I'm writing a book

I'm writing a book for how newbies to get from first booting up to doing a bit of simple programming including internet on the way.

The thing is do any newbies use XP anymore - I haven't moved onto Vista yet. Should my book writing wait.

Many thanks.

 

I currently use XP, haven't felt the need to go to Vista. I think Vista Ultimate and Home Premium are more popular than the other Vistas you posted, and Linux as a secondary OS as well.

 

I'm kind of confused, what exactly is the purpose of the book? Usually most computer books have a more defined focus.

In all honesty, I'm not totally sure there's a market for a single book that explains both the basics of computing and even simple programming. Usually those kinds of topics are isolated to more specific books on the individual topics.

Have you put a proposal together, and do you have a publisher/book series in mind?

Before you write the book, you definitely might want to put a proposal together and work with an acquisitions editor to define exactly what you have in mind.

As far as what "newbies" use, that's generally going to be people with new computers. So that could be a mix of things; pretty much any new PC buyer now is going to end up with a Vista system, whether they want one or not. And of course there are also people buying Macs with Mac OS X.

But you'd probably want to focus on a particular OS; Vista would be most logical if you are writing a book for people completely new to computers, because that's most likely what they are going to be running.

But then the question is, what does your book do that the tons of "Getting Started With Vista" books don't do?

And more specifically, going back to what I said at the beginning, what's the real purpose of the book? An entire book can easily be filled up just with the "getting started" stuff; it would be a bit of a stretch to jump into more advanced topics like programming in a single book.

-Zadillo

 

I use both XP and Vista, but prefer XP. I wouldn't call myself a newbie either by any means.

Most computer users (newbies included) use XP. In fact, there are more Windows 98 users out there than Vista users at this point.

Why not just write the book for Windows XP and Vista? Vista isn't that much different from XP.

 

The "Dummies" series covers computing basics. Don't waste your energy writing a book that, in all honesty, either won't find an audience or won't be published.

 

There are plenty of beginner’s books out there. However if you are still planning to go ahead, then I think better to write for Vista for following reasons:

1. Even though you get a larger number of hits for XP right now, a newbie would want to learn about the latest stuff, right? (Who wants to start off with old technology? )

2. Your target audience is people who are new to computers; therefore there is a good possibility for most of them to have new PCs. All the major manufacturers are now shipping Vista, and by the time you are done with your book I’m sure XP won’t be available as a pre-loaded OS (at least for not for the home users >majority of your audience??)

Having said that, I use both Vista Ultimate and XP Professional with Linux on VMWare. But then again, I’m not in your audience, so I don’t think my input really matters.

 

OK thanks guys. I've got a publisher so I'll write for Vista.

 

mattireland - Have you considered writing a book on Vista for young children? I just do not remember seeing any computer books aimed squarely on youngest population. Just an idea of a niche market for you.

And if you do a picture book, you could always include:

1) The Blue Screen of Death,
2) The Penguin. Everyone loves penguin.

 

Well, those are fantastic ideas, but the BSOD might give children (and maybe even adults) nightmares... also, Tux has little to do with Vista.

Matt

 

WOW! What a good idea. I'd have to give you some of the profits though silver horse.

Thanks!

 

XP has been out for 5 years, and i think most of us know XP inside out. Yea, i second the BSOD book on Vista....oops i mean the Windows ME Part II.

 

System64, I agree that most of us on the forum know XP backwards and forwards, but you'd be surprised how many people don't know how to use XP's more advanced features. (I'm thinking over 75% of XP users.)

However, I agree, write the book on Vista, not XP.

Matt

 

What about a book simply explaining the differences between the OS's? That way new consumers can make an informed decision instead of just throwing money into Microsoft's "Vista is the future even though it sucks!" campaign. I would buy that book just for support.

 

Vista Home Basic for me.

 

Hm i think you are right. i missed out the advanced part (given how long i interacted with XP.) my bad

 

Basically... you should write about Vista as you will have long future market then... but what i really would like to have as a new user on Vista... something like... "XP function on Vista"... cause some of the XP function is build to the vista but with different way of controlling it... ie: the quick start location (cause i love to organised my quick start into folders where each have their own use, so i looked for it the first time i get into my Vista... n realised it located in different location)...

at least that one thing i have in mind... but i'm sure there are similar things which are both in XP and Vista... but in a way... you can do it in a slightly different way...

so as many people using XP now... so most of them know how the XP basically work... so you write the guide incomparison with XP... so that people can understand it easier... just some idea tho... i hope my explaination clear enough... sorry for the bad english... cause few times already people misunderstand what i really wanna say....

good luck with your book.

 

I don't know XP backwards and forwards. I am learning, though.

 

Shh...! *Whisper* Be quiet, you're making me look bad!

 

I hope you aren't writing your book in English... you have a long grammatical road ahead of you.

just kidding. kinda.