Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 Windows User's guide to DOS - Using the Command line in Wind January 17, 2002
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
It's a shame to see so many negative reviews of this book. I am an instructor and was very happy to find this book. I have never found another like it that covers the territory to train people in DOS, how the hardware is set up & works with the Operating Systems, and especially how we use DOS to make changes to the Windows environment (other than through the Control Panel).
I teach a PC Specialist Course that has a goal of training individuals to work in this field by training others and trouble-shooting system problems. We touch everything from how the system is put together, installing hardware & software, using MSOffice to advanced levels, VB Programming, DB management, Networking installation & setup basics - all of this in 9 months. We don't have time to read through a "Dummies" book to pick up just DOS, and then Windows, and then system hardware, and then....This book encompasses all of these things. We've got 3 weeks to understand the workings of DOS, Windows, and the hardware at the introduction of the class. Many concepts have to be covered. This book is the only one I have found that does it - and in "laymen's" terms.
Being an instructor, I wondered if I am biased. So I asked my students - who range from mucho PC experience to those who don't even own a computer. Everyone found the book more than helpful, a great teaching tool, and good reference to go back to.
I would like to see two pages on the Fdisk command - no more is needed for a PC trainer/support person. Fdisk is a last resort in most cases and not a common occurrence. And the need to know is not much more than to type the command, partition it, and go - add the MBR switch for dire circumstances. Some of these concepts are discussed in the book.
This is NOT a DOS book. Read the title again. It is what it says it is.
Carolyn & Bette - thank you.
Using DOS at the Windows Command line. December 3, 2001
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
There is an old saying, You get what you pay for. I feel as a IT student, that I have received my money's worth, many time over. I've played around with computers for a few years and now that I've decided to make a career change an learn how to repair computers I felt I needed to take some classes in area where I needed help. This book will help you no matter what level your computer skills are at. It starts out at the entry level for beginners and advances on to the practical level and then goes onto the advanced levels. Probable my favorite feature of the book is that the authors have created test files and directory for you to work with, so you don't have to worry about messing up your own computer. I'm almost done with the book/class now and I've already used many of the commands and batch files. I had formatted a hard drive before, however I had never low level formated a hard drive, this book took me thru that as well. If your someone who just wants to understand a little about DOS this is a great book. If however your an IT student who plans to go to a universities, this is a MUST HAVE book. Universities expect you to already have this knowledge and usually don't offer such classes. This book doesn't just give you a list of commands with diffentions, it gives you a complete explanation aswell as sample files directories for you to practice on. Remember as they say practice make perfect. Great book for anyone at any level who want to learn more about there computer.
This is a great companion for command line students!!! September 15, 2001
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This books focus is to teach the reader how to properly use the windows command line NOT DOS. It explains why the command line is important, even for todays users. It is more effecient than say...windows explorer. This book explains in detail many of the wonderful commands available to you including FDISK and others. It also explains very well how to incorporate many commands into batch files that can easily automate seemingly comlpicated tasks. This book is great as a reference and a learning tool. To those who complain that they already know DOS, this book does not intend to teach you DOS rather it teaches the windows command line and how it can be used today. Command lines are frequently used by many windows users and by networking proffessionals as well to create logon scripts (which is another topic that the authors bring up). Overall I highly recommend this book to all students who use windows or plan to enter a networking proffession.
extremely good textbook!!!! August 26, 2001
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
this was just the book i needed - am so glad the instructor chose this one and not some other. being not so great at the computer, i really needed a book that held-my-hand and walked me through step-by-step without skipping ahead or jumping around. the author did such a thorough job presenting the material! this book is definitely a keeper - now that i've completed the course i find that the book is a very handy reference and i turn to it time and time again. i wish all computer books were this good.
 Don't bother with this book June 9, 2001
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
First of all, its bad enough that I have to take two DOS (Dead Operating System) classes, but what's worse is that I have to use this poor book. I know DOS already, but I'd rather not take the time to prove it, especially with this book. The explanations in the book are often cryptic and difficult to read. This book is way too thick, learn DOS with a pamphlet book, otherwise its not worth your time. `Learning' DOS with this book, talk about grudge work.
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