[.ca] Degunking Windows (ISBN 1933097078)

The title says it all:
With all the software reviews I do, I'm constantly cleaning Windows because I hate clutter. The title of the book immediately caught the eye of this organized freak. Get on board with this 12-step program, or rather processes, to clear out the cobwebs and garbage hiding in the chips of your computer. Unlike most computer books, it's strongly recommended to follow this one from front to back rather than skipping around. Tying a shoe before putting it on a foot is not as effective as doing it the other way around. Though it's possible, it's not going to fit as well and it's harder to put it on. The book focuses mainly on Windows XP Home and Professional. However, if you're using an earlier version, you can still benefit from the general operations are easily adaptable to most versions. Each jargon-free chapter with a dash of humor begins with a Degunking Checklist to prepare you for the chapter's content. No need to reinstall your operating system as the program avoids that dreaded step. Those who rely on their kids' or friends' advice when something goes wrong with the computer will benefit from this book. After getting through the dumping files and programs, cleaning the emailbox, organizing files, tweaking the desktop and registry, and optimizing the hard drive; the computer will be a happy camper and like in those old '50s TV shows where everyone is happy at the end of the episode. Still freaking out at the mention of "registry?" The authors provide cautions and warnings so you can ensure you're covered. The formatting is in the style of the 1950s and on the front page is the traditional housewife of the '50s looking overwhelmed at the thought of cleaning up the big mess. It makes me want to put on yellow dishwashing gloves and take the pink feather duster as I get to work. Be gone, crowded Favorites. Shoo, unused programs and files. When you finish the housework, take a load off and treat yourself to a TV dinner.

Good for beginners, but nothing here for the hardcore:
This might be a good book for my Mom. She needs help with basic things like uninstalling programs, and defragging her hard drive from time to time. Most of her problems are the result of cute cursors and a "free screensaver" fetish, but I digress. Unfortunately, most of the contents of this book are common sense to the majority of Windows users - delete old files, keep your inbox clean, use the built-in defragger from time to time, dont forget to back up your files - you get the idea. If you are relatively new to Windows, or if the idea of general computer maintenance is something that you are not familiar with, then Degunking Windows will offer you some very basic guidelines to keeping your system relatively clean. If you already know the basics, you might benefit from the few chapters that cover some intermediate topics such as keeping the registry clean with some shareware tools, some cursory tips on preventing spam and the like. But if you are looking for coverage of topics like removing and preventing spyware, this book's 3 paragraphs on the subject wont help much. Other chapters in the book seem a bit out of place, such as the security chapter. Dont get me wrong - getting Windows secured is a nightmare at best, and impossible depending on who you ask, but the security tips in the book dont really do anyting towards the title's goal of "degunking." Beyond the very basic, this title does not provide much in the way of improving speed and performance of your Windows system.

Degunking Windows:
Another great book by Joli Ballew- This book, along with her past efforts is easy to follow and full of hints for both I.T. professionals and home users alike. The 'plain English' approach used in this work makes for an easy read and an easier fix for many of the aliments caused by simply using the internet. A copy of this book along with good anti-virus software may breed new life into your seemingly old and worn out computer.

Degunking Windows Saved my Butt!:
I have to the authors Jeff Duntemann and Joli Ballew to thank for saving my PC! Sunday morning as I went to check email, I found that my system had had a full-out meltdown. Not just a crash, a REGISTRY crash with nothing but an error message that said something like "try installing your disk to restart." This is Microsoft's nice way of saying "you might as well shoot yourself, your computer is toast." I had Degunking Windows and had cleaned up my computer pretty well (I thought), but never dared to get back to the back of the book discussing registry problems hoping it would never happen to me. Since it did, I figured I had decided to try to save nothing left to lose and decided to try to save 3 years of data, personal information and a few critical items from work. I followed the instructions in the book sweating blood all the while, backed up the registry, was able to make the repair and was able to walk away from the crash shaken but with data intact and a revived PC. This is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy and hope never to have to attempt again, but I have to say the information in the book worked and calmed my panic a little. I Thank you Degunking Windows for helping out of a terrible situation.

An easy-to-follow guide:
Degunking Windows is a straightforward instructional and reference guide to treating with the common problems all to endemic to Windows users. As time passes, PCS inevitably begin to run slower, while applications crash more and more frequently. Degunking Windows is the perfect, user-friendly antidote, co-written by Windows experts Joli Ballew and Jeff Duntemann so as to especially be accessible to computer users of all backgrounds and degrees of experience. An easy-to-follow guide to quickly and effectively optimizing one's computer and saving time and headaches, Degunking Windows will prove to be an invaluable addition to any personal or professional Windows reference collection.