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DOS for Dummies | 
 enlarge | Author: Dan Gookin
Publisher: For Dummies
Category: Book
List Price: $21.99
Buy Used: $0.01
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Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 149924
Media: Paperback
Edition: 3
Pages: 384
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.9
ISBN: 0764503618
Dewey Decimal Number: 005.4469
UPC: 785555503618
EAN: 9780764503610
ASIN: 0764503618
Publication Date: June 2, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Some wear on book from reading, spine creases, wear on binding and pages, we guarantee all purchases and ship all items via USPS mail.
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Review
The book that changed the way computer books are written and marketed has come out in a third edition. By and large, it's the same as the previous edition (advances in MS-DOS have not been numerous), but there is some new information here. Further, IDOS for Dummies/I remains an entertaining book and if you use DOS, it's the book you want to assist you.P The basic idea of this book is that you can identify a problem you're having with your computer, ranging from how to turn the thing on to how to back up only the files that have changed since the last backup. You can then turn to the relevant section--the table of contents is very detailed--read a few pages, carry out some procedure, and move on to the next problem. You'll find sections on hardware, file management, text editing, and software installation. Later chapters deal with troubleshooting. p The newest material in this release of IDOS for Dummies/I deals with DOS 6.22 and the DOS-like shell that you can use under Windows 95 and Windows 98. For users of the latest versions of Windows, Gookin demonstrates some relevant procedures. But most of the coverage deals with DOS itself and programs that are designed to run under DOS. There's even stuff about WordStar here (it's a little-known fact of history that the Rosetta stone was written with WordStar).p IDOS for Dummies/I is funny, too, in a wry sort of way. What kind of joke is appropriate to a section about parallel ports, anyway? The author manages to infuse practically every passage with humor. Other computer books should make an effort to take themselves less seriously. The verdict: if you're using DOS--and more of you are than the Windows people would have us believe--this book will provide you with valuable help. I--David Wall/I
Product Description
Windows may rule the world of popular computing on PCs around the globe, but DOS still has a place in the hearts and minds of computer users who vaguely remember what a C prompt looks like. Even if DOS (with all its arcane commands and its drab, boring look) isn't your idea of the best way to get things done on a PC, you'll find plenty of fast and friendly help on hand with the third edition of iDOS For Dummies/i. p Here's a plain-speaking reference guide to all the command-line stuff and nonsense that makes DOS work, whether you're a native DOS user or are an occasional dabbler who needs the operating system to run all those cool games under Windows. p iDOS For Dummies, 3rd Edition,/i avoids all the technical jargon to cut to the heart of things with clear, easy-to-understand explanations and step-by-step help for liChanging disks and drives liDealing with the DOS prompt liManaging files liRunning DOS inside Windows liInstalling and running DOS-based software programs liWorking with the printer and serial ports liUsing the mouse and keyboard liTroubleshooting problems liUnderstanding DOS error messages /ul p All the basic DOS commands, from APPEND to XCOPY, are demystified to make life in DOS much more bearable. This handy guide has plenty of helpful tips and tricks for bending DOS to your will, without having to dedicate your life (and all your free time) to mastering this little corner of the PC. p Author Dan Gookin's first edition of iDOS For Dummies/i became an international best-seller. He considers himself a computer "guru" whose job it is to remind everyone that computers are not to be taken too seriously. His approach to computers is light and humorous, yet very informative. Gookin mixes his knowledge of computers with a unique, dry sense of humor that keeps you informed #8211; and awake.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 11 more reviews...
 Only covers "DOS box" April 23, 2008
Merrifield Winters (Seattle, WA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
As usual, A book has been published by Wiley that seeks to add ease of use to a rather difficult subject. Dan Gookin has written many computer books for MS press and in other places. br / br /This book is well-written and concise (silly comic sketches aside). It is a fair representation of what Wiley wants their books to be about. Except... br / br /This book is not for MSDOS users, it is for folks who have tried their hand at using DOS box in Windows 95/98/XP and or Vista. I highly disagree with the subject matter of the book as to the absense of substantial coverage of MSDOS 6 and the dated coverage of the DOSbox programs. Don't expect to get support for either. Instead, I recommend using some of Gookin's earlier works actually written for MSDOS 5 and 6. Updated versions and documentation of DOS box is freely available on the web. br / br /I really don't recommend this book to any reader who is serious about learning about DOS and DOS box. I gave it 1 star for its lack of substance and its value as a doorstop.
 It's A Dummie (What's more to say) August 18, 2007
C. Williams (North Carolina United States)
Dummies books are written for the rest of us. On the DOS side of things. This book is a reference without spending a lot of money and without all the mumbo-jumbo. Just the stuff you need without the technical words. I have other Dummies computer books and ther great as well. Well worth the price. br / br /I went to school for this sort of thing. I keep Dummies books handy for a quick reference. When I get a phone call 9 times out of 10 I'm reading a dummies book. With that said this and other Dummies books are great. br /
DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK April 24, 2007
D. Seholm
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Do you have a friend that knows DOS, or an IT professional that is willing to teach you? Either way, do not buy this book, because if it may be useful to you he tells you to ask a friend or a professional. He is painfully not humorous or clever either, though he thinks he is. br /You will learn more Google-ing DOS than you will from this book... which is not saying much. Look into Peter Norton's Complete Guide to DOS 6.22 if you want to know how to use DOS and or write batch files.
A Classic August 13, 2005
Linda G. Harvey (Philadelphia, PA USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Not so long ago most people did not know how to use a computer. Dan Gookin's "DOS for Dummies" stepped us through the hills and vales of how to use one. For this alone the book deserves respect. br / br /A very short while ago, a computer professional said to me, "For that I generally go to DOS and use 'XCOPY'." Anyone remember what that means? "DOS for Dummies" will tell you.
Every Page Another Stupid Joke March 31, 2005
T. Burtell (Dearborn, MI United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The concept in the "...for Dummies" series is to write in a friendly style and give the reader some substantial information along the way. What you get in this waste of paper is tons of useless unfunny attempts at humor with some passing references to DOS along the way. br / br /Most of his book is just padding, and you get maybe one useful sentence per page. After reading it for awhile, I started to notice the phrase, "go talk to an expert to get this done..." popping up again and again. Well... I buy a how-to book in order to learn something new. I already know that I can pay to have an expert do just about anything for me. The writer telling me to just "go consult an expert" defeats the reason for buying a how-to book. br / br /Save your money and buy something else.
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