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Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide |  | Author: William Stanek
Publisher: O'Reilly Media
Category: Book
List Price: $49.99
Buy Used: $1.28
as of 3/11/2010 19:52 EST details
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New (37) Used (27) from $1.28
Seller: thrift_books
Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 598827
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Pages: 944
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.2
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 7.2 x 2
ISBN: 0596528000
Dewey Decimal Number: 005.446
EAN: 9780596528003
ASIN: 0596528000
Publication Date: February 26, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Whether you're a beginner, power user, or seasoned professional, Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide has everything you need to customize the operating system, master your digital media, manage your data, and maintain your computer -- regardless of which Windows Vista edition you're using. Why this book and not some other resource? Bestselling author and Windows expert William Stanek doesn't just teach you the steps you need to follow, he also tells you how features work, why they work, and how you can customize them to meet your needs. You'll learn how to squeeze out every last bit of power out of Windows Vista, and how to make the most out of its features and programs, including how to:
- Set up, customize and tune Windows Vista - Optimize its appearance and performance; install, configure and maintain software; customize your hardware; and install printers, scanners and faxes
- Manage your files - Search your computer more efficiently; secure your files and data; share and collaborate; and get the most out of accessories such as the Mobility Center
- Master your digital media - Create media libraries with Media Player; manage digital pictures and videos with Photo Gallery; make DVDs with DVD Maker; and create movies with Movie Maker
- Get connected and start networking - Set up a home or small-office network; learn to use Windows Mail, Calendar, and Meeting Space; conquer Internet Explorer 7; and master on-the-go networking
- Protect your computer - Keep your family safe while on the Internet; set up parental controls and content ratings; navigate the computer security maze; configure Windows Vista's security features
- Manage and support Windows Vista systems - Deal with user accounts, disks and drives; handle routine maintenance and troubleshooting; and resolve advanced support and recovery issues
- Learn advanced tips & techniques - Manage the Windows boot environment, explore Group Policy, discover keyboard shortcuts, and much more
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
 Aarrrgggrrrhhh! Even $11 is too much! January 31, 2010
Sandra (London, UK)
Okay, I confess, I did this as a job for 15 years: Make computer do as I say, not the other way around; Vista included, Win 7 is already in the 'behavioural adjustment mill'. And I'm already used to calling upon its makers and them not being able to answer my questions, being I've tried all their suggestions before calling.
Still, I expected more from this massive chunk of paper - I was mislead to think it was for people like me, who find more on forums than in here! This is NOT definitive. It's 'definitively' large and heavy. I picked up a copy for £7.50 (about $11) and I'm already only really glad it's in such great condition that I'll be able to sell it on at no loss.
How do you install Vista. I don't know about the book, but I tend to insert the DVD - if it's pre-installed, I roll up my sleeves and get uninstalling uselessnesses put there by vendors (usually involving the odd row with one or two of them about registry-cleaning routines they don't like releasing).
How do I find the world Bluetooth in the index? I look in a different book - or should I not look under 'B'? So, okay, I have a laptop with a Bluetooth port on it - do they come without? That's a 'definitive' lack! That one last question I had, on my bluetooth settings, I'll dig up somewhere - but then, what did I get the book for?
---
I'll be honest: I know a lot of people who can benefit from this book. In fact, I may not even sell it on, but post it to a good friend whose Vista is bugging her a lot.
The book
- is clean
- well organized
- has a lot for the accomplished user in it
- is written in a chummy style...
...and Mr Stanek knows quite something about Vista, which means that what he suggests is (usually) workable and not so bad, just that he doesn't suggest what to do with this one little bluetooth-nag :-).
But this is not the power-user's bible to forcing Vista down on its knees. And Vista has some stubborn legs, it's standing on; sort of a robocop of operating systems: "Don't you tweak around with me; I'll be bäck!".
You need quite an arsenal of weaponry to win against Vista. Sadly, I'm already done, and now that I'm sitting here with this book - for it was cheap - I find myself thinking, 'yeah, and nasty... oh, ball, I was really hoping this guy'd help me get this thing to run a tad slicker, still'. But I was to be wronged.
Either that's it for Vista and that's all one can do or there's another book out there that gives you more. Maybe it was my fault. If your Vista isn't cluttered and runs smoothly, don't make my mistake and get this book in the hope that you can polish its lacquer (Vista's, not the book's) a tad more. Not with this book, anyway...
***
Three Stars because it's a good all-round book for many intermediate to advanced users, and the daring beginners, too. But not more stars, coz to me it's worth about one...
A good effort gone wrong - or maybe the book just takes after the OS it's written for. Only, that I find Vista - whilst hellishly narcissitic and a bit of a clever-clog (not quite unlike myself ;-) - quite 'beatable', and this book's not giving me any new angles for another 'Tweak-Attack'. And that frustrates me :-(.
$$$
Okay, I've changed my mind; it's okay for $11...
 Excellent book and the Best I've found April 12, 2009
Jodi F. (USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Not sure why anyone would say this isn't a good book when it's so excellent. You can't blame an author for Vista's shortcomings. This book has answered my every question and is by far the best I've found. Also the reason I bought this book originally was that it was recommended by Library Journal. Not only did Library Journal recommend this book, but they recommended it over all other Windows Vista books.
 Pitiful April 8, 2009
William B. Swift (Cumberland, MD, USA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Yes, this book is huge and has lots of information. Unfortunately, it is poorly organized and I have not been able to find ANY of the problems I've tried to find answers to in this book. I have been using Vista for a year and a half now, and bought this book shortly after I bought the computer; I am getting rid of Vista, I have gotten tired of trying to make things work that worked fine in Win98 and XP; and this book has been no help at all. Maybe, if I were to sit down and read this massive tome cover to cover I would learn something that would help, but I have better things to do with hundreds of hours of my time.
A GREAT buy! November 6, 2008
Larry Ng (Woodland, CA USA)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Truly, the definitive guide and so much better than Missing Manual or Inside Out. Weighin in at 922 pages, the book covers nearly everything you need to know about Windows Vista at home or at the office. Stanek has a unique gift for expressing complex details clearly and concisely. I love his no nonsense approach. He goes into great depth and tells the reader not only how but why and when to use certain settings. My copy of this book has so many dog-eared pages I bought a second copy. I would definitely recommend it, even if you already have several Windows Vista books because this is the only you are likely to use the most.
Not on the same level as Stanek's other books September 28, 2008
Jerry Saperstein (Evanston, IL USA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
I really like William R. Stanek. Some of his books are frequent references for me. Sad to say, though, I think he blew it on this one.
Exclusive of the index, there are 889 pages here and a lot of information. The problem is that a lot of the information is essentially useless for the user experienced with Windows XP who is simply transitioning to Vista.
The organization of material is awful - and the index (or more precisely, the lack thereof) is a disaster.
For example, Stanek describes the Personal Folder, the replacement for a number of Windows fixtures like My Documents, on page 26. Fine and dandy. But there is nothing in the book that I have found about connecting other folders with the Personal Folder. Let's say that you want to keep your documents on the D: drive instead of C:. As far as I can tell, Stanek doesn't tell you how. It's not in the index and I was unable to find it in the book.
Way too much of the book seems oriented to the new user. Sections like "How Does the Operating System Obtain Driver Updates" and "Viewing Installed Hardware" or "Setting up your speakers" just don't offer much to the experienced user.
Like I said, I own a number of other Stanek titles and swear by them. This one is more suitable for swearing at.
A much better guide to Windows Vista is Windows Vista: The Missing Manual by Dvid Pogue.
Jerry
Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
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