Windows XP in a Nutshell
David Karp
Tim O'Reilly
Troy Mott
Publisher: O'Reilly
First Edition April 2002ISBN: 0-596-00249-1, 634 pages
This compact and comprehensive book systematically unveils what resolute users of the new Windows XP operating system will find interesting and useful, with little-known details, utility programs, and configuration settings all captured in a consistent reference format. A hands-on guide, Windows XP in a Nutshell cuts through the hype and gives practical details you can use every day. It’s written by David A. Karp, the best-selling author whose no-nonsense “Annoyances” books and web site (Annoyances.org) have helped thousands of users solve problems and improve their experience with Windows®. The co-author is none other than Tim O’Reilly, founder of O’Reilly & Associates, whose books have revolutionized computer book publishing with their commonsense approach and depth of detail. At the heart of the book is a 200-plus-page reference section titled "Windows XP Applications and Tools," containing:
· Detailed information on most of the commands and utilities available with Windows XP, including Start Menu accessories, command prompt tools, hidden system administration utilities such as the Registry Editor, Microsoft Management Console, and TweakUI.
· A comprehensive "Where to Find It?" section designed to give Windows 9x/Me and Windows NT/2000 users a guide to the XP counterparts to previously familiar features, plus information on installing and upgrading.
· The Task and Setting Index, which provides users with quick access to locations of the hundreds of settings in Windows XP, organized alphabetically.
· A complete reference to the command prompt-- not only covering the basics of the command line and the different ways to use it, but also the advanced commands and scripting features at Windows XP's disposal.
Packed with numerous tips and tricks, while warning of potential pitfalls, Windows XP in a Nutshell enables anyone to get the most out of all the resources available in XP.
by David A. Karp, Tim O'Reilly, Troy Mott
This errata page lists errors outstanding in the most recent printing.
If you have technical questions or error reports, you can send them to
booktech@oreilly.com. Please specify the printing date of your copy.
This page was updated July 18, 2002.
Here's a key to the markup:
[page-number]: serious technical mistake
{page-number}: minor technical mistake
: important language/formatting problem
(page-number): language change or minor formatting problem
?page-number?: reader question or request for clarification
Confirmed errors:
(Page 15)
Some of the callouts in Figure 2-4 are wrong. The arrows in the picture for items #6, #7, and #8 should be changed as follows:
6. should point to the gray area between the scrollbar thumb (current #6) and the down arrow (#5)
7. should point to the scrollbar thumb (current #6)
8. should point to the up arrow (current #7)
Page 21
The last sentence in the (5) Grayed-out (inactive) controls paragraph should read: "In the dialog box shown in Figure 2-5, the currently selected screensaver doesn't have any applicable settings, so the Settings button is disabled."
Page 124
Reference to Appendix C should be to Chapter 6.
Page 161
At the end of the first paragraph, "Comp.exe" should be "fc.exe."
Page 207
The word "Several" shouldn't be capitalized.
Page 211
1st paragraph, 1st sentence: "then" should be "than"
Page 249
The text "new values" should not be set apart in a mono-spaced font
Page 290
The "System Properties" section is out of order (alphabetically).
Page 325
"Windows Messenge" should be "Windows Messenger"
Page 472
Fourth paragraph, first line: "it's" should be "its"
Page 505
In tip #7, "Try something new with My Computer," there's a step missing. In order for this tip to work, you'll also need to navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ CLSID\ {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\ shell and change the (default) value to open.
Page 517
The showhello code example should read as follows:
Sub showhello(strMessage, strMessage2)
Wscript.Echo strMessage & " " & strMessage2
End Sub
showhello "Hello", "World"
Page 527
The code example near the top of the page should read as follows:
'display a popup with yes/no buttons and question mark icon
Set objShell = CreateObject("Wscript.Shell")
intValue = objShell.Popup("Do you wish to continue?",,,36)
'test if the Yes button was selected
If intValue = 6
'do something
End If
Page 555
The first paragraph on this page discusses the missing My Computer icon on the desktop, but the tip immediately following is wrong. Instead, it should read as follows: "By default, the My Computer icon is not shown on the Windows XP desktop, but it's there if you need it. Go to Control Panel -> Display -> Desktop tab -> Customize Desktop and turn on the My Computer option."
Page 582
Although the alphabetical listing of filename extensions is not intended to include every extension in existence, the following extensions should've been included here:
.pot PowerPoint Template
.pps PowerPoint Presentation that opens into slide show
.ppt PowerPoint Presentation (document)
.pst Outlook personal folder file
Windows XP in a NutshellPreface Considerations and Scope Organization of the Book We'd Like to Hear from You Windows XP Resource Links AcknowledgmentsI: The Big Picture1. The Lay of the Land 1.1 The Big Picture 1.2 What's New in Windows XP 1.3 Windows XP Home and Professional Editions 1.4 Windows Update2. Using Windows XP 2.1 The Desktop 2.2 Point and Click Operations 2.3 Starting Up Applications 2.4 Styles and Consequences of Styles 2.5 Windows and Menus 2.6 Keyboard Accelerators 2.7 Common Controls 2.8 Files, Folders, and Disks 2.9 The Command Line 2.10 Online Help 2.11 Shutting DownII: Alphabetical Reference3. The User Interface Address Bar Buttons Checkboxes Clipboard Combo Boxes Context Menus Control Menus Desktop Details Dialog Boxes Drop-Down Listboxes File Open/Save Dialogs Icons Input Fields Labels Listboxes Log Off Menus My Computer My Network Places Notification Area Progress Indicators Properties Radio Buttons Recycle Bin Run Scroll Bars Send To Shortcuts Shut Down Start Menu Status Bar System Tray Tabbed Dialogs Taskbar Text Boxes Title Bars Toolbars Tray Trees Turn Off Computer Windows4. Windows XP Applications and Tools 4.1 Using the Command Prompt 4.2 Alphabetical Reference to Windows Components Accessibility Options Accessibility Wizard Activate Windows Active Connections Utility Add Hardware Wizard Add or Remove Programs Address Book Administrative Tools At Attrib ...
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