In an ideal world, an operating system is a collection of software that handles a computer's "dirty work" invisibly, quickly and, most of all, painlessly. For many of us, however, Microsoft Windows exists outside this ideal world. We are annoyed by "personalized menus" that keep changing, icons we don't use cluttering up our workspace, periodic crashes, unintelligible error messages, and inadequate documentation to help us figure it all out. This text provides the insider information needed for overcoming Windows' many annoyances and limitations. Whether you're looking to finally solve a nagging problem, dramatically improve system performance, or customize the interface to better suit your work habits, the "Windows Me Annoyances" solution-oriented format aims to make finding information and implementing solutions easy and pain-free. Based on the author's Annoyances.org Web sites, "Windows Me Annoyances" delivers a collection of techniques and tools for customizing Windows Me, including: several approaches and hidden tools for working with the Windows registry, the database of system- and application-specific configuration information; how to bypass Windows road-blocks such as the Home Networking and System Restore wizards, allowing you to take control of the processes; a tutorial and reference on automation with the Windows Scripting Host as a means of eliminating many Windows Me annoyances; using third-party software and utilities to handle some of the more complex workarounds and customizations; and dealing with software that overwrites your file associations and other settings without warning. "Windows Me Annoyances" is an intermediate and advanced Windows user's resource for turning Windows into the user-friendly, customizable interface it was meant to be, but does not always manage to be on its own.
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Based on the author's Annoyances.org Web sites, this is a collection of techniques for customizing Windows Me. With creative ways to quickly identify and fix a particular annoyance or customize Windows for individual needs, it should help deal with difficulties that might occur.
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Preface 1. Making the Most of Windows Me What's Wrong with Windows The Windows Family Tree Transition to Windows Me 2. Basic Explorer Coping Skills Coping with Explorer Tweaking the Interface Regaining Control of the Desktop 3. The Registry Getting to Know the Registry Editor Behind the Scenes: Hives and DAT Files Backing Up the Registry Restoring a Corrupted Registry Using Registry Patches Finding the Right Registry Key Automating the Deletion of Registry Items Search the Registry Effectively Compacting the Registry Using INI Files Understanding File Types Registry Tools 4. Tinkering Techniques Cleaning Up the Desktop Files and Folders Making Windows Your Own 5. Maximizing Performance Removing Software Bottlenecks Fine-Tuning and Upgrading Hardware Components Transfer Windows onto Another Hard Disk 6. Troubleshooting General Troubleshooting Techniques Dealing with Drivers and Other Tales of Hardware Troubleshooting Error Messages Preventive Maintenance and Data Recovery 7. Networking and Internetworking Setting Up a Workgroup Connecting to the Internet Dealing with Dialing Mixing and Matching Networks and Other Tricks of the Trade Security and Multiple Users 8. Taking Control of Web Integration The Lowdown on Web Integration Components Make Good Use of the Web View Using the Active Desktop Choosing Your Browser Defaults 9. Scripting and Automation Building a Script with VBScript Running Applications from Scripts Accessing the Registry from Scripts Manipulating Files from Scripts Creating Windows and Internet Shortcuts in Scripts Networking with Scripts Manipulating Internet Explorer from Scripts Using Command-Line Parameters in Scripts Writing CGI Scripts for a Web Server Making a Startup Script Deciphering Script Errors Finding a Better Editor Further Study Automating Scripts with Scheduled Tasks Wacky Script Ideas A. Setting Locator B. DOS Resurrected C. Class IDs of System Objects Index
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'Well written and packed with cures for common Windows Me problems we all suffer, this book also reveals undisclosed Windows features. Great for beginners who want to progress to be experts one day.' Computer Buyer, August 2001
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780596000608
Publisert
2001-05-01
Utgiver
Vendor
O'Reilly Media
Aldersnivå
P, G, 06, 01
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Annet
Antall sider
472

Forfatter

Biographical note

David A. Karp, a graduate from the University of California at Berkeley in mechanical engineering, is a specialist in user-interface design and software engineering. He currently consults on Internet technology, intranet security, and web site production, and has written for a number of magazines, most recently Windows Sources, Windows Pro Magazine, and New Media. Author of the bestselling books Windows Annoyances and Windows 98 Annoyances, he created the Annoyances.org web site, upon which this book is based. The Annoyances web sites for Windows 95 and Windows 98 have been repeatedly cited as among the best technical resources on the Web. Noted recognition has come from such sources as PC Computing magazine, Windows Magazine, the San Francisco Examiner, and the New York Times. While he's not writing, you can usually find him outdoors or getting his hands dirty with yet another project.