Using Microsoft Windows 98: Special Edition (Special Edition Using)

Providing readers with the most comprehensive, relevant and understandable reference to Windows 98, this book features a two-color interior, a new, more effective design, handy task-reference tear cards, a wealth of productivity-boosting tips, notes and cautions, and valuable software on the CD-ROM.

This huge book from a popular series has all the answers for new Windows 98 users. If you want to know how to do something fairly basic with Windows 98, you'll probably find the appropriate procedure in these pages.

Special Edition Using Windows 98 helps computer neophytes who are just getting used to the mouse make the transition to being Windows 98 users who know how to do basic operations with Windows 98. The book then helps users move to Windows 98 power users, people who enjoy working with the operating system and know how to get the most from it.

Logically enough, the book begins by explaining how to start Windows and how to manipulate its various interface elements. (Actual installation of the operating system is covered in an appendix). From there, the book details the new Windows 98 interface options--Web style or Classic style--and explains the various means of manipulating and organizing files.

Helpfully, this book provides good coverage of installing applications--after all, Windows 98 isn't of much use on its own. Printing--always a source of trouble--and hardware installation get their own chapters. (The section on adding hard drives would benefit from diagrams.) As you might expect, a large portion of this book has to do with networks (from the Internet on down) and the programs related to them. Outlook Express, Internet Explorer, and FrontPage Express receive super coverage, and even virtual private networks (VPNs) get some ink. You'll find out how to connect to networks via network cards, modems, and other means.

Some excellent troubleshooting guides and a glossary conclude the book, and a companion CD-ROM holds some reference tools and some potentially handy software.