Windows XP The Complete Reference
ISBN 0-07-219297-6

Richard Price
2 April 2002

I can’t help thinking John Levine’s Windows XP The Complete Reference should have the word beginner in its title.

Covering both Home and Pro versions of Windows XP this 1070 page book is easy to understand and well written, but tends to favour the Home edition. It does not provide the sort of detail I would expect from a “complete reference”.

Anyone new to computers or Windows XP will find this a useful book. It contains the sort of stuff you would expect from a decent manual if only Microsoft would provide one.

There is information on all the new features of Windows XP, including installing and upgrading using Wizards; setting up the desktop and configuring devices; working with text, numbers and pictures; networking with Windows XP; and even some techniques for maximising performance.

The book also covers connecting to the Internet with dial-up, DSL, and cable Internet accounts, sharing connections with other computers and using the built-in firewall.

Recently I experienced problems trying to network a computer running Windows 98 with one running XP Pro. There was nothing in this book that proved helpful, and I am beginning to think XP and 98 do not mix well together.

Sections on burning CDs using Microsoft’s integrated software or installing scanners are very short and contain comments such as “follow the Wizard’s instructions and wait” or “the rest of the installation happens automatically”.

Anyone familiar with Windows would know that although Wizards usually do the job for you, things can go wrong. An IT professional looking for more solid, detailed information will find this book lacking in substance.

The accompanying CD is a digital version of the book. This can be accessed using any browser. The CD is in HTML format and full of hyperlinks but can only be searched using the Windows search feature.

Price: AU$54.50
www.angusrobertson.com.au