In the case of Windows XP Home Edition: The Missing
Manual and Windows XP in a Nutshell, the water
appears to be muddied because Pogue Press is a separate
imprint, and isn't as clearly a part of the O'Reilly brand
architecture. David
Pogue's Missing Manuals are targeted at more of a consumer
audience than typical O'Reilly books, which are mostly aimed
at computer industry professionals (programmers, system
administrators) and power users. Nonetheless, we are doing
our best to minimize overlap. David has an incredible way
of teaching the ins and outs of a system and turning ordinary
users into power users--the kind of people who can then
use more advanced O'Reilly books.
Windows XP Home Edition: The Missing Manual is a
tutorial book for users (though it can also be used for
reference); Windows XP in a Nutshell is a reference
book, pure and simple. If you are already very comfortable
with Windows and just need a detailed reference on new features
in XP, Windows XP in a Nutshell is the book for you. If
you want a more gradual introduction, buy the Missing Manual.
Then when you're done, buy the In a Nutshell as well, because
it contains down and dirty details about every program in
Windows XP, as well as more advanced topics such as Windows
Script Host, Registry Editing, and so on.
