Foolish Assumptions
4
On the other hand, if you know a topic pretty well but want to make sure
you’ve caught all the high points, read the paragraphs marked with icons
and make sure that information registers. If it doesn’t, glance at the sur-
rounding text.
Sidebars stand as “graduate courses” for those who are curious about a spe-
cific topic — or stand knee-deep in muck, searching for a way out.
Foolish Assumptions
I don’t make many assumptions about you, dear reader, except for the fact
that you’re obviously intelligent, well-informed, discerning, and of impecca-
ble taste. That’s why you chose this book, eh?
Okay, okay. Least I can do is butter you up a bit. Here’s the straight scoop.
If you’ve never used Windows before, bribe your neighbor (or, better, your
neighbor’s kids) to teach you how to do three things:
✦ Play Solitaire
✦ Get on the Web
✦ Shut down Windows and turn off the computer
That covers it. If you can play Solitaire, you know how to turn on your com-
puter, use the Start button, click, drag, and double-click. After you’re on the
Web, well, heaven help us all. And if you know that you need to click the
Start icon in order to Stop, you’re well on your way to achieving Dummy
Enlightenment.
And
that begins with Book I, Chapter 1.
Organization
Windows Vista All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies contains nine mini-
books, each of which gives a thorough airing of a specific topic. If you’re
looking for information on a specific Windows topic, check the headings in
the Table of Contents or refer to the Index.
By design, this book enables you to get as much (or as little) information

Windows Live Mail, and more. Working the newsgroups. Messaging outside
the Microsoft sphere.
Book VI: Adding Cool Hardware: The iPod vs. Vista — and better alternatives
elsewhere. Cameras, scanners, printers, audio, memory, USB key drives,
monitors, and more. Choosing the right products and getting them to work.
Book VII: Joining the Multimedia Mix: Podcasting tricks and traps.
Windows Media Player. Plays for sure (yeah, sure). Ripping from audio
CDs. Burning your own CDs and DVDs. Capturing Windows Media streams.
Digital licensing and what you can do to thwart Microsoft’s encroaching
lockdowns. Windows Movie Maker, digital cameras, camcorders, and other
video devices. “Unshaking” your movies. Printing and sharing pictures.
Converting file formats. Photo Gallery.
03_749419 intro.qxp 11/13/06 3:25 PM Page 5
Icons
6
Book VIII: Vista Video: Do you have what it takes? How to pick a good Media
Center PC. Installation and set up. Running Media Center for you and me.
Burning video DVDs — and the traps.
Book IX: Setting Up a Vista Network: Concepts behind peer-to-peer and
client/server networking. How to build your own network quickly, easily, and
reliably. Wi-Fi and other ethereal wireless topics. Protecting your network
and your privacy.
Icons
Some of the points in Windows Vista All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies
merit your special attention. I set those points off with icons.
When I’m jumping up and down on one foot with an idea so absolutely cool I
can’t stand it anymore, that’s when I stick a Tip icon in the margin. You can
browse through any chapter and hit the very highest points by jumping from
Tip to Tip.
Pssssst. Want to know the real story? Not the stuff Microsoft’s Marketing

up to date on all the Windows Vista news you need to know — including
notes about this book, the latest Windows bugs and gaffes, patches that are
worse than the problems they’re supposed to fix, and much more — and
you can submit your most pressing questions, for free consultation from
The Woodmeister hisself.
See ya!
[email protected]
03_749419 intro.qxp 11/13/06 3:25 PM Page 7
Windows Vista All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies
8
03_749419 intro.qxp 11/13/06 3:25 PM Page 8
Book I
A Vista Orientation
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Contents at a Glance
Chapter 1: Windows 4 N00bs ..............................................................................................11
Chapter 2: Vista versus the WinXPerienced ......................................................................27
Chapter 3: Choosing a Version ............................................................................................35
Chapter 4: Upgrades and Clean Installs ..............................................................................43
04_749419 pt01.qxp 11/13/06 3:25 PM Page 10
Chapter 1: Windows 4 N00bs
In This Chapter
ߜ
A newbie’s quick guide
ߜ
Why hardware’s hard . . . and software’s hard, too
ߜ
Windows’ place in the grand scheme of things
ߜ
Those computer words all the grade-schoolers understand