Some interesting titles for WinXP users who like easily digested information. As always, the people who devise books in the Dummies series know how to keep to the relevant facts, and titles in the Visual series from Maran make excellent use of illustrations to deliver information with a minimum of words.

Cleaning WinXP

It doesn't take long to accumulate junk, duplicate files, redundant programs, and stuff that has arrived without your knowledge. Cleaning Windows XP for Dummies is a guide to achieving a leaner, faster, better-protected system. It is surprisingly comprehensive and contains sound advice that may not be found elsewhere. One of the key areas of housekeeping is the Registry; a chapter explains its ins and outs, how to edit entries, and how to use registry cleaning software. Another chapter deals with doing a WinXP reinstall when things have gone badly wrong.

Readers don't need any technical knowledge to use this book, but it will leave them with a good understanding of how WinXP works, and what does what. There is a very good, and sensible, discussion of system update considerations for those who think it is time to buy new hardware to go with WinXP.

Apart from advice on how to reduce gunk, streamline Windows, speed up the file system, and so on, the book addresses the problems created by being connected to the Internet: managing e-mail, cookies, and security (viruses, spam, spyware, and pop-ups).

A well designed coverage of cleaning WinXP that should be on the bookshelf of ordinary users. A resource that could save you money and anxiety.

Allen Wyatt: Cleaning Windows XP for Duiranies ISBN 0-7645-7549-X Published by Wiley, 338 pp RRP $39.95 incl. GST

Visual Guide To Winxp Multimedia

The full title of this book is Teach Yourself Visually Windows XP—Special Media Edition. It covers digital cameras, scanners, Windows Media Player, down loading and recording audio files, Internet radio stations, playing DVDs, movie maker, downloading and recording video files, playing XP  games, and working with image files and video clips.

The format is graphical: detailed illustrations with few words. It is ideal for novices who want to get on with doing multimedia things, and who don't want to struggle with technical explanations and tutorials. The full-colour illustrations and overall design are excellent; the book is printed on heavy gloss paper that gives it the look of a high-class magazine. If you want an easy introduction to WinXP's multimedia features, from burning CDs to making movies, this is well worth having.

An attractive and useful guide that is particularly suitable for novices and those users who want a quick and effective explanation of how to do things. It is also a good foundation for those who want to develop a higher skill level.

Sherry Kinkoph: Teach Yourself Visually Windows XI —Special Media Edition ISBN 0-7645-5716-5 Published by Wiley, 275 pp RRP $38.95 incl. GST

Windows Mobile 2003

Windows Mobile 2003 is the latest version of Windows CE 4.2 , which was developed for PDAs and pocket PCs. Maran (an imprint of John Wiley) has released Master Visually Windows Mobile 2003, which is described as "The complete visual reference". The format differs from that of the Maran multimedia title above; the illustrations are not in colour, and there is more text.

The back cover says, "If you prefer instructions that show you how rather than tell you why, then this comprehensive reference is for you". That is a good description of the book: it shows how, and it is comprehensive. Each chapter opens with a concise statement about a topic (for example, "View a Slide show" explains what the 'slide show' feature does) and then deals with the detail in Q&A format. Excellent annotated screen shots illustrate the items.

The authors appear to have covered every aspect of Mobile 2003, using to good effect an innovative format. The book is in parts: Getting Started; Personal and System Settings; Connection Settings; and applications. The detailed table of contents and a well-designed index make information easy to find.

The book is worth looking at just for the way in which information is presented. A great example of bringing design and content together.

Bill Landon and Matthew Miller: Master Visually Windows Mobile 2003 ISBN 0-7645-5889-7 Published by Wiley, 313 RRP $38.95 incl. GST

WinXP Time-Saving Techniques
 
The release of Service Pack 2 (SP2) has sparked a flush of second edition WinXP books. Windows XP Timesaving Techniques for Dummies assumes the reader knows how to use WinXP, knows the difference between XP Home Edition and Pro, and appreciates that XP has undergone some version changes (especially with SP2). Readers are not expected to have any special expertise.

The object of the book is to show ordinary users how to use `pro' techniques that will save time and effort. There are seventy-two `techniques' that are grouped in categories: installation/setup; creating a lean and clean operating system; getting XP to work your way; Internet and email; musical (media player, burning CDs, transferring music to MP3, etc.); visual media (photos, video, scanners, cameras); networking; security; maintenance (updating WinXP and drivers, periodical maintenance, backups, help); disaster recovery; and working with the registry.

Each item is a tutorial preceded by a brief explanation of the particular issues. There are helpful screen shots that support the clearly written step- by-step instructions.

WinXP is more complex than its predecessors, partly because of the need to improve security and partly because of Microsoft's attempts to reduce piracy — and a move towards renting rather than selling software.

This title is an impressive collection of information that will be of practical value to all users. Apart from improved productivity, there is sound advice on how to deal with problems that may arise during updates, such as the application of SP2. A great guide to customising WinXP and, while not set up as a troubleshooting guide, it is worth having as a resource for dealing with problems. Very good value.
 

Reprinted from the October 2005 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia

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