So-so..., 06 Sep 2008
Quality book? Very much so.

Easy to read? Well, yeah, but seems more formal than other Dummies somehow.

Cover all the right stuff? Yeah, suppose, but spends a huge amount of the book going on about the Organiser (not interesting!!!!).

Best book on Elements? No... though I don't know what is, but this isn't it.

Disappointed Dummy, 28 Aug 2008
I found Elements 6 for Dummies to be a confusing and unhelpful guide to a great software programme. It appears to have been written more to impress readers with the skills and knowledge of the authors rather than as suggested in the title as a simple vehicle to understand and use this feature rich ( is that too feature rich ?)programme. Does it really need 400 pages to explain the major features of Elements 6, I don't think so. Any number of photographic journals have shorter simpler guides to using photo enhancement software and you'll get lots of other photographic tips for your money.


User Friendly, 20 May 2008
What makes this book easy to use? Its user friendly, with clear easy to follow instructions. The colour pictures are of a good quality for each task in Elements. What you see in the book, you see on the monitor screen. Page layouts are consistent and the print clear. Getting started with Elements 6 couldn't be smoother. The book is basic and more advanced. For anyone new to Elements 6 or upgrading from older versions, this is the book to buy.

Elements 6 is no longer the cut down version of Photoshop that it once was. Adobe have included more of the best features from their new Photoshop, without compromising the enjoyment of using Elements. Photoshop Elements for Dummies, successfully addresses the changes in this new Elements version.

So-so..., 06 Sep 2008
Quality book? Very much so.

Easy to read? Well, yeah, but seems more formal than other Dummies somehow.

Cover all the right stuff? Yeah, suppose, but spends a huge amount of the book going on about the Organiser (not interesting!!!!).

Best book on Elements? No... though I don't know what is, but this isn't it.

Disappointed Dummy, 28 Aug 2008
I found Elements 6 for Dummies to be a confusing and unhelpful guide to a great software programme. It appears to have been written more to impress readers with the skills and knowledge of the authors rather than as suggested in the title as a simple vehicle to understand and use this feature rich ( is that too feature rich ?)programme. Does it really need 400 pages to explain the major features of Elements 6, I don't think so. Any number of photographic journals have shorter simpler guides to using photo enhancement software and you'll get lots of other photographic tips for your money.


User Friendly, 20 May 2008
What makes this book easy to use? Its user friendly, with clear easy to follow instructions. The colour pictures are of a good quality for each task in Elements. What you see in the book, you see on the monitor screen. Page layouts are consistent and the print clear. Getting started with Elements 6 couldn't be smoother. The book is basic and more advanced. For anyone new to Elements 6 or upgrading from older versions, this is the book to buy.

Elements 6 is no longer the cut down version of Photoshop that it once was. Adobe have included more of the best features from their new Photoshop, without compromising the enjoyment of using Elements. Photoshop Elements for Dummies, successfully addresses the changes in this new Elements version.


Written in plain english, 27 Mar 2007
What a breath of fresh air to find a down to earth explanation of how to get on with Excel 2003. It's written in plain english, with a sense of humour thrown in. With clear step-by-step instructions and plenty of illustrations to get you through each subject, you can't go wrong. In just a few days, I've read the book and carried out the instructions of the exercises with ease, and I'm not a computer whizz by any stretch of the imagination. Well worth the money.

Excellent, 05 Mar 2004
This book helped me to understand and explore the use of Excel, it gave me a real helping hand when coming to do my As ICT coursework and would recommend it to anyone...

Windows XP for Dummies does a good job in its role as the flagship of the Dummies line, providing Windows novices with a guided introduction to Microsoft's latest and most feature-rich operating system for everyday computer users. Its treatment of computer, Windows and Internet fundamentals is among the best on the market, and author Andy Rathbone has an appealing way of writing that's simultaneously fun and detail-rich. If you're a Windows novice--meaning you don't know how to undelete a file that's been sent to the Recycle Bin, or what a Web browser is, or what it means to "cut and paste" text--you will get a lot out of Rathbone's work.

Some aspects of this book could be better, such as the part of the networking chapter that calls for an Ethernet hub without noting that a switch, though possibly more expensive, would do the job better, without any additional hassle. The networking coverage also does an inadequate job of explaining how to share a cable modem or DSL connection among several computers. This is a serious shortcoming, and we're getting to the point in our evolution as a society of computer users at which we can assume that everyone knows what the "Cancel" button does and would rather read about the newer, more exciting things that Windows XP can do. Even the dummies aren't that dumb anymore.

But, that said--and Rathbone does confine a lot of the really elementary stuff to a skinny introductory chapter--this book is a boon to people who aren't familiar with Windows XP or its immediate predecessors (including Windows 95, Windows98, and Windows Me). It's also great for people who have learned a little about Windows on the job or from their kids, and want to expand on what they know. --David Wall

Topics covered: Microsoft Windows XP for people completely unfamiliar with the operating system and other recent versions of Windows. Coverage includes how to run programs, move and delete files, connecting to the Internet and using applications like electronic mail programs, Web browsers and multimedia players.

So-so..., 06 Sep 2008
Quality book? Very much so.

Easy to read? Well, yeah, but seems more formal than other Dummies somehow.

Cover all the right stuff? Yeah, suppose, but spends a huge amount of the book going on about the Organiser (not interesting!!!!).

Best book on Elements? No... though I don't know what is, but this isn't it.

Disappointed Dummy, 28 Aug 2008
I found Elements 6 for Dummies to be a confusing and unhelpful guide to a great software programme. It appears to have been written more to impress readers with the skills and knowledge of the authors rather than as suggested in the title as a simple vehicle to understand and use this feature rich ( is that too feature rich ?)programme. Does it really need 400 pages to explain the major features of Elements 6, I don't think so. Any number of photographic journals have shorter simpler guides to using photo enhancement software and you'll get lots of other photographic tips for your money.


User Friendly, 20 May 2008
What makes this book easy to use? Its user friendly, with clear easy to follow instructions. The colour pictures are of a good quality for each task in Elements. What you see in the book, you see on the monitor screen. Page layouts are consistent and the print clear. Getting started with Elements 6 couldn't be smoother. The book is basic and more advanced. For anyone new to Elements 6 or upgrading from older versions, this is the book to buy.

Elements 6 is no longer the cut down version of Photoshop that it once was. Adobe have included more of the best features from their new Photoshop, without compromising the enjoyment of using Elements. Photoshop Elements for Dummies, successfully addresses the changes in this new Elements version.


Written in plain english, 27 Mar 2007
What a breath of fresh air to find a down to earth explanation of how to get on with Excel 2003. It's written in plain english, with a sense of humour thrown in. With clear step-by-step instructions and plenty of illustrations to get you through each subject, you can't go wrong. In just a few days, I've read the book and carried out the instructions of the exercises with ease, and I'm not a computer whizz by any stretch of the imagination. Well worth the money.

Excellent, 05 Mar 2004
This book helped me to understand and explore the use of Excel, it gave me a real helping hand when coming to do my As ICT coursework and would recommend it to anyone...

Windows XP, 14 Mar 2004
Not much to say really.. this is a great book for somebody who has no experience of using a computer or wants a refresher of the basics. A great place to start off but probably a little too basic if you have some computing experience.

Thank You, 20 Jun 2003
Thank you Mr Andy Rathbone. You've saved me £££'s on helpline charges and added years to my life as I don't have to converse with IT types (who usually take three hours to tell me to switch it off and then switch it back on again!)

A clearly written'how to' book for non-specialist readers., 15 Jan 2002
If you are confused as to how to achieve something with your computer or are seeking a solution to a computer hardware/software problem then it will probably be easier to look for the answer in Windows XP for Dummies than to use the help menu in the programme. Andy Rathbone writes clearly for the non-computing specialist and whilst his quirky humour will not get everyone in stitches his wit does not distract from the task of supplying the reader with the information that they require. Like a good teacher he keeps it simple and straightforward and is never boring.

Experience learning made easy - and quickly teach yourself how tomanage your projects with Project 2007. With Step By Step you setthe pace - building and practicing the skills you need just whenyou need them!

So-so..., 06 Sep 2008
Quality book? Very much so.

Easy to read? Well, yeah, but seems more formal than other Dummies somehow.

Cover all the right stuff? Yeah, suppose, but spends a huge amount of the book going on about the Organiser (not interesting!!!!).

Best book on Elements? No... though I don't know what is, but this isn't it.

Disappointed Dummy, 28 Aug 2008
I found Elements 6 for Dummies to be a confusing and unhelpful guide to a great software programme. It appears to have been written more to impress readers with the skills and knowledge of the authors rather than as suggested in the title as a simple vehicle to understand and use this feature rich ( is that too feature rich ?)programme. Does it really need 400 pages to explain the major features of Elements 6, I don't think so. Any number of photographic journals have shorter simpler guides to using photo enhancement software and you'll get lots of other photographic tips for your money.


User Friendly, 20 May 2008
What makes this book easy to use? Its user friendly, with clear easy to follow instructions. The colour pictures are of a good quality for each task in Elements. What you see in the book, you see on the monitor screen. Page layouts are consistent and the print clear. Getting started with Elements 6 couldn't be smoother. The book is basic and more advanced. For anyone new to Elements 6 or upgrading from older versions, this is the book to buy.

Elements 6 is no longer the cut down version of Photoshop that it once was. Adobe have included more of the best features from their new Photoshop, without compromising the enjoyment of using Elements. Photoshop Elements for Dummies, successfully addresses the changes in this new Elements version.


Written in plain english, 27 Mar 2007
What a breath of fresh air to find a down to earth explanation of how to get on with Excel 2003. It's written in plain english, with a sense of humour thrown in. With clear step-by-step instructions and plenty of illustrations to get you through each subject, you can't go wrong. In just a few days, I've read the book and carried out the instructions of the exercises with ease, and I'm not a computer whizz by any stretch of the imagination. Well worth the money.

Excellent, 05 Mar 2004
This book helped me to understand and explore the use of Excel, it gave me a real helping hand when coming to do my As ICT coursework and would recommend it to anyone...

Windows XP, 14 Mar 2004
Not much to say really.. this is a great book for somebody who has no experience of using a computer or wants a refresher of the basics. A great place to start off but probably a little too basic if you have some computing experience.

Thank You, 20 Jun 2003
Thank you Mr Andy Rathbone. You've saved me £££'s on helpline charges and added years to my life as I don't have to converse with IT types (who usually take three hours to tell me to switch it off and then switch it back on again!)

A clearly written'how to' book for non-specialist readers., 15 Jan 2002
If you are confused as to how to achieve something with your computer or are seeking a solution to a computer hardware/software problem then it will probably be easier to look for the answer in Windows XP for Dummies than to use the help menu in the programme. Andy Rathbone writes clearly for the non-computing specialist and whilst his quirky humour will not get everyone in stitches his wit does not distract from the task of supplying the reader with the information that they require. Like a good teacher he keeps it simple and straightforward and is never boring.

Very Useful Instruction, 27 May 2008
As the title suggests, the book is a step by step guide to Office Project 2007. It walks you through all of the different aspects of Project that a new or intermediate user could be expected to know or benefit from. It also provides a number of "tips" where a more advanced or enquiring user may want to find further information. The layout and structure of the book is very good, which could reasonably be expected, with "Chapters at a Glance", "Summaries of topics covered", "Key points" and very clear formatting to help the reader/user.

As a previous user of an older version of Project, I bought the book as both a refresher to Project and an introduction to the new 07 version. It has certainly delivered on both these counts. However, I would imagine that if I need to develop a more detailed level of knowledge about the software I would probably end up buying a supplemental book as well.

I will be using Project professionally and will need to share my project plans with other stakeholders, in light of this I found the following chapters particularly useful:
*Organising and Formatting Project Details
*Printing Project Information
*Sharing Project Information with Other Programs


Top drawer, 06 Jun 2007
Exceptionally well-written book which almost falls over itself to be helpful, with the Chapter At A Glance page at the start of each chapter and the Quick Reference pages at the beginning.

I've got three other books on Project 2007 and this is easily the most readable and enjoyable. It keeps you interested with the well-worked examples on disc for you to follow along with and imparts a very good depth and breadth of information.

I was uncomfortable with Project before reading this book and tried a lot of tinkering with the software in an attempt to ease my uncertainties. This book takes a lot of the donkey-work out of that process by giving solid exercises to guide you each step of the way.

It gets you up and running in no time and leaves you keen to explore even deeper. The last 50 pages introduce Server but the main thrust is with the desktop application; perfect for my working requirements.

One of the few books which takes the frustration out of the learning process - no hesitation in giving it a maximum 5 out of 5.

So-so..., 06 Sep 2008
Quality book? Very much so.

Easy to read? Well, yeah, but seems more formal than other Dummies somehow.

Cover all the right stuff? Yeah, suppose, but spends a huge amount of the book going on about the Organiser (not interesting!!!!).

Best book on Elements? No... though I don't know what is, but this isn't it.

Disappointed Dummy, 28 Aug 2008
I found Elements 6 for Dummies to be a confusing and unhelpful guide to a great software programme. It appears to have been written more to impress readers with the skills and knowledge of the authors rather than as suggested in the title as a simple vehicle to understand and use this feature rich ( is that too feature rich ?)programme. Does it really need 400 pages to explain the major features of Elements 6, I don't think so. Any number of photographic journals have shorter simpler guides to using photo enhancement software and you'll get lots of other photographic tips for your money.


User Friendly, 20 May 2008
What makes this book easy to use? Its user friendly, with clear easy to follow instructions. The colour pictures are of a good quality for each task in Elements. What you see in the book, you see on the monitor screen. Page layouts are consistent and the print clear. Getting started with Elements 6 couldn't be smoother. The book is basic and more advanced. For anyone new to Elements 6 or upgrading from older versions, this is the book to buy.

Elements 6 is no longer the cut down version of Photoshop that it once was. Adobe have included more of the best features from their new Photoshop, without compromising the enjoyment of using Elements. Photoshop Elements for Dummies, successfully addresses the changes in this new Elements version.


Written in plain english, 27 Mar 2007
What a breath of fresh air to find a down to earth explanation of how to get on with Excel 2003. It's written in plain english, with a sense of humour thrown in. With clear step-by-step instructions and plenty of illustrations to get you through each subject, you can't go wrong. In just a few days, I've read the book and carried out the instructions of the exercises with ease, and I'm not a computer whizz by any stretch of the imagination. Well worth the money.

Excellent, 05 Mar 2004
This book helped me to understand and explore the use of Excel, it gave me a real helping hand when coming to do my As ICT coursework and would recommend it to anyone...

Windows XP, 14 Mar 2004
Not much to say really.. this is a great book for somebody who has no experience of using a computer or wants a refresher of the basics. A great place to start off but probably a little too basic if you have some computing experience.

Thank You, 20 Jun 2003
Thank you Mr Andy Rathbone. You've saved me £££'s on helpline charges and added years to my life as I don't have to converse with IT types (who usually take three hours to tell me to switch it off and then switch it back on again!)

A clearly written'how to' book for non-specialist readers., 15 Jan 2002
If you are confused as to how to achieve something with your computer or are seeking a solution to a computer hardware/software problem then it will probably be easier to look for the answer in Windows XP for Dummies than to use the help menu in the programme. Andy Rathbone writes clearly for the non-computing specialist and whilst his quirky humour will not get everyone in stitches his wit does not distract from the task of supplying the reader with the information that they require. Like a good teacher he keeps it simple and straightforward and is never boring.

Very Useful Instruction, 27 May 2008
As the title suggests, the book is a step by step guide to Office Project 2007. It walks you through all of the different aspects of Project that a new or intermediate user could be expected to know or benefit from. It also provides a number of "tips" where a more advanced or enquiring user may want to find further information. The layout and structure of the book is very good, which could reasonably be expected, with "Chapters at a Glance", "Summaries of topics covered", "Key points" and very clear formatting to help the reader/user.

As a previous user of an older version of Project, I bought the book as both a refresher to Project and an introduction to the new 07 version. It has certainly delivered on both these counts. However, I would imagine that if I need to develop a more detailed level of knowledge about the software I would probably end up buying a supplemental book as well.

I will be using Project professionally and will need to share my project plans with other stakeholders, in light of this I found the following chapters particularly useful:
*Organising and Formatting Project Details
*Printing Project Information
*Sharing Project Information with Other Programs


Top drawer, 06 Jun 2007
Exceptionally well-written book which almost falls over itself to be helpful, with the Chapter At A Glance page at the start of each chapter and the Quick Reference pages at the beginning.

I've got three other books on Project 2007 and this is easily the most readable and enjoyable. It keeps you interested with the well-worked examples on disc for you to follow along with and imparts a very good depth and breadth of information.

I was uncomfortable with Project before reading this book and tried a lot of tinkering with the software in an attempt to ease my uncertainties. This book takes a lot of the donkey-work out of that process by giving solid exercises to guide you each step of the way.

It gets you up and running in no time and leaves you keen to explore even deeper. The last 50 pages introduce Server but the main thrust is with the desktop application; perfect for my working requirements.

One of the few books which takes the frustration out of the learning process - no hesitation in giving it a maximum 5 out of 5.

Excellent Book a Real Must to Have, 23 Nov 2007
This is a really good book, clear and precise. It makes even the difficult tasks look easy!

Good introduction and great value for money., 10 Mar 2004
I have just upgraded from Access 97 to Access to 2003 and I was looking for something new to guide me through the changes. I was suprised that I walked out of the bookshop with this rather than one of the usual suspects. At 766 pages long this book describes itself as a desktop reference and nine books in one. I am not sure I agree completely with those statements. However it goes much further than the normal "Dummies" series by covering Access in impressive detail without losing the clarity which makes the series deservedly popular. This is a really good introduction to Access and, when combined with the price, I would highly recommend it for new starters.

So-so..., 06 Sep 2008
Quality book? Very much so.

Easy to read? Well, yeah, but seems more formal than other Dummies somehow.

Cover all the right stuff? Yeah, suppose, but spends a huge amount of the book going on about the Organiser (not interesting!!!!).

Best book on Elements? No... though I don't know what is, but this isn't it.

Disappointed Dummy, 28 Aug 2008
I found Elements 6 for Dummies to be a confusing and unhelpful guide to a great software programme. It appears to have been written more to impress readers with the skills and knowledge of the authors rather than as suggested in the title as a simple vehicle to understand and use this feature rich ( is that too feature rich ?)programme. Does it really need 400 pages to explain the major features of Elements 6, I don't think so. Any number of photographic journals have shorter simpler guides to using photo enhancement software and you'll get lots of other photographic tips for your money.


User Friendly, 20 May 2008
What makes this book easy to use? Its user friendly, with clear easy to follow instructions. The colour pictures are of a good quality for each task in Elements. What you see in the book, you see on the monitor screen. Page layouts are consistent and the print clear. Getting started with Elements 6 couldn't be smoother. The book is basic and more advanced. For anyone new to Elements 6 or upgrading from older versions, this is the book to buy.

Elements 6 is no longer the cut down version of Photoshop that it once was. Adobe have included more of the best features from their new Photoshop, without compromising the enjoyment of using Elements. Photoshop Elements for Dummies, successfully addresses the changes in this new Elements version.


Written in plain english, 27 Mar 2007
What a breath of fresh air to find a down to earth explanation of how to get on with Excel 2003. It's written in plain english, with a sense of humour thrown in. With clear step-by-step instructions and plenty of illustrations to get you through each subject, you can't go wrong. In just a few days, I've read the book and carried out the instructions of the exercises with ease, and I'm not a computer whizz by any stretch of the imagination. Well worth the money.

Excellent, 05 Mar 2004
This book helped me to understand and explore the use of Excel, it gave me a real helping hand when coming to do my As ICT coursework and would recommend it to anyone...

Windows XP, 14 Mar 2004
Not much to say really.. this is a great book for somebody who has no experience of using a computer or wants a refresher of the basics. A great place to start off but probably a little too basic if you have some computing experience.

Thank You, 20 Jun 2003
Thank you Mr Andy Rathbone. You've saved me £££'s on helpline charges and added years to my life as I don't have to converse with IT types (who usually take three hours to tell me to switch it off and then switch it back on again!)

A clearly written'how to' book for non-specialist readers., 15 Jan 2002
If you are confused as to how to achieve something with your computer or are seeking a solution to a computer hardware/software problem then it will probably be easier to look for the answer in Windows XP for Dummies than to use the help menu in the programme. Andy Rathbone writes clearly for the non-computing specialist and whilst his quirky humour will not get everyone in stitches his wit does not distract from the task of supplying the reader with the information that they require. Like a good teacher he keeps it simple and straightforward and is never boring.

Very Useful Instruction, 27 May 2008
As the title suggests, the book is a step by step guide to Office Project 2007. It walks you through all of the different aspects of Project that a new or intermediate user could be expected to know or benefit from. It also provides a number of "tips" where a more advanced or enquiring user may want to find further information. The layout and structure of the book is very good, which could reasonably be expected, with "Chapters at a Glance", "Summaries of topics covered", "Key points" and very clear formatting to help the reader/user.

As a previous user of an older version of Project, I bought the book as both a refresher to Project and an introduction to the new 07 version. It has certainly delivered on both these counts. However, I would imagine that if I need to develop a more detailed level of knowledge about the software I would probably end up buying a supplemental book as well.

I will be using Project professionally and will need to share my project plans with other stakeholders, in light of this I found the following chapters particularly useful:
*Organising and Formatting Project Details
*Printing Project Information
*Sharing Project Information with Other Programs


Top drawer, 06 Jun 2007
Exceptionally well-written book which almost falls over itself to be helpful, with the Chapter At A Glance page at the start of each chapter and the Quick Reference pages at the beginning.

I've got three other books on Project 2007 and this is easily the most readable and enjoyable. It keeps you interested with the well-worked examples on disc for you to follow along with and imparts a very good depth and breadth of information.

I was uncomfortable with Project before reading this book and tried a lot of tinkering with the software in an attempt to ease my uncertainties. This book takes a lot of the donkey-work out of that process by giving solid exercises to guide you each step of the way.

It gets you up and running in no time and leaves you keen to explore even deeper. The last 50 pages introduce Server but the main thrust is with the desktop application; perfect for my working requirements.

One of the few books which takes the frustration out of the learning process - no hesitation in giving it a maximum 5 out of 5.

Excellent Book a Real Must to Have, 23 Nov 2007
This is a really good book, clear and precise. It makes even the difficult tasks look easy!

Good introduction and great value for money., 10 Mar 2004
I have just upgraded from Access 97 to Access to 2003 and I was looking for something new to guide me through the changes. I was suprised that I walked out of the bookshop with this rather than one of the usual suspects. At 766 pages long this book describes itself as a desktop reference and nine books in one. I am not sure I agree completely with those statements. However it goes much further than the normal "Dummies" series by covering Access in impressive detail without losing the clarity which makes the series deservedly popular. This is a really good introduction to Access and, when combined with the price, I would highly recommend it for new starters.

clear, helpful and supportive, 04 Feb 2008
I found Dan Gookin's book extremely clear, helpful and supportive. I started editing word processing a book manuscript knowing very little about the finer details of Word so editing it became a nightmare. I kept on looking at the 'Help' facility but it often didn't tell me what I wanted to know. Now I have learned a whole lot more, though I haven't actually tried out all the information in the book. I shall be trying various other exploits out in future incase I need them some time. Thank you Dan for your help.

Experience learning made easy - and quickly teach yourself how toorganize analyze and present data with Excel 2007. With Step ByStep you set the pace - building and practicing the skills youneed just when you need them!

So-so..., 06 Sep 2008
Quality book? Very much so.

Easy to read? Well, yeah, but seems more formal than other Dummies somehow.

Cover all the right stuff? Yeah, suppose, but spends a huge amount of the book going on about the Organiser (not interesting!!!!).

Best book on Elements? No... though I don't know what is, but this isn't it.

Disappointed Dummy, 28 Aug 2008
I found Elements 6 for Dummies to be a confusing and unhelpful guide to a great software programme. It appears to have been written more to impress readers with the skills and knowledge of the authors rather than as suggested in the title as a simple vehicle to understand and use this feature rich ( is that too feature rich ?)programme. Does it really need 400 pages to explain the major features of Elements 6, I don't think so. Any number of photographic journals have shorter simpler guides to using photo enhancement software and you'll get lots of other photographic tips for your money.


User Friendly, 20 May 2008
What makes this book easy to use? Its user friendly, with clear easy to follow instructions. The colour pictures are of a good quality for each task in Elements. What you see in the book, you see on the monitor screen. Page layouts are consistent and the print clear. Getting started with Elements 6 couldn't be smoother. The book is basic and more advanced. For anyone new to Elements 6 or upgrading from older versions, this is the book to buy.

Elements 6 is no longer the cut down version of Photoshop that it once was. Adobe have included more of the best features from their new Photoshop, without compromising the enjoyment of using Elements. Photoshop Elements for Dummies, successfully addresses the changes in this new Elements version.


Written in plain english, 27 Mar 2007
What a breath of fresh air to find a down to earth explanation of how to get on with Excel 2003. It's written in plain english, with a sense of humour thrown in. With clear step-by-step instructions and plenty of illustrations to get you through each subject, you can't go wrong. In just a few days, I've read the book and carried out the instructions of the exercises with ease, and I'm not a computer whizz by any stretch of the imagination. Well worth the money.

Excellent, 05 Mar 2004
This book helped me to understand and explore the use of Excel, it gave me a real helping hand when coming to do my As ICT coursework and would recommend it to anyone...

Windows XP, 14 Mar 2004
Not much to say really.. this is a great book for somebody who has no experience of using a computer or wants a refresher of the basics. A great place to start off but probably a little too basic if you have some computing experience.

Thank You, 20 Jun 2003
Thank you Mr Andy Rathbone. You've saved me £££'s on helpline charges and added years to my life as I don't have to converse with IT types (who usually take three hours to tell me to switch it off and then switch it back on again!)

A clearly written'how to' book for non-specialist readers., 15 Jan 2002
If you are confused as to how to achieve something with your computer or are seeking a solution to a computer hardware/software problem then it will probably be easier to look for the answer in Windows XP for Dummies than to use the help menu in the programme. Andy Rathbone writes clearly for the non-computing specialist and whilst his quirky humour will not get everyone in stitches his wit does not distract from the task of supplying the reader with the information that they require. Like a good teacher he keeps it simple and straightforward and is never boring.

Very Useful Instruction, 27 May 2008
As the title suggests, the book is a step by step guide to Office Project 2007. It walks you through all of the different aspects of Project that a new or intermediate user could be expected to know or benefit from. It also provides a number of "tips" where a more advanced or enquiring user may want to find further information. The layout and structure of the book is very good, which could reasonably be expected, with "Chapters at a Glance", "Summaries of topics covered", "Key points" and very clear formatting to help the reader/user.

As a previous user of an older version of Project, I bought the book as both a refresher to Project and an introduction to the new 07 version. It has certainly delivered on both these counts. However, I would imagine that if I need to develop a more detailed level of knowledge about the software I would probably end up buying a supplemental book as well.

I will be using Project professionally and will need to share my project plans with other stakeholders, in light of this I found the following chapters particularly useful:
*Organising and Formatting Project Details
*Printing Project Information
*Sharing Project Information with Other Programs


Top drawer, 06 Jun 2007
Exceptionally well-written book which almost falls over itself to be helpful, with the Chapter At A Glance page at the start of each chapter and the Quick Reference pages at the beginning.

I've got three other books on Project 2007 and this is easily the most readable and enjoyable. It keeps you interested with the well-worked examples on disc for you to follow along with and imparts a very good depth and breadth of information.

I was uncomfortable with Project before reading this book and tried a lot of tinkering with the software in an attempt to ease my uncertainties. This book takes a lot of the donkey-work out of that process by giving solid exercises to guide you each step of the way.

It gets you up and running in no time and leaves you keen to explore even deeper. The last 50 pages introduce Server but the main thrust is with the desktop application; perfect for my working requirements.

One of the few books which takes the frustration out of the learning process - no hesitation in giving it a maximum 5 out of 5.

Excellent Book a Real Must to Have, 23 Nov 2007
This is a really good book, clear and precise. It makes even the difficult tasks look easy!

Good introduction and great value for money., 10 Mar 2004
I have just upgraded from Access 97 to Access to 2003 and I was looking for something new to guide me through the changes. I was suprised that I walked out of the bookshop with this rather than one of the usual suspects. At 766 pages long this book describes itself as a desktop reference and nine books in one. I am not sure I agree completely with those statements. However it goes much further than the normal "Dummies" series by covering Access in impressive detail without losing the clarity which makes the series deservedly popular. This is a really good introduction to Access and, when combined with the price, I would highly recommend it for new starters.

clear, helpful and supportive, 04 Feb 2008
I found Dan Gookin's book extremely clear, helpful and supportive. I started editing word processing a book manuscript knowing very little about the finer details of Word so editing it became a nightmare. I kept on looking at the 'Help' facility but it often didn't tell me what I wanted to know. Now I have learned a whole lot more, though I haven't actually tried out all the information in the book. I shall be trying various other exploits out in future incase I need them some time. Thank you Dan for your help.

Not a book for beginners , 19 Apr 2008
This book supposes that you're familiar with excel or have used it before. I have used excel, and wanted this book so i could refresh my knowledge. I wanted a book that assumed i was a complete novice, but this is not that type of book. It's also not that easy to follow.

Would recommend only if you have basic excel only.

The smart way to learn Microsoft Office Excel 2007 Office OneNote2007 Office PowerPoint 2007 and Office Word 2007 - one step at atime! Work at your own pace through the easy numbered stepspractice files on CD helpful hints and troubleshooting help t

Experience learning made easy - and quickly teach yourself how tobuild database solutions with Access 2007. With Step By Step youset the pace - building and practicing the skills you need justwhen you need them!

So-so..., 06 Sep 2008
Quality book? Very much so.

Easy to read? Well, yeah, but seems more formal than other Dummies somehow.

Cover all the right stuff? Yeah, suppose, but spends a huge amount of the book going on about the Organiser (not interesting!!!!).

Best book on Elements? No... though I don't know what is, but this isn't it.

Disappointed Dummy, 28 Aug 2008
I found Elements 6 for Dummies to be a confusing and unhelpful guide to a great software programme. It appears to have been written more to impress readers with the skills and knowledge of the authors rather than as suggested in the title as a simple vehicle to understand and use this feature rich ( is that too feature rich ?)programme. Does it really need 400 pages to explain the major features of Elements 6, I don't think so. Any number of photographic journals have shorter simpler guides to using photo enhancement software and you'll get lots of other photographic tips for your money.


User Friendly, 20 May 2008
What makes this book easy to use? Its user friendly, with clear easy to follow instructions. The colour pictures are of a good quality for each task in Elements. What you see in the book, you see on the monitor screen. Page layouts are consistent and the print clear. Getting started with Elements 6 couldn't be smoother. The book is basic and more advanced. For anyone new to Elements 6 or upgrading from older versions, this is the book to buy.

Elements 6 is no longer the cut down version of Photoshop that it once was. Adobe have included more of the best features from their new Photoshop, without compromising the enjoyment of using Elements. Photoshop Elements for Dummies, successfully addresses the changes in this new Elements version.


Written in plain english, 27 Mar 2007
What a breath of fresh air to find a down to earth explanation of how to get on with Excel 2003. It's written in plain english, with a sense of humour thrown in. With clear step-by-step instructions and plenty of illustrations to get you through each subject, you can't go wrong. In just a few days, I've read the book and carried out the instructions of the exercises with ease, and I'm not a computer whizz by any stretch of the imagination. Well worth the money.

Excellent, 05 Mar 2004
This book helped me to understand and explore the use of Excel, it gave me a real helping hand when coming to do my As ICT coursework and would recommend it to anyone...

Windows XP, 14 Mar 2004
Not much to say really.. this is a great book for somebody who has no experience of using a computer or wants a refresher of the basics. A great place to start off but probably a little too basic if you have some computing experience.

Thank You, 20 Jun 2003
Thank you Mr Andy Rathbone. You've saved me £££'s on helpline charges and added years to my life as I don't have to converse with IT types (who usually take three hours to tell me to switch it off and then switch it back on again!)

A clearly written'how to' book for non-specialist readers., 15 Jan 2002
If you are confused as to how to achieve something with your computer or are seeking a solution to a computer hardware/software problem then it will probably be easier to look for the answer in Windows XP for Dummies than to use the help menu in the programme. Andy Rathbone writes clearly for the non-computing specialist and whilst his quirky humour will not get everyone in stitches his wit does not distract from the task of supplying the reader with the information that they require. Like a good teacher he keeps it simple and straightforward and is never boring.

Very Useful Instruction, 27 May 2008
As the title suggests, the book is a step by step guide to Office Project 2007. It walks you through all of the different aspects of Project that a new or intermediate user could be expected to know or benefit from. It also provides a number of "tips" where a more advanced or enquiring user may want to find further information. The layout and structure of the book is very good, which could reasonably be expected, with "Chapters at a Glance", "Summaries of topics covered", "Key points" and very clear formatting to help the reader/user.

As a previous user of an older version of Project, I bought the book as both a refresher to Project and an introduction to the new 07 version. It has certainly delivered on both these counts. However, I would imagine that if I need to develop a more detailed level of knowledge about the software I would probably end up buying a supplemental book as well.

I will be using Project professionally and will need to share my project plans with other stakeholders, in light of this I found the following chapters particularly useful:
*Organising and Formatting Project Details
*Printing Project Information
*Sharing Project Information with Other Programs


Top drawer, 06 Jun 2007
Exceptionally well-written book which almost falls over itself to be helpful, with the Chapter At A Glance page at the start of each chapter and the Quick Reference pages at the beginning.

I've got three other books on Project 2007 and this is easily the most readable and enjoyable. It keeps you interested with the well-worked examples on disc for you to follow along with and imparts a very good depth and breadth of information.

I was uncomfortable with Project before reading this book and tried a lot of tinkering with the software in an attempt to ease my uncertainties. This book takes a lot of the donkey-work out of that process by giving solid exercises to guide you each step of the way.

It gets you up and running in no time and leaves you keen to explore even deeper. The last 50 pages introduce Server but the main thrust is with the desktop application; perfect for my working requirements.

One of the few books which takes the frustration out of the learning process - no hesitation in giving it a maximum 5 out of 5.

Excellent Book a Real Must to Have, 23 Nov 2007
This is a really good book, clear and precise. It makes even the difficult tasks look easy!

Good introduction and great value for money., 10 Mar 2004
I have just upgraded from Access 97 to Access to 2003 and I was looking for something new to guide me through the changes. I was suprised that I walked out of the bookshop with this rather than one of the usual suspects. At 766 pages long this book describes itself as a desktop reference and nine books in one. I am not sure I agree completely with those statements. However it goes much further than the normal "Dummies" series by covering Access in impressive detail without losing the clarity which makes the series deservedly popular. This is a really good introduction to Access and, when combined with the price, I would highly recommend it for new starters.

clear, helpful and supportive, 04 Feb 2008
I found Dan Gookin's book extremely clear, helpful and supportive. I started editing word processing a book manuscript knowing very little about the finer details of Word so editing it became a nightmare. I kept on looking at the 'Help' facility but it often didn't tell me what I wanted to know. Now I have learned a whole lot more, though I haven't actually tried out all the information in the book. I shall be trying various other exploits out in future incase I need them some time. Thank you Dan for your help.

Not a book for beginners , 19 Apr 2008
This book supposes that you're familiar with excel or have used it before. I have used excel, and wanted this book so i could refresh my knowledge. I wanted a book that assumed i was a complete novice, but this is not that type of book. It's also not that easy to follow.

Would recommend only if you have basic excel only.

Disapointing, 20 Dec 2007
An excellently written book with very user friendly practice files that walk you through creating forms, reports and some query functions.

However, once read I was still left with questions that I hoped the book would answer. How do you format a ribbon? Only 3 query types are covered and not enough attention is given to reports and forms.

For me, brushing up on access skills after 7 years, it got me back into Access but where is the sequel to finish the course?

I Had high hopes for this book but am disappointed.

So-so..., 06 Sep 2008
Quality book? Very much so.

Easy to read? Well, yeah, but seems more formal than other Dummies somehow.

Cover all the right stuff? Yeah, suppose, but spends a huge amount of the book going on about the Organiser (not interesting!!!!).

Best book on Elements? No... though I don't know what is, but this isn't it.

Disappointed Dummy, 28 Aug 2008
I found Elements 6 for Dummies to be a confusing and unhelpful guide to a great software programme. It appears to have been written more to impress readers with the skills and knowledge of the authors rather than as suggested in the title as a simple vehicle to understand and use this feature rich ( is that too feature rich ?)programme. Does it really need 400 pages to explain the major features of Elements 6, I don't think so. Any number of photographic journals have shorter simpler guides to using photo enhancement software and you'll get lots of other photographic tips for your money.


User Friendly, 20 May 2008
What makes this book easy to use? Its user friendly, with clear easy to follow instructions. The colour pictures are of a good quality for each task in Elements. What you see in the book, you see on the monitor screen. Page layouts are consistent and the print clear. Getting started with Elements 6 couldn't be smoother. The book is basic and more advanced. For anyone new to Elements 6 or upgrading from older versions, this is the book to buy.

Elements 6 is no longer the cut down version of Photoshop that it once was. Adobe have included more of the best features from their new Photoshop, without compromising the enjoyment of using Elements. Photoshop Elements for Dummies, successfully addresses the changes in this new Elements version.


Written in plain english, 27 Mar 2007
What a breath of fresh air to find a down to earth explanation of how to get on with Excel 2003. It's written in plain english, with a sense of humour thrown in. With clear step-by-step instructions and plenty of illustrations to get you through each subject, you can't go wrong. In just a few days, I've read the book and carried out the instructions of the exercises with ease, and I'm not a computer whizz by any stretch of the imagination. Well worth the money.

Excellent, 05 Mar 2004
This book helped me to understand and explore the use of Excel, it gave me a real helping hand when coming to do my As ICT coursework and would recommend it to anyone...

Windows XP, 14 Mar 2004
Not much to say really.. this is a great book for somebody who has no experience of using a computer or wants a refresher of the basics. A great place to start off but probably a little too basic if you have some computing experience.

Thank You, 20 Jun 2003
Thank you Mr Andy Rathbone. You've saved me £££'s on helpline charges and added years to my life as I don't have to converse with IT types (who usually take three hours to tell me to switch it off and then switch it back on again!)

A clearly written'how to' book for non-specialist readers., 15 Jan 2002
If you are confused as to how to achieve something with your computer or are seeking a solution to a computer hardware/software problem then it will probably be easier to look for the answer in Windows XP for Dummies than to use the help menu in the programme. Andy Rathbone writes clearly for the non-computing specialist and whilst his quirky humour will not get everyone in stitches his wit does not distract from the task of supplying the reader with the information that they require. Like a good teacher he keeps it simple and straightforward and is never boring.

Very Useful Instruction, 27 May 2008
As the title suggests, the book is a step by step guide to Office Project 2007. It walks you through all of the different aspects of Project that a new or intermediate user could be expected to know or benefit from. It also provides a number of "tips" where a more advanced or enquiring user may want to find further information. The layout and structure of the book is very good, which could reasonably be expected, with "Chapters at a Glance", "Summaries of topics covered", "Key points" and very clear formatting to help the reader/user.

As a previous user of an older version of Project, I bought the book as both a refresher to Project and an introduction to the new 07 version. It has certainly delivered on both these counts. However, I would imagine that if I need to develop a more detailed level of knowledge about the software I would probably end up buying a supplemental book as well.

I will be using Project professionally and will need to share my project plans with other stakeholders, in light of this I found the following chapters particularly useful:
*Organising and Formatting Project Details
*Printing Project Information
*Sharing Project Information with Other Programs


Top drawer, 06 Jun 2007
Exceptionally well-written book which almost falls over itself to be helpful, with the Chapter At A Glance page at the start of each chapter and the Quick Reference pages at the beginning.

I've got three other books on Project 2007 and this is easily the most readable and enjoyable. It keeps you interested with the well-worked examples on disc for you to follow along with and imparts a very good depth and breadth of information.

I was uncomfortable with Project before reading this book and tried a lot of tinkering with the software in an attempt to ease my uncertainties. This book takes a lot of the donkey-work out of that process by giving solid exercises to guide you each step of the way.

It gets you up and running in no time and leaves you keen to explore even deeper. The last 50 pages introduce Server but the main thrust is with the desktop application; perfect for my working requirements.

One of the few books which takes the frustration out of the learning process - no hesitation in giving it a maximum 5 out of 5.

Excellent Book a Real Must to Have, 23 Nov 2007
This is a really good book, clear and precise. It makes even the difficult tasks look easy!

Good introduction and great value for money., 10 Mar 2004
I have just upgraded from Access 97 to Access to 2003 and I was looking for something new to guide me through the changes. I was suprised that I walked out of the bookshop with this rather than one of the usual suspects. At 766 pages long this book describes itself as a desktop reference and nine books in one. I am not sure I agree completely with those statements. However it goes much further than the normal "Dummies" series by covering Access in impressive detail without losing the clarity which makes the series deservedly popular. This is a really good introduction to Access and, when combined with the price, I would highly recommend it for new starters.

clear, helpful and supportive, 04 Feb 2008
I found Dan Gookin's book extremely clear, helpful and supportive. I started editing word processing a book manuscript knowing very little about the finer details of Word so editing it became a nightmare. I kept on looking at the 'Help' facility but it often didn't tell me what I wanted to know. Now I have learned a whole lot more, though I haven't actually tried out all the information in the book. I shall be trying various other exploits out in future incase I need them some time. Thank you Dan for your help.

Not a book for beginners , 19 Apr 2008
This book supposes that you're familiar with excel or have used it before. I have used excel, and wanted this book so i could refresh my knowledge. I wanted a book that assumed i was a complete novice, but this is not that type of book. It's also not that easy to follow.

Would recommend only if you have basic excel only.

Disapointing, 20 Dec 2007
An excellently written book with very user friendly practice files that walk you through creating forms, reports and some query functions.

However, once read I was still left with questions that I hoped the book would answer. How do you format a ribbon? Only 3 query types are covered and not enough attention is given to reports and forms.

For me, brushing up on access skills after 7 years, it got me back into Access but where is the sequel to finish the course?

I Had high hopes for this book but am disappointed.


Excellent book for self-tuition and reference, 16 Nov 2008
This book is easy to follow and by a step-by-step tution method eventually teaches one to do some fairly advanced things. This book is only set at an intermediate level but I have found that it meets all my business and professional needs.

This practical hands-on tutorial expertly builds your skills with Microsoft Project 2003#one step at a time! With STEP BY STEP you work at your own pace through easy-to-follow lessons and practice exercises to learn exactly the tools and techniques you ne

So-so..., 06 Sep 2008
Quality book? Very much so.

Easy to read? Well, yeah, but seems more formal than other Dummies somehow.

Cover all the right stuff? Yeah, suppose, but spends a huge amount of the book going on about the Organiser (not interesting!!!!).

Best book on Elements? No... though I don't know what is, but this isn't it.

Disappointed Dummy, 28 Aug 2008
I found Elements 6 for Dummies to be a confusing and unhelpful guide to a great software programme. It appears to have been written more to impress readers with the skills and knowledge of the authors rather than as suggested in the title as a simple vehicle to understand and use this feature rich ( is that too feature rich ?)programme. Does it really need 400 pages to explain the major features of Elements 6, I don't think so. Any number of photographic journals have shorter simpler guides to using photo enhancement software and you'll get lots of other photographic tips for your money.


User Friendly, 20 May 2008
What makes this book easy to use? Its user friendly, with clear easy to follow instructions. The colour pictures are of a good quality for each task in Elements. What you see in the book, you see on the monitor screen. Page layouts are consistent and the print clear. Getting started with Elements 6 couldn't be smoother. The book is basic and more advanced. For anyone new to Elements 6 or upgrading from older versions, this is the book to buy.

Elements 6 is no longer the cut down version of Photoshop that it once was. Adobe have included more of the best features from their new Photoshop, without compromising the enjoyment of using Elements. Photoshop Elements for Dummies, successfully addresses the changes in this new Elements version.


Written in plain english, 27 Mar 2007
What a breath of fresh air to find a down to earth explanation of how to get on with Excel 2003. It's written in plain english, with a sense of humour thrown in. With clear step-by-step instructions and plenty of illustrations to get you through each subject, you can't go wrong. In just a few days, I've read the book and carried out the instructions of the exercises with ease, and I'm not a computer whizz by any stretch of the imagination. Well worth the money.

Excellent, 05 Mar 2004
This book helped me to understand and explore the use of Excel, it gave me a real helping hand when coming to do my As ICT coursework and would recommend it to anyone...

Windows XP, 14 Mar 2004
Not much to say really.. this is a great book for somebody who has no experience of using a computer or wants a refresher of the basics. A great place to start off but probably a little too basic if you have some computing experience.

Thank You, 20 Jun 2003
Thank you Mr Andy Rathbone. You've saved me £££'s on helpline charges and added years to my life as I don't have to converse with IT types (who usually take three hours to tell me to switch it off and then switch it back on again!)

A clearly written'how to' book for non-specialist readers., 15 Jan 2002
If you are confused as to how to achieve something with your computer or are seeking a solution to a computer hardware/software problem then it will probably be easier to look for the answer in Windows XP for Dummies than to use the help menu in the programme. Andy Rathbone writes clearly for the non-computing specialist and whilst his quirky humour will not get everyone in stitches his wit does not distract from the task of supplying the reader with the information that they require. Like a good teacher he keeps it simple and straightforward and is never boring.

Very Useful Instruction, 27 May 2008
As the title suggests, the book is a step by step guide to Office Project 2007. It walks you through all of the different aspects of Project that a new or intermediate user could be expected to know or benefit from. It also provides a number of "tips" where a more advanced or enquiring user may want to find further information. The layout and structure of the book is very good, which could reasonably be expected, with "Chapters at a Glance", "Summaries of topics covered", "Key points" and very clear formatting to help the reader/user.

As a previous user of an older version of Project, I bought the book as both a refresher to Project and an introduction to the new 07 version. It has certainly delivered on both these counts. However, I would imagine that if I need to develop a more detailed level of knowledge about the software I would probably end up buying a supplemental book as well.

I will be using Project professionally and will need to share my project plans with other stakeholders, in light of this I found the following chapters particularly useful:
*Organising and Formatting Project Details
*Printing Project Information
*Sharing Project Information with Other Programs


Top drawer, 06 Jun 2007
Exceptionally well-written book which almost falls over itself to be helpful, with the Chapter At A Glance page at the start of each chapter and the Quick Reference pages at the beginning.

I've got three other books on Project 2007 and this is easily the most readable and enjoyable. It keeps you interested with the well-worked examples on disc for you to follow along with and imparts a very good depth and breadth of information.

I was uncomfortable with Project before reading this book and tried a lot of tinkering with the software in an attempt to ease my uncertainties. This book takes a lot of the donkey-work out of that process by giving solid exercises to guide you each step of the way.

It gets you up and running in no time and leaves you keen to explore even deeper. The last 50 pages introduce Server but the main thrust is with the desktop application; perfect for my working requirements.

One of the few books which takes the frustration out of the learning process - no hesitation in giving it a maximum 5 out of 5.

Excellent Book a Real Must to Have, 23 Nov 2007
This is a really good book, clear and precise. It makes even the difficult tasks look easy!

Good introduction and great value for money., 10 Mar 2004
I have just upgraded from Access 97 to Access to 2003 and I was looking for something new to guide me through the changes. I was suprised that I walked out of the bookshop with this rather than one of the usual suspects. At 766 pages long this book describes itself as a desktop reference and nine books in one. I am not sure I agree completely with those statements. However it goes much further than the normal "Dummies" series by covering Access in impressive detail without losing the clarity which makes the series deservedly popular. This is a really good introduction to Access and, when combined with the price, I would highly recommend it for new starters.

clear, helpful and supportive, 04 Feb 2008
I found Dan Gookin's book extremely clear, helpful and supportive. I started editing word processing a book manuscript knowing very little about the finer details of Word so editing it became a nightmare. I kept on looking at the 'Help' facility but it often didn't tell me what I wanted to know. Now I have learned a whole lot more, though I haven't actually tried out all the information in the book. I shall be trying various other exploits out in future incase I need them some time. Thank you Dan for your help.

Not a book for beginners , 19 Apr 2008
This book supposes that you're familiar with excel or have used it before. I have used excel, and wanted this book so i could refresh my knowledge. I wanted a book that assumed i was a complete novice, but this is not that type of book. It's also not that easy to follow.

Would recommend only if you have basic excel only.

Disapointing, 20 Dec 2007
An excellently written book with very user friendly practice files that walk you through creating forms, reports and some query functions.

However, once read I was still left with questions that I hoped the book would answer. How do you format a ribbon? Only 3 query types are covered and not enough attention is given to reports and forms.

For me, brushing up on access skills after 7 years, it got me back into Access but where is the sequel to finish the course?

I Had high hopes for this book but am disappointed.


Excellent book for self-tuition and reference, 16 Nov 2008
This book is easy to follow and by a step-by-step tution method eventually teaches one to do some fairly advanced things. This book is only set at an intermediate level but I have found that it meets all my business and professional needs.

Bite-sized basics, 14 Dec 2003
This book assumes no prior knowledge and is great for novice project users. It has small self contained lessons that guide the reader through creating, refining, pubishing and managing projects using Project 2003. It concentrated on the tool and unlike some books doesn't tell you how to manage your project which I think makes it quite well focussed.
However, if you have use