Windows XP spawns tons of new how-to books
By MIKE BERMAN
Scripps Howard News Service
December 26, 2001

It's happening again!

Every time Uncle Bill releases a new product - whether it is a new operating system or new version of Office - I become buried in books. And the folks at the Pearson Technology Group (which used to be Macmillan Publishing) have done their best to continue with the tradition.

The release of Microsoft Windows XP in October spawned tons of titles, including:

- "Using Microsoft XP Home Edition Special Edition" ($49.95, Que Publishing) and "Using Microsoft XP Professional Edition Special Edition" ($49.99, Que) by Robert Cowart and Brian Kittle.

- "Windows XP Unleashed" ($49.99, SAMS Publishing) by Terry W. Ogletree.

- "How to Use Windows XP" ($29.99, SAMS) by Walter Glenn.

- "Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Windows XP: ($49.99, SAMS)

- "TechTV Microsoft Windows XP for Home Users" ($24.99, Que) by Jim Louderback.

- "Teach Yourself Windows XP in 24 Days" ($34.99, SAMS) by Jim Mueller.

Had enough? Now, bear in mind that this list does not include titles from Microsoft Press, McGraw Hill or any other major computer book publisher.

So, how does a confused and bemused PC user decide which is best for him (her)?

It isn't easy!

The publishers try to help by designating what type of user should be reading these books. Pearson lists them as Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. But some say Intermediate and Advanced or Beginner and Intermediate, etc. So, I'm here to clear all this up.

Beginners should consider "How to use Windows XP" or "TechTV Microsoft XP for Home Users."

"How to Use XP" is actually a visual guide to XP, featuring easy-to-follow color illustrations and simple language uncluttered by the tons of techno speak usually found in manuals and more advanced books. Other books in this series have covered everything from an introduction to PCs to using Dreamweaver 4.

Jim Louderback's book goes into a lot more detail for first-time users, dealing with everything from installing the product to setting up a home network. But it's his approach to the subject and his easy-going, conversational style of writing that makes this a must-read for beginners. It's as though he's right there with you, guiding you through the program's eccentricities.

"Peter Norton's Guide, Teach Yourself Windows XP" and the Home and Professional Special Editions are more for the intermediate computer user. Although they say they are geared toward beginners, I've discovered that you should really know "something" about using PCs before cracking the covers of these books. The title you choose will depend on the approach you want to take in conquering the program.

Norton's book is more of a reference tool than a teaching text. It gives you all the basics, as the others do, but I've found that it tends to stay on the shelf until I have a problem.

The other three titles - especially "Teach Yourself Windows XP"- actually guide you through the process of using the operating system, taking it for granted that you are comfortable around PCs. Of these I've found that the "Using" titles give you more of an insight into how things work within the program and why you should do certain things, although they do tend to generalize when it comes to more specific or unique problems you may have.

Now we come to the biggest and the best. Windows XP Unleashed is a monster of a tome, weighing in at several pounds. And, like other "Unleashed" titles, it is geared to the more advanced user.

This book covers everything related to using XP, ranging from problems you may encounter with installation to hardware conflicts. And, although it is one of the most comprehensive books on the subject available today, I still have found it lacking when I want specifics regarding my problems.

No matter which of these books you choose, I guarantee that you'll find them more comprehensive and more useful that the manual that came with XP.