Rating: 
Summary: Good overall coverage of XP from a user perspective...
Review: (This is a review of the 2nd edition)
I've been an XP holdout for awhile now. My personal machines are all using W2K, and I'm perfectly happy with it. But I'll be buying a new desktop unit pretty soon, and at least part of the box will be running XP. I'll need a good reference book, and so I decided to review Windows XP Bible (2nd Edition) by Alan Simpson. While I know a lot of what's in there, there is some value for me.
Section List: Getting Started; Customizing Windows XP; Managing Files and Folders; Printing and Faxing; Securing Your System; Power Using the Internet; Using and Creating Digital Media; Installing and Removing Programs; Installing, Using, and Troubleshooting Hardware; Performance and Maintenance Issues; Home and Small-Business Networking; Appendixes; Index
Normally I'd list each of the chapters, but there's 64 of them. It'd take too long, and Amazon probably would reject the review for being over the word limit... :-)
The author calls this an intermediate/advanced book, as he assumes some basic computing skills before you get into the book. I'm thinking that a fair amount of the material is still beginner level stuff if you've worked with Windows at all in your life. That's not to say you can't learn some new tricks along the way, but explanations of files and folders is pretty basic. Having said that, the book doesn't stay at that level. The chapters on networking, digital media, and firewalls will get some attention from me when I get my new machine. Likewise, I'll also be closely reading the parts on system restore, performance tuning, and driver/device management. There are features in XP in those areas that I'm not up to speed on...
Simpson covers a lot of ground in this book. There's something in here for nearly everyone but the long-time XP user or the hard-core Microsoft techie. This is one of those books that will used for a lot of first-line research. The answer will probably often be found in these pages. If not, you can always resort to Google. :-) Good stuff, and worth owning.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Book For Begineers
Review: I bought this book thinking it would cover everything and anything about windows XP. I was wrong and it took me about the first ten pages to realize the book was going to cover only the very basics of XP. The book is mainly for begineers and does not go into the depths of windows XP. Do not buy the book if you have a basic understanding of windows XP. I would say that this book is for absolute begineers only.
Rating: 
Summary: If you don't know what a mouse is, this is for you
Review: I have used the bible books befor, and they have always proven to be useful reference books. They provide hints, and examples. Anyone who has any knowledge of how to use a computer, will not need this book.
Rating:
Summary: If you don't know what a mouse is, this is for you
Review: I have used the bible books before, and they have always proven to be useful reference books. They provide hints, and examples. Anyone who has any knowledge of how to use a computer, will not need this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Windows xp bible
Review: I picked this book up because I was looking for details on Microsofts "latest and greatest." I have to admit I should have done more research.
This book is probably suitable for someone new to windows(any flavor) and computers. It is full of basic information and is well written,
however if you have no difficulties maneuvering in previous versions of Windows or consider yourself a poweruser...look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Childrens Bible perhaps...
Review: I picked this book up because I was looking for details on Microsofts "latest and greatest." I have to admit I should have done more research.
This book is probably suitable for someone new to windows(any flavor) and computers. It is full of basic information and is well written,
however if you have no difficulties maneuvering in previous versions of Windows or consider yourself a poweruser...look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Hardly a 'bible'
Review: I've found some of Alan Simpson's earlier books useful, but his Windows XP Bible is a disappointment. If you're fairly new to Windows, then you'll probably find it useful, as it provides a good introduction to the new operating system. But this is hardly an XP 'bible'. It's extraordinarily light on for details, insights or advanced tips. It was also written while XP was still very much in beta testing, so there are large holes and even some incorrect information. Had it been called A Beginner's Introduction to XP I'd have given it the thumb's up; as it is, this book is something of a sham. Experienced Windows users seeking info on XP should look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Reference Book
Review: The Windows XP Bible is an excellent reference book and "how to" book for newbie and somewhat experienced computer owners. If you have never used a computer before and need to know "everything", from how to correctly turn the computer on and off, setting preferences for the desktop, mouse, and more; connecting to the Internet and how to brows the Web, how to create e-mail; opening programs and documents, doing maintenance and general tweaking, installing programs, and a plethora of other necessary information, this is the book for you. I have been an avid computer user for five years and purchased the "Windows 95 Uncut" book when I got my first computer, when I upgraded to Windows 98 I purchased the "Windows 98 Bible", now that I have a new computer with Windows XP I am using the "Windows XP Bible". This book is never far from my computer, although I can navigate easily through Windows XP just from my previous experience, there will be times when I need to tweak, or find something specific and this book will get me to that point in a comprehensive way.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Reference Book
Review: The Windows XP Bible is an excellent reference book and "how to" book for newbie and somewhat experienced computer owners. If you have never used a computer before and need to know "everything", from how to correctly turn the computer on and off, setting preferences for the desktop, mouse, and more; connecting to the Internet and how to brows the Web, how to create e-mail; opening programs and documents, doing maintenance and general tweaking, installing programs, and a plethora of other necessary information, this is the book for you. I have been an avid computer user for five years and purchased the "Windows 95 Uncut" book when I got my first computer, when I upgraded to Windows 98 I purchased the "Windows 98 Bible", now that I have a new computer with Windows XP I am using the "Windows XP Bible". This book is never far from my computer, although I can navigate easily through Windows XP just from my previous experience, there will be times when I need to tweak, or find something specific and this book will get me to that point in a comprehensive way.
Rating:
Summary: Too bad it doesn't come in Large-Print edition.
Review: This book seems like it is written for someone who has just been given their first computer by their grandchild. I have been using Windows 98 for 4 years and i feel fairly comfortable with my knowledge of the system. I purchased this book because i wanted to upgrade to Windows XP. THIS BOOK TAUGHT ME NOTHING! I have read other Windows Bibles by Alan Simpson and have found them useful; however, that is not the case with this book. I have several criticisms of this book: 1- I read Window 98 Bible 4 years ago and am now upgrading to Windows XP. This book contains almost no new information and is in many ways, almost identical to the one i read 4 years ago. 2- The information it does contain is so basic and in many ways unrelated specifically to Windows XP. The first 200 pages are devoted to explaining what a mouse is, the difference between a monitor and a keyboard, how to click on an icon and close a window, and how to read and send an e-mail. 3- The information it does contain about Windows XP is so elementary and devoid of any detail. For instance, while describing a particular concept, the author will show a picture of a dialog box, then, under it, list all the tabs in the dialog box, followed by a one-sentence description of what each tab is. There is no explanation of the many choices within each tab and menu, nor any discussion of what the myriad of functions actually do. In summary, if you have ever had a computer before with a Windows 95 or later and are fairly comfortable using it - especially if you have read one of the Windows Bible books before - you will not learn anything, at all from this book. It is basically a carbon copy of the previous Windows Bibles, containing the most elementary, undetailed information about the Windows operating system, and even less information specific to Window XP. However, if your grandson just gave you your first computer and he doesn't have the time to show you how to use it, then this just might be the book for you. It even tells you where the 'On button' is. (Just make sure he didn't give you an i-mac!)
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