BKVQGW95.RVW   980509

"Visual QuickStart Guide Windows 95", Steve Sagman, 1995,
1-56609-182-9, U$14.95/C$18.95
%A   Steve Sagman steves@msn.com 72456.3325@compuserve.com
%C   26 Prince Andrew Place, Don Mills, Ontario   M3C 2T8
%D   1995
%G   1-56609-182-9
%I   PeachPit
%O   U$14.95/C$18.95 510-548-4393 fax: 510-548-5991 800-283-9444
%P   180 p.
%T   "Visual QuickStart Guide Windows 95"

Part one is a general introduction to Windows 95.  Chapter one
provides an overview of the basic objects and functions to be found in
Windows 95.  It is not as quick as it might be, starting with several
pages of points on what are supposed to be new features of Windows 95
but are mostly marketing hype.  The review of accessory programs in
chapter two (with the exception of WordPad) is fairly useless since
the material is too short to be of any help.  (The complete advice on
troubleshooting HyperTerminal is, and I quote, "Adjust the settings as
necessary.")  Windows Explorer, as the disk and file management
utility, is arguably the most important component of Windows 95 for
any but the most novice user.  Although chapter three gives the
subject a fair amount of space, it fails to approach the topic
adequately, starting, for example, with a setup that is not the
default that a new user will see.

Part two reviews management of the computer in the usual areas. 
Chapter four, on disk and file management, is a bit redundant, since
much of the material was covered in chapter three or earlier.  Windows
settings, mostly in regard to appearance, are covered in chapter five. 
The setting dealt with in chapter six are more functional, but also
slightly more dangerous, and in a number of cases the full
consequences of an action are not explained.  The installation of
software and hardware is adequately explained in chapter seven. 
Chapter eight's coverage of printers is quite thorough, with the
exception of network printers and printer sharing.  The material on
portable computing in chapter nine is rather random, and fails to
address some fo the more useful topics.

Part three looks at communications.  Chapter ten's promise of
"Connecting to a Network" is not fulfilled since it only tells you
what to do once you *are* connected to a network.  The coverage of
email and fax in chapter eleven has significant gaps in it, and is
unlikely to get someone up and running.  Chapter twelve deals with
Microsoft Network (MSN) and is therefore of limited use.

The material in the book does provide a quick start to the novice to
Windows and Windows 95.  At a novice level the material is simple
enough to follow, but there are some gaps.  As a reference the book is
likely to have a limited lifespan, since intermediate users will
definitely need more depth.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1998   BKVQGW95.RVW   980509