hard copy manuals

[tobrien]

where can i get an XP hard copy manual?

[Chris Lanier]

Their is no "manual" for Windows XP. There are many books you can buy.
Also see "Help and Support" in your start menu.

"tobrien" > wrote in message
...
> where can i get an XP hard copy manual?

[N Millsap]

When I first got XP I asked the same question. Everyone told me that
Microsoft Windows didn't have any manuals. Some of them even told me
Microsoft has NEVER had a manual for any version of Windows. I thought
that rather funny, since I have a Microsoft windows manual for several
of the older versions of windows.

Microsoft Press does offer a 'manual' but they charge for it. It can be
purchased from many of the bookstores and Amazon.com. It goes for about
$50.00 - At the retail price of windows, the real questions are: 1) WHY
does microsoft NOT offer a manual anymore, and 2) WHY do they make the
retail package LOOK like it contains a book, when all you get is a CD?

(I believe the real answer is that Microsoft can save money by not
including a printed manual, and generate more income through Book sales
later)

What I wanted (and you too, most likely) was a basic Users Reference
Manual, which tells you how to 'set up' and maintain certain things,
etc.

Sorry that things at Microsoft aren't a little more user/customer
oriented, but hey, they think they've got the market right where they
want it, and it will stay that way forever. (I hope they've
underestimated things, don't you?)

"tobrien" > wrote in message
...
| where can i get an XP hard copy manual?

[Rob Schneider]

N Millsap wrote:
> When I first got XP I asked the same question. Everyone told me that
> Microsoft Windows didn't have any manuals. Some of them even told me
> Microsoft has NEVER had a manual for any version of Windows. I thought
> that rather funny, since I have a Microsoft windows manual for several
> of the older versions of windows.
>
> Microsoft Press does offer a 'manual' but they charge for it. It can be
> purchased from many of the bookstores and Amazon.com. It goes for about
> $50.00 - At the retail price of windows, the real questions are: 1) WHY
> does microsoft NOT offer a manual anymore, and 2) WHY do they make the
> retail package LOOK like it contains a book, when all you get is a CD?
>
> (I believe the real answer is that Microsoft can save money by not
> including a printed manual, and generate more income through Book sales
> later)
>
> What I wanted (and you too, most likely) was a basic Users Reference
> Manual, which tells you how to 'set up' and maintain certain things,
> etc.
>
> Sorry that things at Microsoft aren't a little more user/customer
> oriented, but hey, they think they've got the market right where they
> want it, and it will stay that way forever. (I hope they've
> underestimated things, don't you?)
>
> "tobrien" > wrote in message
> ...
> | where can i get an XP hard copy manual?
>
>

Windows 1.0 and 2.0 had good manuals. By the time 3.0 came out they
started reducing the end-user manuals and started up the technical
reference manuals (and charged for them) and this trend solidified.

WHY? Becuase they don't have to. It's the market. THey have huge
material in the 'help' file anyway (probably more than ever printed
beofre). They also probably found that the vast majority of their
customers don't care, and those who care will spend the extra to buy MS
or 3rd party books.

WHY MAKE RETAIL PACKAGE LOOK LIKE IT CONTAINS A BOOK? They sell
software in software stores like washing soap. Bigger box pushes
competition off the shelves. Nothing to do with contents, really.