* For the millions who already know the basics of Microsoft Windows, this handy reference shows how to make it work faster and better through quick, easy-to-follow lessons loaded with screen shots and step-by-step instructions * Explores more than sixty Windows XP tasks, including customizing the Windows desktop, protecting online privacy, creating CDs and DVDs with Windows XP, working with the Outlook Express e-mail client, dealing with digital photos and video, and setting up a home network * Along with the normal Windows tools, Windows XP is packed with rich media features and networking options previously available only through separate software packages; this book helps readers make the most of these exciting additions * Author is one of the best-known gurus for first-time PC users, and maintains a Web site and e-mail subscriptions that reach more than 500,000 readers weekly
You have to be suspicious of any book the promises to save you time. "Relative to what?" is the reasonable challenge. Too many books that promise time savings assume that you're oafing along, unaware of, say, the possibility of right-clicking, and assume they're doing you a favor by enlightening you to techniques that are well-known to almost everyone. Windows XP Timesaving Techniques for Dummies is not like that. It's carefully researched and well presented. Some of its tricks are of questionable utility--though it is cool to adjust the Windows Registry so your Minesweeper score puts you in a league with well-known Dustin Hoffman characters--but most of them really will enable you to use your Windows XP Professional computer more efficiently and productively. Aware that many people who use Windows XP Professional are in organizational computing environments that allow only administrators to adjust certain properties, Woody Leonhard notes when this characteristic of Windows XP may hamper your ability to carry out his tricks. Otherwise, techniques usually consist of a series of steps to follow, along with a screen shot showing the effect where possible. Everything is clear and easy to follow, and fun in the Dummies tradition. There are about 70 tips in this book. Compare it with O'Reilly's Windows XP Hacks. --David Wall Topics covered: How to make Windows XP Professional run better, and in closer accordance with your work style. Tips cover interface customization, power management, obscure shortcut tricks, multimedia, and automating the operation of system-optimization utilities. There's good coverage of the TweakUI interface customizer, too.
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