Windows Vista® Plain & Simple Kit: Help Family & Friends Get Started With Their First Computer (BPG-Plain & Simple)

This is a superaltive manual for beginning and intermediate users of the new Microsoft Windows Vista OS. It's very user friendly, all color photographs and laid out exactly as youwould see it on the screen so you can perform the steps as you read the book. The book is made to be hands free, meaning you can sit it down andnot have to hassle with it folding over constantly which is a huge plus. Each step is numbered on the side, and on the picture of what you should do that looks like your computer screen, there is a corresponding number for each step. For your average person who is just looking to get savvy with Vista, this is a great resource to have. I plan on keeping it in my reference library, and owning it as long as I use Vista.

Very easy reading to understand the basics of windows vista. Windows Vista still has problems with several programs which might require registry issues which the book points out additional help may be required to fix problems. This book is still a must have to understand the basics of what one can do with Windows Vista.

I recommend the Plain & Simple series in all of my adult computer classes. Easy from Que and Plain & Simple from Microsoft Press are easy to follow and non-intimidating for new users.

I am an IT professional and I have been running Vista since the beta. If you are a Windows XP expert a book like this is far too simple. However one of my main job responsibilities is in educating users who may be buying their very first computer. In my opinion this book has a number of features that set it apart from (and above) other books. First is that it is written in a format that does not require the reader to read it like a novel, from front to back. You may simply set it next to your PC and refer to the ample index when you want to know how to perform a certain task. Need to know how to burn a data CD? Look up CD in the index, turn to the page and follow the steps as shown with full color photos and easy to understand text. The second item that sets it apart is the full color photos, mentioned above, included with each step. Including so many color photos reassures users that they are not committing a catastrophic error that will require them to restore the system and potentially lose all their data. I highly recommend this book for non-technical people who were not experts with Windows XP I also recommend that you use it to learn how to perform the following critical tasks: 1.Make regular backups of you data (pictures, documents, email, etc) 2.Perform basic system maintenance (defragment your disk drive, install programs and uninstall programs) This is like knowing how to put gas in your tank and air in the tires of your car, essential! 3.Actually enjoy using your PC!

This is a" must have" book for those of us that don't start up a new computer system every day. Easy to follow directions take you step by step from start to finish. I intend to keep my copy on my desk for easy reference.