operating systems

Being new to Windows XP Professional I need to find books that will allow me to be able to get answers quickly and I don't want to spend a great deal of time looking for them. The pocket consultant is a blessing for me and for those just starting out with XP this may be a book you'll want to keep right by your side.

Being only 300 pages, don't be fooled into thinking this book can't possibly coverage every aspect of XP professional, it's not design for that. The content of the book is to give you coverage of the topics and areas within XP and answers questions from the foundation level.

Covering areas like administration, networking, setup and configuration, troubleshooting, monitoring devices, desktop support, toolbar configuration, laptop users, remote access connections, policies, the internet and VPNs, you'll have a very well rounded reference manual to work with.

Not written to be a Exam Prep type of book it does make a good source of information for the XP Professional exam, but you will need other material to fill in the details. Overall the book is easy to follow and does answer most of the basic to some intermediate questions. The only change I would make is making this book portable to the palm device.

I finally picked up Windows XP Professional Pocket Consultant. I've been meaning to grab it since I first heard that William Stanek wrote a book on xp. I remember reading his stuff in PC Magazine and Dr. Dobbs and generally it was great.

Windows XP Professional Pocket Consultant is exactly what you'd expect if you've read any of Stanek's other books or columns. It's clear, straightforward, concise. It's written for administrators but any one use it as its a very readable technical book. That's not to say it's without substance, though - within the first chapter I already had insights into Win XP I didn't get from anywhere else and after a few chapters over a dozen of my exisiting questions were answered as well as plenty I hadn't even thought to wonder about.

Despite being less than 400 pages, this is by far the best Win XP book I've seen yet, especially if you use it with one of his server books as someone else recommended. Definitely recommended.

Another excellent book from William Stanek. This a wonderful resource; especially for people like me, who are always on the go. From page one to the last, book offers tips and trick at every page. This book has been close on hand since I bought it and will remain for the forseeable future. Mr. Stanek has once again written a valuable book that is easy to use and understand.