REVIEW - Windows 95 in a Nutshell - A Desktop Quick Reference


Title:

Windows 95 in a Nutshell

A Desktop Quick Reference

Author:

Tim O'Reilly, Troy Mott

ISBN:

Publisher:

O'Reilly (1998)

Pages:

503pp

Reviewer:

Brian Bramer

Reviewed:

February 1999

Rating:

★★★★★


A well written reference to Windows 95 with a helpful index, plenty of examples of commands and useful tips on what to do and not to do.

Another of the excellent Nutshell desktop references from O'Reilly. This tells you how to configure and use Windows 95 (including those tricky system configuration details where the Windows help system does not help very much).

The book is in three parts. Part one an introduction to the GUI and tools (mainly for new users) and a history of versions (indicating the differences and enabling you to find out which version you have - mine is Windows 98 [Version 4.10.1998]). Part two is a detailed reference section covering the GUI, the control panel (where you configure Win95 features), the utilities, the batch language and dial-up networking (which I know causes many users headaches). Part three entitled 'Under the Hood' is for the user who wishes to understand how Windows 95 works and how configure system start-up and the registry. There are a number of appendices in particular 'System file and directory organisation' and 'Task Index' (a shorthand reference to system tasks and how to use them) which I found very useful.

A well written reference to Windows 95 with a helpful index, plenty of examples of commands and useful tips on what to do and not to do. One may ask why publish this in 1998 when Windows 98 is available. Many users will probably stay with Windows 95 (at least until Win98 has had time to settle down). It is still useful even if one has Windows 98; the commands, operations and look and feel is the much the same (assuming you don't customise the desktop) with a bit of added functionality (in particular web based) and system tools. I would expect a Windows 98 specific edition soon. Highly recommended!


Book cover image courtesy of Open Library.




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