Product Description
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Customer Reviews (23)

This is a great WinDbg book
If you need to use WinDbg, this just a treasure. Some tools mentioned in the book are obsolete, at least for the 64 bit platform, and I noticed a mistake in one dump, although I don't remember where it is, but overall very accurate, and presents a lot of information hard to find elsewhere. A must if you have to use WinDbg.

Impressive reality-based reference work
My kind of book is concise, accurate, to the point, full of technical detail, based on extensive real-world experience, absorbing, and practically applicable. This is my kind of book. Well worth the money.

If I had it 5 years ago I probably wouldn't have started blogging on crash dump analysis...
This is the book I wanted to read when I started doing Windows crash dump analysis more than 5 years ago. Although other excellent Windows debugging books existed at that time including "Debugging Applications" written by John Robbins and "Debugging Windows Programs: Strategies, Tools, and Techniques for Visual C++ Programmers" written by Everett N. McKay and Mike Woodring I needed a book that discusses debugging in the context of WinDbg and other tools from Debugging Tools for Windows package. So I had to learn from day-to-day experience and WinDbg help. Now WinDbg is a de facto standard in debugging and troubleshooting on Windows platforms and the book comes at the right time to teach the best practices and techniques. I'm reading it sequentially and I'm on the page 387 at the moment and I have already learnt techniques and debugging strategies I missed due to certain habits in using WinDbg. See my real time reading notes on Software Generalist blog. Even if you do mostly memory dump analysis and not live debugging of your product, you also will learn a lot to apply in your day-to-day problem identification and troubleshooting. Absolutely must have for any Windows software engineers, escalation engineers and technical support engineers willing to advance their debugging skills.

Thanks,
Dmitry Vostokov
Founder of DumpAnalysis Portal
Editor-in-Chief of Debugged! MZ/PE magazine

A typical Microsoft stuff:
It is expensive, promises a lot and delivers next to nothing. The author concentrates of some specific problems, explains them in uninteligeble language, assuming that you already know all these Windows undocumented internals. I tried to find a problem in thread management with the help of this book and it was a waste of time. The application verifier is another product that most of the time crashes the computer and when it does not, it slows it to zero speed. Probably, one can pick in this book an explanation or two, but I would not count on it too much.

Destined to be a Classic
I approach debugging from a security perspective and am used to Ollydbg and IDA pro. I had no idea about the power and usefulness of Windbg.Beyond that, I have learned more from this one book about Windows internals than the last two Windows Internals editions combined (not knocking the internals books - just elaborating on how much I have gotten from this one book already).The sections on memory corruption, IPC and Security are gems - but every part of this book is outstanding.The introduction and explanation of other tools such as App Verifier, glags, etc. provides a solid reference for the what these tools are and how to use them. I will be using this book ... Read more

Product Description
"Look it up in Petzold" remains the decisive last word in answering questions about Windows development. And in PROGRAMMING WINDOWS, FIFTH EDITION, the esteemed Windows Pioneer Award winner revises his classic text with authoritative coverage of the latest versions of the Windows operating system—once again drilling down to the essential API heart of Win32 programming. Topics include:• The basics—input, output, dialog boxes• An introduction to Unicode• Graphics—drawing, text and fonts, bitmaps and metafiles• The kernel and the printer• Sound and music• Dynamic-link libraries• Multitasking and multithreading• The Multiple-Document Interface• Programming for the Internet and intranetsPacked as always with definitive examples, this newest Petzold delivers the ultimate sourcebook and tutorial for Windows programmers at all levels working with Microsoft® Windows 95, Windows 98, or Microsoft Windows NT®. No aspiring or experienced developer can afford to be without it.An electronic version of this book is available on the companion CD. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (90)

A must have book for MFC and Win32
I start learning windows programming with MFC. Very quickly i realized that to be creative in MFC you must conquer the area of Win32. I consider this book as the best in the subject. It covers a wide area of win32 and simultaneously provides a in depth descrption of the windows application layer. By using this book many of the hidden thinks in MFC were exposed on the basis of win32.

A must have book
As simple as my review's title says, this book is a must have or a "seriously need to have" if you want to learn all about windows programming.
It goes from a simple Hello world program (but very illustrative since it has the basic functionality of all windows apps) to complex multithreaded ones, an in the middle of it you'll find drawing, sound, sockets and son on.
This is the book I've ever wanted to have.

Sweet Book on Win32 API
I am fluent in C programming but was sick of being stuck with the old command counsel.I am not a serious windows programmer, I just wanted to get up and running writing programs with the windows GUI and thought win32 API would be a good place to start.I have only finished Chapter 6 (~ pg 270) of Programming Windows, Fifth Edition and I am up and running, writing simple apps and understanding the basics.I also found the following web tutorials/links helpful:
[EDIT: I guess I can't post links here so just Google Win32 API Tutorials and you should find some helpful information to complement what you learn in this book.]
I am going to continue to read this book!!!It will also make a nice addition to my programming library.

The good old days...
This may sound a little over the top to some, but I get a real wind-in-my-hair feeling when I read this book.It reminds me of the good old days of Windows programming, when all you needed was a good idea, a text editor and a copy of Petzold.No Wizards, no code bloat, no multi-gigabyte IDE doing who knows what in the background.It was a time when a programmer (that's how people referred to developers back then) would put on headphones, crank up the Rush (the Canadian power trio, not the talk show windbag), and pound out C code.The applications we produced back then ran in a dew drop of memory.We knew the how to interpret the WPARAM and LPARAM for most of the Windows messages, because we had to write the window procedures and dialog procedures to handle them, and for those we didn't know, we read the header files (imagine that) to learn more.We knew our libraries.Our code was lint-clean, small, fast, and tight.Those were the days, and we were the modern-day warriors.

This book will take you back to those days.It will show you what goes on down in the engine room of MFC.This knowledge is good to have.The code examples are in crystal-clear C.This can only make you a stronger programmer, er, I mean, developer.

Info you wont find elsewhere
This book is worth the price just for the sample software alone.But even more importantant, it is a provides information on programming Microsoft windows that is not available elsewhere.It only covers the Windows 3.1 API, and is somewhat dated.It does not describe the current .NET development, for example.But even if you are a .NET programmer, there are things done here you cannot do there.Microsoft has hidden a lot of their programming features, and this book tells how to unlock them.This is a MUST BUY for any serious Microsoft programmer. ... Read more

Product Description
Adam Gopnik is one of America's most celebrated writers. His memoir, Paris to the Moon, was a New York Times Notable Book and sold nearly a half-million copies. His New Yorker articles reach an audience in the millions. Now he turns his talents to a fantasy novel for children and grownups that is part Madeline, part Matrix -- an intelligent and charming adventure story set in the city Gopnik writes about so magnificently.

Oliver Parker is a ten-year-old American boy miserably stuck in Paris. Intimidated by his French school, Oliver longs to return home. Until one January night, wearing a paper crown and looking out the window, he sees an amazing vision -- the reflection of a boy in an ancient French doublet gazing back at him. Oliver's pursuit of the boy leads him to a terrifying secret. He learns he has kingly powers and with no weapons other than his mind, must take on an extraordinary mission . . .

With wonderful characters, high comedy, and a thrilling narrative, The King in the Window is an intelligent fantasy adventure embodying the battle between good and evil.Amazon.com Review
Award-winning adult author Adam Gopnik's first children's book, an adventure set in modern day Paris starring an American boy who finds himself at the center of a war between window and mirror spirits, is an mixed bag of fantasy, technology and history that doesn't quite hang together as a whole. One January evening, eleven-year-old Oliver receives a vision in his bedroom window of a young boy in 17th century dress. This apparition informs him that he is the new King in the Window, a hero elected by kind window wraiths to assist them in their centuries-long war with the soul-stealing evil mirror spirits. Soon, Oliver finds himself in The Way, or the parallel universe on the other side of mirrors. Here, he engages in battle with the diabolical Master of Mirrors, chats with Nostradamus, and helps rescue an elderly Alice in Wonderland. In addition, there is a subplot concerning a super computer atop the Eiffel Tower! , an examination of 17th century French court life, and an on-going discussion of quantum physics. Whew! Gopnik's promising premise quickly sinks under the weight of top-heavy symbolism, arcane literary references, and a seemingly endless supply of quirky characters. As a result, the narrative loses its thread, and ultimately, it's target middle grade audience, who will be unable to tie together the divergent strands of this convoluted tale. In sum, less would have been much more. --Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Review of The King in the Window
I think I'd describe this as mindboggling AND superb. I found Adam Gopnik's The King in the Window a fascinating read.

The book starts out normally enough- a young boy, Oliver, and his family, living in Paris. However, when he puts on a crown that came courtesy of a cake from a bakery, he sees a reflection in the window that looks like him...but isn't him. And so begins a insane and thrilling and quirky journey.

I read this a while ago but from what I recall, Gopnik blends fantasy and adventure and technology and so much more, into a wonderful book. There are so many elements going on in this book, and I really loved how Gopnik invokes characters from classic stories (not going to spoiler-ify this though, so I'll keep mum) into his plot. There is a alternate universe(-ish) reminiscent of China Mieville's Un Lun Dun, and the concepts that Gopnik introduced made me really think. In that way, it's mindboggling. It's definitely a journey of self-discovery for Oliver- oh, and along the way, he saves the world!

Overall, an good, imaginative book.

Overdoes it
I bought this book for my kids because both my son and I so enjoyed Gopnik's book, Paris to the Moon.While I did like parts of the book, and it starts well, the plot simply becomes too convoluted and confusing for the book as a whole to succeed.Complication upon complication are added, alternative realities, the mirror maze, lost children, and on and on until it simply overwhelms the reader.If the book had been simpler and shorter it would have been much more effective.In addition, Gopnik's inspiration seems to fade at times and he repeats words in an annoying way.Oliver, the main character, is "inexorably" pulled towards a mirror on page 97, Charlie is "inexorably" sucked into an ice cube on page 192, Oliver and Neige are "inexorably" pulled along on pages 210, 215, and 221.Use a thesaurus!

Even given that, as I said, there is some enjoyment to be found.My daughter and I visited the little known (at least to most Americans) Musee Grevin a few weeks before reading the part of the book where Oliver also rushes to the same museum.Continually finding places in Paris referenced that we had visited was nice, but for life in Paris find Gopnik's earlier book and read it.

The King in the Window
Adam Gopnik lived in Paris for several years, writing delightful pieces for The New Yorker about his experiences, later published in book form: From Paris to the Moon. Many of them were about raising his young son in a foreign country. This children's book clearly draws on that experience and for me, as an American who lived and studied in France for many years (slightly earlier)the descriptions of French schools and customs (such as the galette des rois on Epiphany) were quite amusing. I also liked the way in which the author incorporated historical "lessons" about Versailles and the French literati into the narrative in a non-didactic manner. The scene where the young boy took a curmudgeonly author to dinner in a fancy restaurant with 100 euros in pocket was very entertaining. I have not yet finished the book. I do feel that it is a bit long-winded, and am not sure as to how much appeal it would have for children themselves (other than the author's children).

Stick with it
Started slowly, but got very interesting. Mildly scary and hard to read.

-Eamon

I liked it
I see this book has gotten mixed reviews, but I enjoyed reading it.To summarize briefly:Oliver, an American schoolboy living in Paris, puts a paper crown on his head on Epiphany and is identified and summoned by the Window Wraiths to be their king, and to defeat the Master of the Mirrors, the One with None.Oliver's quest takes him all over Paris: into the Louvre, out to Versailles, into churches and a three-star restaurant, to the Eiffel tower and to other landmarks, while he tries to thwart the One's plot, which is to steal people's souls, first through mirrors and then through a modern-day equivalent.With each new twist, Oliver makes more mistakes, until things reach a crisis point and it is up to him to save the world.

This all gets a bit complicated and headache-y at times, and I don't know how excited today's pre-adolescents are going to be about appearances by Moliere and Racine and Lewis Carroll's Alice.And the talk about Irony and Rhetoric and Metaphor and Wit is clever but seems to me, at least, to be too precious for most of today's kids.But Oliver is an appealing characters, and the story, dense though it may be, is intriguing.The Paris backdrop is an integral part and a lot of fun, and it's being described here by someone who knows and loves it.

And one more thing (and there is a small spoiler here, so read on at your own risk):in addition to saving the world, Oliver also needs to save his own father, an American journalist stationed in Paris, which Adam Gopnik was for a number of years.It's hard not to identify Gopnik with Tyrone's character.This book isn't just fantasy.It becomes a love letter from a father to his son. ... Read more

Product Description
MARAN ILLUSTRATED? WINDOWS? 7 GUIDED TOUR is an excellent guide for Windows users of all skill levels and ideal for any visual learner who prefers seeing what to do rather than reading lengthy explanations. Like all MARAN GUIDED TOUR titles, this book features our well-known disk character that walks you through each task and operation step-by-step. Using clear, concise instructions accompanied by hundreds of full-color screen shots, MARAN ILLUSTRATED? WINDOWS? 7 GUIDED TOUR is the fastest and easiest way to get started and get up to speed with Windows 7. You'll learn all the new and improved Windows 7 features such as Snap which allows you to arrange two windows side-by-side, Windows Search which enables you to search in Windows the same way you do on the internet, Jump Lists that keep the files, photos, or websites you use most often within easy, two-click access, and Windows Live Moviemaker, the powerful and simple way to turn photos and videos in to great looking movies. You have the option of reading the book cover to cover, or simply reading the individual topics they are interested in. Learning Windows has never been this easy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A 'must' for any general Windows reference collection
Ruth Maran's MARAN ILLUSTRATED GUIDED TOUR: WINDOWS 7 is the perfect pick for any Windows user who wants a visual approach rather than wading through lengthy text. It packs in hundreds of color screen shots and covers all the new Windows 7 features, making it a 'must' for any general Windows reference collection.

Wonderfully helpful !
Because I'd used Maran Illustrated books for my own computer upgrades from Windows 97 to Windows Vista I knew I wanted this for my 13 yr. old grandson's new laptop. Every single page has a color picture of your desktop along with very clear, simple directions to not only get where you want but what you should be seeing while getting there.This is especially helpful for use with new Windows operating systems or for those of us who want to know the answer NOW without spending lots of time trying to figure it out. Simply look in the index for the application you want and go to that page for colorful,clear instructions and match up what you see in the book with what's on your computer's screen. Great resource-the only one you'll need. Saves lots of time and frustration. 100% recommended!

Layman Understanding
Once I found the books by Maran Graphics, I choose nothing else.They are so much easier to read and understand than other books that are suppose to teach a the average layman.They are written so that a layman can understand and learn the computer/software basics. ... Read more

Product Description
This concise guide covers every edition of Windows 7 in Visual QuickStart style, with plenty of screenshots, numbered steps, tips, and sidebars. You'll learn how to use new and updated features, including the redesigned taskbar; jump lists; libraries; federated search; desktop gadgets; window-management shortcuts; and the improved versions of Internet Explorer, Mail, Messenger, Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, and Media Player. You'll also find information on setup; installation; upgrading from other Windows versions; troubleshooting; hardware; and organizing your documents, music, photos, and videos. Laptop and mobile users will learn how to connect from the road, jump onto a public wireless network, and conserve battery power. Author Chris Fehily also walks you through setting up a network or homegroup, connecting to the internet, configuring routers and firewalls, and hooking up printers and other devices. You'll learn how to use security features to protect your PC and network and share files while keeping personal stuff private. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

windows 7
Excellent reference book for all improvements and capabilities of Windows 7. My efficiency oncomputer has increased two-fold. Customize the system just for you.

Very helpful...
I had purchased a "Dummies" book on Windows 7, but then received this one as a gift.It is far superior to the one I had previously purchased. ... Read more

Product Description
"Bruce is a walking encyclopedia of every good, bad, solid, and wacky language idea that has been tried... This is a book that only Bruce could have written."
--Jeffrey Snover, from the Foreword

"The nuances of PowerShell from the lead language designer himself! Excellent content and easy readability!
--Keith Hill, Software Architect

"I love this book!"
--Scott Hanselman ComputerZen.com

PowerShell replaces cobbled-together assemblies of third-party management tools with an elegant programming language and a powerful scripting shell for the Windows environment. In the tradition of Manning's ground breaking "In Action" series, this book comes from right from the source. Windows PowerShell in Action shows you how to build scripts and utilities to automate system tasks or create powerful system management tools to handle the day-to-day tasks that drive a Windows administrator's life. Because it's based on the .NET platform, PowerShell is also a powerful tool for developers and power users.

Windows PowerShell in Action was written by Bruce Payette, one of the founding members of the Windows PowerShell team, co-designer of the PowerShell language and the principal author of the PowerShell language implementation. The book enables you to get the most out of the PowerShell environment. Using many examples, both small and large, this book illustrates the features of the language and environment and shows how to compose those features into solutions, quickly and effectively.

This book is designed for anyone who wants to learn PowerShell and use it well. Rather than simply being a book of recipes to read and apply, this book gives you the deep knowledge about how PowerShell works and how to apply it ... Read more

Customer Reviews (34)

Excellent coverage of the spirit of PowerShell, good examples, falls short as reference.
Because the book is written by a core member of the PowerShell team, it has a lot of nice insights as to why PS works as it does and plenty of practical examples to jump start your use of it.The writing is clear and witty for a tech book.I would give it 5 stars but it is not a great reference as it is not written to be one and the index falls a little short.

The Index Needs Work
Overall, I was happy with this book.The text is approachable yet fairly complete.One thing that drives me crazy, though, is the terrible index.I hope it's improved in the second edition.

Example: Suppose you want to look up the Get-Member cmdlet. The index has an entry for "get-member" (page 221), then for "Get-Member cmdlet" (pages 253, 299, 305), and finally "Get-Members cmdlet" (page 133).

Powershell is not case-sensitive, so "get-member" and "Get-Member" are identical.Meanwhile there is no "Get-Members" (with an 's') cmdlet.All of these should be a single index entry for "Get-Members cmdlet."I'm not positive, but I suspect the index creation was partially automated, and not carefully proofread.

Great Book
PowerShell is a language that tries to be everything to everybody, so
it's full of both cool features and dark corners. But you can write a
good book about any language, and "Windows PowerShell In Action" is
pretty good. It does suffer from a minor glitch: like the language,
the book tries to be everything to everybody. This is perhaps not
surprising, since the book was written by one of the key designers of
the language.

In the end, the book is great for someone who wants to become an
expert PowerShell user. If you, like me, are interested more in the
design of the language and its innovative features than in
practicalities, you may be somewhat disappointed. That information is
in the book, but the wonderful tidbits are hidden in unexpected
places, so you really have to read the whole thing cover-to-cover,
which involves skimming over a lot of stuff you probably don't care
about.

But let me repeat: as a way to learn PowerShell, this book is
well-organized and presents just the right level of detail. Once you
read it, you will know what you are doing.

One of my more used books
I bought this book back in 2007, as I was curious about powershell - which was version 1 at the time and this book was a key book to understanding it.

I got a few books on powershell, and the style of this book at first seemed very choppy, but as I learned more about the language it became more understandable the way things were done in this book. The author has so much information about the way that the language was developed that it made certain things distracting.

I have seen the author on the MSDN Channel 9 video's and that also probably helped me understand how the author voices things in a certain way.

The book is very useful, and the most dogeared of my powershell books. There are better style books out there (for version 1).
Now with Powershell 2.0 there will be a new batch of books, and I understand that the author is working on a 2nd edition for Powershell 2.0.

There is a lot to powershell, and it presents a learning curve, but you will find that the time invested will bring a payoff. It feels like a swiss army knife for admins and developers. This book may give nuances to the language you might not find in other books. So I definitely would recommend this book, more so if it is a 2nd edition - for Powershell 2.0.

Learning Powershell
I am new to Powershell and I found the book easy to understand and follow. Great work! ... Read more

Product Description
Create music CDs and photo DVDs or even watch TV

Move your files to a new computer, or get your old PC ready for Vista

The thing that's made Windows For Dummies so successful is that it's packed with the basics you need to make Windows work. This book gets you through all the Windows Vista tasks and tripwires, including starting programs, finding files, navigating the new see-through interface, staying safe while you cruise the Internet, and much more.

Discover how to

• Find files when they're hiding
• Hook up with another computer
• Make Vista work like XP
• Block Internet bad guys
• Share a PC without sharing your files
• Fix problems yourself

Customer Reviews (67)

window vista for dummies
Windows Vista for Dummies by Andy Rathbone is the manual every computer beginner or not such a beginning dummy needs!It is so very instructive without heavy technical explanations that make you forget your original problem.It plainly and simply walks you through each feature on your computer, in general and how to use the internet intelligently and safely.What I really like is that Andy throws in so many tips and and great ways to make your life simple during your search.Highly recommend it!

Windows Vista for Dummies
Found this book assumed more computer experience than I have and was written mostly to show changes from earlier computers.The computerese was difficult to translate and the aimless chatter could have been omitted.Straightforward numbered steps might have been easier to follow.

VERY helpful
Thank you for this great book.I am a senior citizen and do not have much saavy about computers.This book is just the ticket.
I bought it used and it was in EXCELLENT condition.

Most Helpful
Is very helpful in explaining what is new with Vista, how to do it and how to get there.Easy to use reference book,very self explanatory.

Just what you need!
Just what you need for navigating the vagaries of Windows Vista. Leafing through this book provides instant clues for using this OS. Good work Mr. Rathbone! ... Read more

Product Description
This practical, pocket-sized reference delivers ready answers for using Microsoft Windows command-line tools to manage multiple clients and servers. It’s packed with hundreds of examples that show you how to run, use, schedule, and script Windows commands, support tools, and Resource Kit tools—without ever touching the GUI. Written by a well-known author of more than two dozen computer books—and featuring easy-to-read tables, lists, and step-by step instructions—this POCKET CONSULANT delivers fast, accurate information on the spot. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (32)

Just Perfect
This is one of the best books that I have ever read.

It is insightful and useful to the system administrators and Microsoft engineers. It has many useful scripts and scenarios to use Microsoft Windows command line. You will discover many new ways to manageMicrosoft network and infrastructure after reading this book. It has many reference tables, list and step-by-step instructions in addition to the secret commends.

I would recommend this book to the network and system administrators.

very lacking
you would think with a title like administrator in the name it would cover more.

found it lacking in some very basic commands like cacls

Great read for anyone working in IT
Having started in IT back in the DOS days I can tell you that this book is a great everyday reference for anyone working as a systems admin in a server environment like I do.And for those of you working on certifications or just wanting to experiment with command line usage its indispensable. And as others have said about this authors books he does a great job laying everything out for you.

Great Guide For Desktop Support Staff
This book is good for Support Staff working with Windows XP Professional systems and MS Server 2003, assuming that you have basic Windows and networking skills already, don't look for chapters on installing Windows and it's architecture here.

Learning Command Line Fundamentals Tools on how to schedule task, manage accounts and administering network services, etc. was a real world experience for me on the job, making me much more productive for the company.

Also you may wonder what command-line scripting has to offer that MS Windows point-and-click dialog boxes can't accomplish, to my surprise, a lot more than I realize, learning how to automate repetitive task, finding misplaced resources and many other useful time saving activities.

The ability of calling up utilities like Windows Support Tools and Resource Kit Tools, gave me the confidence to even work at the server level performing basic system administration task and most importantly managing Active Directory Users and Groups.

Overall a work in progress for me to grasp it all, great resource for support staff, Help desk personnel, and senior admins alike will benefit greatly from this book, I can't recommend something more advance than this as it is quite sufficient for my experience level as a PC Support Tech, This is a big jump in experience for an A+ Technician like myself.

I Hope This Review Helps, Good Luck.

A must for every Windows system administrator and power user
This is a book that every Windows system administrator and every Windows power user should have.

Stanek is widely and justifiably known as an expert in Windows administration. In this terse volume, he shows just how powerful the commnd line is in Windows and how to take maximum advantage of that power through direct commands and scripting. He does, in fact, provide a short and very effective "course" in command-line scripting.

In 25 chapters, Stanek walks through every major area of system administration and shows how powerful the command-line can be.

Stanek truly knows his business and his style is admirably concise. One of the must-have books for anyone who really wants to become a Windows virtuoso.

Jerry
... Read more

Product Description
The smart way to learn Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services Version 3.0--one step at a time! Work at your own pace through the easy numbered steps, practice files on CD, helpful hints, and troubleshooting tips to master the fundamentals of working with the latest version of Windows SharePoint Services. You will learn the essentials for creating and managing SharePoint sites and Web Parts, including working with lists and libraries. You'll even discover how to work with collaboration features to create surveys, discussion boards, wikis, and blogs. Plus, you'll learn how to work with Microsoft Office Excel® 2007, Office Access 2007, Office InfoPath® 2007, and Office Outlook® 2007 in Windows SharePoint Services. With STEP BY STEP, you can take just the lessons you need or work from cover to cover. Either way, you drive the instruction, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Includes a companion CD with hands-on practice files. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

The Title Says it all "STEP BY STEP"
What I liked most about the Step by Step book was the Key Points or High Level summaries at the end of each chapter.I felt the book was very well organized and with easy to follow diagrams and step by step lessons. I loved the fact that I could practice a little at a time and then be able to pick it up and run again without a lot of follow-up or starting from scratch.I found that I was able to build my skills by doing the practice lessons and then apply to my own business needs. I especially liked Chapter 15-Working with Web Parts.Great JOB!

Hands on
Excellent beginner book and very hands on.You learn by doing.I have been through the book twice and plan to go through it again.I learn something else each time.I never did get the CD to work but used the software my company has on their server and set up a play site to walk through the exercises in the book.Although I use Windows 2003 and the book is geared towards Windows 2007, it was still very valuable as it points out the differences.I am ready for the Intermediate book (if there is such a thing!)

Its okay
I thought this book would have been more informative. You have to use the cd that comes with it to actually get step by step. I am using Share Point in a work environment and can not install the CD. So this book doesn't work as good for me.

A beginner book
If you are new to window SharePoint services and wanted to learn from operational aspect, this book is for you.

best sharepoint user guide ever
This is a great book and is even better because it is electronic.

My only wish it it was on kendal so i could have downloaded it to have a faster receipt. :-) ... Read more

Product Description
Here s the practical, pocket-sized reference for IT professionals who administer and support Windows Server 2008. Designed for quick referencing, this portable guide covers all the essentials for performing everyday system administration tasks. Written by an award-winning author of more than two dozen computer books, this guide puts expert installation, migration, administration, and troubleshooting advice right at your fingertips. You ll discover how to manage workstations and servers, use Microsoft Active Directory® directory service, create and administer user and group accounts, manage files and directories, back up and recover data, and use TCP/IP, WINS, and DNS for network administration. Featuring quick-reference tables, concise lists, and step-by-step instructions, this handy, one-stop guide provides fast, accurate answers on the spot whether you re at your desk or in the field.

Zeroes in on exactly what the administrator needs to perform day-to-day tasks

Delivers information in concise tables, easy-to-scan lists, and step-by-step instructions

Features a pocket-sized format that puts the right information right at your fingertips ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Well done
This is my third book by William Stanek and as expected, it delivers. Since my first, the Windows 2000 Administrator's reference book, I've had a number of Stanek's quick reference' books and they are all great.

At a little over 600 pages, the book presents useful information and seems to focus on the core features of the operating system. I like the Pocket Consultant series because many times when Microsoft releases a new product, I look to these `quick reference' books to get me up to speed. I would highly recommend this book to anyone upgrading from previous versions and for current administrators.

This book starts things off with information that is easy to find and easy to understand; a must have for many administrators. It zeros in on core support and administrative tasks, is focused and precise. For seasoned administrators, much of this is fundamental, so 'm inferring it is aimed at the junior administrator/part-time administrator?

I found the following sections especially useful:
-2008 Administration Fundamentals - great section that highlights many of the new features, functions and technologies introduced in Server 2008.
-Core Active Directory administration - especially liked the command line references.
-Managing File Screening and Storage Reporting - a great new feature that was presented well.
-Data Backup and Recovery - details the changes in the backup tools; good details on using the wbamdin tool.
-Networking Enhancements - an excellent section that not only reveiws fundamentals but also outlines some of the new technologies in Windows 2008.

Good, practical examples - `Real World' examples and `Tips' - were presented throughout the book and mirror best practices and Microsoft's preferred configurations/implementations. This book is great for people who have never used Windows Server 2008 and those that have used it. I have never been disappointed with the Administrator's Pocket Consultant series of books. I always learn something new!

Cursory and Some Inaccuracies
If you've never used a Windows Server platform, this book might be useful.

For someone very familiar with the Windows Server platform, and looking to learn more about Server 2008, I found this book to be too high level to be useful for any practical uses.

Things you will NOT find:
Information highlighting new features to Windows 2008 (for administrators of 2003)
Security best practices / recommendations

You will however find a good number of step-by-step instructions, unfortunately that feel like they were written for someone who has never used a computer before.

A great example of what you'll find is something like this step by step:
"
For domain users, you define permitted logo workstations by following these steps:
1. Open the user's Properties dialog box in Active Directory Users and Computers and then click Account tab
2. Open the Logon Workstations dialog box by clicking Log On To.
3. Select The Following Computers as shown in Figure 11.6
4. Type the name of the permitted workstation and then click Add. Repeat this procedure to specify additional workstations
5. If you make a mistake, select the erroneous entry and then click Edit or Remove as appropriate.
"

For something that is a "pocket" guide, there is a lot of filler (like the laughable step 5 above) and discussion of topics which someone administrating a server should already know (e.g. disk formatting, folder user permissions, etc) and don't belong in a "pocket consultant".

Furthermore, the book does have some incorrect statements, for example, it says that Windows Server Web only supports 2GB of RAM. It actually supports 32GB. 2GB was a Server 2003 limit [...]

Jack of all trades, master of none.
Update: 02-26-2010 I'm brought this book into work and I'm getting ready to read about group policies.I was a little disappointed with DFS since it really glosses over it.But as I wrote - this book gives a lot of basic info.The group policy section has at least 10 pages?

BOTTOM LINE: Don't hesitate to buy this book, but realize you will need TechNet and other resources to learn.Too many tech books are bloated with legacy inforation from previouse versions that have been hastily freshened-up; they are filled with information you can't possibly remember and will probably never use.

Why 3 stars?As another reviewer said its just a collection of cut and paste from TechNet and doesn't not have enough original high quality content or links to more in-depth info so giving it 4 stars trivializes 4 starts

PROS:
Smaller than other books, gives you basic info on many topics.The books best strength is that it recognizes that admins limited time.It provides very light reference - if you need to go beyond just understanding how something works and need to understand how to implement it you will need to visit TechNet.Only books that cover a single set of related topics like Active Directory will provide this kind of depth.Even full sized books will still give you the basics.

Remember, it's one thing to set something up in the lab or in a small network with a few hundred users and quite another to do it in an enterprise with thousands or tens of thousands of users or where you servers must interact over a WAN for centralized management.Also, often we inherit systems that someone else setup and we don't have the time or authorization to correct so we must use them as-is.

CONS:
The reality is that server 2008 does so much that it must be approached in small chunks that are relevant to what you need to accomplishthe rest is left on autopilot.

As an aside, one of the strengths of the mainframe and UNIX is that the basic commands never change.There is a steep up front learning curve but the pay off is a fairly static and consistent environment.Server Core 2008 is Ms's way or recognizing the benefits of a stripped down faster and more secure command-line environment.

Microsoft has had to evolve from something with low security to higher security being overly integrated with very complex FAT clients.In order to keep the number of pages to the minimum - you get about as much info as a brief help file pop-up box would provide.

From windows 2000 on I feel that things have become so complex in the enterprise that the server must be split up in to specialities: Storage & backup, ntfs file / user permissions / group policies.Active Directory, security hardening, cluster / farm / high availability / network ip4 /ip6, scripting WMI etc, server and backup device hardware / complex storage arrays, and so on.

Short but not consise
The Pocket consult series has the virtue of being short, but not short enough. I do not know why it is so difficult to find authors who get the point in a clear precise manner,but I remain amazed that even in a book so short the fluff factor remains as high as 50%.

Moreover definitions are unclear and the procedures listed suffer from excessive and meaningless detail. This is not my first exposure to Mr Stanek's work and thus I have come to expect this -- still I remain disappointed.

I recently learned from Mr. Stanek's web site that he had early aspirations as a writer of fiction -- it shows in his style. Fiction exists to entertain non-fiction to inform-- his books do neither in this case. Get the point and then get out. Give only the detail that is needed no more.



Given its price and the fact that most books are far worse I rate it good, but I would not want to may full price -- its just not worth that much.

Nothing that F1 help wouldn't offer
I thought that with the previous reviews all my answers would be solved with my Server 2008 Standard installation and maintenance.

I found most if the book irrelevant for a basic domain controller and file server installation and haven't found any answers when I did need help. To be fair, MS support pages haven't been that great either. It could be that Server 2008 just has too many issues to cover in any depth that could be relevant, in a book this size. That's a comment on the software, not the book itself.

... Read more

Product Description
If you're a current or aspiring Windows administrator or consultant, look no further than Mastering Windows Server 2003 for the in-depth, comprehensive, unbiased, and highly readable (some would even say entertaining) coverage readers have come to expect from the leading Windows authority, Mark Minasi. Building on the solid foundation established over years of working with and writing on Windows products, Mark Minasi takes you where few have ventured within Windows Server 2003, Microsoft's flagship network operating system that provides a solution for file and printer sharing, secure Internet connectivity, centralized desktop application deployment, and rich collaboration between businesses, employees, and customers. Anyone evaluating or planning a deployment of .NET Server will benefit immeasurably from Mark Minasi's detailed discussion of Windows Server 2003 installation, configuration, and essential operations. Mark Minasi is a regular keynote speaker at major IT conferences across the country. His training seminars sell out months in advance. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (101)

Good buy
Book was in good condition except that the binding and the spine where loose but considering just how thick this book is that's not too surprising. It included the unopened CD in back which contained the entire book in .pdf format.

Well written, but HUGE
I got this as it was one of the top rated books for people who want to learn Server 2003 (usually by those who are seeking MCSA or MCSE certification, as I am) This book is well written and not over technical, but it has a lot of 'fluff'It's as big as the NYC directory over 1700 pages (little over 3" thick) So you won't get through it quickly by any means.So far, I use the searchable CD more than the book to get a better understanding of subjects. I would not recommend this for anyone seeking certification as a sole source of study.I am using this as a supplement to the MOC books I got with my class course and my free 3 month subscription to MS e-learning of the coursed I have already taken and those I have yet to take.If you wish to study for the exams by book alone, there are others by Sybex that are exam specific to get you there.

OK book, could have been better written
I got this book, because I heard Minassi covers subjects well. However, much to my chagrin I discovered he's an AWFUL writer. Point blank, it's hard to read. Not that I'm any better at writing, but at least I can explain something without the reader loosing track of what I'm talking about or droning on and on for pages and pages...I'm not quite sure where he learned to write -- after every read my head hurts...Some of the material is so spread out over several chapters it's hard to focus on a single subject without flipping through several different chapters to get all of the material -- not good. Minassi obviously has good technical skills, but his poor writing skills are a problem. Please don't take this personally, but reading this book is like stabbing myself in the head with a screwdriver -- and I'm an ivy league graduate. I need a book written by someone with a degree in english with a little background in research writing and maybe even some technical writing and college level teaching experience. Dude, you've got to learn to write better.

I really do wish the writers of technical books, especially those proclaimed by the masses and by Microsoft in general to "be the very best of the best" would be authored by more well qualified college Master's or even PhD graduates. I am soooo sick and tired of trying to read network administration and engineering books written by people who have passed all of the Microsoft technology tests, but don't have a good, solid grasp of how to write coherent sentences and lay out logical technical manual frameworks. Some of the former Microsoft soft looks as if it were actually written by high school graduates -- impossible to read and even more difficult to read by college graduates. As a former commercial/government Senior Technical Writer, I expected so much more...Minassi's constant rambling throughout chapters detracts from his obvious generous knowledge on the different server 2003 subjects. I'm sure he's a great system admin, but he's an awful writer.

Please Mr. Minassi, if you write another technical manual keep it accurate, brief and to the point. Cut the fat wherever possible, it's hard to read through it. You could probably have explained the contents of your 1200+ page manual in about 700 pages without all the fluff...

In contrast, the last book I read was by Shaugnhessy on the basics of Cisco CCNA, which was unbelievably easy to read -- the guy's a PhD and it shows. When he says "simple enough for a layman to understand" he's not kidding. He writes like a lawyer -- well. On the other hand, Mr. Minassi doesn't seem to mind not making a whole lot of sense and spreading out even the simplest of topics into an extremely long winded dissertation and then dumping on it a very liberal sprinkling of his personal observations. I really don't need the personal observations and the rambling points of view -- perhaps a warning now and again based on professional experience in the margins will suffice.

I can also tell there is a generous amount of ghost writing going on in this manual. It's very obvious, because some of the other chapters appear to actually make sense and others have a totally different writing style entirely -- perhaps, those are Minassi's, I don't know.

All in all, on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being the best) I would rate this book a 3 at best in only some of the book'schapters. It is a good buy as a reference manual I suppose, but in a pinch you're better off with a quick reference. This one's a bit long winded.

mark minasi knows Wnidows
Mark is the ultimate expert on Microsoft Windows (server and workstation) I have followed his writing and have looked forward to his books beginng with his first DOS/Hardware entry in the literary environment. For a book as large as this one, he maintains his humor and ability to get the facts presented in a clear and concise manor. My only regret is his future endeavors including Windows 2008, which I recently learned will not be the three volumes initially, offered, but will consist of the W2K8 Networking fundamentals (already released), and a new book to be released after the first of next year W2K8 R2 and W7. Mark, you are too good of an author to not keep writing as prolifically as you once did!!! BTW - I have already pre-ordered this book...
If you want to learn about W2K3, this in the ulitmate authority to purchase from.

The Best!
This is by far the best book of its kind that I have read. I did read it cover to cover - all 1676 pages. And I keep it nearby as a reference. Any Server 2003 admin should regard this as the bible. Excellent content: well written, thoroughly explained and well edited. ... Read more

Product Description
Whether you're helping friends and family get up and running, or buying a new computer for yourself or a family member, this easy, colorful, two-book kit is designed for you. It's loaded with tips and tricks to make it easy for you--or the new user you're helping--to set up and use a new Windows Vista-powered PC. This kit features two great resources: The WINDOWS VISTA PLAIN & SIMPLE GUIDE TO HELPING FRIENDS & FAMILY answers the most common questions and how-to's related to selecting, setting up, and running a new PC. It uses real-world analogies to explain basic computing concepts and offers helpful techniques, support sidebars, Web site suggestions, and more. You also get the popular WINDOWS VISTA PLAIN & SIMPLE book--the easy, colorful, SEE-HOW guide to getting things done with Windows Vista. Topics include running programs and gadgets, browsing the Web, burning CDs, organizing photos and music, playing games, troubleshooting, and other everyday tasks and topics.Each book offers practical examples and troubleshooting tips--written in plain English--for the tasks that novices want to accomplish most. Get up and running quickly--and get to the good stuff faster! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (30)

A real winner.
As the name implies, this book explains "WINDOWS 7" in plain and simple terms even a novice would understand.In fact I bought it for a friend who just got her 1st pc (can you believe?) to help her learn her way around WINDOWS and computing in general.

She has gain so much more confidence from having this book to go to when in doubt she's surprising me with her progress due to having her "BIBLE" for WINDOWS7"

Price is unbeatable.

plain & simple windows vista
this book is very good to have it has all sort of different chspter so you can navigate you way through windows vista

review the simple kit
This was a gift and it is very simple basic information.
It has been somewhat helpful at times.

Plain & Simple Windows Vista
Looks good so far. It's a reference book; not something you sit down and read cover to cover.I should qualify that, I am not planning to read it cover to cover but I will refer to it when I need to know something.I now realize I need a book that explains Outlook 2007.I am having more problems with it than with Vista itself.

Helpful.
Still reading it. It has been helpful to me since I am new to Vista Home Basic. ... Read more

Product Description
Get deep insights into Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 with this hands-on guide. This book focuses on developing Windows SharePoint Services applications for the enterprise with Microsoft Visual Studio® 2005 and the Collaborative Application Markup Language (CAML). A Windows SharePoint Services expert provides technical explanations of the platform architecture and how the technology works, including concise information on key topics including Web Parts, pages, workflow, and security. With this bottom-up view of the platform architecture and task-oriented guidance, Microsoft Windows developers will learn how to embrace Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 as a first-class development platform. Experienced developers will learn how to build robust, feature-rich applications, including enterprise content management (ECM) systems. In addition, this guide includes C# and XML code samples to help developers get up and running as quickly as possible.

Delivers concise information on Web Parts, pages, workflow, security, and other key topics

Features extensive code samples in Visual C# and XML; assumes prior knowledge of Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Mastery of SharePoint Development Starts Here
This book is required reading for the Microsoft Certified Master in SharePoint 2007 for good reason. I have read many portions of this book 10 times over. Highly recommended for any developer working with SharePoint code deployed to the server.

Excellent book so far
I've worked through the first three chapters and I am very happy with this book. I stumbled upon it when I was trying to supplement some microsoft e-learning and decided to just work through this book. It's well written and gives you an excellent ground up understanding of how to develop in WSS 3.0. My only suggestion would be to modify the title so others know its a development book. I almost missed it.

Best Book on SharePoint !!!!!
By Far the best book on SharePoint ever written !! I was so confused with Sharepoint I thought I would have to stop working with it- then i got this book and it cleared everything up.

I am a bit of a novice ,and can get easily confused , but Ted Pattison has come through with an amazing work here

wss3.0 start
This is still one of the best books out there for wss3.0
unfortunely written for vs2005 not vs2008 with the addon

This shouldbe your first book on WSS/MOSS
Windows SharePoint Services is huge and it can be daunting to know where to start. This is the book to start with. You will learn ALL the basics and be off to a great foundation, which will put you ahead of most other MOSS/WSS developers. The book is very well written and has enough hands-on exercises to practice what you are learning. Exceptional! ... Read more

Product Description
The Design Directory of Window Treatments features professional illustrations detailing every type of window treatment imaginable, and is an invaluable guide for trade professionals and consumers. Jackie Von Tobel preformed an exhaustive search of current window treatment design and manufacturing trends to identify and name more than 350 individual components that can be mixed and matched to create an infinite number of window treatments. Each of these elements and designs are expertly illustrated in more 1300 color renderings that can be used repeatedly. Black-and-white line drawings of these illustrations are also included on a companion CD-Rom, along with a complete worksheet system for designer use. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

The Design Directory of Window Treatments
This book is a must-have for every designer.All of the window treatments are beautifully rendered.Your clients and workroom will appreciate what you can bring to them by using this book/CD.

Window Treatments
Very comprehensive book of window treatments with fabulous pictures. This is a great reference book for anyone in interior design.

Must have book
This book is a staple for decorating. I use this book for work and it is an invaluable resource. It has every valance, drapery option, explanation etc. known to the industry.Worth every cent.

wow the design ideas!
I am a home sewer, always looking for new ideas. The number of ideas is just amazing. I would highly suggest this book for anyone, from someone who is just "window shopping" to the most avid home dec sewer

The best of it's kind; the only one you need
The most comprehensive compilation of window treatments of its kind, Von Tobel's book is a handy reference for interior designers, students, and workrooms. Her illustrations are lyrical and spirited, yet realistic enough to help clients visualize designs and for workrooms to follow. I don't even look in that "other" window treatment reference anymore -- I know I'll always come up with something fresh and different in Jackie's book whenever I'm stumped with Designer's Block.
... Read more

Product Description
A wealthy Pasadena widow with a mean streak, a missing daughter-in-law with a past, and a gold coin worth a small fortune—the elements don't quite add up until Marlowe discovers evidence of murder, rape, blackmail, and the worst kind of human exploitation.

"Raymond Chandler is a star of the first magnitude."-- Erle Stanley Gardner

"Raymond Chandler has given us a detective who is hard-boiled enough to be convincing . . . and that is no mean achievement." -- The New York Times ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

The High Window is aPhillip Marlowe novel featuring the adventures of the shop soiled Galahad of Los Angeles
The High Window was published in 1942. It's author Raymond Chandler (1888-1959) is a poetic master of hardboiled noir crime fiction. His metaphoric and colorful language; fascinating characters and sparkling prose make Chandler an American original. His works leap the high wall between mystery fiction and true literary art.
The High Window opens at a house in the Oak Noll Section of Pasadena. An obese, obtuse and cruel double widow with the name of Elizabeth Bright Murdock has called Marlowe to her home. The grotesque woman wants Marlowe to locate a rare coin known as the "Brasher Doubloon" which belonged to her late husband. The doubloon has been stolen. Murdock wants Marlowe to locate her former showbiz girl daughter-in-law Linda Conquest whom she suspects is guilty of the heist. Linda has been recently divorced from Lester Murdock the weak little Uriah Heepish cipher who is Mrs. Murdock's son. Marlowe also meets the intriguing Miss Merle Davis who is the virginal secretary of Mrs. Murdock. What lurks beneath the surface? Who stole the coin? What dirty secrets are being hid from the eyes of the police? Answers await as we join Marlowe on a dive into the inferno of sin which lies at the belly of the beast of Los Angeles.
This is the opening scene in a novel filled with all the twists and turns we expect in a Chandler novel. Along the way there are three murders as wheel spins within wheel in the shady, cruel, cynical and convoluted morality of the characters inhabiting the Chandlerian universe.
We remember Chandler for his skill in realistic dialogue and word paintings of Los Angeles and its 1940s environs. The plots are hard to follow and forgettable. Pick up a Chandler novel for pure reading pleasure as your eyes scan the lines penned by a master of American fiction!

Still the best
Even with all the years long gone, Chandler is still the best. The High Window may not be high profile, but it's still top of the game. Highly recommended.

Skips a beat, but worth your while...
Having read The Big Sleep and Farewell, My Lovely, I dove eagerly into the next Raymond Chandler novel in queue.The High Window offers the standard Chandler fare of murder, blackmail and general malefaction, though its characters don't form quite as well.Philip Marlowe, the archetypical 40's investigator, is reliably entertaining, but Merle Davis, the flighty personal assistant of Marlowe's client, is so neurotic she defies description.Ultimately, she also defies the plot.

It's important to point out that I appraise in relative terms.The author's previous novels were so entertaining that even the slightest Chandler misstep would resound.But, Merle Davis is a difficult proposition to get past and she eventually becomes the heart of the story.

Still, it's an engrossing story and, while it might not hit the heights of previous efforts, it is classic Raymond Chandler: 40's-era LA, mystery and menace, and a cunning private eye. Because of this, it deserves to be read.4 stars.

Great Chandler novel--because it's so different
I found this to be first-rate Phil Marlowe, probably my favorite after Big Sleep, mainly because it does not deliver what we've come to expect from the genre. Some other resemblances between The Big Sleep to make this point: this book also features an unhealthy, rich client and an unstable young woman, and Marlowe's looking for a missing household member. Here it's an unpleasant widow who incessantly drinks port that hires Phil to find her wimpy son's wife, whom she suspects of stealing a rare gold doubloon from her husband's collection. No sooner is Marlowe on the case than the coin is returned, but by this time two dead bodies have turned up, along with another doubloon. The entire case lasts two days, but Marlowe earns his pay.

But while some elements of the setting and characters seem to purposefully recall The Big SLeep, Chandler makes it clear he's writing a different kind of story. He avoids the clichés here, even though at this time they probably weren't clichés. For instance, although the missing wife is a good-looking nightclub singer, she barely figures in the case and is only in one scene; so much for our expectation, borne of Classic Hollywood, that the smoldering dame will be at the bottom of it all. Additionally, Marlowe is (for a noir tough guy) surprisingly compassionate and sympathetic at the end of the novel, refreshingly affected by what's happened, at odds with the image of the tortured private eye reporting truth in spite of who gets hurt.

In all, a very clever and atmospheric mystery without the wildness of Farewell or the weariness Lady in the Lake. I understand some readers' beef with it, but I found the whole thing delightfully surprising without being (conventionally) suspenseful.

Superior fiction even if one of Chandler's lesser efforts
To be honest, it seems kind of silly giving this book only four stars.If you compare it to the vast majority of hardboiled or detective novels ever written, it would deserve five stars.It is only when it is compared to Chandler's other books that it falls short.This was his third novel, published after THE BIG SLEEP (which started the vogue for starting books and movies with the words "The Big") and FAREWELL, MY LOVELY.In none of those books is plot and story as important as Chandler's exquisite prose, his wonderfully detailed descriptions, or his magnificently decadent characters.But even so the plots of those two look brilliant compared to this one.

The number of problems with the plot of THE HIGH WINDOW is legion, but I'll highlight only two.Chandler wants Philip Marlowe to discover a body.There are a million ways to do this, but instead of something elegant and simple, Chandler creates incredibly unlikely scenarios whereby the future corpse gives Chandler a key to his apartment so that he won't be forced to wait around if he somehow doesn't happen to be there.This is such a cheap device that it is almost as if Chandler were trying to parody storytelling.Perhaps even sillier is a bizarre gun swap, in which the killer goes into a nearby apartment, finds a gun under the pillow of the tenant, and switches it with his own.Much of the subsequent story hinges on the strange gun swap.

So, as an example of plot, THE HIGH WINDOW is a failure.Nonetheless, there is still the prose.Although Chandler is unquestionably one of the most imitated writers in literary history, no one has quite been able to match his power with words.Marlow enters a club."A check girl in peach-bloom Chinese pajamas came over to take my hat and disapprove of my clothes.She had eyes like strange sins."He prepares to question someone."From thirty feet away she looked like a lot of class.From ten feet away she looked like something made up to be seen from thirty feet away."He describes the residents of Bunker Hill:"Out of the apartment houses come women who should be young but have faces like stale beer; men with pulled-down hats and quick eyes that look the street over behind the cupped hand that shields the match flame . . . people who look like nothing in particular and know it."

And there are the characters.Though the best characters in THE HIGH WINDOW are not as memorable as the many, many memorable characters in THE BIG SLEEP or FAREWELL, MY LOVELY, there are still several so striking as to not easily slip out of mind.

But substandard Chandler or not, he is one of those writers so brilliant and original that he deserves to be read in toto.One should read not this or that novel, but all of it, short stories included.He is one of the few writers to have played a major role in shaping our culture as a whole.But besides that, his books -- even the lesser ones -- are just a great, great read. ... Read more

Product Description

Microsoft's Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) provides the foundation for building applications and high-quality user experiences for the Windows operating system. It blends the application user interface, documents, and media content, while exploiting the full power of your computer's operating system.

Its functionality extends to the support for Tablet PCs and other forms of input device, and it provides a more modern imaging and printing pipeline, accessibility and UI automation infrastructure, data-driven UIs and visualization, and integration points for weaving the application experience into the Windows shell.

This book shows you how WPF really works. It provides you with the no-nonsense, practical advice that you need in order to build high-quality WPF applications quickly and easily. After giving you a firm foundation, it goes on to explore the more advance aspects of WPF and how they relate to the others elements of the .NET 4.0 platform and associated technologies such as Silverlight.

What you'll learn

• WPF basics: XAML, layout, control essentials, and data flow
• WPF applications: Navigation, commands, localization, and deployment
• Advanced controls: Custom controls, menus, toolbars, and trees
• WPF documents: Text layout, printing, and document packaging
• Graphics and multimedia: Drawing shapes, sound and video, animation, geometric transformations, and imaging

Who is this book for?

This book is designed for developers encountering WPF for the first time in their professional lives. A working knowledge of C# and the basic architecture of .NET is helpful to follow the examples easily, but all concepts will be explained from the ground up.

Customer Reviews (10)

Content almost identical with the Windows Presentation Foundation Unleashed book
I would have given this book a 4 star rating if the content wasn't identical to that of another book I purchased with the title "Windows Presentation Foundation Unleashed" by Adam Nathan.I purchased this book thinking that I would learn something new but both authors gave identical (if nor verbatim) explanation on how the WPF parser works.This book isn't deserving of a 5 star rating for the following reasons.The author starts out very well in the first few chapters by explaining the under pings of XAML.However, in chapter 9 where data bindings is discussed, the author lost me and I had to resort to the book "Pro Silverlight 3 in C#" (which coincidentally written by the author of this book) to get a better explanation.

Fantastic Read
The book is very thorough, very detailed, and offers many code examples. And not only are the code examples in this book very nice, they are also available through the publishers website for download. Every single chapter has its own WPF demo application that you can load into Visual Studio or Blend and view or edit until your hearts content. This was a very helpful part of the learning process for me. Buy with confidence.

Hoped for more MT
All in all this book is great, and deeply covers most WPF topics.

I won't give this book 5 stars, because I was really hoping for broad Multi Touch coverage.
Still the book is a must have for any WPF developer!

Very comprehensive book
If you want to really learn WPF this is the book for you.It apparently doesn't skip anything.I have lots of WPF books, but none are anywhere near
this coomprehensive.I'm impressed, to say the least.In a field of good WPF books, it stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Best WPF book I've read
WPF is said to have a steep learning curve. I believe it. That's why I bought "Windows Presentation Foundation Unleashed" and "Teach Yourself WPF in 24 Hours". Both had great reviews here on Amazon.

Those books are both good, but I found this book to be the best of them. It's a LOT easier to follow along, especially in the beginning if you're a beginner. The writing style is overall better I think too. I'm not 100% finished with it yet, but I know for sure it'll be staying nearby for reference. Extremely satisfied with this book, and definitely recommend it.

Happy coding! ... Read more

Product Description

SPSS for Windows Step by Step: A Simple Guide and Reference, 18.0 Update is a comprehensive guide to using SPSS that takes students step-by-step through all SPSS procedures.

Makes data analysis and SPSS procedures clear and accessible by presenting straightforward step-by-step instructions in each analysis chapter to clarify procedures. Hundreds of screen shots and step-by-step boxes guide the student through the program. All of the datasets used in the book are available for download online at www.pearsonhighered.com/IRC.  Exercises at the end of each chapter give students an opportunity to practice using SPSS. Updated to reflect SPSS Version 18.0. 

Product Description

Customer Reviews (6)

Ingratiating folksy style is not for me
I'm sure that there might be some useful gems of information somewhere in here but his ingratiating folksy style has put me off trying to find them. There are a preponderance of Questions and Answers that start in the style of 'I'm telling you, Mr Window, this interlocking weather stripping is for the birds' you'll perhaps understand. Even the normal prose is full of rubbish like 'Ear Protectors. For all you baby boomers and heavy metal devotees who never missed an ear-splitting live concert, wearing ear protection at this point in your lives might seem as useful as had Napoleon II looked back and said, gee, Dad, you really should have stayed out of Russia'. Give me a break. It is a shame that I can't give it zero stars.

Awesome book!!!
We cannot imagine how we could have restored our old windows without Terry Meany and his great book.We checked it out of the library many, many times, then finally realized that this is an essential book to own.We love it!

The best book on window restoration and repair.
If you have old windows in your house and you can use a screwdriver and hammer, this book will tell you how to renovate them.I have been rebuilding windows for 40 years, and still get good ideas from this book.Well worth twice the price.

good instructions
I'm a beginner and appreciate the basics of the old windows. I think I can tackle the job now.

Useful information
This book was very helpful in showing how to repair old windows. It is geared mostly to windows that have pulleys and weights however. Mine have friction brakes on the side so that part wasn't helpful, but there was a lot of other good info. ... Read more

Product Description
A full-color, step-by-step guide for using the most popular free software and online offerings from Microsoft's new Windows Live Essentials

Microsoft's new operating system – Windows 7 – isn't including many applications you might be used to seeing. Instead, those applications are being made available as set of free downloads called Windows Live Essentials, with the promise of more frequent updates independent of when the operating system releases happen. Windows Live Essentials includes tools such as Messenger, Mail, Writer, Photo Gallery, and Movie Maker. This valuable guide shows you how to use these applications so that you accomplish everyday tasks successfully and smartly.

Step-by-step instructions show you how to use not only these applications, but also associated Windows Live on-line services. As an example, you'll learn just how easy it is to create panoramic pictures in seconds or how to create movies from pictures in just a few minutes. Then you'll get the inside scoop on how to communicate and share using Messenger, SkyDrive, Spaces, and Groups.

• Windows Live Essentials are available as free downloads for the Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP operating systems
• Reviews what is included Windows Live products such as Messenger, Mail, Writer, Photo Gallery, Movie Maker as well as Windows Live services like Spaces, Groups, SkyDrive, Calendar, and Events
• Provides you with essential information on using the applications and services efficiently in order to accomplish everyday tasks.

With this book, you'll quickly be on your way to accessing these useful applications in an effort to making your life easier. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

very useful book
very detailed book with lots of useful tips of Windows free live services like Messenger, Mail, Live Writer (blogging), Photo Gallery, Movie Maker and more. I am using this services for years and was surprised how many useful tricks I could learn from this book. Easy to understand, very good written with lots of pictures and examples, This is one of the books you read and say, wow i did not know so many cool things about the software i use every day! ... Read more

Product Description
Take your Windows XP knowledge to the next level! Designed for advanced home and office users, this thoroughly updated second edition delivers in-depth information on core and advanced Windows XP topics, including all-new coverage of Windows XP Service Pack 2, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows Media Series 9, and Windows Movie Maker 2. The award-winning Inside Out format makes it easy to find the timesaving solutions, troubleshooting tips, and workarounds you needand it features new Reality Check sidebars, which offer the straight scoop on popular wisdom about Windows XP.Amazon.com Review
Ed Bott and Carl Siechert have combined their considerable talents for producing user-level documentation in creating Microsoft Windows XP Inside Out. One of the most carefully researched books on Windows XP to date, this large volume has all the information and procedures most everyday users of the operating system will want. With its nicely formatted how-to instructions, detailed documentation of command-line commands, intelligent explanatory text, and broad scope, this book makes a great reference for a family or business that uses Windows XP extensively. Even the illustrations are more helpful than usual, largely because the publisher has gone to the trouble of annotating many of them with pointers and labels.

Bott and Siechert deal with the most controversial features of Windows XP, notably product activation, in a straightforward way. They simply explain what activation is for, tell how to go about it, and move on. If you're a power user interested in getting around activation and performing other unsanctioned hacks, look for your information in online newsletters. This book plays by Microsoft's rules, and that's fine. It's obvious that the authors have had access to Windows XP for some time, and spent a lot of time exploring its new features. Count on this book to explain the complete set of Windows XP's features--even the exciting networking stuff--in terms you can easily follow. --David Wall

Topics covered: Microsoft Windows XP (Professional and Home editions) for home and office users who want to install, use, and run applications. Emphasis is on basic set-up and configuration, hardware installation and modification, file management, multimedia, and networking. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (90)

Taking control of Windows XP
After hearing about blue screens from my girlfriend more than I deserved, I decided to look for the best book on Windows XP. This is the one. It is written in plain English and is organized in a way so that finding your subject is easy. There are many factors that go into making an outstanding reference and this one hits all the marks.

Windows XP Inside Out
My order came in pretty good condition with just the corners bent some.I contacted those who sent the book who informed me if
I had contacted them earlier which I will do in the future my order could have been shrunk wrapped.I would definitely order from them again.

Dean

4 Stars if you Start with this Book; 5 Stars for this book if you start with "XP Unleashed" book First
Sorry to say, but this book needs another book first before it gets its 5 stars.You really should start with XP Unleashed by McFedries.That book has a very high percentage of stuff you will want to do.Unleashed builds a perspective well too.Armed with a great perspective and having easily accomplished a host of very useful things from the Unleashed book, NOW you will we able to do something with the unfathomable plethora of info in XP Inside Out.(Surprisingly though, Unleashed is actually better at some things, and more thorough even, on certain topics than is Inside Out.)In short, Unleashed makes Inside Out workable.Just starting with Inside Out and I don't really think you'd know what to do.And like I said, Unleashed even has a couple topics and points missed by Inside Out.But the converse is true too:Inside Out has a few things not in Unleashed.Get Unleashed first -- literally and metaphorically.Totally eat up that book.Now your myriad of possibilities from Inside Out have some rhyme and reason to them.Most of the important things you can get from the Unleashed book though.But for the few extras not in Unleashed, the comprehensiveness of Inside Out, it's CD (see other reviewers' comments), Inside Out would get 5 stars -- but only if you got and ate up the XP Unleashed book first.

I like it
As far as I can tell, it cover everything about windows XP Professional and Home Edition. I recomment this to both every day user and profesional.

A Time Wasting Volume
I was very disappointed with this book.It simply does not provide the practical help to XP that I had anticipated.The book contains a vast amount of non-essential information and by the time you discover that the article cannot provide practical help, you have wasted entirely too much time.

I found both the table of contents and the index difficult to use.I alway come away with more questions than answers to some of my technical XP problems.If you are looking for timesaving solutions, tips, tricks, or other workarounds you will be wasting your time with this title. ... Read more