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 Customer Reviews
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
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
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.
Useful Compilation, 25 Oct 2008
This book is a really useful addition to the web designers arsenal - it's sort of a mix between Designmeltdown.com (created by the author) and www.cssimpress.com - with the best bits saved for this book. If you are lacking the inspiration which you usually have, or if you can't go through the whole of DesignMeltdown's archives - this is for you.
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Customer Reviews
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.
Useful Compilation, 25 Oct 2008
This book is a really useful addition to the web designers arsenal - it's sort of a mix between Designmeltdown.com (created by the author) and www.cssimpress.com - with the best bits saved for this book. If you are lacking the inspiration which you usually have, or if you can't go through the whole of DesignMeltdown's archives - this is for you.
Engaging and easily understandable, 10 Nov 2008
I've got oodles of programming books and I'd put this one up with the best of my collection. It's carefully written to ensure all levels of experience and aptitude are catered for, I'd class myself as somewhere in the intermediates with a decent knowledge of actionscript 2 and I found it enormously useful.
All examples and diagrams make perfect sense, and the explanations they use have actually helped me come to terms with other programming paradigms I'd used but never fully understood.
Thoroughly recommend this one.
Awesome..., 29 Jul 2008
After endlessly searching for a decent AS3 book but having to settle with intermediate to advanced book I found this little gem and started some research. After finding reviews on the flashblog and other resources I decided to go ahead with the purchase.
not only is this book well illustrated in full colour, it also gives you a sense that your learning at a steady pace without feeling like your missing something as you progress.
The online resource site offers all of the files needed to sit and study the chapters in the book closer.
I have also recently embarked on what I thought was a problem with one of the resource files and emailed the support group, I was astonished to get a reply within 15 Minutes, pity that I was being a fool and there was no problem. Non the less the help was amazing.
I can't recommend this book enough for anyone wanting to make the jump from AS2 to AS3 or for anyone completely new to AS3.
Thank you
Easir to follow than Big Colin, 25 Jul 2008
I really like this book, It's a lot easier to follow than Colin Mook's essential one (Which of course you do actually need as well) Pretty straight to the point, easy to read and understand although I'm probably slap bang in the middle of the target audience - intermediate user with a fairly good understanding of key concepts and how OOP works. I don't recommend it for the absolute beginner and calling it "A beginners guide" is a bit misleading but as a transitional guide, its really good.
There are quite a few typos, it must be said and some of them are quite confusing. I also found that the choice of variable names occasionally made it less clear as to what's intended.
Overall, highly recommended and pretty much the second AS3 book you should have (Although buying it before Mr Mooks is probably a better idea if you get my drift)
I generally now use this one as my main learning guide and "Essential ActionScript 3.0" as a more detailed reference
best buy fopr every actionscript level, 15 Jul 2008
If you read this book and Essential actionscript 3 i actually belive you will be able to learn just as much if not more from Learning Actionscript 3 even though essential as3 is over 3x heavyer both mentally and physicaly - based on the fact the this book delivers the content in such an lite and understanable way in full color.
Best begginer AS3 book, 04 Jun 2008
Since I got the new Flash CS3 I browse the web looking for AS3 books to help me in the transition to the new AS3, as a flash designer I found this is the best book you can get, it will let you get your hands dirty very quickly with the new AS3, it explain very nicely how it works and why.
One of the best thing is the online support, you get all the exercises files, and here is a fact I email a question about a piece of code, and got answer 5 min later, yes 5min!!! it cant get better than that, well maybe it was a bit of luck, but in any case is pretty good.
So if you are not a developer, how needs to understand all the fuzz about AS3 and OOP get this book.
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Customer Reviews
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.
Useful Compilation, 25 Oct 2008
This book is a really useful addition to the web designers arsenal - it's sort of a mix between Designmeltdown.com (created by the author) and www.cssimpress.com - with the best bits saved for this book. If you are lacking the inspiration which you usually have, or if you can't go through the whole of DesignMeltdown's archives - this is for you.
Engaging and easily understandable, 10 Nov 2008
I've got oodles of programming books and I'd put this one up with the best of my collection. It's carefully written to ensure all levels of experience and aptitude are catered for, I'd class myself as somewhere in the intermediates with a decent knowledge of actionscript 2 and I found it enormously useful.
All examples and diagrams make perfect sense, and the explanations they use have actually helped me come to terms with other programming paradigms I'd used but never fully understood.
Thoroughly recommend this one.
Awesome..., 29 Jul 2008
After endlessly searching for a decent AS3 book but having to settle with intermediate to advanced book I found this little gem and started some research. After finding reviews on the flashblog and other resources I decided to go ahead with the purchase.
not only is this book well illustrated in full colour, it also gives you a sense that your learning at a steady pace without feeling like your missing something as you progress.
The online resource site offers all of the files needed to sit and study the chapters in the book closer.
I have also recently embarked on what I thought was a problem with one of the resource files and emailed the support group, I was astonished to get a reply within 15 Minutes, pity that I was being a fool and there was no problem. Non the less the help was amazing.
I can't recommend this book enough for anyone wanting to make the jump from AS2 to AS3 or for anyone completely new to AS3.
Thank you
Easir to follow than Big Colin, 25 Jul 2008
I really like this book, It's a lot easier to follow than Colin Mook's essential one (Which of course you do actually need as well) Pretty straight to the point, easy to read and understand although I'm probably slap bang in the middle of the target audience - intermediate user with a fairly good understanding of key concepts and how OOP works. I don't recommend it for the absolute beginner and calling it "A beginners guide" is a bit misleading but as a transitional guide, its really good.
There are quite a few typos, it must be said and some of them are quite confusing. I also found that the choice of variable names occasionally made it less clear as to what's intended.
Overall, highly recommended and pretty much the second AS3 book you should have (Although buying it before Mr Mooks is probably a better idea if you get my drift)
I generally now use this one as my main learning guide and "Essential ActionScript 3.0" as a more detailed reference
best buy fopr every actionscript level, 15 Jul 2008
If you read this book and Essential actionscript 3 i actually belive you will be able to learn just as much if not more from Learning Actionscript 3 even though essential as3 is over 3x heavyer both mentally and physicaly - based on the fact the this book delivers the content in such an lite and understanable way in full color.
Best begginer AS3 book, 04 Jun 2008
Since I got the new Flash CS3 I browse the web looking for AS3 books to help me in the transition to the new AS3, as a flash designer I found this is the best book you can get, it will let you get your hands dirty very quickly with the new AS3, it explain very nicely how it works and why.
One of the best thing is the online support, you get all the exercises files, and here is a fact I email a question about a piece of code, and got answer 5 min later, yes 5min!!! it cant get better than that, well maybe it was a bit of luck, but in any case is pretty good.
So if you are not a developer, how needs to understand all the fuzz about AS3 and OOP get this book.
The SketchUp bible, 02 Mar 2008
This book is an invaluable reference if you need something more than the Google help files and video tutorials available through SketchUp. When used with Chopra's YouTube videos you can be using the software to model almost anything within a few hours of drawing your first lines. I've knocked a mark off because it doesn't cover the Sandbox tools which admittedly are only availble in the Pro version, but some information on basic operation of these tools would have been good. Otherwise worth every penny. I don't know how Chopra's new Wiley book on SketchUp compares but it would need to go much further than this if it were to be worth its much higher price tag.
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Customer Reviews
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.
Useful Compilation, 25 Oct 2008
This book is a really useful addition to the web designers arsenal - it's sort of a mix between Designmeltdown.com (created by the author) and www.cssimpress.com - with the best bits saved for this book. If you are lacking the inspiration which you usually have, or if you can't go through the whole of DesignMeltdown's archives - this is for you.
Engaging and easily understandable, 10 Nov 2008
I've got oodles of programming books and I'd put this one up with the best of my collection. It's carefully written to ensure all levels of experience and aptitude are catered for, I'd class myself as somewhere in the intermediates with a decent knowledge of actionscript 2 and I found it enormously useful.
All examples and diagrams make perfect sense, and the explanations they use have actually helped me come to terms with other programming paradigms I'd used but never fully understood.
Thoroughly recommend this one.
Awesome..., 29 Jul 2008
After endlessly searching for a decent AS3 book but having to settle with intermediate to advanced book I found this little gem and started some research. After finding reviews on the flashblog and other resources I decided to go ahead with the purchase.
not only is this book well illustrated in full colour, it also gives you a sense that your learning at a steady pace without feeling like your missing something as you progress.
The online resource site offers all of the files needed to sit and study the chapters in the book closer.
I have also recently embarked on what I thought was a problem with one of the resource files and emailed the support group, I was astonished to get a reply within 15 Minutes, pity that I was being a fool and there was no problem. Non the less the help was amazing.
I can't recommend this book enough for anyone wanting to make the jump from AS2 to AS3 or for anyone completely new to AS3.
Thank you
Easir to follow than Big Colin, 25 Jul 2008
I really like this book, It's a lot easier to follow than Colin Mook's essential one (Which of course you do actually need as well) Pretty straight to the point, easy to read and understand although I'm probably slap bang in the middle of the target audience - intermediate user with a fairly good understanding of key concepts and how OOP works. I don't recommend it for the absolute beginner and calling it "A beginners guide" is a bit misleading but as a transitional guide, its really good.
There are quite a few typos, it must be said and some of them are quite confusing. I also found that the choice of variable names occasionally made it less clear as to what's intended.
Overall, highly recommended and pretty much the second AS3 book you should have (Although buying it before Mr Mooks is probably a better idea if you get my drift)
I generally now use this one as my main learning guide and "Essential ActionScript 3.0" as a more detailed reference
best buy fopr every actionscript level, 15 Jul 2008
If you read this book and Essential actionscript 3 i actually belive you will be able to learn just as much if not more from Learning Actionscript 3 even though essential as3 is over 3x heavyer both mentally and physicaly - based on the fact the this book delivers the content in such an lite and understanable way in full color.
Best begginer AS3 book, 04 Jun 2008
Since I got the new Flash CS3 I browse the web looking for AS3 books to help me in the transition to the new AS3, as a flash designer I found this is the best book you can get, it will let you get your hands dirty very quickly with the new AS3, it explain very nicely how it works and why.
One of the best thing is the online support, you get all the exercises files, and here is a fact I email a question about a piece of code, and got answer 5 min later, yes 5min!!! it cant get better than that, well maybe it was a bit of luck, but in any case is pretty good.
So if you are not a developer, how needs to understand all the fuzz about AS3 and OOP get this book.
The SketchUp bible, 02 Mar 2008
This book is an invaluable reference if you need something more than the Google help files and video tutorials available through SketchUp. When used with Chopra's YouTube videos you can be using the software to model almost anything within a few hours of drawing your first lines. I've knocked a mark off because it doesn't cover the Sandbox tools which admittedly are only availble in the Pro version, but some information on basic operation of these tools would have been good. Otherwise worth every penny. I don't know how Chopra's new Wiley book on SketchUp compares but it would need to go much further than this if it were to be worth its much higher price tag.
Good value for money, 21 Nov 2008
I bought Dreamweaver CS3 and having installed it found it too complex to get started even though I had previously constructed Web sites using Frontpage. This book has answered all my queries and has given an insight into even more complex techniques such as the application of databases.
I was certainly able to use Dreamweaver to construct an operational Web site using this book. It answered all my questions.
It is good value for money.
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Customer Reviews
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.
Useful Compilation, 25 Oct 2008
This book is a really useful addition to the web designers arsenal - it's sort of a mix between Designmeltdown.com (created by the author) and www.cssimpress.com - with the best bits saved for this book. If you are lacking the inspiration which you usually have, or if you can't go through the whole of DesignMeltdown's archives - this is for you.
Engaging and easily understandable, 10 Nov 2008
I've got oodles of programming books and I'd put this one up with the best of my collection. It's carefully written to ensure all levels of experience and aptitude are catered for, I'd class myself as somewhere in the intermediates with a decent knowledge of actionscript 2 and I found it enormously useful.
All examples and diagrams make perfect sense, and the explanations they use have actually helped me come to terms with other programming paradigms I'd used but never fully understood.
Thoroughly recommend this one.
Awesome..., 29 Jul 2008
After endlessly searching for a decent AS3 book but having to settle with intermediate to advanced book I found this little gem and started some research. After finding reviews on the flashblog and other resources I decided to go ahead with the purchase.
not only is this book well illustrated in full colour, it also gives you a sense that your learning at a steady pace without feeling like your missing something as you progress.
The online resource site offers all of the files needed to sit and study the chapters in the book closer.
I have also recently embarked on what I thought was a problem with one of the resource files and emailed the support group, I was astonished to get a reply within 15 Minutes, pity that I was being a fool and there was no problem. Non the less the help was amazing.
I can't recommend this book enough for anyone wanting to make the jump from AS2 to AS3 or for anyone completely new to AS3.
Thank you
Easir to follow than Big Colin, 25 Jul 2008
I really like this book, It's a lot easier to follow than Colin Mook's essential one (Which of course you do actually need as well) Pretty straight to the point, easy to read and understand although I'm probably slap bang in the middle of the target audience - intermediate user with a fairly good understanding of key concepts and how OOP works. I don't recommend it for the absolute beginner and calling it "A beginners guide" is a bit misleading but as a transitional guide, its really good.
There are quite a few typos, it must be said and some of them are quite confusing. I also found that the choice of variable names occasionally made it less clear as to what's intended.
Overall, highly recommended and pretty much the second AS3 book you should have (Although buying it before Mr Mooks is probably a better idea if you get my drift)
I generally now use this one as my main learning guide and "Essential ActionScript 3.0" as a more detailed reference
best buy fopr every actionscript level, 15 Jul 2008
If you read this book and Essential actionscript 3 i actually belive you will be able to learn just as much if not more from Learning Actionscript 3 even though essential as3 is over 3x heavyer both mentally and physicaly - based on the fact the this book delivers the content in such an lite and understanable way in full color.
Best begginer AS3 book, 04 Jun 2008
Since I got the new Flash CS3 I browse the web looking for AS3 books to help me in the transition to the new AS3, as a flash designer I found this is the best book you can get, it will let you get your hands dirty very quickly with the new AS3, it explain very nicely how it works and why.
One of the best thing is the online support, you get all the exercises files, and here is a fact I email a question about a piece of code, and got answer 5 min later, yes 5min!!! it cant get better than that, well maybe it was a bit of luck, but in any case is pretty good.
So if you are not a developer, how needs to understand all the fuzz about AS3 and OOP get this book.
The SketchUp bible, 02 Mar 2008
This book is an invaluable reference if you need something more than the Google help files and video tutorials available through SketchUp. When used with Chopra's YouTube videos you can be using the software to model almost anything within a few hours of drawing your first lines. I've knocked a mark off because it doesn't cover the Sandbox tools which admittedly are only availble in the Pro version, but some information on basic operation of these tools would have been good. Otherwise worth every penny. I don't know how Chopra's new Wiley book on SketchUp compares but it would need to go much further than this if it were to be worth its much higher price tag.
Good value for money, 21 Nov 2008
I bought Dreamweaver CS3 and having installed it found it too complex to get started even though I had previously constructed Web sites using Frontpage. This book has answered all my queries and has given an insight into even more complex techniques such as the application of databases.
I was certainly able to use Dreamweaver to construct an operational Web site using this book. It answered all my questions.
It is good value for money.
Easy to read. Sensible advice., 01 Sep 2008
I'm about half-way through as I write this review but I am already very impressed with this book. Few has an easy-to-read style that's not full of fluff or pompous nonsense, and he provides sensible advise for producing effective designs.
The book begins by defining the term "information dashboard": the definition is suitably broad that you may realise that solutions you've build before would fit in and would therefore have benefited from the design advice given in the book. To make his points about poor design, Few then uses a selection of examples found on the web. Many of these are eye catching and graphically pleasing - but the commentary makes you appreciate the problems each exhibits. In the middle of the book, Few describes accepted scientific theories about human vision, perception and cognition that we should take into account in our designs - and these generally support the arguments that the example dashboards used earlier in the book were poor designs in one way or another. Later in the book (and I have not read these chapters yet), Few provides practical advice that can be applied in dashboard design. I am expecting these to be almost self-evident by the time I get there thanks to the Background Few has provided me with. But I am still looking forward to reading them nonetheless.
This book is in no way biased towards any display technology, user interface technology or programming technology and is therefore applicable whether you are producing a single-user desktop application, a multi-user, multi-screen information wall (as you've seen in pictures of the stock exchange) or even if you are producing printed reports. The advice given is about the design thought process rather than any particular notation so is applicable regardless of the software design methodology you may use.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the topic and would say it's a "must-have" if you are practically involved in the specification, analysis, design and even implementation of Information Dashboards.
Great insights, 29 Mar 2008
This is an excellent book and will change the way you look at how data is presented. I have struggled in the past trying to understand reports presented to me because of their poor design. The author offers a good mix of theory and practical examples, giving examples of poorly designed reports, pointing out their deficiencies and suggesting a better way of doing it. Overall it is a quick to read book that provides valuable insight.
Well Written, Well Presented, 04 Jan 2008
Stephen Few nods more than a little to Edward Tufte when it comes to approaches to visual and information design, and this book is both a highly informative and pleasant read for that. While not quite in the same league as one of Tufte's works, Information Dashboard Design is refreshingly devoid of waffle and mere personal opinion. The design principles he identifies are not hard to grasp, and the theory and rationale for them is very well argued and presented. Few's invention of the "bullet graph" also ensures his place alongside Tufte in the field of information design.
We can only hope that his ideas will now catch on, and that the awful drek that infests the vast majority of dashboard designs by even the largest of vendors will be swept away forever. If I never see another big shiny gauge again, it will be too soon.
Great book - a must for designing dashboards, 08 Oct 2007
I agree with the two other reviews that I read prior to posting. This is a great book that is well written. The example screen shots really show you the difference that can be made by using good design principles as suggested. If you are doing any dashboard design you need to read this book. Also what was really good was at the end there was just one page acknowledgeing other major authors in the area and suggesting their texts as well. This was really useful as rather than wade through all the references it gave you a snapshot of who Mr. Few thought were the best in his field. Brilliant. Can't recommend it enough.
Spins your whole understanding of dashboards and charting on its head, 21 Aug 2007
If you're currently using pie charts or graphs with lots of colours, you need this book.
If you've developed (or are developing) a digital dashboard that shares at least a few design ideas with a real in-car dashboard, you need this book.
If your users first reaction to your dashboard is 'wow, that looks cool' you need this book.
In fact, just buy this book. Your reporting and dashboards will benefit. The author really knows his stuff.
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Customer Reviews
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.
Useful Compilation, 25 Oct 2008
This book is a really useful addition to the web designers arsenal - it's sort of a mix between Designmeltdown.com (created by the author) and www.cssimpress.com - with the best bits saved for this book. If you are lacking the inspiration which you usually have, or if you can't go through the whole of DesignMeltdown's archives - this is for you.
Engaging and easily understandable, 10 Nov 2008
I've got oodles of programming books and I'd put this one up with the best of my collection. It's carefully written to ensure all levels of experience and aptitude are catered for, I'd class myself as somewhere in the intermediates with a decent knowledge of actionscript 2 and I found it enormously useful.
All examples and diagrams make perfect sense, and the explanations they use have actually helped me come to terms with other programming paradigms I'd used but never fully understood.
Thoroughly recommend this one.
Awesome..., 29 Jul 2008
After endlessly searching for a decent AS3 book but having to settle with intermediate to advanced book I found this little gem and started some research. After finding reviews on the flashblog and other resources I decided to go ahead with the purchase.
not only is this book well illustrated in full colour, it also gives you a sense that your learning at a steady pace without feeling like your missing something as you progress.
The online resource site offers all of the files needed to sit and study the chapters in the book closer.
I have also recently embarked on what I thought was a problem with one of the resource files and emailed the support group, I was astonished to get a reply within 15 Minutes, pity that I was being a fool and there was no problem. Non the less the help was amazing.
I can't recommend this book enough for anyone wanting to make the jump from AS2 to AS3 or for anyone completely new to AS3.
Thank you
Easir to follow than Big Colin, 25 Jul 2008
I really like this book, It's a lot easier to follow than Colin Mook's essential one (Which of course you do actually need as well) Pretty straight to the point, easy to read and understand although I'm probably slap bang in the middle of the target audience - intermediate user with a fairly good understanding of key concepts and how OOP works. I don't recommend it for the absolute beginner and calling it "A beginners guide" is a bit misleading but as a transitional guide, its really good.
There are quite a few typos, it must be said and some of them are quite confusing. I also found that the choice of variable names occasionally made it less clear as to what's intended.
Overall, highly recommended and pretty much the second AS3 book you should have (Although buying it before Mr Mooks is probably a better idea if you get my drift)
I generally now use this one as my main learning guide and "Essential ActionScript 3.0" as a more detailed reference
best buy fopr every actionscript level, 15 Jul 2008
If you read this book and Essential actionscript 3 i actually belive you will be able to learn just as much if not more from Learning Actionscript 3 even though essential as3 is over 3x heavyer both mentally and physicaly - based on the fact the this book delivers the content in such an lite and understanable way in full color.
Best begginer AS3 book, 04 Jun 2008
Since I got the new Flash CS3 I browse the web looking for AS3 books to help me in the transition to the new AS3, as a flash designer I found this is the best book you can get, it will let you get your hands dirty very quickly with the new AS3, it explain very nicely how it works and why.
One of the best thing is the online support, you get all the exercises files, and here is a fact I email a question about a piece of code, and got answer 5 min later, yes 5min!!! it cant get better than that, well maybe it was a bit of luck, but in any case is pretty good.
So if you are not a developer, how needs to understand all the fuzz about AS3 and OOP get this book.
The SketchUp bible, 02 Mar 2008
This book is an invaluable reference if you need something more than the Google help files and video tutorials available through SketchUp. When used with Chopra's YouTube videos you can be using the software to model almost anything within a few hours of drawing your first lines. I've knocked a mark off because it doesn't cover the Sandbox tools which admittedly are only availble in the Pro version, but some information on basic operation of these tools would have been good. Otherwise worth every penny. I don't know how Chopra's new Wiley book on SketchUp compares but it would need to go much further than this if it were to be worth its much higher price tag.
Good value for money, 21 Nov 2008
I bought Dreamweaver CS3 and having installed it found it too complex to get started even though I had previously constructed Web sites using Frontpage. This book has answered all my queries and has given an insight into even more complex techniques such as the application of databases.
I was certainly able to use Dreamweaver to construct an operational Web site using this book. It answered all my questions.
It is good value for money.
Easy to read. Sensible advice., 01 Sep 2008
I'm about half-way through as I write this review but I am already very impressed with this book. Few has an easy-to-read style that's not full of fluff or pompous nonsense, and he provides sensible advise for producing effective designs.
The book begins by defining the term "information dashboard": the definition is suitably broad that you may realise that solutions you've build before would fit in and would therefore have benefited from the design advice given in the book. To make his points about poor design, Few then uses a selection of examples found on the web. Many of these are eye catching and graphically pleasing - but the commentary makes you appreciate the problems each exhibits. In the middle of the book, Few describes accepted scientific theories about human vision, perception and cognition that we should take into account in our designs - and these generally support the arguments that the example dashboards used earlier in the book were poor designs in one way or another. Later in the book (and I have not read these chapters yet), Few provides practical advice that can be applied in dashboard design. I am expecting these to be almost self-evident by the time I get there thanks to the Background Few has provided me with. But I am still looking forward to reading them nonetheless.
This book is in no way biased towards any display technology, user interface technology or programming technology and is therefore applicable whether you are producing a single-user desktop application, a multi-user, multi-screen information wall (as you've seen in pictures of the stock exchange) or even if you are producing printed reports. The advice given is about the design thought process rather than any particular notation so is applicable regardless of the software design methodology you may use.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the topic and would say it's a "must-have" if you are practically involved in the specification, analysis, design and even implementation of Information Dashboards.
Great insights, 29 Mar 2008
This is an excellent book and will change the way you look at how data is presented. I have struggled in the past trying to understand reports presented to me because of their poor design. The author offers a good mix of theory and practical examples, giving examples of poorly designed reports, pointing out their deficiencies and suggesting a better way of doing it. Overall it is a quick to read book that provides valuable insight.
Well Written, Well Presented, 04 Jan 2008
Stephen Few nods more than a little to Edward Tufte when it comes to approaches to visual and information design, and this book is both a highly informative and pleasant read for that. While not quite in the same league as one of Tufte's works, Information Dashboard Design is refreshingly devoid of waffle and mere personal opinion. The design principles he identifies are not hard to grasp, and the theory and rationale for them is very well argued and presented. Few's invention of the "bullet graph" also ensures his place alongside Tufte in the field of information design.
We can only hope that his ideas will now catch on, and that the awful drek that infests the vast majority of dashboard designs by even the largest of vendors will be swept away forever. If I never see another big shiny gauge again, it will be too soon.
Great book - a must for designing dashboards, 08 Oct 2007
I agree with the two other reviews that I read prior to posting. This is a great book that is well written. The example screen shots really show you the difference that can be made by using good design principles as suggested. If you are doing any dashboard design you need to read this book. Also what was really good was at the end there was just one page acknowledgeing other major authors in the area and suggesting their texts as well. This was really useful as rather than wade through all the references it gave you a snapshot of who Mr. Few thought were the best in his field. Brilliant. Can't recommend it enough.
Spins your whole understanding of dashboards and charting on its head, 21 Aug 2007
If you're currently using pie charts or graphs with lots of colours, you need this book.
If you've developed (or are developing) a digital dashboard that shares at least a few design ideas with a real in-car dashboard, you need this book.
If your users first reaction to your dashboard is 'wow, that looks cool' you need this book.
In fact, just buy this book. Your reporting and dashboards will benefit. The author really knows his stuff.
Didn't hold interest, 25 Oct 2008
This book put me off Joolma! Reading up to 3/4 of the book I get the impression that North finds Joolma hard to work himself through his negative comments by way of knocking the Joomla GUI - e.g. this would have been better there, and that should have been called... and so on, ugh; so why bother? It's gathering dust. I created my own bespoke CMS in the end.
Beware very very small print!!, 20 Sep 2008
I am sure this is an excellent book however virtually every page is underpinned by screen shots of the application and they are FAR TOO SMALL TO READ AND IN A FAINT BLACK TEXT - the font size is less than 6pix!!. I hope the publishers take note and re-issues this book with a larger font for what I am sure are excellent examples.
A book that once may have been good, 08 Jul 2008
Being new to Joomla this book offers some useful information, but since it was written Joomla seems to have undergone remarkable changes. These changes could of course not be included in the book but updates to the book that reflects the changes in Joomla could have been placed on the author's website.
But seemingly the author is doing something else than giving an at least reasonable service to the customers who bought his book.
Have just worked my way through the chapter on templates where only example one looks somewhat like the example in the book and where the remaining examples are no more than useless. Thinking that I must have made some mistakes, I downloaded and installed the author's example templates just to see that they were as helpless as my own.
I can not recommend this book to anyone and I suggest the publishers to remove it from their publications.
Stig Benning
System Developer
Utter waste of time and money - Keep away, 11 Jun 2008
This book is an utter waste of time and money. The book is written in a very tedious manner. Joomla has been released in its 1.53 version, and many things the author presents in the book does not tally with the situation today. No effort is done to give updated information on the website, either. The least a beginner should be worried about learning is whether what he/she is learning is relevant or correct. You can waste hours trying to find out.
The forum which the product description /synopsis refers to as an active forum, is just almost dead. There is no updates of the new releases of Joomla on the book's website, which could be expected when they market the book as having its own website and forum. The author keeps making sad excuses, in the forum, but this book is outdated. If he was serious about really teaching, he would have posted guidelines where things differ.
I can't understand why anybody would write a book on Joomla at the state when this book was written, because the developments go fast and there is no way a book can give that type of information.
The whole book is in black and white - and this is supposed to be a book which is partly about designing? The least the author could have done was to have the diagrams in color.
The book seems to be put together in an enormous hurry. If you want to learn Joomla in a painless way - use joomla.org and the internet. What ever you do, don't buy this book.
A good book, abandoned - but not for long!, 24 May 2008
What a pity - this is an excellent first book on Joomla 1.5 - probably the best but now it has been relegated to nothing by a course in frustration. The book [not unreasonably] is based on Joomla 1.5. Since then Joomla progressed through 1.5.1, 1.5.2 to 1.5.3 [at the time of writing]. Sadly 1.5.2 was quite a big update and changed many Joomla admin menus etc. making the book quite out of step to a current downloaded copy of Joomla.
But here comes the tragedy. The once active forum has virtually fallen into disuse - checkout the posting frequency and dates. The author seems to have fled from cyperspace and his recent responses are notable by their absence. A suggestion that it would be useful to find a source of Joomla 1.5.0 installation has gone unheeded for a week and even a request to the author to know if in fact it is that version that was originally used.
I think we all appreciate it can take at least six months to get into print. Meanwhile a rugged growing youngster like Joomla will have a degree of metamorphosis but not to have recourse to forum support is a distinct disadvantage. The book merits five stars - if the Joomla version it was based on was available. Whilst it isn't one wonders if one should buy it at all. Only you, dear reader, can decide. If you do, get a few Sherlock Holmes primers in the same order is my tip.
Update: 31/05/2008 - after a short[ish] delay of a week, the forum finally got a lead from the author on where to get a copy of the 1.5.0 [book] version of Joomla. This makes all the difference - thank you. However, the author then appears to use registrations on the forum to promote other books and services by email. Is this SPAM or just agressive marketing? You decide.
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