The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group PC Annoyances - for the bookshelf Major Keary |
The second edition of O'Reilly's PC Annoyances catches up with WinXP SP2; when
the author
talks about "PC" he means a PC running Windows XP SP2, but also picks up topics
such as Gmail, iTunes, and the latest on wireless networking. On the page that
usually carries author acknowledgments is, "I want to thank Bill Gates, his
Microsofties, and the entire Redmond Empire. Without them, this book wouldn't be
possible (or even necessary).".
Titles in O'Reilly's Annoyances series used to be in the same physical format as
the Nutshell books. They now have a larger page format (247 x 204 mm) and a less
formal typographic design. However, the cheery, irreverent presentation is still
there, the content is just as factual, and readers will strike information that
is not found elsewhere. In PC Annoyances the coverage is not primarily hardware
issues; the annoyance/fix entries are grouped in chapters: Email Annoyances;
Windows Annoyances; Internet Annoyances; Microsoft Office Annoyances; Windows
Explorer Annoyances; Music, Video and CD Annoyances; and Hardware Annoyances.
A common format is used throughout the book: The Annoyance, a brief statement of
a problem or irritation, followed by The Fix, which is a clearly written
tutorial-style explanation of how to resolve the problem. Interspersed with the
annoyance/fix entries are boxed items that add further information and tips. The
text is well supported by screen shots.
A great resource for anyone who mans a help desk or otherwise fields questions
about PC/Windows problems. At the price it is good value for all levels of user;
information is easy to find with a detailed table of contents and
well crafted index. The informal style makes it a great browse, even when you
are not being annoyed.
| Steve Bass: PC Annoyances 2/e
ISBN 0-596-00882-1 Published by O'Reilly, 230 pp., RRP $39.95 incl. GST |
 |
Reprinted from the December 2005 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
