Book Recommendation from a fellow SBSC partner...

One of our SBSC partners, Leslie Cupitt of Business Solutions Ltd, has emailed me with a book recommendation that he thinks every customer should own. It's about Windows Vista but I'll let Leslie tell you about it himself...

I have come across a great book Vista I can really recommend. Vista is all about presentation and a move away from our geeky stuff. This book does both in an excellent way. It is ‘The Computer Book Windows Vista Edition’ by Rob Beattie. Its biggest claim to fame is that it is from Dorling Kindersley who produce those sumptuous inviting coffee table books. This handy A5 size book is given the same full colour treatment. It really does invite you to turn from page to page – I never thought I would ever say that about a computer book. There are full colour screen shots on every page. The instructions are placed at the side of each screen shot and are short, clear, to the point, and technical words are kept to the minimum.

Computers now come without manuals but the things they can do are expanding exponentially. This book makes a first class alternative to a manual. Starting with the desktop and Start Menu it soon gets in to tempting stuff like games and personalising Windows. The chapter on IE7 is very good as Vista user have still not grasped idea of tabbed browsing. Microsoft Mail is covered in clear detail. Outlook Express has moved on and this book covers its replacement in a user friendly way.

The chapters cover:

• • Introducing Windows
  • Files and Folders
  • Using the Internet
  • Using E-mail
  • Staying Safe
  • Using Programs
  • Enjoying your Photos
  • Playing Music and DVDs
  • Making Movies
  • Maintaining your PC

I first picked up the book in one of the bookstore with shelves. I intended to use it as a quick reference when doing a stint on the Help Desk to save me the hassle of powering up a Vista machine. Explaining how to change the IE default Search can be tricky to do from memory. Simple with this book, and I can add value to the telephone support by telling the end user one or two extra little tips gleaned from the book. It really does invite you to read the next section and the next...

Want to buy your customers a Christmas present with a difference which will also help them to make the move to the excellent Windows Vista. Can I propose this book? It will last long after Christmas, is really useful (like socks) and will soon become well worn; you may be able to subtly brand it for your company. And, who knows it may make your customers to ask for Vista instead of downgrading to XP.

‘The Computer Book Windows Vista Edition’ is available from those nice Computer Manuals people in Birmingham and at https://www.compman.co.uk/scripts/browse.asp?ref=838081 . List price is £19.99 but I am sure they will give you a great saving. With over 500 pages you do get good value for your money.

Author: Beattie, R
DORLING KINDERSLEY ; (Jul 2007) ; Pages: 512 Format: hardback
ISBN: 140532547X ; ISBN13: 9781405325479

Leslie Cupitt

If anyone else would like to share a recommendation of a key resource that your fellow SBSC partners would benefit from looking at please email sbscuk@microsoft.com and I will endeavour to share your views through this RSS Feed.