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 Customer Reviews
Fit for purpose., 07 Sep 2008
I received this as a gift from my other half when I bought a new laptop, which came with Windows Vista pre-installed. There's nothing much to complain about. The chapters are structured in a sensible way, and I find Andy Rathbone's tone really appropriate to the needs of the 'Dummies' series (I mean this as a compliment rather than a criticism). My only real criticism is that I don't think Windows Vista is half as far detached from XP as a lot of people try to insist. This isn't to say that the existence of this book is unnecessary, just that a lot of the material herein will be already known to a lot of those of us who used XP extensively. I'm not an advanced user or anything like that, but I felt that this book covered a lot of old ground, in Windows terms, and was wanting in other more detailed areas. I think our needs would have been better met by something that spent less time covering the similarities between XP and Vista and more time dealing with the more advanced issues, but then that isn't the role and function of the 'Dummies' series. This book is generally very good, and I imagine excellent if you're on your first Windows operating system. It also doesn't crawl to the sensibilities of Microsoft, which is most refreshing. If you're moving from XP to Vista and you're anxious then this is great for general reference. At the risk of sounding cynical, I think that the myth that Vista is a total nightmare, excessively security conscious and so on has probably helped to shift a lot of copies of this. In reality, Vista isn't that scary.
Does what it says on the cover, 21 Jun 2008
If you are looking for a light introductory guide to Windows Vista then look no further. If you are looking for a book that will get you out of trouble, then you'd be better looking at (for want of a better expression) more serious titles.
LAP FOF DUMMEYS AND INTERNET FOR DUMMETS, 11 May 2008
VERY HELPFULL IN EVERY WAY PUT IN LINGO YOU UNDER STAND WITH ALL THE BULL TAKEN OUT ONE RE SAID THAY WHERE FOR USA MARKET NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT THAY GOOD FUN AS WELL AS DOING THE JOB THAY WHERE MADE FOR KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BARRY ENGLAND
Learn and smile..., 11 Jan 2008
I remember buying Windows 3.1 for Dummies many moons ago and it was a big help in my fledgling IT career. Having bought a new PC with Vista pre-installed, I thought it would be a good idea to buy a Dummies book for the new Windows and I'm glad I did. It is a solid and welcome addition to the series, unbiased and informative text, well laid out and the Gary Larson style cartoons give it a friendly feel.
It explains clearly the different versions of Vista, installation issues and the differences between it and XP. All Vistas quirks and features are described in plain English. A useful crib-sheet lists useful shortcuts to impress your colleagues. Home users and office users alike of any skill level would benefit from this book.
What this book is :
A Windows Vista reference, not a comprehensive training manual - choose what you need to gen up on and look for that chapter. Having said that, working through the book a chapter at a time is of use and would not take months
Useful, un-patronising and pretty funny
What this book is not:
Microsoft propaganda - Rathbone tells it like it is and probably won't be top of Bill Gates Christmas card list for some of his comments
A full blown tech guide for geeks, though they would certainly find it useful (without admitting it of course!)
Great book and for this price, it's a steal
A Cracking Edition of For Dummies, 02 Jan 2008
After Purchasing Vista and not being able to get to grips with it my dad got me this book,
it explains in great detail how to do everything that you need to do, it uses friendly language and does not insult your intelligence like some books.
I got the one with the free DVD which i have found very useful.
Amazon are the cheapest retailers of this product that i have seen, it comes wrapped in a standard Amazon packaging -- however you must be at home for delivery as it does not fit through your letter box :(
In All buy this book, you will find it useful, either that look on Google and find the answers for free :P
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Customer Reviews
Fit for purpose., 07 Sep 2008
I received this as a gift from my other half when I bought a new laptop, which came with Windows Vista pre-installed. There's nothing much to complain about. The chapters are structured in a sensible way, and I find Andy Rathbone's tone really appropriate to the needs of the 'Dummies' series (I mean this as a compliment rather than a criticism). My only real criticism is that I don't think Windows Vista is half as far detached from XP as a lot of people try to insist. This isn't to say that the existence of this book is unnecessary, just that a lot of the material herein will be already known to a lot of those of us who used XP extensively. I'm not an advanced user or anything like that, but I felt that this book covered a lot of old ground, in Windows terms, and was wanting in other more detailed areas. I think our needs would have been better met by something that spent less time covering the similarities between XP and Vista and more time dealing with the more advanced issues, but then that isn't the role and function of the 'Dummies' series. This book is generally very good, and I imagine excellent if you're on your first Windows operating system. It also doesn't crawl to the sensibilities of Microsoft, which is most refreshing. If you're moving from XP to Vista and you're anxious then this is great for general reference. At the risk of sounding cynical, I think that the myth that Vista is a total nightmare, excessively security conscious and so on has probably helped to shift a lot of copies of this. In reality, Vista isn't that scary.
Does what it says on the cover, 21 Jun 2008
If you are looking for a light introductory guide to Windows Vista then look no further. If you are looking for a book that will get you out of trouble, then you'd be better looking at (for want of a better expression) more serious titles.
LAP FOF DUMMEYS AND INTERNET FOR DUMMETS, 11 May 2008
VERY HELPFULL IN EVERY WAY PUT IN LINGO YOU UNDER STAND WITH ALL THE BULL TAKEN OUT ONE RE SAID THAY WHERE FOR USA MARKET NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT THAY GOOD FUN AS WELL AS DOING THE JOB THAY WHERE MADE FOR KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BARRY ENGLAND
Learn and smile..., 11 Jan 2008
I remember buying Windows 3.1 for Dummies many moons ago and it was a big help in my fledgling IT career. Having bought a new PC with Vista pre-installed, I thought it would be a good idea to buy a Dummies book for the new Windows and I'm glad I did. It is a solid and welcome addition to the series, unbiased and informative text, well laid out and the Gary Larson style cartoons give it a friendly feel.
It explains clearly the different versions of Vista, installation issues and the differences between it and XP. All Vistas quirks and features are described in plain English. A useful crib-sheet lists useful shortcuts to impress your colleagues. Home users and office users alike of any skill level would benefit from this book.
What this book is :
A Windows Vista reference, not a comprehensive training manual - choose what you need to gen up on and look for that chapter. Having said that, working through the book a chapter at a time is of use and would not take months
Useful, un-patronising and pretty funny
What this book is not:
Microsoft propaganda - Rathbone tells it like it is and probably won't be top of Bill Gates Christmas card list for some of his comments
A full blown tech guide for geeks, though they would certainly find it useful (without admitting it of course!)
Great book and for this price, it's a steal
A Cracking Edition of For Dummies, 02 Jan 2008
After Purchasing Vista and not being able to get to grips with it my dad got me this book,
it explains in great detail how to do everything that you need to do, it uses friendly language and does not insult your intelligence like some books.
I got the one with the free DVD which i have found very useful.
Amazon are the cheapest retailers of this product that i have seen, it comes wrapped in a standard Amazon packaging -- however you must be at home for delivery as it does not fit through your letter box :(
In All buy this book, you will find it useful, either that look on Google and find the answers for free :P
An Amazing Read, 18 Oct 2008
What an amazing read. If you are new to DSLR or photography in general and you have the D40/X you must own this book. Full of concise step by step easy to read instructions on getting the most out of your camera. I can't put it down. Learn how to use the basic dials on your camera and take great shots. Then when you feel more comfortable with it move on to more indepth actions on exposure, lighting, composition etc. Each chapter lets you feel your way in to the subject so you don't feel rushed. This allows you to understand everything easier and that way you feel like you are actually learning something and remembering it. You really can't do without this book. An amazing read. I love it as much as the camera itself.I would pay double for this book. Get it now!
Very clear and easily worth the money.., 04 Oct 2008
Firstly - dump the manual that came with your D40 in the drawer - it is next to useless if you are new to a dSLR.
Then open this book and find your way around the extensive features that this 'beginners' dSLR offers. The book is well written with multiple supporting illustrations. It quickly unravels some of what seem at first complicated menus and sub menus.
I quickly found out as an example how to limit the ISO rating the camera uses on ISO Auto, I won't tell you here, you'll have to buy the book!!! but it solved for me the issue of noise that had crept into some of my pictures when using ISO auto.
Again quickly found out how to switch off the graphic representation of the shooting settings and get it to a 'classic' setting more akin to what would appear on a LCD menu had the D40 had one. This is essential for any one who bemoans the loss of the LCD screen settings on the D40.
This book is certainly a must have for any d40 user - certainly any one using one for the first time.
If there is any down side it is the book size making it a tad of a challenge to use 'in the field' but if it was any smaller it probably wouldn't be as easy to read and follow as it is.
Top notch, 27 Aug 2008
This book does exactly what it says on the cover, takes you through all the functions (with easy to see colour pictures)), working with light, exposure, photographing different subjects, etc. It explains your Nikon D40 and all of the features, I cannot recommend this highly enough. Between this and the Ken Rockwell website I have learnt so much about the D40.
Great, 03 Jul 2008
This book tell you all you need to know when starting out with the Nikon D40 in an easy and comprehensive way unlike the original confusingly laid out manual. Additionally this book give good photo taking techniques in a variety of situations. Nice!
for newcomers, 15 May 2008
This book is brilliant if you are new to DSLR photography and the manual that comes with the camera confuses you-like it did me! I have learnt so much and have already been practising with it. Things have made sense and I have to reread it to then put it into practice, i can see me taking this book on holiday and not the manual!
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Customer Reviews
Fit for purpose., 07 Sep 2008
I received this as a gift from my other half when I bought a new laptop, which came with Windows Vista pre-installed. There's nothing much to complain about. The chapters are structured in a sensible way, and I find Andy Rathbone's tone really appropriate to the needs of the 'Dummies' series (I mean this as a compliment rather than a criticism). My only real criticism is that I don't think Windows Vista is half as far detached from XP as a lot of people try to insist. This isn't to say that the existence of this book is unnecessary, just that a lot of the material herein will be already known to a lot of those of us who used XP extensively. I'm not an advanced user or anything like that, but I felt that this book covered a lot of old ground, in Windows terms, and was wanting in other more detailed areas. I think our needs would have been better met by something that spent less time covering the similarities between XP and Vista and more time dealing with the more advanced issues, but then that isn't the role and function of the 'Dummies' series. This book is generally very good, and I imagine excellent if you're on your first Windows operating system. It also doesn't crawl to the sensibilities of Microsoft, which is most refreshing. If you're moving from XP to Vista and you're anxious then this is great for general reference. At the risk of sounding cynical, I think that the myth that Vista is a total nightmare, excessively security conscious and so on has probably helped to shift a lot of copies of this. In reality, Vista isn't that scary.
Does what it says on the cover, 21 Jun 2008
If you are looking for a light introductory guide to Windows Vista then look no further. If you are looking for a book that will get you out of trouble, then you'd be better looking at (for want of a better expression) more serious titles.
LAP FOF DUMMEYS AND INTERNET FOR DUMMETS, 11 May 2008
VERY HELPFULL IN EVERY WAY PUT IN LINGO YOU UNDER STAND WITH ALL THE BULL TAKEN OUT ONE RE SAID THAY WHERE FOR USA MARKET NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT THAY GOOD FUN AS WELL AS DOING THE JOB THAY WHERE MADE FOR KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BARRY ENGLAND
Learn and smile..., 11 Jan 2008
I remember buying Windows 3.1 for Dummies many moons ago and it was a big help in my fledgling IT career. Having bought a new PC with Vista pre-installed, I thought it would be a good idea to buy a Dummies book for the new Windows and I'm glad I did. It is a solid and welcome addition to the series, unbiased and informative text, well laid out and the Gary Larson style cartoons give it a friendly feel.
It explains clearly the different versions of Vista, installation issues and the differences between it and XP. All Vistas quirks and features are described in plain English. A useful crib-sheet lists useful shortcuts to impress your colleagues. Home users and office users alike of any skill level would benefit from this book.
What this book is :
A Windows Vista reference, not a comprehensive training manual - choose what you need to gen up on and look for that chapter. Having said that, working through the book a chapter at a time is of use and would not take months
Useful, un-patronising and pretty funny
What this book is not:
Microsoft propaganda - Rathbone tells it like it is and probably won't be top of Bill Gates Christmas card list for some of his comments
A full blown tech guide for geeks, though they would certainly find it useful (without admitting it of course!)
Great book and for this price, it's a steal
A Cracking Edition of For Dummies, 02 Jan 2008
After Purchasing Vista and not being able to get to grips with it my dad got me this book,
it explains in great detail how to do everything that you need to do, it uses friendly language and does not insult your intelligence like some books.
I got the one with the free DVD which i have found very useful.
Amazon are the cheapest retailers of this product that i have seen, it comes wrapped in a standard Amazon packaging -- however you must be at home for delivery as it does not fit through your letter box :(
In All buy this book, you will find it useful, either that look on Google and find the answers for free :P
An Amazing Read, 18 Oct 2008
What an amazing read. If you are new to DSLR or photography in general and you have the D40/X you must own this book. Full of concise step by step easy to read instructions on getting the most out of your camera. I can't put it down. Learn how to use the basic dials on your camera and take great shots. Then when you feel more comfortable with it move on to more indepth actions on exposure, lighting, composition etc. Each chapter lets you feel your way in to the subject so you don't feel rushed. This allows you to understand everything easier and that way you feel like you are actually learning something and remembering it. You really can't do without this book. An amazing read. I love it as much as the camera itself.I would pay double for this book. Get it now!
Very clear and easily worth the money.., 04 Oct 2008
Firstly - dump the manual that came with your D40 in the drawer - it is next to useless if you are new to a dSLR.
Then open this book and find your way around the extensive features that this 'beginners' dSLR offers. The book is well written with multiple supporting illustrations. It quickly unravels some of what seem at first complicated menus and sub menus.
I quickly found out as an example how to limit the ISO rating the camera uses on ISO Auto, I won't tell you here, you'll have to buy the book!!! but it solved for me the issue of noise that had crept into some of my pictures when using ISO auto.
Again quickly found out how to switch off the graphic representation of the shooting settings and get it to a 'classic' setting more akin to what would appear on a LCD menu had the D40 had one. This is essential for any one who bemoans the loss of the LCD screen settings on the D40.
This book is certainly a must have for any d40 user - certainly any one using one for the first time.
If there is any down side it is the book size making it a tad of a challenge to use 'in the field' but if it was any smaller it probably wouldn't be as easy to read and follow as it is.
Top notch, 27 Aug 2008
This book does exactly what it says on the cover, takes you through all the functions (with easy to see colour pictures)), working with light, exposure, photographing different subjects, etc. It explains your Nikon D40 and all of the features, I cannot recommend this highly enough. Between this and the Ken Rockwell website I have learnt so much about the D40.
Great, 03 Jul 2008
This book tell you all you need to know when starting out with the Nikon D40 in an easy and comprehensive way unlike the original confusingly laid out manual. Additionally this book give good photo taking techniques in a variety of situations. Nice!
for newcomers, 15 May 2008
This book is brilliant if you are new to DSLR photography and the manual that comes with the camera confuses you-like it did me! I have learnt so much and have already been practising with it. Things have made sense and I have to reread it to then put it into practice, i can see me taking this book on holiday and not the manual!
Excellent system guide!, 16 Nov 2008
Any Mac owner operating their computer using Leopard should have this extremely helpful, floppy volume readily to hand. It takes you effortlessly through the basics, constantly surprises you by revealing information you never suspected is available to you just beneath the surface, provides countless hints and tips to get the most from the system and is a great friend to have in times of need.
Really excellent. Clear and interesting., 02 Aug 2008
Yeah this is awesome. It can't be easy to make an instruction manual for an operating system interesting, but the author does it somehow. And the detail is great. I've been able to tell experienced MAC OS users a thing or two from having read this book. Recommended.
A must buy for any mac owner, 25 Jun 2008
Having recently taken the plunge to buy my first Mac computer, although the operating system (Leopard) is easy to use, the way of doing things is slightly different. To help me fully migrate, I purchased this book.
This book is a mine of information covering all aspects of the Mac OS, from the very little things like minimising windows to the more complex things like Automation etc. It explains everything in great detail and has lots of screen grabs and illustrations to help. It is clearly laid out and very well indexed, so if you are stuck on an item, you can find the solution rapidly.
This book resides by my computer "just in case" and is highly recommended.
Also, the book is that thick, that you can even use it as a step ladder when not needed.
Great Value!!!!!!, 30 May 2008
I bought this as a complete novice to Apple Macs...it's very very informative and in a language that I can understand! I would really recommend this as the information on different aspects of the Leopard platform are endless....Excellent value for money!
Bulky guide but useful, 30 Apr 2008
As a new migrant from Windows XP, I had absolutely no idea how clever the Mac OS X Leopard operating system was until I picked up this book. There are so many hidden features that it takes a serious user manual to ferret them out. Unfortunately, Apple provide just a tiny little white booklet and expect you to spend hours online searching their website for tips. Call me old-fashioned but I prefer hard copy to flicking back and forth between help screens and the work I am doing (even if it is easier with a Mac than a PC).
The step by step instructions are particularly useful to those who are sitting in front of a Mac for the first time. There's also some useful information about third party software which can enhance a Mac further; for example, if the user wants to run Windows alongside Mac OS X on the same computer. There's also advice about customising Leopard as well.
Yes, this is a heavy book and, yes, it does become a little anecdotal in places, but I recommend it to anyone who wants to unleash the full power of Leopard.
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Customer Reviews
Fit for purpose., 07 Sep 2008
I received this as a gift from my other half when I bought a new laptop, which came with Windows Vista pre-installed. There's nothing much to complain about. The chapters are structured in a sensible way, and I find Andy Rathbone's tone really appropriate to the needs of the 'Dummies' series (I mean this as a compliment rather than a criticism). My only real criticism is that I don't think Windows Vista is half as far detached from XP as a lot of people try to insist. This isn't to say that the existence of this book is unnecessary, just that a lot of the material herein will be already known to a lot of those of us who used XP extensively. I'm not an advanced user or anything like that, but I felt that this book covered a lot of old ground, in Windows terms, and was wanting in other more detailed areas. I think our needs would have been better met by something that spent less time covering the similarities between XP and Vista and more time dealing with the more advanced issues, but then that isn't the role and function of the 'Dummies' series. This book is generally very good, and I imagine excellent if you're on your first Windows operating system. It also doesn't crawl to the sensibilities of Microsoft, which is most refreshing. If you're moving from XP to Vista and you're anxious then this is great for general reference. At the risk of sounding cynical, I think that the myth that Vista is a total nightmare, excessively security conscious and so on has probably helped to shift a lot of copies of this. In reality, Vista isn't that scary.
Does what it says on the cover, 21 Jun 2008
If you are looking for a light introductory guide to Windows Vista then look no further. If you are looking for a book that will get you out of trouble, then you'd be better looking at (for want of a better expression) more serious titles.
LAP FOF DUMMEYS AND INTERNET FOR DUMMETS, 11 May 2008
VERY HELPFULL IN EVERY WAY PUT IN LINGO YOU UNDER STAND WITH ALL THE BULL TAKEN OUT ONE RE SAID THAY WHERE FOR USA MARKET NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT THAY GOOD FUN AS WELL AS DOING THE JOB THAY WHERE MADE FOR KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BARRY ENGLAND
Learn and smile..., 11 Jan 2008
I remember buying Windows 3.1 for Dummies many moons ago and it was a big help in my fledgling IT career. Having bought a new PC with Vista pre-installed, I thought it would be a good idea to buy a Dummies book for the new Windows and I'm glad I did. It is a solid and welcome addition to the series, unbiased and informative text, well laid out and the Gary Larson style cartoons give it a friendly feel.
It explains clearly the different versions of Vista, installation issues and the differences between it and XP. All Vistas quirks and features are described in plain English. A useful crib-sheet lists useful shortcuts to impress your colleagues. Home users and office users alike of any skill level would benefit from this book.
What this book is :
A Windows Vista reference, not a comprehensive training manual - choose what you need to gen up on and look for that chapter. Having said that, working through the book a chapter at a time is of use and would not take months
Useful, un-patronising and pretty funny
What this book is not:
Microsoft propaganda - Rathbone tells it like it is and probably won't be top of Bill Gates Christmas card list for some of his comments
A full blown tech guide for geeks, though they would certainly find it useful (without admitting it of course!)
Great book and for this price, it's a steal
A Cracking Edition of For Dummies, 02 Jan 2008
After Purchasing Vista and not being able to get to grips with it my dad got me this book,
it explains in great detail how to do everything that you need to do, it uses friendly language and does not insult your intelligence like some books.
I got the one with the free DVD which i have found very useful.
Amazon are the cheapest retailers of this product that i have seen, it comes wrapped in a standard Amazon packaging -- however you must be at home for delivery as it does not fit through your letter box :(
In All buy this book, you will find it useful, either that look on Google and find the answers for free :P
An Amazing Read, 18 Oct 2008
What an amazing read. If you are new to DSLR or photography in general and you have the D40/X you must own this book. Full of concise step by step easy to read instructions on getting the most out of your camera. I can't put it down. Learn how to use the basic dials on your camera and take great shots. Then when you feel more comfortable with it move on to more indepth actions on exposure, lighting, composition etc. Each chapter lets you feel your way in to the subject so you don't feel rushed. This allows you to understand everything easier and that way you feel like you are actually learning something and remembering it. You really can't do without this book. An amazing read. I love it as much as the camera itself.I would pay double for this book. Get it now!
Very clear and easily worth the money.., 04 Oct 2008
Firstly - dump the manual that came with your D40 in the drawer - it is next to useless if you are new to a dSLR.
Then open this book and find your way around the extensive features that this 'beginners' dSLR offers. The book is well written with multiple supporting illustrations. It quickly unravels some of what seem at first complicated menus and sub menus.
I quickly found out as an example how to limit the ISO rating the camera uses on ISO Auto, I won't tell you here, you'll have to buy the book!!! but it solved for me the issue of noise that had crept into some of my pictures when using ISO auto.
Again quickly found out how to switch off the graphic representation of the shooting settings and get it to a 'classic' setting more akin to what would appear on a LCD menu had the D40 had one. This is essential for any one who bemoans the loss of the LCD screen settings on the D40.
This book is certainly a must have for any d40 user - certainly any one using one for the first time.
If there is any down side it is the book size making it a tad of a challenge to use 'in the field' but if it was any smaller it probably wouldn't be as easy to read and follow as it is.
Top notch, 27 Aug 2008
This book does exactly what it says on the cover, takes you through all the functions (with easy to see colour pictures)), working with light, exposure, photographing different subjects, etc. It explains your Nikon D40 and all of the features, I cannot recommend this highly enough. Between this and the Ken Rockwell website I have learnt so much about the D40.
Great, 03 Jul 2008
This book tell you all you need to know when starting out with the Nikon D40 in an easy and comprehensive way unlike the original confusingly laid out manual. Additionally this book give good photo taking techniques in a variety of situations. Nice!
for newcomers, 15 May 2008
This book is brilliant if you are new to DSLR photography and the manual that comes with the camera confuses you-like it did me! I have learnt so much and have already been practising with it. Things have made sense and I have to reread it to then put it into practice, i can see me taking this book on holiday and not the manual!
Excellent system guide!, 16 Nov 2008
Any Mac owner operating their computer using Leopard should have this extremely helpful, floppy volume readily to hand. It takes you effortlessly through the basics, constantly surprises you by revealing information you never suspected is available to you just beneath the surface, provides countless hints and tips to get the most from the system and is a great friend to have in times of need.
Really excellent. Clear and interesting., 02 Aug 2008
Yeah this is awesome. It can't be easy to make an instruction manual for an operating system interesting, but the author does it somehow. And the detail is great. I've been able to tell experienced MAC OS users a thing or two from having read this book. Recommended.
A must buy for any mac owner, 25 Jun 2008
Having recently taken the plunge to buy my first Mac computer, although the operating system (Leopard) is easy to use, the way of doing things is slightly different. To help me fully migrate, I purchased this book.
This book is a mine of information covering all aspects of the Mac OS, from the very little things like minimising windows to the more complex things like Automation etc. It explains everything in great detail and has lots of screen grabs and illustrations to help. It is clearly laid out and very well indexed, so if you are stuck on an item, you can find the solution rapidly.
This book resides by my computer "just in case" and is highly recommended.
Also, the book is that thick, that you can even use it as a step ladder when not needed.
Great Value!!!!!!, 30 May 2008
I bought this as a complete novice to Apple Macs...it's very very informative and in a language that I can understand! I would really recommend this as the information on different aspects of the Leopard platform are endless....Excellent value for money!
Bulky guide but useful, 30 Apr 2008
As a new migrant from Windows XP, I had absolutely no idea how clever the Mac OS X Leopard operating system was until I picked up this book. There are so many hidden features that it takes a serious user manual to ferret them out. Unfortunately, Apple provide just a tiny little white booklet and expect you to spend hours online searching their website for tips. Call me old-fashioned but I prefer hard copy to flicking back and forth between help screens and the work I am doing (even if it is easier with a Mac than a PC).
The step by step instructions are particularly useful to those who are sitting in front of a Mac for the first time. There's also some useful information about third party software which can enhance a Mac further; for example, if the user wants to run Windows alongside Mac OS X on the same computer. There's also advice about customising Leopard as well.
Yes, this is a heavy book and, yes, it does become a little anecdotal in places, but I recommend it to anyone who wants to unleash the full power of Leopard.
A Must Buy!, 12 Oct 2008
Eveything in this book is written in a way that is fun, easy to understand AND invaluable if you intend to trade in shares. It's a steal at this price. I cannnot rate this book highly enough.
Nuff said.
Excellent Book, 18 Sep 2008
This book has full of practical trading tips and summarises the top ten mistakes made by traders. The book is written in plain English, so it's easy to understand and good fun to read too. I have found this book is very useful in my trading.
Without doubt..., 01 Sep 2008
.... the best book currently around for understanding the stock market. Robbie Burns is very good at explaining all the market jargon in a friendly and humourous tone, and there's masses of advice - particularly what not to do! The webiste is well worth a look too.
good book easy to read, 20 Jul 2008
good book easy to read, emphasises doing own research. Gives some usefull advice, such as avoiding shares with debt more than 3 times of Annual profit ( I would say rather Cash Flow)
Only regret is not buying it soon enough, 12 May 2008
I wish I bought it a year ago when I started trading... If I read this earlier, I could have avoided mistakes I made NT pointed out in the book.
The author's writing style is light and friendly so it's not a boring book to read. Clearly pointed out mistakes all newbie investors would make along with good habit of trading. It's not the investing bible nor get rich quick book but it definitely is investing 101 for newbies and intermediate investors.
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Customer Reviews
Fit for purpose., 07 Sep 2008
I received this as a gift from my other half when I bought a new laptop, which came with Windows Vista pre-installed. There's nothing much to complain about. The chapters are structured in a sensible way, and I find Andy Rathbone's tone really appropriate to the needs of the 'Dummies' series (I mean this as a compliment rather than a criticism). My only real criticism is that I don't think Windows Vista is half as far detached from XP as a lot of people try to insist. This isn't to say that the existence of this book is unnecessary, just that a lot of the material herein will be already known to a lot of those of us who used XP extensively. I'm not an advanced user or anything like that, but I felt that this book covered a lot of old ground, in Windows terms, and was wanting in other more detailed areas. I think our needs would have been better met by something that spent less time covering the similarities between XP and Vista and more time dealing with the more advanced issues, but then that isn't the role and function of the 'Dummies' series. This book is generally very good, and I imagine excellent if you're on your first Windows operating system. It also doesn't crawl to the sensibilities of Microsoft, which is most refreshing. If you're moving from XP to Vista and you're anxious then this is great for general reference. At the risk of sounding cynical, I think that the myth that Vista is a total nightmare, excessively security conscious and so on has probably helped to shift a lot of copies of this. In reality, Vista isn't that scary.
Does what it says on the cover, 21 Jun 2008
If you are looking for a light introductory guide to Windows Vista then look no further. If you are looking for a book that will get you out of trouble, then you'd be better looking at (for want of a better expression) more serious titles.
LAP FOF DUMMEYS AND INTERNET FOR DUMMETS, 11 May 2008
VERY HELPFULL IN EVERY WAY PUT IN LINGO YOU UNDER STAND WITH ALL THE BULL TAKEN OUT ONE RE SAID THAY WHERE FOR USA MARKET NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT THAY GOOD FUN AS WELL AS DOING THE JOB THAY WHERE MADE FOR KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BARRY ENGLAND
Learn and smile..., 11 Jan 2008
I remember buying Windows 3.1 for Dummies many moons ago and it was a big help in my fledgling IT career. Having bought a new PC with Vista pre-installed, I thought it would be a good idea to buy a Dummies book for the new Windows and I'm glad I did. It is a solid and welcome addition to the series, unbiased and informative text, well laid out and the Gary Larson style cartoons give it a friendly feel.
It explains clearly the different versions of Vista, installation issues and the differences between it and XP. All Vistas quirks and features are described in plain English. A useful crib-sheet lists useful shortcuts to impress your colleagues. Home users and office users alike of any skill level would benefit from this book.
What this book is :
A Windows Vista reference, not a comprehensive training manual - choose what you need to gen up on and look for that chapter. Having said that, working through the book a chapter at a time is of use and would not take months
Useful, un-patronising and pretty funny
What this book is not:
Microsoft propaganda - Rathbone tells it like it is and probably won't be top of Bill Gates Christmas card list for some of his comments
A full blown tech guide for geeks, though they would certainly find it useful (without admitting it of course!)
Great book and for this price, it's a steal
A Cracking Edition of For Dummies, 02 Jan 2008
After Purchasing Vista and not being able to get to grips with it my dad got me this book,
it explains in great detail how to do everything that you need to do, it uses friendly language and does not insult your intelligence like some books.
I got the one with the free DVD which i have found very useful.
Amazon are the cheapest retailers of this product that i have seen, it comes wrapped in a standard Amazon packaging -- however you must be at home for delivery as it does not fit through your letter box :(
In All buy this book, you will find it useful, either that look on Google and find the answers for free :P
An Amazing Read, 18 Oct 2008
What an amazing read. If you are new to DSLR or photography in general and you have the D40/X you must own this book. Full of concise step by step easy to read instructions on getting the most out of your camera. I can't put it down. Learn how to use the basic dials on your camera and take great shots. Then when you feel more comfortable with it move on to more indepth actions on exposure, lighting, composition etc. Each chapter lets you feel your way in to the subject so you don't feel rushed. This allows you to understand everything easier and that way you feel like you are actually learning something and remembering it. You really can't do without this book. An amazing read. I love it as much as the camera itself.I would pay double for this book. Get it now!
Very clear and easily worth the money.., 04 Oct 2008
Firstly - dump the manual that came with your D40 in the drawer - it is next to useless if you are new to a dSLR.
Then open this book and find your way around the extensive features that this 'beginners' dSLR offers. The book is well written with multiple supporting illustrations. It quickly unravels some of what seem at first complicated menus and sub menus.
I quickly found out as an example how to limit the ISO rating the camera uses on ISO Auto, I won't tell you here, you'll have to buy the book!!! but it solved for me the issue of noise that had crept into some of my pictures when using ISO auto.
Again quickly found out how to switch off the graphic representation of the shooting settings and get it to a 'classic' setting more akin to what would appear on a LCD menu had the D40 had one. This is essential for any one who bemoans the loss of the LCD screen settings on the D40.
This book is certainly a must have for any d40 user - certainly any one using one for the first time.
If there is any down side it is the book size making it a tad of a challenge to use 'in the field' but if it was any smaller it probably wouldn't be as easy to read and follow as it is.
Top notch, 27 Aug 2008
This book does exactly what it says on the cover, takes you through all the functions (with easy to see colour pictures)), working with light, exposure, photographing different subjects, etc. It explains your Nikon D40 and all of the features, I cannot recommend this highly enough. Between this and the Ken Rockwell website I have learnt so much about the D40.
Great, 03 Jul 2008
This book tell you all you need to know when starting out with the Nikon D40 in an easy and comprehensive way unlike the original confusingly laid out manual. Additionally this book give good photo taking techniques in a variety of situations. Nice!
for newcomers, 15 May 2008
This book is brilliant if you are new to DSLR photography and the manual that comes with the camera confuses you-like it did me! I have learnt so much and have already been practising with it. Things have made sense and I have to reread it to then put it into practice, i can see me taking this book on holiday and not the manual!
Excellent system guide!, 16 Nov 2008
Any Mac owner operating their computer using Leopard should have this extremely helpful, floppy volume readily to hand. It takes you effortlessly through the basics, constantly surprises you by revealing information you never suspected is available to you just beneath the surface, provides countless hints and tips to get the most from the system and is a great friend to have in times of need.
Really excellent. Clear and interesting., 02 Aug 2008
Yeah this is awesome. It can't be easy to make an instruction manual for an operating system interesting, but the author does it somehow. And the detail is great. I've been able to tell experienced MAC OS users a thing or two from having read this book. Recommended.
A must buy for any mac owner, 25 Jun 2008
Having recently taken the plunge to buy my first Mac computer, although the operating system (Leopard) is easy to use, the way of doing things is slightly different. To help me fully migrate, I purchased this book.
This book is a mine of information covering all aspects of the Mac OS, from the very little things like minimising windows to the more complex things like Automation etc. It explains everything in great detail and has lots of screen grabs and illustrations to help. It is clearly laid out and very well indexed, so if you are stuck on an item, you can find the solution rapidly.
This book resides by my computer "just in case" and is highly recommended.
Also, the book is that thick, that you can even use it as a step ladder when not needed.
Great Value!!!!!!, 30 May 2008
I bought this as a complete novice to Apple Macs...it's very very informative and in a language that I can understand! I would really recommend this as the information on different aspects of the Leopard platform are endless....Excellent value for money!
Bulky guide but useful, 30 Apr 2008
As a new migrant from Windows XP, I had absolutely no idea how clever the Mac OS X Leopard operating system was until I picked up this book. There are so many hidden features that it takes a serious user manual to ferret them out. Unfortunately, Apple provide just a tiny little white booklet and expect you to spend hours online searching their website for tips. Call me old-fashioned but I prefer hard copy to flicking back and forth between help screens and the work I am doing (even if it is easier with a Mac than a PC).
The step by step instructions are particularly useful to those who are sitting in front of a Mac for the first time. There's also some useful information about third party software which can enhance a Mac further; for example, if the user wants to run Windows alongside Mac OS X on the same computer. There's also advice about customising Leopard as well.
Yes, this is a heavy book and, yes, it does become a little anecdotal in places, but I recommend it to anyone who wants to unleash the full power of Leopard.
A Must Buy!, 12 Oct 2008
Eveything in this book is written in a way that is fun, easy to understand AND invaluable if you intend to trade in shares. It's a steal at this price. I cannnot rate this book highly enough.
Nuff said.
Excellent Book, 18 Sep 2008
This book has full of practical trading tips and summarises the top ten mistakes made by traders. The book is written in plain English, so it's easy to understand and good fun to read too. I have found this book is very useful in my trading.
Without doubt..., 01 Sep 2008
.... the best book currently around for understanding the stock market. Robbie Burns is very good at explaining all the market jargon in a friendly and humourous tone, and there's masses of advice - particularly what not to do! The webiste is well worth a look too.
good book easy to read, 20 Jul 2008
good book easy to read, emphasises doing own research. Gives some usefull advice, such as avoiding shares with debt more than 3 times of Annual profit ( I would say rather Cash Flow)
Only regret is not buying it soon enough, 12 May 2008
I wish I bought it a year ago when I started trading... If I read this earlier, I could have avoided mistakes I made NT pointed out in the book.
The author's writing style is light and friendly so it's not a boring book to read. Clearly pointed out mistakes all newbie investors would make along with good habit of trading. It's not the investing bible nor get rich quick book but it definitely is investing 101 for newbies and intermediate investors.
Colour me unimpressed!, 10 Nov 2008
I've learned a large number of languages, toolkits and SDKs over the years and been part of the review process of a fairly well known book as well, so believe me when I say this is not a great quality book!
If you read the back cover and even the prerequisites, you might think this book is for you. The prerequisites page only mentions the following with regards to knowledge required: "Familiarity with Objective-C". No mention is made of familiarity with writing software for OS X, but by page 23 we're seeing statements like "These essential frameworks enable you to build your iPhone applications using the same fundamental classes and calls you are familiar with from the Macintosh". This is followed on 24 by a comment about Info.plist - "It works the same way Info.plist files work on the Mac." Even as early as page 7 we're seeing things like "As with the Macintosh..." This book does not stand well on its own and that will make it less accessible to some people.
Then we get to the missing stuff - in the very first project, we're instructed to "Drag the three image files from the Chapter One Project folder provided with this book..." Provided where? There's no CD in the back, and I've not found anything in Chapter 1 so far that tells me where this resource is supposed to be included.
The first code listing spans almost two full pages as a single block of text. While the code is commented, there is no in-line breakdown of what each section is and you'll find yourself flipping back to previous pages to tie what you read there back to the code being displayed. Once this two page block of code is over, you don't see it again during this chapter - there is no further discussion of the code so you have to take it on faith for now and learn about it later. That's fine for a 10 line "hello world" app, but not really acceptable for an introduction to a language / framework like Cocoa.
All in all, first impressions are not good. This is not a book to rival the kind of book we've become used to with the Aaron Hillegass definitive reference for starting OS X programming. It will serve more experienced Apple developers well, but will be frustrating for new users.
Good book, but lacking in places, 10 Nov 2008
I found this book useful, but it definitely lacks in places. I am using it as a resource for finding out little tricks or tips on how another programmer lays out their work. It's a useful resource, however it won't teach you the SDK from a beginner to an expert - grab Cocoa Programming for Mac OS X for that!
Useful samples, not for beginners however, 05 Nov 2008
I thought this book was well written but be aware it does throw you into the deep end pretty much immediately. I would recommend this book mainly to developers who are already familiar with the basics of building iPhone applications as there really isn't much of a beginners introduction here.
The book we've all been waiting for!, 29 Oct 2008
This is a brilliant book, and contains a whole host of fantastic examples that shed a lot of like on developing using the iPhone SDK. Clearly written, great examples, and covering all topics needed to create a great application. This book will take some beating.
Of course, there is much more possible with the SDK than is covered in the book but this book will give you all the knowledge you need to push forward on your own.
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Customer Reviews
Fit for purpose., 07 Sep 2008
I received this as a gift from my other half when I bought a new laptop, which came with Windows Vista pre-installed. There's nothing much to complain about. The chapters are structured in a sensible way, and I find Andy Rathbone's tone really appropriate to the needs of the 'Dummies' series (I mean this as a compliment rather than a criticism). My only real criticism is that I don't think Windows Vista is half as far detached from XP as a lot of people try to insist. This isn't to say that the existence of this book is unnecessary, just that a lot of the material herein will be already known to a lot of those of us who used XP extensively. I'm not an advanced user or anything like that, but I felt that this book covered a lot of old ground, in Windows terms, and was wanting in other more detailed areas. I think our needs would have been better met by something that spent less time covering the similarities between XP and Vista and more time dealing with the more advanced issues, but then that isn't the role and function of the 'Dummies' series. This book is generally very good, and I imagine excellent if you're on your first Windows operating system. It also doesn't crawl to the sensibilities of Microsoft, which is most refreshing. If you're moving from XP to Vista and you're anxious then this is great for general reference. At the risk of sounding cynical, I think that the myth that Vista is a total nightmare, excessively security conscious and so on has probably helped to shift a lot of copies of this. In reality, Vista isn't that scary. Does what it says on the cover, 21 Jun 2008
If you are looking for a light introductory guide to Windows Vista then look no further. If you are looking for a book that will get you out of trouble, then you'd be better looking at (for want of a better expression) more serious titles.
LAP FOF DUMMEYS AND INTERNET FOR DUMMETS, 11 May 2008
VERY HELPFULL IN EVERY WAY PUT IN LINGO YOU UNDER STAND WITH ALL THE BULL TAKEN OUT ONE RE SAID THAY WHERE FOR USA MARKET NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT THAY GOOD FUN AS WELL AS DOING THE JOB THAY WHERE MADE FOR KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BARRY ENGLAND Learn and smile..., 11 Jan 2008
I remember buying Windows 3.1 for Dummies many moons ago and it was a big help in my fledgling IT career. Having bought a new PC with Vista pre-installed, I thought it would be a good idea to buy a Dummies book for the new Windows and I'm glad I did. It is a solid and welcome addition to the series, unbiased and informative text, well laid out and the Gary Larson style cartoons give it a friendly feel.
It explains clearly the different versions of Vista, installation issues and the differences between it and XP. All Vistas quirks and features are described in plain English. A useful crib-sheet lists useful shortcuts to impress your colleagues. Home users and office users alike of any skill level would benefit from this book.
What this book is :
A Windows Vista reference, not a comprehensive training manual - choose what you need to gen up on and look for that chapter. Having said that, working through the book a chapter at a time is of use and would not take months
Useful, un-patronising and pretty funny
What this book is not:
Microsoft propaganda - Rathbone tells it like it is and probably won't be top of Bill Gates Christmas card list for some of his comments
A full blown tech guide for geeks, though they would certainly find it useful (without admitting it of course!)
Great book and for this price, it's a steal
A Cracking Edition of For Dummies, 02 Jan 2008
After Purchasing Vista and not being able to get to grips with it my dad got me this book,
it explains in great detail how to do everything that you need to do, it uses friendly language and does not insult your intelligence like some books.
I got the one with the free DVD which i have found very useful.
Amazon are the cheapest retailers of this product that i have seen, it comes wrapped in a standard Amazon packaging -- however you must be at home for delivery as it does not fit through your letter box :(
In All buy this book, you will find it useful, either that look on Google and find the answers for free :P An Amazing Read, 18 Oct 2008
What an amazing read. If you are new to DSLR or photography in general and you have the D40/X you must own this book. Full of concise step by step easy to read instructions on getting the most out of your camera. I can't put it down. Learn how to use the basic dials on your camera and take great shots. Then when you feel more comfortable with it move on to more indepth actions on exposure, lighting, composition etc. Each chapter lets you feel your way in to the subject so you don't feel rushed. This allows you to understand everything easier and that way you feel like you are actually learning something and remembering it. You really can't do without this book. An amazing read. I love it as much as the camera itself.I would pay double for this book. Get it now! Very clear and easily worth the money.., 04 Oct 2008
Firstly - dump the manual that came with your D40 in the drawer - it is next to useless if you are new to a dSLR.
Then open this book and find your way around the extensive features that this 'beginners' dSLR offers. The book is well written with multiple supporting illustrations. It quickly unravels some of what seem at first complicated menus and sub menus.
I quickly found out as an example how to limit the ISO rating the camera uses on ISO Auto, I won't tell you here, you'll have to buy the book!!! but it solved for me the issue of noise that had crept into some of my pictures when using ISO auto.
Again quickly found out how to switch off the graphic representation of the shooting settings and get it to a 'classic' setting more akin to what would appear on a LCD menu had the D40 had one. This is essential for any one who bemoans the loss of the LCD screen settings on the D40.
This book is certainly a must have for any d40 user - certainly any one using one for the first time.
If there is any down side it is the book size making it a tad of a challenge to use 'in the field' but if it was any smaller it probably wouldn't be as easy to read and follow as it is. Top notch, 27 Aug 2008
This book does exactly what it says on the cover, takes you through all the functions (with easy to see colour pictures)), working with light, exposure, photographing different subjects, etc. It explains your Nikon D40 and all of the features, I cannot recommend this highly enough. Between this and the Ken Rockwell website I have learnt so much about the D40. Great, 03 Jul 2008
This book tell you all you need to know when starting out with the Nikon D40 in an easy and comprehensive way unlike the original confusingly laid out manual. Additionally this book give good photo taking techniques in a variety of situations. Nice! for newcomers, 15 May 2008
This book is brilliant if you are new to DSLR photography and the manual that comes with the camera confuses you-like it did me! I have learnt so much and have already been practising with it. Things have made sense and I have to reread it to then put it into practice, i can see me taking this book on holiday and not the manual! Excellent system guide!, 16 Nov 2008
Any Mac owner operating their computer using Leopard should have this extremely helpful, floppy volume readily to hand. It takes you effortlessly through the basics, constantly surprises you by revealing information you never suspected is available to you just beneath the surface, provides countless hints and tips to get the most from the system and is a great friend to have in times of need.
Really excellent. Clear and interesting., 02 Aug 2008
Yeah this is awesome. It can't be easy to make an instruction manual for an operating system interesting, but the author does it somehow. And the detail is great. I've been able to tell experienced MAC OS users a thing or two from having read this book. Recommended. A must buy for any mac owner, 25 Jun 2008
Having recently taken the plunge to buy my first Mac computer, although the operating system (Leopard) is easy to use, the way of doing things is slightly different. To help me fully migrate, I purchased this book.
This book is a mine of information covering all aspects of the Mac OS, from the very little things like minimising windows to the more complex things like Automation etc. It explains everything in great detail and has lots of screen grabs and illustrations to help. It is clearly laid out and very well indexed, so if you are stuck on an item, you can find the solution rapidly.
This book resides by my computer "just in case" and is highly recommended.
Also, the book is that thick, that you can even use it as a step ladder when not needed. Great Value!!!!!!, 30 May 2008
I bought this as a complete novice to Apple Macs...it's very very informative and in a language that I can understand! I would really recommend this as the information on different aspects of the Leopard platform are endless....Excellent value for money! Bulky guide but useful, 30 Apr 2008
As a new migrant from Windows XP, I had absolutely no idea how clever the Mac OS X Leopard operating system was until I picked up this book. There are so many hidden features that it takes a serious user manual to ferret them out. Unfortunately, Apple provide just a tiny little white booklet and expect you to spend hours online searching their website for tips. Call me old-fashioned but I prefer hard copy to flicking back and forth between help screens and the work I am doing (even if it is easier with a Mac than a PC).
The step by step instructions are particularly useful to those who are sitting in front of a Mac for the first time. There's also some useful information about third party software which can enhance a Mac further; for example, if the user wants to run Windows alongside Mac OS X on the same computer. There's also advice about customising Leopard as well.
Yes, this is a heavy book and, yes, it does become a little anecdotal in places, but I recommend it to anyone who wants to unleash the full power of Leopard. A Must Buy!, 12 Oct 2008
Eveything in this book is written in a way that is fun, easy to understand AND invaluable if you intend to trade in shares. It's a steal at this price. I cannnot rate this book highly enough.
Nuff said. Excellent Book, 18 Sep 2008
This book has full of practical trading tips and summarises the top ten mistakes made by traders. The book is written in plain English, so it's easy to understand and good fun to read too. I have found this book is very useful in my trading.
Without doubt..., 01 Sep 2008
.... the best book currently around for understanding the stock market. Robbie Burns is very good at explaining all the market jargon in a friendly and humourous tone, and there's masses of advice - particularly what not to do! The webiste is well worth a look too. good book easy to read, 20 Jul 2008
good book easy to read, emphasises doing own research. Gives some usefull advice, such as avoiding shares with debt more than 3 times of Annual profit ( I would say rather Cash Flow)
Only regret is not buying it soon enough, 12 May 2008
I wish I bought it a year ago when I started trading... If I read this earlier, I could have avoided mistakes I made NT pointed out in the book.
The author's writing style is light and friendly so it's not a boring book to read. Clearly pointed out mistakes all newbie investors would make along with good habit of trading. It's not the investing bible nor get rich quick book but it definitely is investing 101 for newbies and intermediate investors. Colour me unimpressed!, 10 Nov 2008
I've learned a large number of languages, toolkits and SDKs over the years and been part of the review process of a fairly well known book as well, so believe me when I say this is not a great quality book!
If you read the back cover and even the prerequisites, you might think this book is for you. The prerequisites page only mentions the following with regards to knowledge required: "Familiarity with Objective-C". No mention is made of familiarity with writing software for OS X, but by page 23 we're seeing statements like "These essential frameworks enable you to build your iPhone applications using the same fundamental classes and calls you are familiar with from the Macintosh". This is followed on 24 by a comment about Info.plist - "It works the same way Info.plist files work on the Mac." Even as early as page 7 we're seeing things like "As with the Macintosh..." This book does not stand well on its own and that will make it less accessible to some people.
Then we get to the missing stuff - in the very first project, we're instructed to "Drag the three image files from the Chapter One Project folder provided with this book..." Provided where? There's no CD in the back, and I've not found anything in Chapter 1 so far that tells me where this resource is supposed to be included.
The first code listing spans almost two full pages as a single block of text. While the code is commented, there is no in-line breakdown of what each section is and you'll find yourself flipping back to previous pages to tie what you read there back to the code being displayed. Once this two page block of code is over, you don't see it again during this chapter - there is no further discussion of the code so you have to take it on faith for now and learn about it later. That's fine for a 10 line "hello world" app, but not really acceptable for an introduction to a language / framework like Cocoa.
All in all, first impressions are not good. This is not a book to rival the kind of book we've become used to with the Aaron Hillegass definitive reference for starting OS X programming. It will serve more experienced Apple developers well, but will be frustrating for new users. Good book, but lacking in places, 10 Nov 2008
I found this book useful, but it definitely lacks in places. I am using it as a resource for finding out little tricks or tips on how another programmer lays out their work. It's a useful resource, however it won't teach you the SDK from a beginner to an expert - grab Cocoa Programming for Mac OS X for that! Useful samples, not for beginners however, 05 Nov 2008
I thought this book was well written but be aware it does throw you into the deep end pretty much immediately. I would recommend this book mainly to developers who are already familiar with the basics of building iPhone applications as there really isn't much of a beginners introduction here.
The book we've all been waiting for!, 29 Oct 2008
This is a brilliant book, and contains a whole host of fantastic examples that shed a lot of like on developing using the iPhone SDK. Clearly written, great examples, and covering all topics needed to create a great application. This book will take some beating.
Of course, there is much more possible with the SDK than is covered in the book but this book will give you all the knowledge you need to push forward on your own. Excellent for programmers who don't know Excel, 17 May 2008
As a professional programmer I wondered whether this was going to patronise me too much; I needn't have worried, Walkenbach's approach is just right.
He tells it like it is, with plenty of good examples and real world applications for those examples. I'm sure Walkenback doesn't expect this book to teach you everything about Excel and whilst using it I searched for other examples on the 'Net which reinforced what he was teaching me.
But this was the book that provided me with the central learning experience and for which I am eternally grateful. Thanks John! A good book to start with., 09 Jun 2007
When I set out to learn a completely new technique in programming I like to start by reading a simple book, then follow that up by reading a higher level book. John Walkenbach's work is excellent for the first stage of this process. It is simply written (although I could manage without some of the "humor"), and he explains the basic techniques very well. I would argue with the "for dummies" part of the title, and would describe the book instead (apart from the humor) as suitable for the intelligent reader who starts Chapter 1 knowing little or nothing about VBA, but who is reasonably competent with Excel itself. By the end of Chapter 25, and after trying out some of the worked examples, such a reader should have a reasonable working knowledge of how to write VBA macros. Excellent for getting familiar with th VBA "basics"!, 24 Mar 2007
This book is fantastic for those who know nothing, or next to nothing about VBA programming in Excel, and want to learn the "basics" (no pun intended!).
You can read this book from cover to cover, practising examples on the way , and learning something every chapter. The author also makes reference to an accomanying website where you can download some of the programs to see them in action.
Furthermore, the book is written in very good humour, and you can have a laugh at the same time!
It is however very much a beginner's book, and does not go into great depth with VBA - if you purchase the book with that in mind then you really are on to a winner! If only I had an option to give this 6 stars !!, 13 Sep 2006
This book is a must have for anyone wanting to get to know VBA. Don't let previous books on VBA programming put you off, as these can either swing between patronising to the mega confusing (in my own experience). John Walkenbach takes you through this must have guide with patients and humour at an understandable and undaunting pace. Even when I was only half way through his book I was using the information I had gathered to streamline my many tedious excel spreadsheets and by the end of the book I wanted more. P.s. John, please bring part two !! Found this really useful, 01 Apr 2006
This book is really accessible, with loads of working examples. I needed to write a couple of custom functions for use in Excel 2002 spreadseets. And needed to get them working as addins. This book told me all I needed to know. A lot simpler to follow than some other books on this topic - such as one of the author's other books "Excel 2002 Power Programming with VBA". Brilliant.
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Customer Reviews
Fit for purpose., 07 Sep 2008
I received this as a gift from my other half when I bought a new laptop, which came with Windows Vista pre-installed. There's nothing much to complain about. The chapters are structured in a sensible way, and I find Andy Rathbone's tone really appropriate to the needs of the 'Dummies' series (I mean this as a compliment rather than a criticism). My only real criticism is that I don't think Windows Vista is half as far detached from XP as a lot of people try to insist. This isn't to say that the existence of this book is unnecessary, just that a lot of the material herein will be already known to a lot of those of us who used XP extensively. I'm not an advanced user or anything like that, but I felt that this book covered a lot of old ground, in Windows terms, and was wanting in other more detailed areas. I think our needs would have been better met by something that spent less time covering the similarities between XP and Vista and more time dealing with the more advanced issues, but then that isn't the role and function of the 'Dummies' series. This book is generally very good, and I imagine excellent if you're on your first Windows operating system. It also doesn't crawl to the sensibilities of Microsoft, which is most refreshing. If you're moving from XP to Vista and you're anxious then this is great for general reference. At the risk of sounding cynical, I think that the myth that Vista is a total nightmare, excessively security conscious and so on has probably helped to shift a lot of copies of this. In reality, Vista isn't that scary. Does what it says on the cover, 21 Jun 2008
If you are looking for a light introductory guide to Windows Vista then look no further. If you are looking for a book that will get you out of trouble, then you'd be better looking at (for want of a better expression) more serious titles.
LAP FOF DUMMEYS AND INTERNET FOR DUMMETS, 11 May 2008
VERY HELPFULL IN EVERY WAY PUT IN LINGO YOU UNDER STAND WITH ALL THE BULL TAKEN OUT ONE RE SAID THAY WHERE FOR USA MARKET NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT THAY GOOD FUN AS WELL AS DOING THE JOB THAY WHERE MADE FOR KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BARRY ENGLAND Learn and smile..., 11 Jan 2008
I remember buying Windows 3.1 for Dummies many moons ago and it was a big help in my fledgling IT career. Having bought a new PC with Vista pre-installed, I thought it would be a good idea to buy a Dummies book for the new Windows and I'm glad I did. It is a solid and welcome addition to the series, unbiased and informative text, well laid out and the Gary Larson style cartoons give it a friendly feel.
It explains clearly the different versions of Vista, installation issues and the differences between it and XP. All Vistas quirks and features are described in plain English. A useful crib-sheet lists useful shortcuts to impress your colleagues. Home users and office users alike of any skill level would benefit from this book.
What this book is :
A Windows Vista reference, not a comprehensive training manual - choose what you need to gen up on and look for that chapter. Having said that, working through the book a chapter at a time is of use and would not take months
Useful, un-patronising and pretty funny
What this book is not:
Microsoft propaganda - Rathbone tells it like it is and probably won't be top of Bill Gates Christmas card list for some of his comments
A full blown tech guide for geeks, though they would certainly find it useful (without admitting it of course!)
Great book and for this price, it's a steal
A Cracking Edition of For Dummies, 02 Jan 2008
After Purchasing Vista and not being able to get to grips with it my dad got me this book,
it explains in great detail how to do everything that you need to do, it uses friendly language and does not insult your intelligence like some books.
I got the one with the free DVD which i have found very useful.
Amazon are the cheapest retailers of this product that i have seen, it comes wrapped in a standard Amazon packaging -- however you must be at home for delivery as it does not fit through your letter box :(
In All buy this book, you will find it useful, either that look on Google and find the answers for free :P An Amazing Read, 18 Oct 2008
What an amazing read. If you are new to DSLR or photography in general and you have the D40/X you must own this book. Full of concise step by step easy to read instructions on getting the most out of your camera. I can't put it down. Learn how to use the basic dials on your camera and take great shots. Then when you feel more comfortable with it move on to more indepth actions on exposure, lighting, composition etc. Each chapter lets you feel your way in to the subject so you don't feel rushed. This allows you to understand everything easier and that way you feel like you are actually learning something and remembering it. You really can't do without this book. An amazing read. I love it as much as the camera itself.I would pay double for this book. Get it now! Very clear and easily worth the money.., 04 Oct 2008
Firstly - dump the manual that came with your D40 in the drawer - it is next to useless if you are new to a dSLR.
Then open this book and find your way around the extensive features that this 'beginners' dSLR offers. The book is well written with multiple supporting illustrations. It quickly unravels some of what seem at first complicated menus and sub menus.
I quickly found out as an example how to limit the ISO rating the camera uses on ISO Auto, I won't tell you here, you'll have to buy the book!!! but it solved for me the issue of noise that had crept into some of my pictures when using ISO auto.
Again quickly found out how to switch off the graphic representation of the shooting settings and get it to a 'classic' setting more akin to what would appear on a LCD menu had the D40 had one. This is essential for any one who bemoans the loss of the LCD screen settings on the D40.
This book is certainly a must have for any d40 user - certainly any one using one for the first time.
If there is any down side it is the book size making it a tad of a challenge to use 'in the field' but if it was any smaller it probably wouldn't be as easy to read and follow as it is. Top notch, 27 Aug 2008
This book does exactly what it says on the cover, takes you through all the functions (with easy to see colour pictures)), working with light, exposure, photographing different subjects, etc. It explains your Nikon D40 and all of the features, I cannot recommend this highly enough. Between this and the Ken Rockwell website I have learnt so much about the D40. Great, 03 Jul 2008
This book tell you all you need to know when starting out with the Nikon D40 in an easy and comprehensive way unlike the original confusingly laid out manual. Additionally this book give good photo taking techniques in a variety of situations. Nice! for newcomers, 15 May 2008
This book is brilliant if you are new to DSLR photography and the manual that comes with the camera confuses you-like it did me! I have learnt so much and have already been practising with it. Things have made sense and I have to reread it to then put it into practice, i can see me taking this book on holiday and not the manual! Excellent system guide!, 16 Nov 2008
Any Mac owner operating their computer using Leopard should have this extremely helpful, floppy volume readily to hand. It takes you effortlessly through the basics, constantly surprises you by revealing information you never suspected is available to you just beneath the surface, provides countless hints and tips to get the most from the system and is a great friend to have in times of need.
Really excellent. Clear and interesting., 02 Aug 2008
Yeah this is awesome. It can't be easy to make an instruction manual for an operating system interesting, but the author does it somehow. And the detail is great. I've been able to tell experienced MAC OS users a thing or two from having read this book. Recommended. A must buy for any mac owner, 25 Jun 2008
Having recently taken the plunge to buy my first Mac computer, although the operating system (Leopard) is easy to use, the way of doing things is slightly different. To help me fully migrate, I purchased this book.
This book is a mine of information covering all aspects of the Mac OS, from the very little things like minimising windows to the more complex things like Automation etc. It explains everything in great detail and has lots of screen grabs and illustrations to help. It is clearly laid out and very well indexed, so if you are stuck on an item, you can find the solution rapidly.
This book resides by my computer "just in case" and is highly recommended.
Also, the book is that thick, that you can even use it as a step ladder when not needed. Great Value!!!!!!, 30 May 2008
I bought this as a complete novice to Apple Macs...it's very very informative and in a language that I can understand! I would really recommend this as the information on different aspects of the Leopard platform are endless....Excellent value for money! Bulky guide but useful, 30 Apr 2008
As a new migrant from Windows XP, I had absolutely no idea how clever the Mac OS X Leopard operating system was until I picked up this book. There are so many hidden features that it takes a serious user manual to ferret them out. Unfortunately, Apple provide just a tiny little white booklet and expect you to spend hours online searching their website for tips. Call me old-fashioned but I prefer hard copy to flicking back and forth between help screens and the work I am doing (even if it is easier with a Mac than a PC).
The step by step instructions are particularly useful to those who are sitting in front of a Mac for the first time. There's also some useful information about third party software which can enhance a Mac further; for example, if the user wants to run Windows alongside Mac OS X on the same computer. There's also advice about customising Leopard as well.
Yes, this is a heavy book and, yes, it does become a little anecdotal in places, but I recommend it to anyone who wants to unleash the full power of Leopard. A Must Buy!, 12 Oct 2008
Eveything in this book is written in a way that is fun, easy to understand AND invaluable if you intend to trade in shares. It's a steal at this price. I cannnot rate this book highly enough.
Nuff said. Excellent Book, 18 Sep 2008
This book has full of practical trading tips and summarises the top ten mistakes made by traders. The book is written in plain English, so it's easy to understand and good fun to read too. I have found this book is very useful in my trading.
Without doubt..., 01 Sep 2008
.... the best book currently around for understanding the stock market. Robbie Burns is very good at explaining all the market jargon in a friendly and humourous tone, and there's masses of advice - particularly what not to do! The webiste is well worth a look too. good book easy to read, 20 Jul 2008
good book easy to read, emphasises doing own research. Gives some usefull advice, such as avoiding shares with debt more than 3 times of Annual profit ( I would say rather Cash Flow)
Only regret is not buying it soon enough, 12 May 2008
I wish I bought it a year ago when I started trading... If I read this earlier, I could have avoided mistakes I made NT pointed out in the book.
The author's writing style is light and friendly so it's not a boring book to read. Clearly pointed out mistakes all newbie investors would make along with good habit of trading. It's not the investing bible nor get rich quick book but it definitely is investing 101 for newbies and intermediate investors. Colour me unimpressed!, 10 Nov 2008
I've learned a large number of languages, toolkits and SDKs over the years and been part of the review process of a fairly well known book as well, so believe me when I say this is not a great quality book!
If you read the back cover and even the prerequisites, you might think this book is for you. The prerequisites page only mentions the following with regards to knowledge required: "Familiarity with Objective-C". No mention is made of familiarity with writing software for OS X, but by page 23 we're seeing statements like "These essential frameworks enable you to build your iPhone applications using the same fundamental classes and calls you are familiar with from the Macintosh". This is followed on 24 by a comment about Info.plist - "It works the same way Info.plist files work on the Mac." Even as early as page 7 we're seeing things like "As with the Macintosh..." This book does not stand well on its own and that will make it less accessible to some people.
Then we get to the missing stuff - in the very first project, we're instructed to "Drag the three image files from the Chapter One Project folder provided with this book..." Provided where? There's no CD in the back, and I've not found anything in Chapter 1 so far that tells me where this resource is supposed to be included.
The first code listing spans almost two full pages as a single block of text. While the code is commented, there is no in-line breakdown of what each section is and you'll find yourself flipping back to previous pages to tie what you read there back to the code being displayed. Once this two page block of code is over, you don't see it again during this chapter - there is no further discussion of the code so you have to take it on faith for now and learn about it later. That's fine for a 10 line "hello world" app, but not really acceptable for an introduction to a language / framework like Cocoa.
All in all, first impressions are not good. This is not a book to rival the kind of book we've become used to with the Aaron Hillegass definitive reference for starting OS X programming. It will serve more experienced Apple developers well, but will be frustrating for new users. Good book, but lacking in places, 10 Nov 2008
I found this book useful, but it definitely lacks in places. I am using it as a resource for finding out little tricks or tips on how another programmer lays out their work. It's a useful resource, however it won't teach you the SDK from a beginner to an expert - grab Cocoa Programming for Mac OS X for that! Useful samples, not for beginners however, 05 Nov 2008
I thought this book was well written but be aware it does throw you into the deep end pretty much immediately. I would recommend this book mainly to developers who are already familiar with the basics of building iPhone applications as there really isn't much of a beginners introduction here.
The book we've all been waiting for!, 29 Oct 2008
This is a brilliant book, and contains a whole host of fantastic examples that shed a lot of like on developing using the iPhone SDK. Clearly written, great examples, and covering all topics needed to create a great application. This book will take some beating.
Of course, there is much more possible with the SDK than is covered in the book but this book will give you all the knowledge you need to push forward on your own. Excellent for programmers who don't know Excel, 17 May 2008
As a professional programmer I wondered whether this was going to patronise me too much; I needn't have worried, Walkenbach's approach is just right.
He tells it like it is, with plenty of good examples and real world applications for those examples. I'm sure Walkenback doesn't expect this book to teach you everything about Excel and whilst using it I searched for other examples on the 'Net which reinforced what he was teaching me.
But this was the book that provided me with the central learning experience and for which I am eternally grateful. Thanks John! A good book to start with., 09 Jun 2007
When I set out to learn a completely new technique in programming I like to start by reading a simple book, then follow that up by reading a higher level book. John Walkenbach's work is excellent for the first stage of this process. It is simply written (although I could manage without some of the "humor"), and he explains the basic techniques very well. I would argue with the "for dummies" part of the title, and would describe the book instead (apart from the humor) as suitable for the intelligent reader who starts Chapter 1 knowing little or nothing about VBA, but who is reasonably competent with Excel itself. By the end of Chapter 25, and after trying out some of the worked examples, such a reader should have a reasonable working knowledge of how to write VBA macros. Excellent for getting familiar with th VBA "basics"!, 24 Mar 2007
This book is fantastic for those who know nothing, or next to nothing about VBA programming in Excel, and want to learn the "basics" (no pun intended!).
You can read this book from cover to cover, practising examples on the way , and learning something every chapter. The author also makes reference to an accomanying website where you can download some of the programs to see them in action.
Furthermore, the book is written in very good humour, and you can have a laugh at the same time!
It is however very much a beginner's book, and does not go into great depth with VBA - if you purchase the book with that in mind then you really are on to a winner! If only I had an option to give this 6 stars !!, 13 Sep 2006
This book is a must have for anyone wanting to get to know VBA. Don't let previous books on VBA programming put you off, as these can either swing between patronising to the mega confusing (in my own experience). John Walkenbach takes you through this must have guide with patients and humour at an understandable and undaunting pace. Even when I was only half way through his book I was using the information I had gathered to streamline my many tedious excel spreadsheets and by the end of the book I wanted more. P.s. John, please bring part two !! Found this really useful, 01 Apr 2006
This book is really accessible, with loads of working examples. I needed to write a couple of custom functions for use in Excel 2002 spreadseets. And needed to get them working as addins. This book told me all I needed to know. A lot simpler to follow than some other books on this topic - such as one of the author's other books "Excel 2002 Power Programming with VBA". Brilliant.
Overated..., 23 Oct 2008
I'm all for new approaches in learning but I find that this book while seeking to de-mystify various OO design concepts actually introduces more confusion.
One of the worst offending chapters is the one on the factory design pattern. I find myself wanting to scream at the book 'ENOUGH PIZZA ALREADY, JUST TELL ME WHAT THE HELL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PATTERN GODDAMMIT!!!' After my 3rd re-read of the chapter I think I have been introduced to 2 1/2 patterns or rather one that is more of an 'idiom' than a pattern.
It doesn't help either when the authors state that it would be impossible to write a functioning programming if we stuck to ideal design principles.
My impression is that this book is getting rave reviews from other readers because they, like me, are sick of dense, unreadable tomes that give you a migraine within minutes of turning the first page.
I think that the authors have exchanged clarity for readability.
Are people really giving this 5 stars, 25 Sep 2008
I am kind of surprised that so many people have given this 5 stars. I don't think this book is very good and here are my reasons.
1- The book is written in a style that some people may not like, although this was not a problem for me. What did annoy me was the way they wrote the code bit by bit over many pages filled with a lot of people and pizzas in between. It means you can never use it as a quick reference as you have to search for the final correct piece of code.
2- There are no full code examples. Yes everything presented is in fragments, you will never see a complete piece of programme.
3- It uses Java, which looks like C# to all intents and purposes. But this stops them from displaying full code listings. The code itself is all over the place.
4- The book is definitely bloated with what seems quite a lot of unnecessary explanations and re-explanations.
5- I never felt they gave enough programming scenarios of the advantages of using the patterns, although there was a lot of talk.
Fantastic, 08 Aug 2008
A very good book. Its been written to be read from cover to cover and its a joy to do so. There are a lot of practice questions and task to do, which means you have to put the effort in but you will learn a lot.
Not just for JAVA, 12 Jun 2008
I am an ASP.NET developer and write in VB and C#. If you program in any OO language the fact that this book is written in Java will not be a problem in the slightest.
This book impressed me by the way it took you through implementations of the design patterns in order to help break the learning curve down into more manageable segments. After reading each chapter I knew exactly how the pattern was applied and understood it fully.
Something that was a real eye opener for me was that from reading this book I could see that design patterns exist EVERYWHERE in the .NET framework. User controls implements the composite pattern, the whole event driven model is based around the observer pattern and I don't know how many times I've been unknowingly using the template pattern!
There really shouldn't be any reason an OO programmer doesn't read this book (even if they are already clued up on their design patterns). It's an easy, fun and enlightening read.
A really enjoyable read, 13 May 2008
This has got to be the most enjoyable programming book I have ever read. Every spare minute I have is spent wanting to see what happens next. I have only ever felt this with novels before.
As to the content, I could relate many of the design patterns shown to what I have done or seen in the past, but they also show reasoning and extra detail and insight than what I have noticed myself.
A great read, I'm learning lots. I'm interested to see what the other Head First books are like now.
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