Buy Now...
click image to enlargeThis 670 page tome by David Pogue is well structured and contains a vast amount of information that will be of value for both new and experienced users. It is well written in an almost chatty fashion so that the reader will not find it daunting. That having been said it is not bedtime reading. After all, in the main, it will be used as an aid to problem solving – either when getting something working or when dealing with a problem that has just arisen.
Nearly 200 pages are devoted to the Windows Desktop starting with the Desktop & Start menu and then going on to File Explorer, Task Bar and the Action Centre which is one of the new features in Windows 10. It then moves onto file management and redesigning the desktop prior to explaining what Cortana "Your Voice Assistant" is and how to set up and use it.
Opening and closing of programs and documents as well as dealing with settings and the control panel are covered at the beginning of the section headed The Programs of Windows 10. It then covers the large number of built-in starter apps and even makes reference to the fact that Windows Media Player is absent because "people are now using alternative programs …"
The Windows Online section starts with Getting Online, is very US orientated, and includes reference to WiFi Sense which provides "automatic connection to good, fast open hotspots". This will especially be worth a look by tablet users. Probably the most useful part of the Windows Online section is that dealing with security and privacy even though, in addition, we will all spend a few minutes reading up on Microsoft's new Edge browser.
The first chapter in the section Hardware and Peripherals is entitled Tablets, Laptops & Hybrids and provides a lot of useful information for those users while the rest of that section and the remaining sections of the book: PC Health and The Windows Network cover the appropriate material effectively as one would expect and will be of value to all.
In addition to all this information there are appendices covering Installing & Upgrading to Windows 10, Where'd it Go (covering name changes such as "Previous Versions" which is now called "File Histories") and the very useful Master List of Keyboard Shortcuts and Gestures that will enable us all to save an appreciable amount of time. Finally, it includes 20 pages of index so that it is not too difficult to find something when you are faced with a problem.
Published by O'Reilly this book by David Pogue provides a large amount of information for Windows 10 users – irrespective of the platform –whether they are new users or have migrated from a previous version of Windows. Priced at £21 but available on Amazon for £14.62 plus p&p an investment in this book could well smooth one's entry into the world of Windows 10.
Comment by jazz3, Dec 4, 2018 11:22