You’ve probably seen the internet video of the man beating up his computer and finally knocking it to the floor. Or the internet video entitled “Bob Gets a New Monitor” starring Bob and his twelve-gauge shotgun. If either of these two characters could ever be you at one time or another you need to buy this book.
“PC Annoyances...” has a lot to offer on several levels. Besides being a valuable resource, this book is fun to read, is loaded with files to download, and the author is as interesting as he makes the book itself.
As a resource, “PC Annoyances...” has appeal for all levels of users. In the first chapter you will find out about issues with email programs such as fighting spam and how to eliminate the millions of > symbols from messages before forwarding the message for the millionth time. You will find answers to questions about attachments and how to back up email messages and address books. Although the focus is on Outlook and Outlook Express, he includes AOL, Eudora and Hotmail. I don’t use any of these programs, but I still found the chapter to be an easy and interesting read. My favorite gem from this chapter is where to get a free virus removal program called Stinger. Stinger is not a substitute for an antivirus program. It’s a useful tool for eliminating a virus from an already infected system.
The next chapter addresses Windows, primarily Windows XP. Topics include advice on screen resolution, using a laptop, windows updates and service packs. Bass provides a very informative and easy to understand explanation of the “hot” topic of product activation.
Chapter 3 deals with the Internet and includes information on browsers, dealing with those ubiquitous pop-up ads and spyware, as well as instant messaging. The focus is on Internet Explorer but Netscape and Opera are included when appropriate. My favorite part of this chapter would be the tips on using Google.
In chapter 4 you’ll read about short cuts, tips and tricks for using Microsoft Office —mainly Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. If you are a seasoned Office user, you probably won’t find anything new in this chapter. However, it you are new to any of these programs, I’d be very surprised if you can’t find an “a-ha, that’s how to do that” in this chapter.
The next chapter covers Windows Explorer and tips for dealing with files, folders. filenames, and file associations.
The next to last chapter, ‘Music, Video and CDs” focuses on RealOne and Windows Media Player. Fluctuating volume and videos that won’t play are addressed. Among the tidbits in this chapter are tips on mp3s and capturing video streams. I have 2 favorites from this chapter - how to turn off RealOne’s message center ads and turning off SuperCookie tracking in Media Player.
The last chapter, “Hardware,” provides information about modems, DSL, AC adapters, monitors, printers, and fixing PC noises. I found the information on digital camera auxiliary power packs to be most enlightening.
With a wide range of topics, there has to be something in this book that makes it worthwhile for you. Besides being a valuable reference when you have a specific annoyance, this book is also fun to thumb through. After the first couple of pages, you’ll want to continue thumbing through to the end. Download junkies will be delighted at the quantity of addresses for numerous files, utilities, reference tools, add-ons, and patches, etc. that are found throughout the book.
If you are not familiar with the author, Steve Bass is a contributing editor of PC World magazine. He started the Pasadena IBM Users Group in 1982 and followed that by co-founding the Association of Personal Computer User Groups. He was a licensed family therapist and met his wife while performing in a magic show.
Thanks go to O’Reilly Publishing for providing a copy of this book to MHCUG.
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