SYNOPSIS : Because Your Computer Should Improve Your Life, Not Complicate It No Nonsense Guides are here. With a plainspoken approach, these books are inexpensive starters that are light on idle chat and heavy on practical advice. They're lean and mean and stripped down to fighting weight, so you'll get from point A to point Z with instruction that's short and sweet, clear and concise. So, crack the cover and unleash enough useful information and helpful pointers to transform you into a first-rate Windows XP user. What you'll do inside: Understand how Windows XP works Customize interface colors and appearance Control Windows XP through the mouse and keyboard Install, run, and remove programs Play and store music Watch and record movies Browse the Internet Communicate via email Save and organize data FROM THE CRITICS Library Journal Osborne's new "No Nonsense" series targets the crowded "just the basics" beginners market. These three entries cover topics with step-by-step, task-based chapters; brief sidebars give tips and added information without interrupting the flow. Elements explains the use of each basic tool in this entry-level graphics software and provides the best options for novices to achieve consistently good-looking images. Clear instructions and targeted screenshots aid understanding. For both PC users making the switch and Mac users accustomed to an older OS, Jaguar covers the most popular uses of OS X. Chapters discuss the basics, from navigating through files and folders, to e-mail and web browsing, to movie and image editing. Both Jaguar and XP contain helpful glossaries that define common terms. XP's writing style is somewhat more awkward than those of the other two, but the content is good, and directions are fairly easy to follow. Appendixes list keyboard shortcuts and a few random but useful web sites. These affordable introductory guides are solid additions to any public library, in conjunction with more comprehensive titles. Published at Seventeen dollars.  
Price: 15.75 USD