BKWNXPSV.RVW   20041223

"Microsoft Windows XP Simply Visual", Faithe Wempen, 2005,
0-7821-4394-6, U$24.99/C$34.95/UK#17.99
%A   Faithe Wempen
%C   1151 Marina Village Parkway, Alameda, CA   94501
%D   2005
%G   0-7821-4394-6
%I   Sybex Computer Books
%O   U$24.99/C$34.95/UK#17.99 800-227-2346 Fax: 510-523-2373
%O  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0782143946/robsladesinterne
  http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0782143946/robsladesinte-21
%O   http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0782143946/robsladesin03-20
%O   tl n rl 1 tc 2 ta 1 tv 2 wq 1
%P   443 p.
%T   "Microsoft Windows XP Simply Visual"

The introduction notes that this is a graphically oriented guide.  It
also lists some differences between the Home and Pro versions,
although these distinctions are later ignored in some of the promises
made towards the end of the section.

Part one is supposed to deal with files and folders.  Chapter one
outlines the basic components on the screen, takes a terse look at
Startup procedures, and Shutdown.  Parts of a window or dialogue box
are described in chapter two.  Chapters three and four essentially
discuss aspects of Windows Explorer, although it is not always
referenced that way.  The allusion to distinct aspects, depending upon
how the program is invoked, may be easier for complete novices to
understand initially, but it may create problems for later work or
use.

Part two is, to a limited extent, about running programs.  Chapter
five demonstrates how to start some programs, and describes some of
the utilities included with XP, such as Notepad and Calculator. 
"Installing New Programs," in chapter six, mostly tells you how to
remove some standard applications, which could actually lead to
problems.  There is also a brief look at Windows Update.  The Start
menu and shortcuts are illustrated in chapter seven.

Part three turns to multimedia.  The use of scanners and webcams is
outlined in chapter eight.  Windows Media Player has the obligatory
chapter in nine, while ten concentrates mostly on Movie Maker.

Part four turns to customizing the system.  The usual screen and
desktop appearance parameters are listed in chapter eleven.  Twelve
looks at a variety of settings, such as those affecting the mouse or
alert sounds.  Printer and font adjustments are in thirteen.  Fourteen
has a cursory review of user accounts.

Networking, and Internetworking, are the topics in part five.  Chapter
fifteen gives you not quite enough information to set up a home
network, in most cases.  Sixteen walks you through the dialogue boxes
to set up a dialup connection to the Internet.  Internet Explorer is
described in seventeen, and Outlook Express (as well as Windows
Messenger) in eighteen.  Some of the options for those programs (and
the XP firewall) are listed in chapter nineteen.

Part six reviews maintenance.  Chapter twenty notes the disk scanning
and cleanup tools.  Chapter twenty-one is a bit of a grab bag, with
the most space given to System Restore and Remote Assistance.  The Add
New Hardware wizard is outlined in chapter twenty-two.

This is a fairly standard introduction, and does not go beyond the
basic tasks.  It will get a novice user started, but will not give the
same level of background that a work like "Windows XP Personal
Trainer" (cf. BKWNXPPT.RVW) does.  The additional preparation may take
a bit longer for the newcomer to get through, but it will pay off
later in terms of a quicker advance into more sophisticated use of the
machine.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 2004   BKWNXPSV.RVW   20041223