Book Review: Easy Microsoft Windows 7

Title: Easy Microsoft Windows 7
Author: Mark Edward Soper
Publisher: Que
ISBN: 978-0-7897-3994-0
User Level: Beginner

The following paragraph is from the introduction of this book.

“We won't waste your time discussing obscure operations that not even help desk workers or Windows geniuses ever use. Instead, our objective with Easy Windows 7 is to give you a solid grounding in the everyday features you need to make your computing life better, more productive, and even more fun.”

The word ‘fun’ is an indication that this book is not written for the business user. It is in fact geared toward the typical home user. The author used the Home Premium of version of Windows 7 as the basis of his book.

This book follows the slogan of the Easy series is “See It Done. Do It Yourself.” Topics are usually one or two pages. There is a paragraph at the top of the first page with a few sentences describing what is to be accomplished, along with the actual steps (along with screen shots) needed to accomplish a particular task. There is usually one screen shot per step. The bottom of almost every page contains a note section with a sentence or two of additional help.

The book is organized in seventeen chapters.

1. What's New in Windows 7
2. Getting Started with Windows 7
3. Using the Windows 7 Desktop
4. Working with Your Folders
5. Working with Your Files
6. Printing
7. Working with Windows Media Player
8. Windows Media Center
9. Gaming
10. Browsing the Internet
11. User Accounts and System Security
12. Personalizing Windows 7
13. System Maintenance and Performance
14. Setting Up Programs
15. Windows Accessories
16. Networking Your Home
17. Using Windows Live Essentials

The Networking Your Home chapter is a very clear step-by-step approach to setting up the new Homegroup feature of Windows 7. Homegroup allows computers to share files (such as MP3s) and devices (such as a color printer). Be aware that all computers must be using Windows 7 to use Homegroup. Therefore you cannot mix Windows 7 machines with Windows XP machines. This chapter also includes six pages of steps on using the Easy Transfer Wizard. This wizard enables you to transfer files and program settings (but not actual programs) between a Windows 7 machine and one running Windows 7, Vista, or XP.

The chapter on Windows Live Essentials was a disappointment because it only covered Photo Gallery and Mail. It ignored Messenger, Tool Bar, Writer, Movie Maker, and Family Safety. Since the book is geared toward home users, parents may have been interested in the Family Safety program.

You may purchase this book from Amazon