Not for the experienced user

This book is probably good for a new or infrequent user, but for anyone who uses Windows heavily/frequently, this book just does not offer enough information. I wanted to find out the details of how user account management works, especially shared files and special directories like My Documents, My Pictures. While this book shows how to access these, it does not tell enough about how these features really work (or don't work - i.e. why My Documents is named "My Documents" for me, but "Laura's Documents" for my daughter Laura's account... and why I cannot rename these folders.

Or, how does XP pick the "Special" applications to run when you insert a audio CD or picture CD, or data CD, and why can't I add my own custom application to that list (i.e. Sonique instead of
Windows Media Player?)

The key to a good user interface (which I'll admit XP is getting there) is that it needs little or no documentation, and this book does not really add much that can't be inferred from the interfaces directlly or learned from the on-line help (which I'm glad to say is also improved in XP.)

I wish there was more depth on using/owning XP and less coverage of the obvious aspects of using Windows that anyone who uses Windows regularly knows.

Other Reviews

• Okay
• Great Intoduction to Concepts with Plenty of Detail
• Not for the experienced user
• Anything you want to know, and some you don't...