Windows 98 Annoyances: Taking Charge of Windows 98

by David A. Karp

Book Overview

An operating system is a piece of software that should do its work in the background while you do your work in the foreground. In an ideal world, that's precisely how an operating system would work. In our world, however, operating systems constantly get in our way. They annoy us. And few are more annoying than Microsoft Windows 98. Perhaps you're annoyed with the icons that Windows deposits on your desktop and that you never use. Or you're frustrated...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1565924177
• ISBN13: 9781565924178
• Release Date: December 1998
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A brainy and essential companion

In the several years since I switched from Mac OS to Windows 98 I've spent quite a lot of time on the phone with Dell tech support. Sometimes it's the hardware, occasionally it's the software, but often it's the operating system, Windows 98, that is giving me a problem. The Dell employee recommended this book to me, asserting that in his view and the view of his cohorts "Windows 98 Annoyances" is the best reference available for the wide variety of little problems, bigger puzzles, and flat-out mysteries that Windows 98 is so devilishly capable of posing to its zillions of users.I like to read a book from start to finish, which you obviously do not need to do with this one. On the other hand Karp has explained and provided straightforward solutions to at least twenty obstacles, glitches, or difficulties I've encountered with Windows 98. There is a wealth of conceptual information here, too. In addition to responding awfully well to niggling problems, Karp also supplies the demystifying know-how that enables you to modify aspects of your set-up. It's terrific, there's a CD ROM with it, the index is a real index that is a tool and not a token - and I wish that I could personally thank that Dell tech support guy for giving me such great advice by recommending that I buy this book.

An excellent Win 98 reference

This book contains a lot of useful information arranged in a practical fashion, so that you can look up whatever problem you are having and find out how to fix it. It certainly does not contain everything, but it does contain a lot of valuable information. Despite the title, it should be clear that it is for all Win 98 users, not just for Microsoft-haters. This is one of three books that I keep handy for solving Windows problems. The O'Reilly web site has samples (and corrections!) for this book, so check it out if you are interested. I am very glad that I bought this book!

Lives up to its promise

This book really gets down to the essence of Windows 98. I wasn't expecting a regurgitated manual. I wanted a reference that provided information I couldn't get from the 1000+ page "bible" books, and without having to dig through hundreds of magazines and user-groups... and that's what I got.The tone of this book is honest, but positive. The author acknowledges the problems with the software, which is refreshing, but it's not a dig at Microsoft! It focused on fixing the problems, and not just complaining or glossing over them. It's more than just problems, too... there substantial networking information and tips for improving performance, and (finally) documentation on the windows scripting host.It's one of the most useful computer books I've ever bought.

An Excellent Update for Windows 98 Annoyances!

Who thought Windows 98 was going to eliminate all the annoyances of Windows 95? Hardly. If anything, there are more annoyances with Windows 98 than ever before!This is an excellent book. Think you know Windows 98? Read this book, and I think you'll discover more than you think. If Windows 98 is giving you fits, or you'd simply like to change a few things that just annoy you (who doesn't?), pick this one up. It's very simply an excellent reference tool for both Windows 98 users and anyone who administrates Windows 98 computers. Fortunately, this book should be good for both the novice and the professionals. However, if you are a novice, just make sure you understand the instructions that are carefully laid out in the book. There is nothing at all complicated, but there are many examples of simple registry changes that could be bad news if you just rip through it. Take it line by line (few examples have more than 5-6 simple steps), and you'll have no trouble at all.O'Reilly is truly an amazing book publisher. It's very uncommon to pick up one of their books and find even one error or lack of coverage. This book is NO EXCEPTION. O'Reilly makes a durable book with a clever binding called a RepKover. That's very important, something you'll discover after referring to O'Reilly books over & over & over again. These books are kept on the desktop or very nearby and used continuously.

A Must Have For W95/98 Support

This book, a newer edition of the previous _Windows 95 Annoyances_, is an essential tool for anybody supporting W 95/98 operating systems and applications and it continues the publisher's category of Microsoft software annoyances.It is a close up view of just what the Man Behind the Curtain does to keep the Emerald City (Windows 95/98) running. For example, it explains many of those cryptic messages that we see on the screen when the system has tanked. Since the book does not come out of the maw of the Microsoft publishing and adoration machine, the view is realistic, tilted slighty towards the jaundiced. It is oriented towards practical explanations and solutions. In fact, the author often offers more than one solution and explains the consequences of each one. The book is well organized and has an adequate index.While _Windows 98 Annoyances_ is, for the most part, applicable to both Windows 95 and 98, the accompanying CD will only install in W98 systems. If you are thinking of upgrading to W98 be sure to throughly read Chapter 8, Taking Control of Web Integration. In general, the book assumes a better than average knowledge of computing hardware and software. This book will join the other D & D (Dirty and Dog Eared from constant use) books on my quick reference shelf.