How to Use Microsoft Windows XP
by Jack Merrill

This book would be good for a first time user of Windows XP and as a reference book for the rest of us.
The contents are comprehensive and well organized. Most tasks are described in no more than 7 steps.
The book is simply and clearly laid out. The illustrations are colorful. A glossary and index are included.
Installing XP on a blank hard disk is covered step by step as is installing XP as an upgrade to a previous
version of Windows. It details how to activate XP but does not try to explain why Microsoft thinks this
necessary to fight piracy. You'll learn how to create and name restore points before doing any significant
upgrade to hardware or software. If the installation is unstable or unsatisfactory you can return the system
to a restore point.
Only three criticisms of the book are worth mentioning: the colorful screenshots would be more readable
if they were larger, and neither Wordpad nor remote assistance are covered.
All the basics and many details of windows, the desktop, files, folders, printing and using a mouse are
explained. Many of us fail to backup our data files adequately. XP provides - and this book elaborates o
n - good methods of file and system backup.
Music and movie making are features of XP that will be attractive to many people. Finding music on the
Internet and recording it are discussed. Working with digital pictures as either filmstrips or slide shows
are detailed. A CD burner is included. Setting up networks and sharing files and printers are covered.
Other topics include synchronizing files between a notebook and a desktop, sharing an Internet connection,
Windows Messenger, and publishing a file to the Web.

How to Use Microsoft Windows XP by Walter Glenn. 2001. SAMS. $30. 304 pages.
www.samspublishing.com