PC Annoyances: How to Fix the Most Annoying Things about Your Personal Computer
by Steve Bass

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Book Reviews of PC Annoyances: How to Fix the Most Annoying Things about Your Personal Computer

Book Review: Do it yourself computer fixin'
Summary: 4 Stars

Before getting this book, I had wondered if it was going to focus on Microsoft products such as Outlook for email, Word, and Windows. It does, but not as much as I originally thought. The Email section starts with a chapter general email annoyances for different email clients followed by Outlook, AOL, Eudora, and Hotmail with their own chapters. Section two is Windows and it refers to Windows XP more than anything else, but there is help for other versions.

The Internet earns its own section with Internet Explorer appearing often along with references to a couple of other browsers, Google, and Instant Messaging. The Microsoft Office section helps squashes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Outlook Express annoyances. No Access or FrontPage annoyances are included, but that's OK. I find most of my problems are not with the latter two. Get faster, more effective with Bass' Windows Explorer tips including how to delete a file it refuses to delete and speeding up file search.

I benefit the most from the Music, Videos, and CDs section since it's an area I barely touch. Not only does it advise on dealing with multimedia, but also it discusses CD and DVD questions and concerns. I've thought about the CD nudging issue, which is when you gently push the CD tray to close it, but I never researched it. Bass answers the big question on whether to nudge or not to nudge.

PC Annoyances is not only about the problems you cross, but also things you may have never thought considered. Those with a notebook computer who wish it came with a docking station can still make it dockable even if it's a standalone notebook.

A couple of issues with the otherwise fine book; it has a ton of links with most pages have more than two links. This is risky because Internet addresses change faster than military people's mailing addresses. It also provides links to "for the fun of it sites," a common source of complaints based on my writing experience. These resources take up tiny space on the side of the page.

Some references are to paid products, which to some is annoying. However, I've never been one to knock recommendations for non-free products because I believe if we like something, it's good to let others know about it. If it's in print, it durn well better be a good recommendation.

You're a geek asking if you can find the answers on your own. Probably. But do you have the time it takes to find it? Probably not. Between the spouse and me (hardware and software geeks), we are learning a few good tricks from the book.

The book's format lends itself for quick and easy scanning with side notes in the light red shaded area on the sides of the pages, useful screen shots, and boxes with tidbits. The book is just 177 pages, enough for you to find the tips you need without the needle in the haystack problem.

Summary of PC Annoyances: How to Fix the Most Annoying Things about Your Personal Computer

Maintenance, Repair & Upgrading Books

• Subjects > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Maintenance, Repair & Upgrading
• PCs
• Programming > Languages & Tools