Looking for Windows XP Pro reference

Posted by: TomK on 29 July 2004

I just replaced my PC and went the whole hog with the new one and got XP Pro. Can anybody recommend a decent reference? I've got "Windows XP All-in-one desk reference" for Dummies" but being reasonably technically literate I find the chatty, jokey approach a bit irritating. I'm also looking for something that goes a bit deeper.
Posted on: 30 July 2004 by Paul Hutchings
I know it's not much of an answer, but I'd try Amazon and look at the ratings - I work in IT and I find technical books are a very personal thing.. one can hold all the information you'd ever want but if it's written in a manner that makes you lose interest after five words etc..

What level of detail are you after?

Paul
Posted on: 30 July 2004 by Toksik
hello Tom,been using 'Pro since release and i think you'll find the HELP and SUPPORT section very useful.
XP PRO newsgroups are also very handy.
weather here in Waterfoot glorious. Smile

Dennis
Posted on: 30 July 2004 by TomK
Thanks,
I'll know what I want when I find it. I've been in the IT business for pushing 30 years, initially in OS and processor design but more recently (and much less interestingly) in management. I'm looking for a readable book (in an ideal world, printed on gold edged acid free paper, leather bound, with embossed satin inners) I can browse through while sipping a dram and know that I'm not going to be patronised in the manner of the "for Dummies" series.
Posted on: 31 July 2004 by matthewr
Books for o/s's are pointless imho. You (given your background) are already equipped with the semantic knowledge required and just need to find the particualar syntactic details when required. And most of the non-newbie books are much more focused on stuff like Active Directory, inter-machine security & trust, etc. which are unlikely to be of much interest ot a home user.

A combination of Help & Support files, Microsoft.com articles and google (and google groups) should more than suffice.

Matthew
Posted on: 31 July 2004 by TomK
To be honest Matthew I'm looking for a way to rekindle my sadly flagging interest in the technical side of computers. Obviously in my job I need to keep up to date and frankly I'm finding that more and more difficult these days. I'm hoping that if I can find a decent reference I can use it get the old spark going again.
Posted on: 02 August 2004 by Coxybabe
Check out Woody's Windows Watch - a Google search will get you there - and get a copy of his reference book.

A good site, recently amalgameted though.
Posted on: 02 August 2004 by Mike Hughes
Can I second Lewis as regards the MCP book for XP Pro? One of Microthefts better efforts and currently being used for its' intended purpose by me.

Mike