The risk Mark Minasi takes in Mastering Windows XP Professional is in attempting to cover a shockingly broad swathe of knowledge. He begins with instructions for manipulating (maximizing, minimizing, and closing) windows and concludes with making static entries in the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) cache for speedier routing. That's like writing a manual for an automobile that begins with opening the passenger-side door, goes all the way through driving and routine maintenance, and concludes with instructions for tweaking the fuel-injection system for a tiny horsepower gain. Does he pull it off? By and large, yes, if you adopt the philosophy that this book isn't sacred writ and is meant only to clarify details as you develop understanding of Windows XP for yourself. Stuck on how to "print to a file," and why you'd want to do that? There's a succinct passage on that subject. Considering broadband Internet options? Minasi summarizes the pros and cons of each nicely. Large subjects that require knowledge of subjects outside of Windows--like scripting for the Windows Script Host (WSH), which is a kind of programming--are a hard fit for encyclopedic books like this one. They deserve (and have) books of their own, and the distilled entry in this omnibus is bound to seem either too elementary to be useful or too obscure to be understood.

The problem with this book is that it's better suited to novice and moderately experienced computer users who should be using Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, not the more feature-rich Professional version. Users of Windows XP Professional probably won't need to be told how to shut their machines off but may well want detailed coverage of how to configure Internet Information Services (IIS), a subject to which Minasi gives only two pages. Though it's not for power users or administrators of Windows XP Professional, this book is a good choice for users of Windows XP Home Edition, as well as novices who have had Professional forced upon them by a corporate computing department. --David Wall

Topics covered: Nearly all everyday aspects of Windows XP Professional (like Internet connectivity, formatting and printing, and local-area network hookups) and many more advanced subjects (like firewalling, Registry editing, scripting, and security configuration). New features like fax services, system rollback, and the handy photo viewer are dealt with nicely.


Book Description
If you want to master XP Reloaded and XP Digital Media, here is your premium solution--the most thorough and useful content at the best price! Brought to you from world-renowned Windows authority Mark Minasi, this book features all sorts of unique learning tools designed for power users and IT professionals. They include: an "XP Digital Media Tips and Tricks" color insert, appendices on the latest version of XP Media Center Edition PC, "Next step" coverage of Server 2003, plus new navigational reference tables and thumb tabs for easy navigation.


Book Info
Premier resource for anyone installing, configuring, and administering Windows XP, whether as part of a corporate network or for home or small business use. New topics include: Web and FTP servers, scripting, the Microsoft Management Console and Services, and security. Softcover.


From the Back Cover
Complete Coverage of Windows XP Professional The latest from the world's leading Windows authority, Mark Minasi, Mastering Windows XP Professional is the premier resource for anyone installing, configuring, and administering Windows XP, from corporate networks to small businesses and home. Depend on it for step-by-step instruction in hundreds of key techniques—not to mention a thorough look at all of XP's new features and troubleshooting advice that will save you time, money, and countless headaches. Coverage Includes Using the new Start menu and Control Panel Setting up broadband Internet connections Configuring a peer-to-peer network Securing your PC and network from intruders Running programs designed for previous versions of Windows Transferring files and settings from one computer to another Sharing your desktop with remote users Connecting to remote computers using Remote Desktop Connection Constructing wireless networks with Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) Using Windows Media Player 10 Communicating in real time using the newest version of Windows Messenger Using Windows XP on Portable Computers Preventing disaster; backing up and recovering data Using the Services and MMC administration tools Bonus Coverage: XP Digital Media Tips and Tricks Includes full-color visual, step-by-step instruction on the most popular XP digital media skills. In minutes, you'll learn how to burn a CD, buy/download/play audio CDs, listen to radio stations, watch DVD movies, and much more.


About the Author
Mark Minasi, MCSE, is one of the world's most revered teachers of NT/2000. He leads NT/2000 classes in 15 countries and is a much sought-after speaker at conferences. His firm, MR&D, has trained tens of thousands of people to design and run NT networks. Among his eight other Sybex books are Mastering Windows 2000 Server, Mastering Windows NT Server 4, and The Complete PC Upgrade and Maintenance Guide, which has sold a million copies and has been translated into 12 languages. Quentin Docter, MCSE, CNE, CCNA, SCSA, A+, has ten years of IT experience, including as a consultant, administrator, web developer, and trainer. Quentin has written several books for Sybex, including MCSE: Windows 2000 Migration Exam Notes, MCSE: Windows 2000 Directory Services Administration Exam Notes, Server+ Study Guide, and Solaris 9 Sun Certified System Administrator Study Guide. Faithe Wempen, M.A., A+, is an adjunct faculty member in the Computer Information Technology department at Indiana University/Purdue University at Indianapolis, specializing in PC hardware and software architecture. She is the author of 70+ books on PC hardware and software including Windows XP Home Edition Simply Visual.

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
Are you a WinXP power user? Do you administer Windows computers? Just want to run Windows more productively and securely? You need Mark Minasi￯﾿ﾽs Mastering Windows XP Professional, Third Edition. Minasi tells you the real deal: how things really work (or don￯﾿ﾽt). He￯﾿ﾽs taught serious Windows topics to thousands of pros worldwide; so many folks crowded into his recent PC tuning webcast, he crashed Yahoo￯﾿ﾽs servers.

His XP Pro book covers everything the others don￯﾿ﾽt, from secure telecommuting to connecting with Server 2003 domains to the Registry. It also covers everything the others do cover -- only better. (Digital media. Internet Explorer. Troubleshooting.) This edition￯﾿ﾽs multiple improvements include an entire new chapter on security with SP2, and another on wireless networking -- both part of a whole new section on home/small office networking. Bill Camarda

Bill Camarda is a consultant, writer, and web/multimedia content developer. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2003 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks for Dummies, Second Edition.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Mastering Windows XP Professional is the premier resource for anyone installing, configuring, and administering Windows XP, whether as part of a corporate network or for home or small business use. Depend on it for step-by-step instruction in hundreds of key techniques - not to mention a thorough look at all of XP's new features and troubleshooting advice that will save you time, money, and countless headaches. Updates to this edition include new coverage for administrators on topics including Web and FTP servers, scripting, the Microsoft Management Console and Services, and security.

SYNOPSIS

If you want to master XP Reloaded and XP Digital Media, here is your premium solution--the most thorough and useful content at the best price! Brought to you from world-renowned Windows authority Mark Minasi, this book features all sorts of unique learning tools designed for power users and IT professionals. They include: an "XP Digital Media Tips and Tricks" color insert, appendices on the latest version of XP Media Center Edition PC, "Next step" coverage of Server 2003, plus new navigational reference tables and thumb tabs for easy navigation.

AUTHOR DESCRIPTION

Mark Minasi, MCSE, is one of the world's leading Windows authorities. He teaches NT/2000 classes in 15 countries, keynotes at industry gatherings, and writes regular columns for Windows 2000 magazine and other prominent publications. His firm, MR&D, has taught tens of thousands of people to design and run Windows networks. Among his eight other Sybex books are Mastering Windows NT Server 4; Mastering Windows 2000 Server, Mastering Windows 2000 Professional, and The Complete PC Upgrade and Maintenance Guide.

ACCREDITATION