Windows XP Hacks

Rating:
Summary: How can you call downloading a free firewall a "hack"?
Review: Before I write anything else, I should make it clear that anyone telling you how to "hack" is almost certainly full of it. Downloading free software, changing the boot screen, and clicking an option in Windows Media Player cannot possibly be called "hacks." Realistically, these are just tips, but I guess saying "Windows XP Tips" ins't as sexy. "General PC Tips," is what this book should really be called due to the inclusion of so much that is neither XP-specific nor a hack.

I give this book three stars for being readable and having some useful tips that make it worth borrowing from a library. I give it maybe 2 stars for the cost of actually having to buy it (I don't think it would make a very good reference anyway).

This book is by no means advanced, as implied by the title. For example, it gives you some "security" hacks and it tells you about turning off unnecessary services, but so what? If you didn't already know what services were, how could you possibly know which ones to turn off? No mention at all of turning off DCOM and disabling it, or why you would want to do so (see (...) for why).

If you want to "Hack" your computer with XP, borrow this book and read it. Ignore irrelevant tips and suggestions of software that you don't think you would use. Then return it and go to www.tweakxp.com for more information. In some cases I like Tweakxp.com better because the information is more candid (e.g., "Real Player is poorly written adware/spyware," from (...).

There is no reason to buy this book. Even if your library doesn't have it, there are good, free online sources for the same information.

As a note concerning previous posts about the BootVis "hack," Microsoft lied; Bootvis does improve performance. Here's a quotation from one site that actually tested the program: "I'm not sure what kind of game they are playing but the "Bootvis.exe is not a tool that will improve boot/resume performance for end users." is a blatant untruth." (from (...). These guys tested the program on four machines, and all four improved performance significantly. I must add that Bootvis also speeded up my own boot time from just over 34 seconds to less than 25 (about a 25% improvement- and this is not supposed to improve performance?).

Rating:
Summary: How can you call downloading a free firewall a "hack"?
Review: Before I write anything else, I should make it clear that anyone telling you how to "hack" is almost certainly full of it. Downloading free software, changing the boot screen, and clicking an option in Windows Media Player cannot possibly be called "hacks." Realistically, these are just tips, but I guess saying "Windows XP Tips" ins't as sexy. "General PC Tips," is what this book should really be called due to the inclusion of so much that is neither XP-specific nor a hack.

I give this book three stars for being readable and having some useful tips that make it worth borrowing from a library. I give it maybe 2 stars for the cost of actually having to buy it (I don't think it would make a very good reference anyway).

This book is by no means advanced, as implied by the title. For example, it gives you some "security" hacks and it tells you about turning off unnecessary services, but so what? If you didn't already know what services were, how could you possibly know which ones to turn off? No mention at all of turning off DCOM and disabling it, or why you would want to do so (see (...) for why).

If you want to "Hack" your computer with XP, borrow this book and read it. Ignore irrelevant tips and suggestions of software that you don't think you would use. Then return it and go to www.tweakxp.com for more information. In some cases I like Tweakxp.com better because the information is more candid (e.g., "Real Player is poorly written adware/spyware," from (...).

There is no reason to buy this book. Even if your library doesn't have it, there are good, free online sources for the same information.

As a note concerning previous posts about the BootVis "hack," Microsoft lied; Bootvis does improve performance. Here's a quotation from one site that actually tested the program: "I'm not sure what kind of game they are playing but the "Bootvis.exe is not a tool that will improve boot/resume performance for end users." is a blatant untruth." (from (...). These guys tested the program on four machines, and all four improved performance significantly. I must add that Bootvis also speeded up my own boot time from just over 34 seconds to less than 25 (about a 25% improvement- and this is not supposed to improve performance?).

Rating:
Summary: Great Book for WinXP Users
Review: Every version of Windows has its strengths and weaknesses. Windows XP is no exception. It's more stable than previous versions and hence is likely to be around for some time. So you'll probably want to find out how to make this version do your bidding.

Windows XP Hacks, by Preston Gralla, shows you how to do this with 100 tips and hacks. Tips are grouped into the chapters and clearly named so that you find the appropriate one.

The chapter on networking has been quite helpful on optimizing my home wireless network. And the section on how to setup the XP Professional mini web server (IIS) will be useful for testing. Getting rid of Microsoft desktop icons that "can't" be removed is also dealt with. Improved use of the disk defragger applet is also covered.

This book is a really useful collection of tips for the expert and power user. If you are a new user, find another book. Some of the tips involve Registry tweaks and this is not recommended for new users.

Rating:
Summary: Won't improve your skills much
Review: I bought the book even after reading previous reviews. Oh well. If you have any knowledge of Windows and it's functionality and want to improve on those skills, this book won't do it. It's all about tools and utilities you can download or purchase, and how to use those programs. Not much insite into Windows built in tools and better ways of using them. I did think the host files and DNS section could be helpful, but as a previous poster said, you can find tips like that on the internet.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I bought this book of the strength my positive experiences with the Google Hacks book and have been probably even happier with this one (if you haven't read Google hacks, go buy that one too).

To start with, even though this is an easy book to understand, if you are a new user to Windows XP or any of the newer MS OS's, go and buy another book first. If you have some experience with this OS, then go buy this. Its brilliant.

Many of the tweaks in this book are implemented by editing the registry, but that said, they are very easy to do. Some useful examples are those that speed up the booting of your PC, those that add useful commands to your right-click context menu and those that point you to some very useful 3rd party utilities.

The networking section has some very good tips and tools available, especially for those running wireless networks. There are also good tips on blocking spam, surfing with proxies and stopping popups and the like.

Its difficult to review a book that has 100 short (to the point) tips and the more I read what I have written, I am not doing this book justice. If you go to oreillys site and review the TOC I am sure you will make up your own mind.

My mind is already made up. As an experienced XP user, just a handful of the tips I have got from this book saves me a lot of time a day. I thoroughly recommend you taking a good look at this book. The tips in here will make your colleagues sit up and say 'how did you do that?'.

Rating:
Summary: I'm Not "Geek" Enough
Review: I have to confess. I am just not "Geek" enough to fully appreciate this book. And while I have used Windows XP for years and have taught Windows usage, I found that there was only a couple of things in the book that I could actually use. Yes there was a wealth of information for those who dream of things to do to their Window's registry. And yes you can find lots of stuff to do to Windows XP that will make your little "geekie" heart go pitty-pat. But for this advanced computer -jockey, I'll just stay on the side-lines playing with the Power Toys for Windows XP Tweak UI program, the one program I found in the book that I felt I could use without blowing up my computer, and be glad I didn't do any damage to my computer.

Rating:
Summary: Wow! Great Advanced Tips
Review: I know my way around XP pretty well, so I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. What I found was great: dozens and dozens of hacks, tips, downloads and help. I wish this book had more than 100 hacks, because every one teaches me something. I hope the author comes out with a second edition.

Rating:
Summary: I'm hacked alright...
Review: I never would have believed I could be so stupid as to pay $24.95 for a book that is tantmount to one giant advertising insert. You know, like the junk mail and filler that you find in your mail box every week, or the Sunday paper. Garbage for the most part...the occassional hidden gem...found ONLY IF you are digging through with a fine tooth comb. This book has countless web sites listed with software "free to try, $xx.xx to buy if you like it" and not a whole lot more. I bought the book from a local bookseller, so paid full cover price, and have been kicking myself ever since.

Rating:
Summary: Best book about XP!
Review: I thought I knew everything there was to know about XP --- was I wrong! I've found something new on every page of this book. There's stuff about hacking the interface, wireless networks, keeping yourself safe on the Internet, cool email tricks, startup and shutdown...Even the toughest hacks are easy to follow, so it's not just for techies. And with each hack, you also learn how to apply it to other things, so you can figure out new hacks of your own. This is the best book I've bought on XP. I'd recommend it to anybody.

Rating:
Summary: Helps to become master of XP
Review: If you are using Windows XP and want to become the power user of XP Home or Professional, then definitely you should read this Book. Windows XP is one of the best OS from Microsoft, it was improved a lot in the areas of Music, Digital Photography, Personal Firewall, wireless, it is stable and secure compare to earlier Microsoft Windows OS.

But every user is not a power user of XP, but if you want to become a power user of XP OR if you want to get most from XP, then Windows XP Hacks books is for you. Author compiled and put together most useful 100 tips / tools / features with which you will get most of it.

This book covers a list of topics like Controlling Contral panel, removing uninstallable XP components, stopping pop-up ads, cookies, speed up downloads, protecting yourself using firewalls from viruses, Blocking Spam, how to boot / shutdown fast, tweaking Registry and much much more.

All the 100 tips grouped properly into following 12 chapters.

Startup and Shutdown

The User Interface
Windows Explorer
The Web
Networking
Email
The Registry
Basic Utilities
Applications
Graphics and Multimedia
System Performance
Hardware

It also explains what are the useful tools available on the Net for free/buy to hack Windows XP. One of the hack I liked most is, how to get POP3 for free for Yahoo.

You get all the tips to bend XP in your way, you will save quite a bit amount of time in searching Internet / Knowledge base to get your work done. I recommend for all users who use Windows XP.