Rating: 

There are many graphics and detailed pictures to support the explanations and directions given in the text as well as information on everything from reading/writing DVD's to using USB ports, installing programs to network setup and a Bluetooth devices how-to in Windows XP. There's even detailed explanations and helpful pictures on how to upgrade RAM (memory) and install or uninstall hardware in the pc itself.

This manual is not written in 'computerese' and is rather a more polite "computers for dummies' for those of us a little sensitive to that phraseology.

The table of contents at the front of the book enables the reader to quickly find the section he/she is looking for. There's also a very handy alphabetical index at the back of the book to make it much easier to quickly go to the page that has the information required.

Altogether, this 'Missing Manual' by Andy Rathbone is a very good buy and a must-have item for anyone wanting to learn more about their computer and how to service or maintain them without having to shop it out to expensive computer repair stores.

The information on common software applications is
also very helpful and I would recommend this book to anyone who is wanting to learn to be more self-sufficient in upgrading and maintaining it themselves.