The latest version of Microsoft Windows is now here, and Vista is a brave, new, visually overhauled and user-friendly world. However, facing a new operating system for the first time can be a trial of sorts, and if you're feeling confused or intimidated by the prospect, it might not be a bad idea to pick up a training program such as this.

The 'Professor Teaches' range is a respected one and indeed it doesn't disappoint in providing a sound introduction to the ins and outs of Vista Ultimate for computing novices. Ten main topic areas are covered, from the basics of Vista such as working with files and folders or personalising the desktop, through to configuring your Internet and security settings. A bonus chapter is included detailing the main differences between Windows XP and Vista at a glance.

Each topic is covered using a series of sixty to eighty or so simple steps, and these bite-sized chunks of instruction make for some readily absorbable learning. Everything is neatly presented and the lessons are clearly narrated (and summarised in a text box in case you miss anything), but most importantly, they're interactive.

A replica of the actual Vista desktop is employed, so when you're told to navigate to the control panel, open something and check such-and-such a box, you actually have to do this for real. And that's definitely the best way to learn. You can only click on the relevant icons, with the rest being locked, but should you struggle in any way the program points out where you're supposed to be clicking with a large red arrow.

Professor Teaches Windows Vista is very thorough in its explanations, so there's no danger that even the most computer illiterate person will feel lost. However, those with a little computing knowledge who already understand what a link on a Web page is will probably find the level of detail patronising and a little tedious. The program really is aimed at the beginner, although it does contain some useful information for the more adept user. If nothing else it's interesting to see exactly what extra features Vista has over XP, on a basic level.

At the close of each topic a summary of what you've learned is provided, followed by a quick, five question, multiple choice quiz to test yourself with. This is rather short and basic in comparison to the lessons themselves, and a bit of an anticlimax.

The user-friendly side of the package extends to a system of bookmarks that can be used to keep your place in any lesson, and a bonus tool called Professor Answers. This sits in the taskbar and allows you to easily locate help topics from the main program when you're floundering around on the real Vista desktop and need to access them quickly.

This is a well crafted program that makes good use of interactivity to teach the basics of Windows Vista. However, it's very much pitched at the computing novice and although some points will be of interest to more experienced users who want to check out what the new OS offers, it's unlikely they'll fork out thirty quid for the privilege.