Peter Norton's Inside the PC

COMPUTER BOOK REVIEW  

302 words

Title: Peter Norton's Inside the PC : Peter Norton's Inside the PC : by 
Peter Norton; SAMS Publishing; ISBN: 0-672-30624-7, paperback, 
650 pages; US$35.00 / CAN$47.95

Reviewer: A.T. Connellan says "Norton is a readable writer with 
a knack for explaining the most complex concepts in easily understood 
terms.... If you were to purchase only one book for/with your new 
computer, this is it."

Understanding Your PC

There are a good reasons why Peter Norton has sold over a million copies of 
earlier editions of this book. This, the sixth and "Premier Edition," is a 
case of a good thing, just getting better, and there is no end in sight. 

The Norton books sell well because he is such a "readable writer" with a knack 
for explaining the most complex concepts in easily understood terms. Although 
touted as a hardware book for the average PC user, his explanation of the 
role and effect of software is a bonus. 

The author, and his contributing writers encourage readers to chase around the 
text, seeking subjects of interest. They support the reader's search with a "quick 
reference" on the inside of the front and back covers, a detailed index and 
helpful appendixes. The only thing missing, from this otherwise first-rate 
manual, is a glossary. 

Smack-dab in the middle of the book is the best diagram and explanation of the 
structure of the PC I've seen. The balance of the illustrations in the book 
are in terms suited to the every/man/woman. 
                           
For example; I recently referred to "...Inside the PC" when writing an article 
on assembling an "Internet-ready" computer for under $500. The diagrams and 
descriptions were just what I needed, and helped me to overcome the lack of 
service interest on the part of NEC, the "Nothing Ever Comes," and "No one 
Even Cares" company. 
                                                       
The author views Windows 95 in glowing terms and his lucid explanation of the 
superiority of Windows 95 in action will reassure those who moved up from 
Windows 3.x in spite of the naysayers. He makes such perfect sense of Windows 
95, it makes you wonder why the Microsoft manuals can't do the same. 

If you purchase only one book for/with your new computer, this is it.