Just the tips, man for Microsoft Word 2000

Just the Tips, Man: Microsoft Word 2000 takes what are often the best parts of how-to books about computer software--the succinct tips that call attention to obscure features and time-saving shortcuts--and makes an entire book out of them. "Book" is a bit of a stretch, actually. This publication looks more like one of those spiral-bound calendars that sits on your desk, presenting a new vocabulary word or Far Side cartoon each day. This isn't a calendar, but it will stand up like one--you can set it up so that the keyboard shortcuts associated with a particular procedure are visible when you're working at your computer.

The tips range from the obvious (does anyone not know that Ctrl+B makes text bold?) to the obscure yet nifty (you can generate nonsense placeholder paragraphs by invoking a particular Word function). The tips are never more than two or three sentences--usually plain statements, sometimes numbered steps--in length. The format lends itself to casual browsing, though there is an index you can use to locate tips by subject. If you're looking for comprehensive documentation of Word 2000, investigate another book. Flip through this one if you prefer quick, potentially timesaving suggestions. --David Wall

Topics covered: Miscellaneous hints, tricks, shortcuts, and factoids for the user of Microsoft Word 2000 for Windows, including those that have to do with formatting, file management, publishing on paper, and the Internet.