Synopses & Reviews
Spark your imagination! Go on new adventures! Find a new hobby! Now that you have Windows Vista, it’s time to experience all that it has to offer. And, you’ll have fun along the way. Choose from dozens of cool projects and discover the amazing things you can do with your PC in this full-color guide. No need to read from cover to cover. Just pick the topics that interest you most—then jump in and start exploring your favorite features.
Discover the possibilities!
- Transform your snapshots into the ultimate photo library
- Be your own DJ—rip it, burn it, stream it, take it on the go!
- Action! Produce your own movie, video blog, or podcast
- Use e-mail, online journals, and slideshows to share your digital masterpieces
- Watch, pause, and rewind live TV—and record your favorite shows
- Find new ways to access the information you need: Sidebar, Gadgets, Instant Search
Synopsis
Allowing users to jump to a specific topic of interest, a colorful introduction to the new Windows Vista operating system comes complete with an overview of the 2007 Microsoft Office system and offers hands-on instruction and projects to help users customize Vista and the Vista Sidebar, set up Media Center, use Movie Maker to make movies, and more. Original. (Intermediate)
About the Author
BIO technical: Joli Ballew, 2007 Windows aShell/User MVP, is a technical author, a technology trainer, and Web site manager in the Dallas area. She holds several certifications including MCSE, A], and MCDST. In addition to writing, she occasionally teaches computer classes at the local junior college, and works as a network administrator and Web designer for North Texas Graphics. She's written almost two dozen books, including Degunking Windows (awarded the IPPY award for best computer book of the year in 2005), Degunking Your Home, CNet's Do It Yourself 24 Mac projects, PC Magazine's Office 2007 Solutions, Breakthrough Windows Vista with Microsoft Press, and the upcoming Windows Home Networking, MS Press. Joli also writes for Microsoft's XP Expert Zone and the Vista Community Web site, writes and gives Microsoft Webcasts, and is an occasional Microsoft blogger Joli has also written a textbook for Microsoft's MCDST certification. In her free time, she enjoys golfing, yard work, working on her home (painting, organizing, remodeling), exercising at the local gym, and teaching her cat, Pico, tricks.
Table of Contents
Dedication; Acknowledgments; Introduction; Whats in Store; Special Elements in the Book; Getting Ready; Support; Getting Started; Chapter 1: Take a Quick Tour; 1.1 A Big Welcome from the Welcome Center; 1.2 The Start Menu and Instant Search; 1.3 Personalization Features; 1.4 The Sidebar and Gadgets; Chapter 2: Set Up Windows Vista, and Create an Organizational System; 2.1 Transfer Data with Windows Easy Transfer; 2.2 Use the Windows Vista Folder and File System; 2.3 New Search Features; Pictures; Chapter 3: Construct an Amazing Photo Library; 3.1 Scan Old Photos (or Pay to Have Them Scanned); 3.2 Create a Good System for Transferring Pictures from Your Digital Camera; 3.3 Organize with Windows Photo Gallery; 3.4 Create and Save Search Folders; Chapter 4: Share Your Photos; 4.1 E-Mail Your Pictures; 4.2 Burn Pictures to a CD; 4.3 Create a DVD of Pictures and Watch It on a TV; 4.4 Get Your Photos Printed from an Online Photo Store; Chapter 5: Get Creative with Photos; 5.1 Create a Photo Journal/Diary; 5.2 Create a Screen-Saver Slide Show; 5.3 Create a Web Photo Blog; Music; Chapter 6: Create the Ultimate Music Library; 6.1 Rip CDs to Your Media Library; 6.2 Change Default Settings for Additional Privacy; 6.3 Fix Songs to Suit Your Preferences; 6.4 Create Playlists; 6.5 Optimize the Listening Experience; 6.6 Group Music in Various Ways; Chapter 7: Experience More Music; 7.1 Subscribe to Online Media; 7.2 Burn CDs for Your Car or Home; 7.3 Select and Sync Mobile Devices; 7.4 Get the Most from Your High-End Speakers; Video; Chapter 8: Fine-Tune Your Video Library; 8.1 Get an Overview of Windows Movie Maker; 8.2 Create Your Video Library; 8.3 Find Videos in Your Media Player Library; 8.4 Understand Video Formats; 8.5 Import Existing Videos; 8.6 Send and Receive E-Mail with Video Attachments; Chapter 9: Import Video and Make a Quick Movie; 9.1 Connect the Camera; 9.2 Perform the Import; 9.3 Make a Movie with Movie Maker; Chapter 10: Do Two Simple Video Projects in One Hour; 10.1 Burn Your Own Home-Movie DVD; 10.2 Publish Your Movie to the Web; Media Center; Chapter 11: Bring It All Together with Media Center; 11.1 Navigate the Windows Media Center Interface; 11.2 Access and Organize Media; 11.3 Explore and Optimize Media Center Views; 11.4 Set Up Library Folder Watch; 11.5 Optimize Media Center; 11.6 Expand Media Center with a Media Extender; Chapter 12: Have Fun with Media Center; 12.1 Burn a CD; 12.2 Burn a DVD; 12.3 Create a DVD Slide Show with Background Music; 12.4 Listen to Free Online Music and Radio Stations; 12.5 Explore Remote Control Options; 12.6 Command Media Center with Your Voice; Chapter 13: Play with TV; 13.1 Watch Live TV; 13.2 Record Your Favorite TV Programs; 13.3 Manage Your Recorded TV Programs; 13.4 Download Movies; 13.5 Set Parental Controls; Everyday Living; Chapter 14: Spice Up Your Life with the New Features of Windows Vista; 14.1 Use Windows Calendar to Organize Your Life and Family; 14.2 Let the Windows Sidebar Be Your Second Set of Eyes; 14.3 Play Games by Using Windows Vista and Media Center; 14.4 Protect Your Child with Parental Controls; 14.5 Protect Your Investment with Windows Defender; 14.6 Control Windows Vista with Your Voice; Chapter 15: Incorporate the 2007 Microsoft Office System; 15.1 Edit Clip Art in Office Word 2007; 15.2 Create Monthly Calendars in Office PowerPoint 2007; 15.3 Download and Use Microsoft Templates; 15.4 Plan Your Schedule with Office Excel 2007; 15.5 Create Your Own Coloring Book; 15.6 Create Your Own Greeting Cards with Office Publisher 2007; Chapter 16: Surf with Windows Internet Explorer 7; 16.1 Navigate the Interface; 16.2 Use Quick Tabs; 16.3 Set Up Tab Groups; 16.4 Take Advantage of the Live Search Box; 16.5 Use Advanced Printing Features; 16.6 Configure RSS Feeds; 16.7 Verify Security; Chapter 17: Make the Most of Windows Vista Extras; 17.1 Use Windows Mail; 17.2 Add Windows Contacts; 17.3 Set Your RSS Options in Office Outlook 2007; 17.4 Use Network Features; 17.5 Go on the Road with Remote Desktop Connection and Remote Assistance; About the Authors;