If you were lucky enough to find a new computer under the tree Christmas morning, your joy may have been somewhat diminished to discover it was running the new Windows 8 operating system. As with most things from Microsoft, some users love Win 8 and some wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. No matter which group you fall into, all will agree that this new operating system is very different from previous versions of Windows and you will need to learn how to do things differently. 'Windows 8: Out of the Box' by Mike Halsey will teach you what you need to know to ease your transition to the newest operating system from Microsoft.
Author Mark Halsey has written this book with the assumption that the reader has basic skills in using a mouse and keyboard. That's enough to get you started. With his guidance you will learn how to perform the everyday tasks that you are most likely to use on your Windows 8 computer. Among these would be sending and receiving email, going on the Internet, securing your email and web pages, viewing and editing the digital photos from your camera and more.
Look for the special icons with bear footprints that alert you to a special tip or suggestion. A second icon of a wicked looking bear trap is a warning of potential problems to avoid.
Chapter 1 gives the reader a good foundation by explaining what is different about Windows 8 and how to navigate the new Start Screen and the App Bar using a touch screen, a keyboard or mouse, or an on-screen keyboard. Since Windows 8 did away with the Start button, you will also learn how to Shut Down and Restart Windows 8. Subsequent chapters discuss such things as Internet security, file transfers, family safety online, backing up and restoring Windows 8, and using Compatibility mode to run older programs.
Mr. Halsey has packed a lot of information in only 124 pages. His style is easy going, informative, and never preachy. It is an enjoyable read designed to help you get the most out of Windows 8 with as little frustration as possible. If you're still on the fence about giving Windows 8 a try, 'Windows 8: Out of the Box' would be a great place to start. It might just convince you to take the leap to Windows 8.
'Windows 8: Out of the Box' by Mike Halsey is published by O'Reilly Media and is available in a large softcover edition for a list price of $9.99 from the O'Reilly Store online. An ebook version is also available in Daisy, ePub, Mobi, and PDF formats for only $2.99.
Amazon offers the Kindle edition for $2.51 and the softcover edition for $9.99.
Barnes and Noble offers the book online in a Nook Edition for $2.99 and the softcover edition for $9.99.
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