Written by Jerry Joyce and Marianne Moon, this book aims to provide information on Microsofts latest operating system, in a fast and easy to digest style. After a short introductory chapter, the book dives straight into information on using Windows ME. You are provided with the basics of starting up, shutting down, managing a program window, using shortcut menus for quick results and how to get help. Next, you are led into the world of accessing and organising files and folders on the desktop. The book dedicates a chapter to the subject of networking, which has become increasingly important, and takes you through the steps of using the home networking installation wizard, sharing files and folders on the network, sending messages over the network and connecting to a network using your modem.

Some of the programs and tools that accompany Windows ME - such as WordPad, Calculator and Character Map - are covered. Surprisingly, there is a whole chapter dedicated to playing games available on Windows ME. Every game is detailed, from playing classic Hearts to classic Solitaire to playing games online.

More fun is in store with the chapter on multimedia, where you are instructed on everything you need to know to play music in Windows Media Player and make movies in Windows Movie Maker. The final chapters of the book cover connecting to the Internet, customizing the desktop and improving security. Lastly, theres handy information on managing Windows ME, from installing/removing programs to changing the date or time to maintaining your computer.

If you are in need of grasping the key concepts of Windows ME quickly and easily then Microsoft Windows ME Millennium Edition At a Glance is worth considering. The use of colour combined with good page layout and design serve to enhance the delivery of information to the reader. The language style is simple, concise and written in plain English. There are handy tips throughout and mini exercises to show you different ways of doing things. Microsoft Windows ME Millennium Edition At a Glance is a good reference. Keep it somewhere handy on your bookshelf.

Nancy Choi