Windows XP Hacks

This is a great book for someone like myself who doesn't need a intro level book explaining how to open folders and send E-mail but is not an XP expert. The chapters on editing the registry and debugging local networks are worth the price of the book.

Written in an very pleasing quick to the point manner, this book offers its readers much in the everyday and not so everyday use of your Windows XP system.This is not a script kiddie or hacker book. It encompasses the real meaning of the word hack. To hack into your computer to make it do things that it isn't generally meant to do, or to access things within your system that are not know or are hidden from the average user. Somebody who rigs something to enhance it, make it better, or make it do something more, is the real meaning of a hacker. Rather than its misused meaning of somebody who breaks into systems. (cracker)I have to give this book 5 stars.This book is not another wanabe hacker book, but a book on some quick enhancements that can be made to your windows xp computer, ranging from hacking the registry, using many of its commands and utilities, to using downloadable software and tools.Plus the book is put together in a way that allows you to reference the areas that interest you or apply to you, so you don't have to read the chapters or hacks that don't interest you.Don't misunderstand the title of this book, it doesn't have anything to do with the misused meaning of the word hack. It has nothing to do with breaking into or exploiting computers. Its more of a book on how to enhance your computer and your computer experience. As for those who say you can get this information elsewhere just by searching online. We'll you can get most information on any topic by searching online. All the information needed to pass the MCSE is available online as well, but I would still like to have it all in one spot, having had somebody else do that searching for me. (and no this book has nothing to do with the MCSE or any other cert, was just used as an analogy to explain my point)This is an excellent book, and even if your an advanced user you will find this book interesting, and fun to read. I did. Many of the hacks I knew already, and some I didn't. Many were very useful and I enjoyed reading this book very much.If you want to learn how to hack or, I should say crack computers, then this isn't a book you should be looking at. If your an "advanced" computer guru, then do your research before you buy the book, go to "O'Reilly & Associates" website and check the TOC and see if this is what your looking for.Personally I think this book is great reading and has sometihng to offer to everybody, even the advanced user. I highly recommend it.

I know my way around XP pretty well, so I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. What I found was great: dozens and dozens of hacks, tips, downloads and help. I wish this book had more than 100 hacks, because every one teaches me something. I hope the author comes out with a second edition.

Every version of Windows has its strengths and weaknesses. Windows XP is no exception. It's more stable than previous versions and hence is likely to be around for some time. So you'll probably want to find out how to make this version do your bidding.Windows XP Hacks, by Preston Gralla, shows you how to do this with 100 tips and hacks. Tips are grouped into the chapters and clearly named so that you find the appropriate one.The chapter on networking has been quite helpful on optimizing my home wireless network. And the section on how to setup the XP Professional mini web server (IIS) will be useful for testing. Getting rid of Microsoft desktop icons that "can't" be removed is also dealt with. Improved use of the disk defragger applet is also covered.This book is a really useful collection of tips for the expert and power user. If you are a new user, find another book. Some of the tips involve Registry tweaks and this is not recommended for new users.

I thought I knew everything there was to know about XP --- was I wrong! I've found something new on every page of this book. There's stuff about hacking the interface, wireless networks, keeping yourself safe on the Internet, cool email tricks, startup and shutdown...Even the toughest hacks are easy to follow, so it's not just for techies. And with each hack, you also learn how to apply it to other things, so you can figure out new hacks of your own. This is the best book I've bought on XP. I'd recommend it to anybody.