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Star Author David Pogue in the News--O'Reilly Media Alert Explaining Windows Vista: Improved Security, Elegance, & Smoothness

Press release: February 5, 2007

Sebastopol, CA--Where in the world is David Pogue?

Well, lately the popular Missing Manual author has been all over the news talking about the Windows Vista revolution. In appearances on PBS, CNN, FOXNews, NPR news shows, and others, he's explained what's new, different, and special about Microsoft's avidly anticipated new operating system.

Why? Because the popular New York Times technology columnist and author of two new books--Windows Vista: The Missing Manual (O'Reilly, $34.99) and Windows Vista for Starters: The Missing Manual (O'Reilly, US $19.99)--knows his stuff.

And what tops this popular tech expert's list of new Vista features? "The security," David told Margaret Warner of the NewsHour on PBS.

On the NewsHour David praised Windows Vista's upgraded and beefed-up security. Microsoft Vista should prevent "spyware and viruses and other nasty stuff from the Internet" that has been giving Microsoft a black eye for years, said the creator of O'Reilly's highly regarded Missing Manual series.

And, David continued, "The second big category is looks, and elegance, and smoothness. Most people think of Windows as something sort of utilitarian and corporate, but they've really made an effort to make it, well, more Mac-like," he added.

So what's missing from Microsoft's new operating system? Documentation. Windows Vista comes with no printed user guide. To learn about the thousands of pieces of software that make up this operating system, consumers are supposed to squint at online help screens.

Thankfully consumers at every skill level can get their Vista questions answered by reading either of David's new books in the Missing Manual series. The 827-page Windows Vista: The Missing Manual covers all five versions of the new operating system. This comprehensive guide is designed for budding power users and novice consumers. It's shorter sibling-- the 408-page Windows Vista for Starters: The Missing Manual--helps home and small business users quickly master everything from using Vista's redesigned Start menu and instant Search to building a wireless network.

About the Missing Manual series, the books that should have been in the box: The Missing Manuals are superbly written guides to computer products that don't come with manuals. The new Office 2007 programs--Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint--are each detailed in new Missing Manuals and For Starters books. Find out more by visiting: http://www.missingmanuals.com

About David Pogue: David Pogue is the weekly tech columnist for the New York Times, an Emmy-winning correspondent for CBS News Sunday Morning, and the creator of the Missing Manual series. He's the co-author of 40 books, including 17 in this series. David is a former Broadway show conductor, magician, and pianist.

Windows Vista: The Missing Manual
David Pogue
ISBN: 0-596-52827-2, 827 pages, $34.99 US
order@oreilly.com
1-800-998-9938; 1-707-827-7000

Windows Vista for Starters: The Missing Manual
David Pogue
ISBN: 0-596-52826-4, 408 pages, $19.99 US
order@oreilly.com
1-800-998-9938; 1-707-827-7000

For more information about the books, visit: http://www.missingmanuals.com

About O’Reilly

O’Reilly Media spreads the knowledge of innovators through its books, online services, magazines, and conferences. Since 1978, O’Reilly Media has been a chronicler and catalyst of cutting-edge development, homing in on the technology trends that really matter and spurring their adoption by amplifying “faint signals” from the alpha geeks who are creating the future. An active participant in the technology community, the company has a long history of advocacy, meme-making, and evangelism.

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