Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing for me
Review: I got this book on sale for real cheap and so wasn't expecting a whole lot based on that steep mark down, but I was still a little a disappointed. If you have a book like Brian Livingston's "Windows9x Secrets" and are looking for something similar regarding WinXP, skip this book!There are some good techinical tips here and there, and I suppose I will look at this book from time to time, but I will buy a better one that will be my primary source for WinXP. In particular, hardware installation and configuration are very weak so if that's the problem I wouldn't open this book. It's really too much oriented for the beginner. The intro did nothing to distinguish Professional from home versions. The basics and communications sections are full of stuff any windows user would already know (e.g. files, folders, starting IE, browsing the internet). Part IV goes into HTML, VBScript and other stuff you wouldn't expect to find in an operating systems book. The chapter on the registry is only a few pages, so all it does is give you enough rope to hang yourself with! (there are entire books devoted to the registry) The very last chapter on troubleshooting methodology seems to be a general training for support professionals. Now what does THAT have to do with WinXP Pro?
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing for me
Review: I got this book on sale for real cheap and so wasn't expecting a whole lot based on that steep mark down, but I was still a little a disappointed. If you have a book like Brian Livingston's "Windows9x Secrets" and are looking for something similar regarding WinXP, skip this book! There are some good techinical tips here and there, and I suppose I will look at this book from time to time, but I will buy a better one that will be my primary source for WinXP. In particular, hardware installation and configuration are very weak so if that's the problem I wouldn't open this book. It's really too much oriented for the beginner. The intro did nothing to distinguish Professional from home versions. The basics and communications sections are full of stuff any windows user would already know (e.g. files, folders, starting IE, browsing the internet). Part IV goes into HTML, VBScript and other stuff you wouldn't expect to find in an operating systems book. The chapter on the registry is only a few pages, so all it does is give you enough rope to hang yourself with! (there are entire books devoted to the registry) The very last chapter on troubleshooting methodology seems to be a general training for support professionals. Now what does THAT have to do with WinXP Pro?
Rating: 
Summary: minasi does it again!
Review: I had always had questions about xp and this gave me the answers! a good read and easily usable book. minasi has the talent to present difficult material in a clear and concise manner.
I am a big minasi fan!I happily recommend to all!
great job mark! e-mail me some time
Rating: 
Summary: Doesn't answer the important questions.
Review: I was extremely disappointed with this book. (Too bad we can't give a zero star rating.) Every time that I looked for answers I found only trivia. For example, I wanted to know how to serve a web site using IIS. There is nothing "mastering" or even hintful about this process in the book. If you never heard of Windows before, then maybe this could be helpful, but if you've used it for a while, then you will be as angry as I was when you see the trivial depth that this publisher calls "mastering". It is simply an untrue adjective in this case. I guess this is what we get when the first wave of junk hits the market about a relatively new product.
Rating:
Summary: Readable and Detailed
Review: Mark Minasi is a great writer, with the ability to take a complex subject, like Windows XP, and make it fairly readable. This book is typical of the "Mastering" series, however, and is not intended for light weights. If you are a home or private user, you may be better served with something akin to the "Windows for Dummies" variety. I'm not trying to be condescending, just realistic. This book is highly detailed and goes well beyond the average users needs. However, the first 89 pages of this book present a color plated introduction to using XP, which I found very helpful and better than most related products on the market. The first 89 pages alone are worth the price of this book for most of us. As an administrator, this book will also serve you well with its detailed explanations, extensive graphics and screen shots, and Mark's interpretation of Microsoft's technical manuals. Compare this book to Microsoft's publication of "Windows XP" (ISBN: 0735618054).
Rating: 
Summary: Well worth the price
Review: Mark Minasi is considered by many (including myself) to be the preeminent authority on the Microsoft Windows operating system. In "Mastering Windows XP Professional" he takes on the monumental task of documenting Windows XP Professional for the new and experienced Windows user. Because it focuses on both experienced and new users, the first section has detailed instructions for such mundane tasks as starting Windows XP, opening programs, minimizing and closing screen windows, etc. From there it moves to more and more advanced topics as he teaches you the details of the system from beginning to end. One of the problems with a book of this size and ambition is determining the goal of the author and from there determine if the book meets that goal. To this extent, the title "Mastering Windows XP Professional" should cover the details of the operating system. In this text Mark Minasi at times gives too much detail on items that are, and should be, covered well in other books (for example, HTML programming) and at other times properly keeps the coverage at an overview level because there are exhaustive texts available (for example, Windows Scripting Host or configuring IIS). The book does what it promises in allowing a new or experienced user to master Windows XP Professional without trying to make them an IT, Networking, or Integration professional by covering many topics outside the realm of the basic XP operating system. Also, as is common with Minasi's books, this is not designed to be a study guide for certification but a reference for real-life users to deal with and resolve real-life problems. Does this mean that this is the definitive text on Windows XP Professional? No. While it is an excellent text, it does not rise up to the level of Mark's other books. There seems to be a pattern developing in his works. For example, "Mastering Windows 2000 Professional" was somewhat disappointing, but the second edition became the definitive text. He is obviously listening to what people say about the books and incorporating their comments into the second and successive versions. All-in-all it is well worth the money and a great reference book. It is well organized and covers several areas that are skipped over or minimally covered in other books. For example, Internet Connection Sharing is better documented here than in any other text I have seen to date. A recommended buy, but expect the second edition to become the definitive text on the subject when it comes out (as they always do).
Rating:
Summary: Well worth the price
Review: Mark Minasi is considered by many (including myself) to be the preeminent authority on the Microsoft Windows operating system. In "Mastering Windows XP Professional" he takes on the monumental task of documenting Windows XP Professional for the new and experienced Windows user. Because it focuses on both experienced and new users, the first section has detailed instructions for such mundane tasks as starting Windows XP, opening programs, minimizing and closing screen windows, etc. From there it moves to more and more advanced topics as he teaches you the details of the system from beginning to end. One of the problems with a book of this size and ambition is determining the goal of the author and from there determine if the book meets that goal. To this extent, the title "Mastering Windows XP Professional" should cover the details of the operating system. In this text Mark Minasi at times gives too much detail on items that are, and should be, covered well in other books (for example, HTML programming) and at other times properly keeps the coverage at an overview level because there are exhaustive texts available (for example, Windows Scripting Host or configuring IIS). The book does what it promises in allowing a new or experienced user to master Windows XP Professional without trying to make them an IT, Networking, or Integration professional by covering many topics outside the realm of the basic XP operating system. Also, as is common with Minasi's books, this is not designed to be a study guide for certification but a reference for real-life users to deal with and resolve real-life problems. Does this mean that this is the definitive text on Windows XP Professional? No. While it is an excellent text, it does not rise up to the level of Mark's other books. There seems to be a pattern developing in his works. For example, "Mastering Windows 2000 Professional" was somewhat disappointing, but the second edition became the definitive text. He is obviously listening to what people say about the books and incorporating their comments into the second and successive versions. All-in-all it is well worth the money and a great reference book. It is well organized and covers several areas that are skipped over or minimally covered in other books. For example, Internet Connection Sharing is better documented here than in any other text I have seen to date. A recommended buy, but expect the second edition to become the definitive text on the subject when it comes out (as they always do).
Rating:
Summary: Mastering Windows XP
Review: Over 900 pages of information designed to advance an intermediate Windows XP Professional user to the limits of advanced use. By the time you close the cover on this title, there won't be any unfamiliar areas to you. The author has done a great job of extensively covering the majority of the OS without crossing the line from advanced user to IT Administrator. Ninety six pages of full color screenshots marks the beginning of the book - all before you even start Chapter one. The full basics of the OS are covered, along with most of the standard Windows XP bundled software, such as Media Player, Internet Explorer 6, Outlook Express, CD Burning and more. So much more than just the how-to of the interface is detailed - providing just enough technical information to make it interesting and to let you "get it", without turning into a dry textbook. Hardware installations and troubleshooting, Internet connections and ICS/NAT, LAN/WAN connectivity with TCP/IP and IPX/SPX, performance monitoring and MMC/System Policies are just a few of the area that this title covers that many others gloss over or miss altogether. A well mapped out Table of Contents and a 54 page index assist in making this not only a start-to finish read, but an easy find what you need reference. Although I can't recommend this title for anyone looking for a study guide towards certification, this is certainly a great choice for user who want to know Windows XP Pro inside and out as well as for desktop administrators who want a reference for their user's interface.
Rating:
Summary: Great Skill Advancing Tool
Review: Over 900 pages of information designed to advance an intermediate Windows XP Professional user to the limits of advanced use. By the time you close the cover on this title, there won't be any unfamiliar areas to you. The author has done a great job of extensively covering the majority of the OS without crossing the line from advanced user to IT Administrator. Ninety six pages of full color screenshots marks the beginning of the book - all before you even start Chapter one. The full basics of the OS are covered, along with most of the standard Windows XP bundled software, such as Media Player, Internet Explorer 6, Outlook Express, CD Burning and more. So much more than just the how-to of the interface is detailed - providing just enough technical information to make it interesting and to let you "get it", without turning into a dry textbook. Hardware installations and troubleshooting, Internet connections and ICS/NAT, LAN/WAN connectivity with TCP/IP and IPX/SPX, performance monitoring and MMC/System Policies are just a few of the area that this title covers that many others gloss over or miss altogether. A well mapped out Table of Contents and a 54 page index assist in making this not only a start-to finish read, but an easy find what you need reference. Although I can't recommend this title for anyone looking for a study guide towards certification, this is certainly a great choice for user who want to know Windows XP Pro inside and out as well as for desktop administrators who want a reference for their user's interface.
Rating:
Summary: Learing Windows XP
Review: This book covers the basics and advanced inner workings of Windows XP. I bought this book to help me with: 1. Password and Multiuser Environments
2. Home Networking and Peer to Peer Setup
3. Customizing windows for users
4. Windows Network Sharing Setup
5. Login Help with Passwords and User Envirnments This book will help you get around Windows XP and set it up the way you want.
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