Microsoft Windows 98 Resource Kit

Rating:
Summary: Good Idea, but price is too high for target market.
Review: The idea that Microsoft should release a beta OS/Resource Kit to the market to allow administrators to prepare for the upcoming release is a good one. The target for this book is not to gain paying beta testers (as Microsoft already has many beta testers externally and internally who will receive free copies of the release version for their participation). The target for this book/OS CD is a system admin or curious user who needs or wants an advanced look at the next MS OS. It's MS's way of saying, "Here, you asked for it. You begged to see it before we released it, so here it is." The book meets this goal admirably. However, there is one concern: THE PRICE. Since this is a "nice to have preview" and not intended to be the actual release, MS should not have charged this pricing on the book. Rather, MS should have charged the "cost" of producing and distributing the book so as to only break even. Making a profit on beta software is unethical, so the pricing should have been on a cost basis. It DOES NOT COST $70 list to put together a book and CD. :) The book gives you a preview of the OS and thus meets its main goal, but the pricing causes it to do so in a somewhat unethical manner.

Rating:
Summary: A definitive text for Windows 98
Review: The manual that comes with Windows 98 is disappointing to say the least, which makes a book such as the Resource Kit essential. There are enough changes in how the software works that this book is needed. There are some errors, some of which are documented in Microsoft's Knowledge Base article Q188307. All Windows power users must have this book!

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Summary: Complete Unleash the secret of Windows 98
Review: This book discuss complete all the new feature of Windows 98. The new Networking and WebTV feature in Windows98 is the most interesting to look at. Complete documented all of the new technical stuff in Windows98.

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Summary: A rushed book lacking in many areas...
Review: This book was obviously written in a hurry - that I can forgive, but it's also shoddily organized, and the index is absolutely horrible. Since it's the only reference currently available, it's the only show in town. That doesn't forgive the lack of finish and quality on this title.

Rating:
Summary: Extremely informative resource with complete explanations.
Review: This huge book contains almost anything you could ever want to know about Windows 98, plus information on compatiblity with other operating systems. It includes explanations of new technologies implemented in 98 and elaborates on the new features. However, if you're looking for a detailed technical reference, you'll have to look elsewhere... but this book is not lacking in much else.

Rating:
Summary: It is great for those who cannot wait it ships..
Review: This is not just a marketing ploy. It is a complete authoritative manual for those planning to upgrade to Windows 98 when it ships. Describes the installation and new features like FAT32, disk optimization etc. in great detail. The installation of the beta 3 was flawless. I don't think the shipped version is going to be much different although superficially it does not look much different from Windows 95. I think it is a great buy for those who cannot resist an upgrade till the official version ships and a must for system administrators who want to prepare in advance for it.

Rating:
Summary: Not a bad shelf resource book, but has some problems.
Review: This text is a good companion to the introduction to 98, alsopublished by microsoft press. The text is presented in a logical andwell thought out manner. The one big problem is the mammoth size of this book. Who the heck wants to lug this behemoth around? They should break these books into two or three separate volumes.

Rating:
Summary: Quit Whining - It's BETA Software!
Review: When someone gives you a gift, do you punch them in the mouth to say thanks? Microsoft didn't have to put the operating system on the CD, and they didn't have to offer the Resource Kit until *after* product release. For those of us who have to make decisions now on where we're headed in 6 months, this book is a welcome departure from the old practice of forcing us to find out information through press releases and articles in magazines. Sure the book and the OS aren't perfect, but I can work around the imperfections.
Buy this book if you need to make informed decisions about what new features Windows 98 offers. Don't buy this book if you can't handle the idea that *beta* software may have bugs in it.

Rating:
Summary: Good book, it's the OS that's too expensive!
Review: While the book is well-written and covers Windows98 in most of its aspects, we would have appreciated more coverage on filtering-out some of those annoying little tweaks MS has built into the OS: things like Internet Explorer, for example. Around this house, we're definitely Netgscape people. I fear, too, that Microsoft will price the shipping version of the OS at something over the (recently, for updates) standard US$99.95 and if this is the case, the OS won't be a good buy for anyone other than the gamers and techies.If Microsoft expects to really sell this system, they had better price it around the fifty-dollar mark and hype it as what it is: Windows95, version C.