reassuring way to help identify and fix those niggly, irritating behaviors of your PC that have you baffled. By using some of his remedies, you begin to realize that most of what annoys you about your PC can be dealt with, and if not totally eliminated, then tamed so you can be more productive. I think this book would be helpful to both beginners and experts. Once you learn how to obedience train your dog, you (and the dog) are happier. This book helps you tame your pesky PC and makes you much happier. I found it highly instructional and very helpful.
Rating:
Summary: Concise, excellent, usable tips
Review: I've read many computer books, and I have to say this is one of the most informative. More important, Steve provides hundreds of tips to overcome the small (and large) problems of Windows. It's nice to konw that even a well-known computer columnist experiences the same frustrations we ordinary users do. Happily, he willing to share the solutions he's found. In my first reading, I discovered the answers to at least 7 windows annoyances I've encountered. And instead of including a cost-raising CD, the publisher has made 100 utility programs available online, a better solution that including them on a quickly outdated disk. A useful, and often amusing book. You need it!
Rating:
Summary: PC Annoyances
Review: Just finished reading PC Annoyances by Steve Bass. This is a great book for a PC user who has worked with these magical monsters for awhile and has encountered problems for which the solutions have been elusive. It is loaded with references to small, but helpful, utilities. This book is written in a light form which is easy to read and interesting. It attacks specific problems with programs such as M/S Word and provides useable resolutions. It has become one of my most cherished "reference" books.
Rating:
Summary: PC Annoyances
Review: Just finished reading PC Annoyances by Steve Bass. This is a great book for a PC user who has worked with these magical monsters for awhile and has encountered problems for which the solutions have been elusive. It is loaded with references to small, but helpful, utilities. This book is written in a light form which is easy to read and interesting. It attacks specific problems with programs such as M/S Word and provides useable resolutions. It has become one of my most cherished "reference" books.
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