Mastering Windows XP Professional

Today, I left my copy of Mastering Windows XP Professional at home, so I went to the XP help, Microsoft.com and other internet sites looking for the answer to a very simple question:How do I configure XP to accept Remote Desktop connections?After wasting nearly an hour unsuccessfully looking for the answer to this very simple question, I started looking for Mark's book on my colleagues' bookshelves. I found a copy, and in the time it took to look up "Remote Desktop Connection" in the index and then flip to p. 484, I had my answer.Why do I bother ever trying to use any other source?Minasi rocks!No matter how simple or how complex the issue, Mark's books offer clear and accurate explanations. There's no better source for the material he covers available anywhere, at any price.You can't go wrong buying anything from Mark Minasi, and this book is no exception.

Over 900 pages of information designed to advance an intermediate Windows XP Professional user to the limits of advanced use. By the time you close the cover on this title, there won't be any unfamiliar areas to you. The author has done a great job of extensively covering the majority of the OS without crossing the line from advanced user to IT Administrator.Ninety six pages of full color screenshots marks the beginning of the book - all before you even start Chapter one. The full basics of the OS are covered, along with most of the standard Windows XP bundled software, such as Media Player, Internet Explorer 6, Outlook Express, CD Burning and more. So much more than just the how-to of the interface is detailed - providing just enough technical information to make it interesting and to let you "get it", without turning into a dry textbook. Hardware installations and troubleshooting, Internet connections and ICS/NAT, LAN/WAN connectivity with TCP/IP and IPX/SPX, performance monitoring and MMC/System Policies are just a few of the area that this title covers that many others gloss over or miss altogether.A well mapped out Table of Contents and a 54 page index assist in making this not only a start-to finish read, but an easy find what you need reference. Although I can't recommend this title for anyone looking for a study guide towards certification, this is certainly a great choice for user who want to know Windows XP Pro inside and out as well as for desktop administrators who want a reference for their user's interface.

Have read the reviews and awed at some people who must not have read Minasi's other books. Yes there is a lot of introductory basic skills. Supposed to be in there. Just like his other books. Advanced topics are there too. I skipped through some of this because I knew it. And read the parts I wanted. Now it is a reference book. There may be mistakes in it...where...but if you ever read a MOC (Microsoft Official Curriculum) book, you would not believe the mistakes in those. This book is perfect for someone who has never seen a computer or someone who has been using them for as long as I have. This book gave me the little bit of extra info needed to pass 70-270. Good job Mark. Keep it up!Patrick--A+, Network+, MCP, MCSA, MCSE NT 4.0/2K

Are the first few chapters designed for the beginner? Yes. Does he say that up front? Yes. So the beginner has an excellent starting point (I really thought the graphic shortcuts in the front of the book were a nice touch for those people), while the "nuts and bolts" stuff in later chapters were more suited towards people who do this for a living. But then if I find even a few tidbits that make my life easier when supporting MS products (which can be a royal pain), I consider the book to be well worth it.If you are looking at supporting XP, don't assume that its the same as 2000. Get this book, read it over, and find out what new goodies they put into this release.

This book helped me get a jump-start on Windows Xp. It starts off by covering the basics such as opening files and browsing your drive. More than 50 quick tips start the book off and then it goes on to a more in-depth explanation chapter by chapter. So deep that I think it could be used as a textbook to teach people Windows XP.