It’s no exaggeration when I say I don’t read books at all. Beside the compulsory text books - and even then I only read the paragraphs required, the number of books I’ve read in my entire life can be counted with fingers and toes. Call me lazy, but why read a book when you can see a movie? 
Back in January, Peter Bruzzese, author of “Tricks of the Vista Masters” contacted me about the “DPI setting” blog post I had about Windows Vista. He was interested in quoting a bit of my post for his book, and of course I agreed in quest for my superstar status. Today I inched a little bit closer to fame when I got a copy of Peter’s book for review. Having mentioned my neglect to read books, I can’t wait for the action-thriller, “Tricks of the Vista Master – The fellow of the masters” movie adaptation.
What sets this book apart from a few of the other ‘expert’ books I’ve seen is that Peter does not assume the person to “know-it-all”. Currently there’s a lot of these ‘missing manual’ books going around whenever a new software launches, so it’s more of headache to find the right books than to find the tips themselves. What Peter has done is source the best materials from other “masters” to bring out the best talents in each field, without the fluff like the paragraphs you’re reading now. (If you just to win a copy, skip to the end.)
Out of the 350-or-so odd pages, I was quick to find the DPI section with my quote in it. I thought I should follow in Google’s footsteps and scan the page to give you a better idea of what the book’s about. I feel honored by the title, but I should point out my bank unfortunately does not cash “respect”.
I find the book very diverse in the topics it covers because of the number of contributors sourced, but it also means not every topic is as in-depth as it should be. However in return, additional links and places of interests make up for the more complicated topics. On a side note, it icked me a little to find most screenshots still using the “Vista Basic” UI theme whilst some used Aero Glass. Granted books do not have pixel shaders so I’ll forgive them for that.
It wouldn’t be fair for me to judge this book since I’ve already read probably too many blogs and help files to begin with. But certainly it would be a great resource for someone who hasn’t been living and breathing Vista for the last couple of years.
And to end on that note, I’m going to giving away my copy of the “Tricks of the Microsoft Windows Vista Masters” book by Peter Bruzzese. To be eligible to win, please reply in a comment with your name, email and the answer* to “What resolution would you need on a 12” display to properly appreciate 480 DPI?” The answer can be found in the picture above. The winner will be contact before the 8th of June, 2007 by email. Cash bribes accepted.
* Users using a 28.8k modem or text-only browser are exempt from the above requirement.
Update: The winner selected at random picked by a randomly selected person on my instant messengers list is Pharod. To everyone else, you’re all winners to me.
Comments for "Hey I’m in a book - “Tricks of the Vista Masters”"
Jordan Messenger
7000×5250 :p
How much cash :ninja:
Neal Zung
7000×5250
Matt Sharpe
Theoretically, Long, you would need a 12-inch display with a resolution of 7000×5250 to properly appreciate 480 DPI
Joseph Montalbo
The answer is 7000×5250!
Patrick
7000×5250…I like this contest!
Bryan
7000×5250
John
Why would I want to use a 12″ display? That’s too small for me to properly appreciate this blog….. =P
Okay the proper answer is 7000×5250…which has been repeated many times above my comment already….
Taimur Asad
Gal
You will need 7000×5250 to enjoy the 480DPI
madonion
lol it’s 7000×5250
Long Zheng FTW (I really want the book). Jenny Lam loves Long
Keith Carey
Keith Carey, agentleman@charter.net, and the answer is 7000×5250. Congrats on being quoted in the book!
sb.net
7680×4800
Gr1zz
7000×5250 HD is so confusing.
Steve
7000×5250
Pharod
Well, according to the screenshot, it is a 7000×5250 resolution
No cash bribe from me :’(
On a side note, congratulations on being one of the masters of the universe.
William Devereux
7000×5250
David Nguyen
It’s 7000×5250!
Michael Mc
Keep the book, you need to read it! You’re missing out on so much by not reading books.
Yes, seriously.
Saying that though, if you were so inclined to give it away despite my advice… the answer is 7000×5250.
Normally, I would bribe… but I’m probably just as poor as you are. He he.
Texnomic
Answer is 7000×5250
Texnomic@gmail.com
Code.Red
7000×5250.
I’m also interested in the next section about using the shift key to slow down animations. I thought that didn’t work since the RC releases?
kemantha
7000*5250
RC
7000×5250.
I never win anything, but I keep trying!
Carl
I guess the answer is 7000 by 5250
Spik3balloon
7000×5250
But the real question is, by what ratio would the amount of appreciability between 480 DPI and 96 DPI be?
horcrux
7000×5250 is the answer
Nidhin
7000×5250
Ryan Dack
7000×5250 Of course! Me name be Ryan and Me Email be Daman09 [at] live [dot] com
rom
7000×5250 resolution
Matt S.
Matt Statzer, contest@mattslogic.com and the answer is 7000×5250
Zim
7000×5250; 4th paragraph of the page at the right side.
Enrico, sfroid at gmail dot com
JustDavid
“Theoretically you would need a 12-inch display with a resolution of 7000×5250 to properly appreciate 480 DPI”
Leave a Reply
Josh's Windows Weblog : TechEd 2007 - Day One Recap
[...] and I headed over to the press breakfast and had some idle chit-chat about things like Long’s post this morning regarding his book. Jeff from our site, and Tom Warren from Neowin filed in before [...]
Josh's Windows Weblog : Enter To Win - Tricks of the Windows Vista Masters
[...] Like Long, we too made it into Peter Bruzzese book “Tips of the Windows Vista Masters”. Not to brag, ok we will, but we are featured on page 20 vs. 22 by Long. Does that mean we are a whole two pages better? just kidding. [...]