Windows XP Killer Tips

Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected, but still has some value
Review: I appreciate the enthusiasm with which Kleber Stephenson has written this book, and his tips are concise, and generally are of good quality, BUT...this book was definitely written with an absolute beginner in mind. This is the type of book I would hand to my father-in-law (and I probably will), so he can learn the basics of getting WinXP to do what he wants. I was hoping for something with heft, and insider tips, but 95% of what Kleber had to offer I already knew.

In addition, I have some serious complaints:
1. Kleber has included a series of "annoying tricks" as he calls them. These are things he says you can do to other people's computers to drive them batty. This is just not right. You just DON'T mess with another person's personal settings.

2. Kleber tells his users to not send error reports back to Microsoft. He says that Microsoft doesn't need to know about errors, but THEY SHOULD. This is one of the best things Microsoft has done so far. By receiving errors, they can fix problems in their products, which will make Windows work better, and faster, and will make it crash less. Please, if you buy, and follow this book, at least disregard this advice.

3. Kleber also suggests that people turn off the Auto-Update function of XP. While I agree that we shouldn't let XP just automatically update our PC without our intervention, there is a third option, that lets XP tell you there are Updates to download, which you then install manually. This is a nice middle ground. If it weren't for the Auto-Update, most people's computers, like my father-in-law's (sorry Dad!) would never get the essential security patches it needs, at least until I trundle to his house and provide tech support. Again, don't follow Kleber's advice on this one.

So essentially, my review is this:
If you're a beginner, and you'd like to learn some good ways to customize your PC to your own tastes, then this is a good book to own. If you're already familiar with XP, steer clear of this book, as you'll not learn much new.

Rating:
Summary: Very fun and interesting
Review: I have to admit that I was expecting a rather long and boring exposition on how to get the most out of your operating system (akin to some of the Linux books I've read). Quite to my surprise, this book was both easy and fun to read. While serious XP users will be familiar with many of the tips out lined in the book, there is a section on advanced tips (most of which are registry hacks), which are quite interesting.

The book consists of several hundred tips relating directly to the use and look of your Windows XP OS. Almost every tip takes up a fourth of the page, and consists of a description of the tip as well as an appropriate screen shot. The book actually reads like a cookbook, which is great for this type of book. Simply flip to the section you are interested in, and browse the title of each tip until you find the one you want.

The tips range from registry hacks (pretty much changing the behavior of Windows), to information on working with Media Player, tips on searching, XP annoyances, and general information on getting the most from your computer. Some of the easier tips include how to arrange or customize your toolbar, adding quick launch icons, and changing an file's icon. Some intermediate tips include adding a short cut icon to shut down or switch users, and how to use some of Windows XP's hidden programs. More advanced tips range from tricks you can do to annoy your co-workers (hide all desktop icons, switch the right and left mouse buttons, etc.) to how to make the label of "My Computer" be dynamic based on who is logged in.

This book is written for beginning to intermediate Windows XP users. The tips and tricks contained in this book will be very valuable to this audience. The book was easy to read and easy to find information.

Rating:
Summary: fun to read
Review: if you use XP everyday, no Linux, this book is certainly fun to read to get some useful tips

Rating:
Summary: YES, YES, YES
Review: This book will never leave my desk. This is the Windows book that I've always been looking for. I'm floored by the amount of info given. Buy Windows XP Killer Tips then throw every other Windows book you own away. The email tips "Bcc Is Better" and "Give Me Directions" (how to get a map to contacts addresses from inside Outlook Express) alone made buying the book worth it for me, and the speed tips chapter I'm trying my best to commit to memory. This is a very smart book, and you can tell the author is someone who really uses Windows and knows how to get the most from it.

Rating:
Summary: Killer review for Killer Tips
Review: This is the most insightful book I have ever had the pleasure to read. I use this book as a tool, It makes me feel like a pro!! I have read other books in the past and most make you more confused. I love the way the author puts everything into perspective, it really helps a ton.This book is a must have to everyone with Windows XP.

Rating:
Summary: What A Great Book!
Review: What a great book! I haven't been able to put it down! I own a few XP books and I learned more about XP in the first chapter of Kleber's book than all of my other books combined. This book is packed with nothing but useful information. I honestly learned something from every page. And what a great read. If you've ever read any computer book then you know it can be almost painful. Kleber's book offers over 400 great tips. That's it! He explains how to do things in XP in a single paragraph not four pages.

I took it to my office the first day I received it and had to almost fight to get it back. I know a couple of co-workers went looking for the book that day but the local bookstores (at least the ones on Boylston) didn't have it in yet. I almost wish I had kept the book to myself.

I highly recommend this book to anyone! If you're new to XP, you'll feel like a pro in no time. If you're familiar with XP you'll learn things you never knew. And, if you're an XP expert, Kleber's book will refresh your memory and show you once again why Windows is the best OS on the Planet. Personally, I consider myself a fairly advanced user of Windows. Kleber's book kind of made me realize that maybe I didn't know as much as I thought I did, but I know it now.

Whatever you ever wanted to do in XP it's probably in here. And, Kleber covers more than just XP's OS. He's written chapters with great info on Internet Explorer, Media Player, Outlook Express and Movie Maker 2 (great chapter!). So, if you need a book on XP, Windows XP Killer Tips is the one!