WINDOWS VISTA for STARTERS
Title-Windows Vista for Starters The Missing Manual
Author-David Pogue
Published by O'Reilly Media, Inc.
1005Gravenstein Highway North
Sebastopol, CA 95472
3rd Printing 2007-08-20
Cost-$25.99 cdn

As with many computer software packages, Vista comes with no printed user guide. To learn about the software the operator must rely on the online help screen. As we all know this is at times most difficult especially for most of the more complicated pieces of software. The purpose of Windows Vista for Starters is “to serve as the start-up manual that should have accompanied Windows Vista.--- step-by-step instructions for using almost every important Windows feature.”
The book contains 408 pages divided into six Parts and an Index. The parts are:
The Very Basic
Welcome Center, Desktop, and the Start Menu
Files, Folders, and Windows
Searching and Organizing Your Files
Interior Decorating Vista
Appendix

Although I have used MS 95, 98, ME and XP, as a rule when I set up, for example, my Desktop, I usually leave it for some time before making a change. The same goes for many other aspects of the computer. Then when I wish to change or do something different I must search to find out how. Windows Vista for Starters is very good in this respect as it covers [I cannot say all because I do not know what all is] different ways you can carry out the various functions. For example you can show icons using your mouse or just the keys, the different ways of sending pictures on email, burning a CD or DVD, etc.

When I was going through the book's explanation on the step-by-step burning of a CD I could not follow the book's version as my computer would not act in the manner that was mentioned. I was able to burn a CD using Vista but had to modify the books explanation.

Although Vista for Starters was printed for the third time in August 2007 the example given for this function was identical to one that I found in another book on Vista that was printed much earlier. I wrote to the place mentioned in Vista for Starters and identified the discrepancy; however I have not heard back.

To say that I methodically went and tried every example would be telling a falsehood. I did not examine-faxing- as I am not connected, I did not look at Wireless as I do not have a wireless connection, and there are some examples that even a uneducated user such as I know ,changing font size for example. The book covers those things that come with your Vista software. It does not include other software that you may have such as Office, NERO, or Photoshop.

Those that are familiar with XP will find numerous examples how Vista is different.

The Appendix is comprehensive. It even includes how you can use your keyboard rather than the mouse to access the numerous areas within the PC.

My overall impression is that I would give Windows for Starters a rating of 8 out of 10. It is easy to read, generally easy to follow, and [other than one glitch] things go as illustrated.

As I use my Vista program more and more I intend to keep this book close at hand as I can see myself using it as a “how to” many times.

Bill Colotelo
Sarnia Computer User Group Member
Sept 2007

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