And I swear – the following story is all true.

… My friend, the carpenter …

I have this friend (which is going to stay anonymous) who’s a carpenter by trade. A truly gifted carpenter. Whatever you need made – he is the go to guy. But when it comes to computers…

This Friend of mine, hates computers. And when I say Hate, I mean an utterly, sincere deep down fire-in-your-gut-hate towards anything technical that cannot be used to build something with (like a hammer, saw etc.). He was recently told by his accountant that he needed to get a computer so that he could better be served by them. After much ado, he finally bought one.

The boxes stayed unopened in the hallway for three months. And each day when he passed by these devils-things he cursed out loud – building up a rage towards this home invading technical junk that was collecting dust.

Finally the day came, when the computer was unpacked. A week later I got the call to come by and “make the darn thing work” as he put it. So I did. When I got there everything was in a big pile on his desk. Manuals torn up, shred to pieces, cables all over. He had given up even before he unpacked it. When I left, the computer was up and running, every piece of software was installed, and I had even made sure he could get access to his bank account, email account etc. Then I made the mistake of turning it off. oh well….

The next morning, the following conversation took place:

Him: I can’t get this %&()&# computer working. #¤%&!!!!.

Me: What’s wrong ?

Him: It won’t let me log on! #¤%&!! Piece of #¤%&§* !!! (hammering-on-keyboard-noice in the background)

Me: Have you typed in your password as I showed you ?

Him: Yes, a hundred times, at least !

Me: Ok, let me guide you one more time. Type in your password: “ABCD”

Him: A……. #¤%&… B…… c,c,c,c,…. “There” C …. Now where is that  ’D’ ?? *#¤*%&*#!!

Me: You got it done :-) ?

Him: Yes, ABCD

Me: Good, Now Press ENTER

Him: Ok… E….N….T….E….R    …..  No, it’s not working… #¤%/(%

The moral of the story

If you do know that pressing ENTER, means that big square button with the word ENTER on it – then you just might know a whole lot about computers after all. And if you don’t – there will always be someone out there that know a whole lot less !

What Have You Enjoyed the Most Whilst Making This Program?

For me the most enjoyable aspect is the emails that we receive each week from our users whom simply email in to say “thanks” or to provide recommendations as to features that they’d like to see us support in the future.

Every aspect of this project has been a challenge, and so, for me, it’s the feedback and success metrics that we receive that makes it all worthwhile.

What was the first program you’ve made?

The first application that I made was, well, years ago now come to think of it. It was in the days when Visual Basic 6 reigned supreme, at least if you were young and had no programming skills what-so-ever. Indeed, I programmed a “bot” application for MSN Messenger, that’s the name by which Windows Live Messenger used to be known.

To be honest, that application was pretty rubbish, however I was insanely proud of my ugly creation.

Do you have anything you would like to add to the program, and do you have any regrets?

Well, in all honesty, there are plenty of features that I’d like to add to Chit Chat. However, unfortunately, everything takes time.

I don’t have any regrets that I can think of.

I understand that you have 10,000 – 20,000 downloads a day, currently. How many users do you expect will be using your product by the end of 2010?

That’s an interesting question. I’d like to think that we have an active user-base of at least 2,500,000 by then, however, to be entirely honest with you I tend to spend my time making improvements and understanding current statistical trends whilst determining what’s popular than picking numbers out of the air regarding future statistics.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m future looking, however, no one has a crystal ball. My goal is to become the largest independent provider of a Facebook Chat client.

What’s your favorite feature that Chit Chat boasts?

Well, actually, I like our shortcut functionality that we’ve just implemented in Chit Chat version 1.4 at the time of writing it’s not generally available, however, we hope to release within the month.

Do you have any advice for someone whom wants to startup a new software firm?

1. Be realistic, about what you’re skills are – what you can do yourself and what you’ll need to pay someone else to do.
2. Keep your goals realistic, and take one step at a time.
3. Be ambitious, keep working towards improving where you currently are.

In this article, I interview Joan Lambert, author of Windows 7 Step by Step. At the conclusion of the interview, I share some highlights of her book and invite you to get your own copy.

Interview with Joan

Joan, thank you for taking time to share a little about yourself. Before we talk about your profession and book, I’m sure Windows Guides readers would like to get to know you better; tell us a little about yourself:

When did you first decide you would make a career of writing and helping others with software?

I’ve been contracting for Microsoft on and off since I was 17, and have always had a passion for technology. When I returned to the United States in 1997 after living for six years in New Zealand and working in non-technical fields, I joined my father’s company, which eventually became OTSI. I participated in the development of training materials for the original Microsoft Mastering Series, and was assigned to a product support position in which I ended up writing Help files, frequently teaching myself new technologies and features as there was a necessity to explain them to customers My first foray into book writing came several years later, and entirely by accident. As the Business Development Manager for OTSI, I had negotiated contracts for my company to write the Access 2002 Step by Step and FrontPage 2002 Step by Step books, with the assumption that two of my business partners who were experienced writers would write the books. It turned out, though, that I was the only FrontPage expert in the office, and the book ended up on my plate.

You’ve written 25+ books on Windows and Microsoft Office; why did you pick Windows and Office to write about?

I’d have to credit that to a combination of what clients have asked for and what I know well. Being a small business owner requires that I wear many hats and as such, need to be proficient in Windows, Office applications, SharePoint products and technologies, Exchange administration, server deployment, virtualization, accounting, and a host of other things. It would be fair to say that my days are always busy and never boring.

You are an owner at Graceful Impact, Inc. and President at Online Training Solutions, Inc. What is one key lesson you’ve learned as a president of a company?

Our people are our most valuable asset. In my 13 years at OTSI I’ve worked my way up from dataprep specialist to president. I’ve had the great pleasure and honor of working with and learning from an amazing team of talented and dedicated people. Over the years our business model has changed dramatically due to a variety of factors. We currently have a full-time team of eight fabulous women—many of whom have been with the company over 10 years—who unfailingly and without question do whatever needs to be done to turn out outstanding products. We also have a great team of contract resources we can call on to help us through busier times. We enjoy an excellent reputation with our clients, as evidenced by our longstanding status as a Microsoft Preferred Vendor, and that’s due to the dedication and quality focus of each of our team members.

How do you find time to preside at OTSI, manage Graceful Impact, Inc. and still write books?

Not very well, I’m sorry to say J All that and I have a six year old too!

I imagine you’re pretty good at getting a computer to help you with your workload; has Windows 7 aided in this? How?

Windows 7 absolutely rocks. Apart from the sheer speed advantages, there are so many user-friendly features built in to Windows 7 that simplify the entire computing experience. The Snap-to-Screen window management feature, for instance, which allows me to maximize windows in a shared pace, is something that I find myself constantly using…and it doesn’t work on my Windows Vista computer, which is frustrating and embarrassing…since I keep dragging windows off the screen and expecting them to snap into place.

As I read your book, Windows 7 Step by Step, I found it’s designed for users who consider themselves beginners, users with intermediate computing skills, or anyone in between. This description appropriately describes the demographic of subscribers to Windows Guides; however, there are many readers with advanced computing skills. What value does your book hold for these readers?

In our Step by Step books we make an effort to bridge the gap between marketing-speak and real life. I’ve been working with Windows 7 since before the original Alpha release. During the product development lifecycle, a lot of information is gathered together and eventually disseminated to the public; my experience has been, though, that the marketing materials describe features in a way that doesn’t necessarily make sense to even a dedicated Windows fan like myself. For example, there’s a lot of information available about WHAT you can do on a Windows 7 computer; we try to concentrate more on why and how you would use a feature to your benefit. And we include a lot of well-focused graphics to aid both visual learners and experienced Windows users in getting the information they need and want.

Windows 7 is packed with many new features; which feature is your favorite?

The Snap-to window management feature, which I mentioned before, allows you to drag a window or window frame to quickly resize or reposition the window. Another useful (and fun) feature is the Shake feature that closes all other open windows when you “shake” the title bar of one window. (This is particularly useful if you tend to have a dozen or more windows open at any one time, as I usually do). The new Aero Peek feature, which turns all the open windows transparent when you point to the Show Desktop button so you can see the desktop, is neat too.

If you could rebrand the Windows name, what would you call it? Why?

Tough question! I understand the concept of “Windows” in the context of the frames that programs and system controls are displayed in, but the operating system itself is so much more than that. I can think of all sorts of not-very-marketable names, so it’s probably best that I keep those to myself. All I ask is that they continue using version numbers so we can all keep up.

What is your number one tip for Windows users?

In my experience, whether you think a particular version of Windows will work for you or not, you’re right. Have faith, and Windows 7 won’t let you down! And if you need any tips, buy my book! Windows 7 Step by Step, available at every excellent book retailer near you.

Windows 7 Step by Step Details

Experience learning made easy—and quickly teach yourself the essentials of working with Windows 7. With STEP BY STEP, you set the pace—building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Learn to manage windows and folders, sort and filter files, create an efficient Windows working environment, and safely access the Internet. You’ll learn how to install and manage software and hardware, create and manage homegroups, share content with other computers and computer users, and instantly locate content stored on your PC or network. You’ll also learn how to fine-tune your PC’s performance and resolve common problems. Plus, the supplied practice files give you a chance to hone your skills and put the book’s lessons to work.

Buy Windows 7 Step by Step

Interview with Joseph Moran & Kevin Otnes

RICH: Joe, you say you like to play Tennis; what else do you like to do outside of the world of computers?

JOE: I’m a big movie fan, though considering the way I watch most of them– on Blu-Ray disc or via digital download– I guess that barely qualifies as outside the realm of computers. Considering how much time I spend seated in front of glowing screens, I do try to get outdoors as often as possible– biking is another activity I’ve recently rediscovered (though with a GPS mounted to the handlebars, even that isn’t quite computer-free!).

RICH: Kevin, you have an extensive history with writing; what else do you like to do?

KEVIN: I have several hobbies and interests outside of computers and writing, such as woodworking, playing the guitar, raising tropical fish, and Mission/ Arts & Crafts/Craftsman furniture. I’ve done woodworking almost as long as I’ve been using computers. I got hooked on the New Yankee Workshop and made several Shaker tables, and about ten Adirondack chairs. I’ve also made various cabinets, bookcases, and aquarium stands. I love the smell of fresh sawdust in the morning. I’ve always wanted to build a guitar. For Christmas I got a kit for building a solid body electric guitar.

Yet all of those interests outside of computers point back to computers, especially the Internet. How did we live without the Internet? For woodworking, I use the web to order tools and supplies, read and find solutions to woodworking challenges on user forums, and get inspiration from other people’s creations. For awhile, I was really into raising Discus, the “King of tropical fish.” There are several great Discus forums which helped me get a handle on the proper care of Discus. Because Discus can be tricky to keep, many pet stores do not carry them. If you’ve never seen a Discus, or have only seen a few in the pet store, go to Discus as a Hobby, discusasahobby.com. Discus breeders and hobbyists love to share pictures of their fish. The web is also great for guitarists, even amateurs like me. You can order sheet music and song books; find sites with lyrics and chords for songs; and find luthiers who sell guitar kits, like Luthiers Mercantile International, lmii.com, Stewart-MacDonald, stewmac.com . My electric guitar kit came from Grizzly Woodworking, grizzly.com.

Your computer does not have to be the center of your life—put it to work to serve your real interests, hobbies and needs.

RICH: You wrote for Microsoft; what was your favorite part of working for the company?

KEVIN: I enjoyed the privilege of working with really great, smart people to develop and release really great products—editors and fellow writers on the user education teams, and the developers and program managers who put the product together. Also the annual employee meetings—nobody can pump people up like Steve Ballmer.

I used to bring my daughter with me every year for Bring Your Daughter to Work day, because Microsoft really puts together a full day of events for this. My daughter’s favorite memories were not the events, but the free apple juice in the kitchenettes.

She’s away from home now in her second year of college. Her name is Mac (MacKenzie). She is not a PC. She uses an Apple MacBook. I don’t know where I went wrong.

RICH: Joe, you’ve been a PC user for many years; your Mum bought your first PC for you–what made you want a PC?

JOE: I’m not really sure, and to be honest I don’t recall asking for it, but I was a pretty inquisitive kid, so I guess my Mom thought it would be a good learning tool, which it was. My first computer wasn’t a PC strictly speaking, but rather an Atari 800 with 48K of RAM and a cassette tape drive. I did a lot with that system, even signing on to CompuServe via 300bps modem (and at outrageous hourly connect rates). Some years later I emptied my savings to buy my first IBM-compatible clone (with 640KB RAM and no hard drive) which opened a whole new world, especially once I started playing around with the early versions of Windows.

RICH: When did you decide the technical field was for you? What’s your biggest highlight from working in this industry?

JOE: My degree is actually in political science, but I determined after college that I didn’t want to work in politics or law, so shortly after graduating I applied for a job at a computer magazine (one of the first Windows-specific publications, as it turns out).Tech has been such an integral part of my life since I got that first computer, in retrospect it’s hard for me to imagine doing anything else. As for industry highlights there have been several, but one of my all-time favorites was visiting Microsoft’s campus on Halloween night for the “DOS is Dead” press event (this is going back almost fifteen years). It was when they began heavily promoting Windows and DirectX as a gaming platform over the then-dominant DOS. They turned an entire multilevel parking structure into a giant haunted house with a huge party that lasted into the wee hours. I still have the commemorative sweatshirt, which sports a tombstone and is covered in “stab wounds”.

RICH: Kevin, your book is titled “Getting StartED”; what is the significance of the uppercase ED?

KEVIN: The friends of ED line of books originally started out to mean friends of every designer, developer, or an EveryDay guy named ED. This is the starting point for an urban legend. There is a real person out there named ED. ED, this book is for you.

RICH: Joe, in Getting StartED Windows 7, it says it’s aimed at beginners. If a reader is very new to computers, how easy will it be for them to learn from the book?

JOE: I think it will be pretty easy for beginners to learn from the book because we don’t assume the reader has lots of computer knowledge. Moreover, we try to explain not simply how to do use this or that feature, but at a very basic level, why you should use it. For example, during the chapter on User Accounts I was thinking about all the times (lots) I’ve encountered a Windows system where everyone in the house used the exact same account, and was sure to spend some time up front emphasizing the added convenience and security of giving each person his or her own.

RICH: Even though the book is for beginners, do you feel experienced users could get value from reading it?

I think people that are experienced with XP or Vista can still get a benefit from the book. Even though we intentionally keep much of the material quite basic, there’s lots of good info in there about new and improved Windows features, not to mention the myriad UI enhancements.

RICH: Windows 7 is a quick release after three years of Windows Vista. Kevin, do you think the new operating system come too soon?

KEVIN: Not a moment too soon. I was surprised when I started hearing about Windows 7. I know that before a new operating system is even out the door Microsoft is already working on the next release. But initially I expected a series of Service Packs that would address Vista annoyances like the overactive User Account Control. Look how long XP has lasted. Several years ago, my friends and family knew I was testing Vista and trying it out on my home computer. When Vista came out nobody asked me “should I upgrade to Vista?”

Everybody asks me if they should upgrade to Windows 7, is it any good? I was asked that so many times over the holidays, I posted a blog article on my new blog at yourmotherdoeswindows.com.

The short answer I give is… if you have Windows Vista now, I recommend upgrading to Windows 7. If you get a new computer, get it with Windows 7, not an XP downgrade. The only exception is if you are looking at a netbook you’ll be disappointed with Windows 7 Starter edition. You are better off with the Windows XP Home SP3 netbooks. I upgraded my netbook to Windows 7 Pro and have no regrets. But part of why people buy netbooks is because they are so inexpensive. For most people, it doesn’t make economic sense to upgrade a netbook to Windows 7 Home Ultimate or Pro—for the price of a netbook + an upgrade above Windows 7 Starter, you can get a slightly larger standard laptop with Windows 7 Home Ultimate.

RICH: Joe, Windows 7 comes with a whole host of new features; what is your favorite addition to Windows 7 and why?

JOE: I’m a big fan of the new Taskbar. Prior to Windows 7, keeping open programs organized was always a bit of a pain, especially for those of us running with countless apps or open windows. The ability to pin frequently-used programs, Jump Lists, thumbnail window previews, etc. have made the new Windows 7 Taskbar a real productivity enhancer, and it looks a lot cooler too.

RICH: Conversely, Kevin, what is your least favorite feature of Windows 7? What would you do to improve/replace it?

KEVIN: The new taskbar is not as versatile as it was in Windows XP. On my computers running XP, I tore off the Quick launch bar from the main toolbar, and docked it on the right side of my desktop. On my work computer I have all of my most commonly used programs on my Quick launch bar so that I rarely have to go down into the Start menu. With Windows 7, I cannot float or dock toolbars separate from the taskbar—I have to move all of them to one side of the desktop—top, bottom, right, or left. Dragging the entire taskbar is not as smooth or intuitive as it used to be.

What I would like to see is floating/undockable multiple toolbars, an option to separate the quick launch bar from the taskbar buttons for the open windows.

Ask me how I feel about the taskbar a few months from now and I may think it is fine. In a way I’m grasping at straws to find things that I dislike. I really, really, really, like Windows 7. Visually and usability-wise, it is as exciting a step forward (from Windows P or Vista) as Windows 95 was to Windows 3.1.

RICH: I agree, even though the new taskbar is still great and brings new features, it also lost some features that used to make it great. What is your number one Windows 7 tip?

KEVIN: Let Windows do the work of finding and organizing things for you. Take the time to see how Libraries work to organize your documents, pictures, music, and videos. I wasn’t crazy about Vista dropping “My” from My Computer, My Documents, My Pictures, etc., because I was used to seeing “My” in front of those for so long. In Windows 7 I was skeptical about Libraries, but once I gave it a chance it really simplified and cleaned up how these things are stored and accessed. The real folder structure of C:\ Documents and Settings is still there underneath it all, but for most people the Libraries folders are much more intuitive.

In the book we try to use the Search programs and files box on the Start menu as much as possible. It is so much easier to find features that way than to try to navigate through a long series of cascading menus to get to something in Control Panel. Type Picture, and wait a moment—you will see several groups of listings, like Programs, Control Panel, Documents, Music, Pictures, etc. These are the programs, features, and files associated with pictures. Compare that to trying to locate any of those items individually through the Start menu—such as searching for files, scrolling through the Programs list, or opening Control Panel. Windows 7 does a great job of indexing everything on your computer so that you can find things and get to them easier.

RICH: What about you Joe? What’s your number one Windows tip?

JOE: Probably “slow down a read a bit before you click”. I think that in haste lots of people tend to give dialog boxes only a brief and superficial scan at best before making selections, which can not only to missing important information, but often to unintended system changes or even malware.

RICH: Thank you both for taking time to answer my questions and sharing a little more about yourself and your book.

KEVIN: Thank you Rich for allowing me to share my Windows experiences with you and your readers.

JOE: Thanks for taking the time to read the book and talk to us.

Book Review of Getting StartED Windows 7

Getting StartED Windows 7 is a newly-released book, which is designed to help novice users get started with Windows 7 and learn good practices. The book is free of technical jargon and gives background and insight on everything it teaches.

When I first flicked through the pages of the book, I was impressed by how simple it looked; I knew the book had a lot to teach and contained a wealth of information, but I didn’t once feel overwhelmed by looking through its content.

I don’t consider myself an advanced Windows user (you’d have to know a LOT to take that crown), but I feel I know enough to get me into trouble and dig my way out–sometimes–again. With skepticism, I began to read a book written for begginers. Could I really learn anything? I secretly thought to myself. Many hours later, and a little sleep deprived, I can say that I highly recommend this book. I learned quite a few gems that will be useful, to someone, someday.

The book is filled with sidenotes (NoteED) and advanced tips (AdvancED.) The AdvancED boxes are where I learned the most; I found a wealth of information in these boxes like on Page 366, which gives a tip on Easy Transfer. Windows Help tells you to install programs first and then copy files when migrating to a new PC; however, the book instructs you to do the opposite: that is, to copy files and then install programs. The book teaches you that Windows Easy Transfer gives recommendations on which programs you should install after it copies your files. If you copy XLS, DOCX etc. files, it recommends you install Microsoft Office. This is a great tip and, while I don’t use Windows Easy Transfer, I know plenty of people that do and will share this gem with them.

One thing I feel the book lacks is a glossary. The book explains words when they first appear, but if you aren’t reading cover to cover, you may miss some explanation and a glossary would really help.

In conclusion, this book really is for novices and, as a technical person (if that’s you), you wont learn a ton from this book. You will, however, learn the right way to do things–the way Microsoft intended and not the shortcut, back path you’ve found. This book has helped me help others and it can do the same for you. If you’re new to computers; new to Windows; or need a clear, simple solution to your PC questions; this book is for you.

Purchase Getting StartED Windows 7.

The winner of the book is announced.

Andy Rathbone started geeking around with computers in 1985 when he bought a 26-pound portable CP/M Kaypro 2X. Like other nerds of the day, he soon began playing with null-modem adapters, dialing computer bulletin boards, and working part-time at Radio Shack.

He wrote articles for various techie publications before moving to computer books in 1992. He’s written the Windows for Dummies series, Upgrading and Fixing PCs for Dummies, TiVo for Dummies, PCs: The Missing Manual, and many other computer books.

Today, he has more than 15 million copies of his books in print, and they’ve been translated into more than 30 languages. You can reach Andy at his Web site, www.andyrathbone.com.

In this article, I interview Andy and find out about his new book Windows 7 for Dummies and share my thoughts on it after reading it myself.

Interview with Andy Rathbone

Tell me about your first Windows for Dummies book.

My first “For Dummies” book was cowriting the first release of “PCs For Dummies” with Dan Gookin. Dan had just finished writing “DOS For Dummies,” the book that started the whole Dummies franchise. When DOS For Dummies began to sell well, the publishers wanted a quick sequel. Since Dan was about to take off for his honeymoon, he gave me a call, and we cowrote the first edition of “PCs For Dummies” in a month, swapping chapters with a dial-up modem. (This was 1992.)

After PCs For Dummies took off, I wrote Windows For Dummies, based on Windows 3.1. That book came out in 1992, as well. Since then, I’ve written more than 40 For Dummies books, and just brought Windows For Dummies up to the latest version, Windows 7 For Dummies.

What inspired you to write Windows for Dummies?

It wasn’t an inspiration as much as a great opportunity. Back then, nobody really knew the series would sell. Booksellers were afraid to stock a book that referred to readers as “Dummies.” Thankfully, the public not only understood but embraced the concept as a welcome change. Back then, most computer books were dry, boring things written for techies and computer scientists. Nobody wrote books for the general public, and since PCs had just started to enter homes, there was a huge demand.

You wrote an article for Datamation titled: Why I dont like Vista. In the article, you list problems like: security issues, UAC nags, and no simple “off” button. In fact, you provided quite a comprehensive list. What is your biggest Vista pet peeve?

Windows Vista never gave me a sense of being in control of my own PC. Vista behaved like a mean schoolteacher trying to thwart me from doing anything fun. Whether it’s the nag screens, or the extra layer of clicks required to accomplish simple tasks, Vista behaves more like an obstacle than a helper.

Do you feel this is addressed with Windows 7?

Yes. Windows 7 is much more friendly and accommodating than Windows Vista, and it makes Windows XP look like an old VW – comfortable, familiar, and nostalgic, but also slow and quirky.

What are your three favorite features of Windows 7?

Well, I like the Search box, for example. I type quickly, so it’s easier to fetch the Calculator by typing “calc” into the Search box than clicking Start, choosing All Programs, then Accessories, and then clicking “Calculator” from the list.

Whenever I’m on a Windows XP PC, I miss Windows 7’s Jump Lists. Like most people, I round up the same applications and documents every day. Right-clicking a taskbar icon fetches a list of the last few things I’ve worked on, making them easy to retrieve without having to create shortcuts, or remember any folder locations.

Libraries took some getting used to, but I find they’re a quick and easy way to find things on my PC, as well as on my network. We’re living in an age of terabyte hard drives and scattered data, and Windows XP just can’t keep up.

Is Windows 7 a turning point of redemption, from Vista, for Microsoft? Why (not)?

Yes. The birth of netbooks finally made Microsoft realize that bigger isn’t always better. So the programmers stripped out the fat, focused on speed and ease of use, and came up with Windows 7. It’s run well on every PC I’ve installed it on, from old laptops to an old Pentium 3 I use as a backup on my network.

Manufacturers now have a good stock of drivers, so most modern devices work with Windows 7. If something doesn’t work after the first install, Windows 7 can often fetch a driver through Windows Update.

You say “My books aren’t written for ‘dummies,’ they’re written for people who feel like dummies when Windows doesn’t act the way it should.” My Mum doesn’t really know how Windows should act, is this book for her?

She’d probably enjoy it. Lots of people prefer step-by-step instructions, which reduces the fear of failure. That’s what holds many people back, especially older people who weren’t born with PCs in their schools. When electronic devices first appeared, they were pretty fragile. Many older folks are still afraid of breaking their PC by clicking the wrong thing. Windows For Dummies gives them enough confidence and knowledge to plunge ahead. Plus, the book tosses in enough tidbits of information to take them to a higher level – if they care about becoming proficient with computers. Many people prefer putting their energies into other areas, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that.

What about tech-enthusiasts who are learning how to use Windows here at Windows Guides?

Most tech-enthusiasts welcome the Dummies books. They might not learn much from them personally, but they’re sure handy to hand to friends and relatives who need to know the basics.

Amazon has a pre-order for Windows 7 For Dummies Book + DVD bundle, due for release on Oct 3, 2009. Will users be able to watch the DVD and follow along with their PC as they are watching?

Yes, to an extent. The DVD shows some step-by-steps, and offers a few tips. It’s also a confidence booster to see the steps walked through onscreen. By itself, it’s no substitute for the book, but the two complement each other well.

What is your number one tip for Windows users?

When in doubt, right-click. A right-click nearly always fetches a pop-up menu with helpful information, or a list of tasks you can do with that item. It helps beginners copy files to a CD, for example. But it also helps techies. For example, a techie friend of mine had four drives in his PC, but he couldn’t figure out which physical drive he was viewing in Windows’ Disk Management window – that area where you can view and change your drives’ partitions. But if you right-click on a drive’s name in Disk Management, say, “Disk 2,” and choose Properties, the Properties window shows the model number of the drive, making it easy to see which drive bay contains the drive you’re reading about.

That right-click tip can carry you a long way.

Andy

Thank you for your time Andy!

My Thoughts on Windows 7 for Dummies

The PC books for dummies really are designed for anyone that’s ever used a PC and felt like a dummy because the computer isn’t doing what they expect it to do. Windows 7 for dummies is an excellet compliment to Windows 7 and can be found useful by anyone (your Mum included :)

This 414-page book covers the A-Z of Windows 7—from Windows 7 Stuff Everybody Thinks You Already Know to Customizing and Upgrading Windows 7 and Music, Movies, Memories (And Photos, Too.) I love how the books expounds upon simple concepts like “What’s the difference between Save and Save As…?” right through to advanced concepts like configuring a home network’s homegroup to work with Windows XP, Vista, and 7.

The book comes with tons of valuable tidbits like Ten Things You’ll Hate About Windows 7 (and How to Fix them), which covers: getting your iPod to work with Windows by using iTunes and not transferring music to the “Portable Hard Drive” as Windows recognizes it; this section also covers things like annoying popups and slow-downs from Windows Aero (glass effect.)

There’s a great introduction to Windows 7 Media Center, which will prepare you to hack it and modify it with these guides on mintywhite.

I highly recommend this book. I love books like this and I’ve nearly read it cover to cover (will have it finished by the time this article is published… I just couldn’t wait to write the review!) You can buy it on Amazon and get it before Windows 7 hits the shelves.

Win a Copy of this Book

To win a copy of this book, simply make a comment on this post. You have until Monday, October 5, 2009 @ 11 P.M. EST to enter. I’ll randomly choose a winner and get in contact with you via private message/social network contact (your email is not collected with your comment.) The competition is open to anyone around the world and, of course, I’ll cover shipping. Thank you to book publisher and Andy for letting me give away the copy of the book they sent me.

Update: the winner is announced.

Buy Windows 7 for Dummies

Windows 7 for Dummies

Windows 7 For Dummies Book + DVD bundle

Dislaimer: I have no affiliation with Andy Rathbone, Amazon, or the Dummies book series. I just love this book!

• Spending time with my wife
• Playing Golf
• Playing/watching baseball, or any other sport for that matter
• Taking care of living things, especially my freshwater aquarium and bonsai

What is your favorite quote and why?

“You can always become better”
-Tiger Woods

First of all, I love Tiger Woods. I love the way he plays the game, I love how competitive he is, and I love how he shows in this quote that even if you are the best in the world at something, you can become even better if you have the desire. I hope that someday I can be the Tiger Woods of something.

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?
Wow. The ability to give myself any other superpower? Does that qualify? Seriously though, I would probably want to fly. I’ve always had a fascination with airplanes and flight, and it would be pretty cool to fly sans the plane part.

What encourages you to help people on Windows Forums?
The sheer frustration we can at sometimes face with computers. For those of us who grew to adulthood without the internet for the most part, when you face a problem and have limited resources and contacts it becomes very difficult to find a solution. Now that everyone can be connected we have the best minds on the job and usually find a solution within a much shorter timespan. When I grew up there was no help and it was all trial-and-error. I think that is where all the gurus come from.

Do you have any plans to start a website?
You betcha. I have very limited experience with HTML and Javascript but after I get my blog going steadily on MyWindowsPC I will probably convert that over to my own website. I want to focus on new software and developments from the Microsoft community mixed with reviews and tutorials on how to get the most out of Windows and Windows Mobile (my new baby), among other things. Right now there are so many forums that cover these areas but not one place where you can go to get the information on all of them. I want to bring all of that together. I may even branch out to security and other things depending on where my knowledge takes me the next couple of years. It will be a lot like Mintywhite but focusing on things outside of Windows as well.

Where do you see your website in five years?
Well, hopefully I’ll be doing a preview on Windows 9, Windows Mobile 8, Office 16, and creating a community of techies that help each other get the most out of all these things. If I’m only a fraction as popular as Mintywhite I’ll count myself lucky.

You’ve tested Windows 7 extensively, do you think this OS will replace XP in the near future?
Definitely yes, for a couple reasons:

• Microsoft wants it to. It’s cutting support, stopping patches, and really pushing enterprises towards 7. XP will die the death this time.
• In my opinion, it blows XP away. I’ve been using 7 exclusively since the Beta launch and the performance and eye candy just can’t be matched. And that was a beta. Everyone gripes, “Oh, but XP is so stable and works on older machines” and that’s true. But 7 is stable, and one day your old hardware won’t cut it anymore. And even Vista is stable, to a certain extent. I’ve used them all, and 7 is the best by far. It optimizes new and old hardware to its fullest extent and offers the easiest OS to use from Microsoft… ever. So although XP may still be stable like an old trusty pickup, I’d rather drive the Ferrari.

What is your number one Windows tip?
Never give up. If you don’t like the way something works, chances are it can be changed. If something isn’t working, chances are there’s a fairly easy solution. Computers are excellent tools and they’ll do whatever we want them to if we know how to order it around. So keep at it, ask for a little help, and in no time you will be enjoying your PC to a fuller extent than you ever have before.

Thanks MSherwood! Good luck with your new blog and everything you love to do. Thanks for your help!

In this interview, we get to know a little about James and his website. James is exemplary of what a true community contributor can bring to help others.

James, what do you do for a living?

I am a medical radiation technologist (or, X-Ray Tech). I perform general radiography, bone mineral density tests, and I have just started the course for MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging).

What hobbies do you have? How do you make time for them?

My hobbies are more like ‘pastimes’: reading (especially history), listening to music, watching football, maintaining my blog. I try to do some reading everyday, even if it is only for 30 minutes before bed. Reading is my greatest joy.

What’s your favorite thing that begins with the letter S?

My Stereo!

Whom do you look up to and why?

No one person, other than Jesus. Typically, I like those that lead by example. Deeds, not words, so to speak.

If there was one place you could travel to, right now, where would it be and why?

Hawaii. My wife & I celebrated 20 years of marriage there a couple of years ago and it was a wonderful time; a different vista at every turn in the road, on every inter-island flight.

You’ve been a Microsoft MVP since 2003, what motivates you to help others?

It is what gives me my greatest sense of accomplishment; helping others to understand and use their PCs, overcome any glitches and get them up and running again. Sometimes the simplest thing (like a keyboard shortcut, for example) gives others the greatest joy. I once installed a small weather-watching program on an elderly lady’s PC and she thought it was amazing! (The program, not me!)

Please describe your site, Windows Talk, in 10 words or less.

for the average Windows user, non-technical, interesting and easy to understand.

What inspired you to start Windows Talk?

Actually, it was Windows Service Pack 2 for XP started it all. SP2 was such an important SP because it was more of a Operating System ‘refresh’ than a regular service pack, (which is more or less an accumulation of past updates & fixes). I wanted to keep all the Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) articles and SP2 links in one place, so I thought of a webpage where I could just point folks on the forums to. Then, I gradually added pages for my favourite programs, security links, my own articles and reviews of software programs and more. It just grew, but it took a lot of my personal time. I would not asttempt it again on such a large scale. I started the blog just last year (I have never been on the leading edge of technology!), more out of curiosity as well as a quicker way to get information out to users. Web sites require special software (unless you know HTML, which I don’t), blogs on the other hand can be updated from any computer with a ‘Net connection. I am slowly transitioning some of the more relevant info from my old site to the blog.

What separates your site from all the other good Windows-oriented websites out there?

All the other good ones have a zillion hits more than mine! Seriously though, I try to keep my focus on what would appeal to the new to intermediate computer user. I try to keep away from anything too technical, as well as some of the deeper security issues. There are many excellent sites that have a better understanding of these topics than I.

In five years, CBC write an article on Windows Talk. What’s the headline?

“New Brunswick man still relying on Google AdSense Revenue to Support eBay Habit”

What has been your biggest challenge, with regard to your site, thus far?

the biggest challenge is to keep it ‘fresh’ and interesting. I often feel overwhelmed by the computing world; that I can never possibly keep up with all the changes, so I just step away for a few hours or a day, pick up a book and get my perspective back on track. Then, I search for interesting news items and post about them.

What plans do you have for your site this year?

with Windows 7 about to be released, I want to help new users of it to see how it is better than Vista, what they need to know about upgrading, etc. I also would like to update some of the articles from my old site so they are more relevant, since I wrote most of them while using XP.

What is your number one Windows tip?

Backup! reinstalling Windows is not difficult, but you can never get back photographs, emails and documents if you don’t have them saved somewhere other than your PC.

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions James. Readers, please see more of James’ work here.