Sarasota PC Monitor


Windows Vista, The Missing Manual

A Book Review
by Herb Goldstein
Member of the Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc.

It needs to be made clear that this review is not an endorsement to replace or upgrade Windows XP with Vista, something we have found no compelling reason to do. But many of you either by design or by virtue of buying a new computer will wind up with Vista. Is is to you that this enlightenment is offered.

When Windows XP came along, I searched for a book that would open the XP doors in a powerful, yet easy to digest manual. With some recommendations from a few of our members, I found it...Windows XP The Missing Manual; The Book That Should Have Been In The Box, by the well-known New York Times computer columnist, David Pogue.. It was superb!

Not to outdone by Windows Vista, Pogue has collaborated with several other popular computer columnists that include another of my all-time favorites, Preston Gralla, to complete "The Missing Manual" for Vista. It is very truly the book that should have been in the Box!

If you are even thinking about Vista, this is without question a must have. It is the best thing out there to familiarize yourself easily with the new operating system. This dynamite 827 Page, 27 chapter, 4 indexes manual does not miss a trick. It contains everything you need to know, use and learn in Vista without omitting anything. Every page is replete with screen captures of Vista and simple, step-by-step instructions on understanding and mastering its many features.

Without question, this is the book to get. It is easily the most informative book on Vista which it covers from A to Z, from the very basics to complete networking. It is written in an easy to understand style that will not leave even computer neophytes behind, truly everyman's manual and likely the only one you may ever need or want on Vista. You should also be aware that Microsoft does not include a single written page in the Vista box. Unless you are a psychic, this manual is essential!

The book includes tips and tricks for each of Vista's new programs: Photo Gallery, Internet Explorer 7, Mail, Media Center, DVD Maker, the Sidebar, speech recognition, games, Windows Meeting Space, and more.

It lists for $35 and can be obtained from its well-known publisher at discount for our user group members. Get 35% off from O'Reilly when you purchase direct from them including any of their other titles as well. Free ground shipping on orders of $29.95 or more in the US is included. Just use code DSUG when ordering online or by phone, 800-998-9938.

Windows Vista, The Missing Manual by David Pogue

ISBN-10: 0-596-52827-0 :


Copyright 2007. This article is from the February 2007 issue of the Sarasota PC Monitor, the official monthly publication of the Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc., P.O. Box 15889, Sarasota, FL 34277-1889. Permission to reprint is granted only to other non-profit computer user groups, provided proper credit is given to the author and our publication. We would appreciate receiving a copy of the publication the reprint appears in, please send to above address, Attn: Editor. For further information about our group, email: admin@spcug.org/ Web: http://www.spcug.org/

The Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc. has 1,100+ members and was established in 1982. We are members of the Assoc. of PC User Groups (APCUG), the Florida Assoc. of PC Users Groups, Inc., and we are members of the America Online Ambassador Program.

See http://www.spcug.org for all reviews from the Sarasota PC Monitor, go to the Newsletter Section.


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