Microsoft Windows 31

"Raymond Chen is the original raconteur of Windows." --Scott Hanselman, ComputerZen.com "Raymond has been at Microsoft for many years and has seen many nuances of Windows that others could only ever hope to get a glimpse of. With this book, Raymond shares his knowledge, experience, and anecdotal stories, allowing all of us to get a better understanding of the operating system that affects millions of people every day. This book has something for everyone, is a casual read, and I highly recommend it!" --Jeffrey Richter, Author/Consultant, Cofounder of Wintellect "Very interesting read. Raymond tells the inside story of why Windows is the way it is." --Eric Gunnerson, Program Manager, Microsoft Corporation "Absolutely essential reading for understanding the history of Windows, its intricacies and quirks, and why they came about." --Matt Pietrek, MSDN Magazine's Under the Hood Columnist "Raymond Chen has become something of a legend in the software industry, and in this book you'll discover why. From his high-level reminiscences on the design of the Windows Start button to his low-level discussions of GlobalAlloc that only your inner-geek could love, The Old New Thing is a captivating collection of anecdotes that will help you to truly appreciate the difficulty inherent in designing and writing quality software." --Stephen Toub, Technical Editor, MSDN Magazine Why does Windows work the way it does? Why is Shut Down on the Start menu? (And why is there a Start button, anyway?) How can I tap into the dialog loop? Why does the GetWindowText function behave so strangely? Why are registry files called "hives"? Many of Windows' quirks have perfectly logical explanations, rooted in history. Understand them, and you'll be more productive and a lot less frustrated. Raymond Chen--who's spent more than a decade on Microsoft's Windows development team--reveals the "hidden Windows" you need to know. Chen's engaging style, deep insight, and thoughtful humor have made him one of the world's premier technology bloggers. Here he brings together behind-the-scenes explanations, invaluable technical advice, and illuminating anecdotes that bring Windows to life--and help you make the most of it. A few of the things you'll find inside: What vending machines can teach you about effective user interfaces A deeper understanding of window and dialog management Why performance optimization can be so counterintuitive A peek at the underbelly of COM objects and the Visual C++ compiler Key details about backwards compatibility--what Windows does and why Windows program security holes most developers don't know about How to make your program a better Windows citizen

A straightforward, fast-paced and clearly focused introduction to the most essential Windows 3.1 features. This ideal information solution for beginners and occasional business users shows new Windows users how to become productive in the shortest possible time.

This handy command reference to Windows 3.1 is perfect for new users, for those who want quick answers to their questions, and for users of laptop computers. This small, task-oriented book is organized in easy-to-use, color-coded sections with cross-referencing for easy lookup.

Looking for insight on designing Windows user interfaces? Need help improving the visual impact of your Windows 95 application? This definitive resource presents both the graphics design principles and hands-on software development techniques users need to create visually functional and attractive Windows applications. Features an attractive color design with hundreds of illustrations.

Exclusive Preview Section of Windows® 98 For Dummies®! The Classic Authority on Navigating Through the Windows 3.11 Operating System! Bestselling author Andy Rathbone has helped more than a million novice Windows users get around the Windows interface like it's their own backyard. Now, Andy has updated Windows® 3.11 For Dummies® to bring you the latest information about how Windows can make your PC more efficient and a lot easier to use. Features a Special Preview of Windows 98, Including: New features of Windows 98 including what has changed from Windows 3.11 and Windows 95 What to expect from Windows 98, and how it will change the way you use your PC What hardware you need to run Windows 98 Help for deciding if and when you should upgrade to Windows 98 Advice for taking advantage of all that Windows 98 has to offer! Inside, find helpful advice on how to: Use all the handy features of Windows 3.1 and 3.11 Run DOS programs under Windows with no sweat Install Windows programs when they come without an installation program Customize Windows for optimized use Navigate the File Manager easily Use and move icons on your desktop Run Windows for Workgroups 3.11 — including networking and special features of WFW

This concise introduction to the basics of working with Windows 3.1 and DOS 5.0/6.0 also covers the essentials of working with computers. Integrated, interactive student software offers a realistic, hands-on approach to learning..

With DOS 6 Quick Reference Guide you'll find the information you need faster--because you read less. The guide provides easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions.