ISBN 0-7897-2627-0, $44.99 (includes CD-ROM)

If you are new to Windows XP, or want to upgrade to it, "Special Edition Using Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" is the book you want. It covers all you need to make the upgrade process and learning curve for the new system as easy as possible.

The book begins with an introduction to XP covering the history of the Windows OS, getting your hardware and software ready, and installing the software on your system. Multi-booting is mentioned here, but actually discussed much later in the book. Unfortunately, while the book offers advice on finding new drivers for older hardware, it fails to mention that some hardware has no new drivers and will not work with the new OS. For example, some of the older (read "last year") scanners that use the USB port are not upgradeable to the new OS. I know of one computer store with three scanners the manager cannot sell, and cannot return to the manufacturer, because they will not work with XP. You can identify hardware with this problem by running the Hardware Compatibility Program on the XP distribution disk. This program identifies hardware lacking Microsoft XP drivers. It is up to you to search the web to see if you can find updated software. This section runs 154 pages.

The next section covers XP on the Internet, including troubleshooting your connection, using Outlook Express, and using Windows Messenger. It is 178 pages long.

Next comes the section on Networking, 217 pages in length. It begins with an overview of the hardware aspects of networking, then moves into networking your home, using the network both in home and remotely, connecting your network to the Internet, keeping it secure, and troubleshooting it. This section explains how to setup a home network and have all the computers use one computer’s modem as the Internet connection.

Section five, 74 pages long, goes into tweaking your user interface, configuring the system to your special requirements, and optimizing your computer’s performance under XP. It covers the Program Compatibility Wizard, configuring program environments, how to use the Virtual DOS Machine to run older Windows programs and DOS programs without fear of crashing the system, the Windows XP command line, and troubleshooting. All useful stuff, but nothing unusual.

The last section tackles the complex subject of system administration and maintenance, and is 211 pages in length. It begins with system utilities, then discusses managing users, managing your hard drive, installing and replacing hardware, multi-booting XP with other operating systems, the system registry, and finally troubling shooting and repairing Windows XP when it does fail. The enclosed CD contains a 45-minute video seminar about XP, but no useful routines or snappy programs as one might expect.

Overall, this is a must have reference book for the XP user. Written for beginners, but not condescending, it makes it easy for any XP user to quickly and easily find the information needed to do just about anything.

This book is available on www.half.com at very reasonable prices.

ISBN 0-7897-2737-4, $14.99

If you are very familiar with previous versions of Windows and want a fast overview of what to expect from the Home Edition of Windows XP, this is the book for you. At only 166 pages you are not going to get much detail, but you will be well on your way to using the system.

The book is divided into 20 sections beginning with "What’s New in Windows XP," which points out the new appearance of the Start Menu, the Task Pane, and the Control Panel. It also points out a few other features that are covered later in the book. The next chapter covers the Desktop appearance, icons, Taskbar, and System Tray. The third chapter briefly describes starting programs from the Star Menu, Shortcut Icons, switching between programs, and exiting programs. Saving, closing, opening, and creating documents is explained in chapter four while chapter five explains folders and how to organize them. Managing files, that is creating deleting, undeleting and other manipulations of files are the subjects in chapter six. Finding files and printing them are in chapters seven and eight.

Chapter nine starts the section on Internet related topics by delving into email using Outlook Express: setting up an account, creating, sending, printing, and deleting email, as well as attachments. Chapter ten goes into browsing the Internet using Internet Explorer. This is a bare-bones description of starting and using the browser, barely worth reading. I wonder that they included it, as it is far too short to help a neophyte, and introduces nothing new that a user of I.E. 5.x or above wouldn’t already know.

Chapter eleven explains how the built-in fax console works. Chapter twelve gives the procedures on using scanners and digital cameras with XP Home Edition, with instructions on how to print them and attach them to your email.

Chapter thirteen looks at the Sound Recorder and Media Player. One gripe I have with this chapter is that no mention is made of turning on the record volume. In Windows 95 to ME you have to first turn ON the record feature before any sound recording can begin. This is hidden in the Volume Control in the Taskbar. Double clicking on this opens the Volume Control Window. Under Options, Properties, you select Recording, which displays a series of checkboxes. Microphone must be selected. Then back to the Volume Control Window, where you make sure Mute is NOT selected. I don’t have Windows Home XP so I don’t know if any of this is necessary. If it isn’t, it should have been mentioned. And if it is necessary, that also should have been mentioned. I recently helped a client who had been trying for days to get a recording into his computer by simply having him check the Volume Control Window for Microphone. No other consultant had ever thought to tell him this.

Chapter fourteen gives a quick look at Windows Movie Maker, Calculator, Wordpad, Paint, and playing the included games. Chapter fifteen shows some of the customizing features available in XP. Chapter sixteen gives an overview on how to install programs, updates, and additional components to XP, as well as uninstalling, creating shortcuts, and pinning programs to the Start Menu.

Chapter seventeen gives advice on maintaining your system with Disk Tools, System Restore, displaying system and disk information, and starting and shutting down. Chapter eighteen gives a very brief ten pages on networking your computer (only the software end is covered). Chapter nineteen covers adding new hardware, both automatically and running through the Ad New Hardware Wizard manually. This little section is almost worth the price of the book by itself.

The last chapter explains the accessibility features of Windows XP. It is amazing how many people do not know about these convenience features that make Wndows friendlier to people who may have visual or manual dexterity difficulties.

If all you want is a fast overview, this is your book.