Rating: Summary: Classroom in a Book DISASTER! Review: A hassle to download; a hassle to install; supplemental downloads a hassle too; and then the exercises don't work! I expect much more from Adobe.BTW - I've been using computers since 1980 and doing it for a living since the early 90's. A waste of time and effort. I want my money back!
Rating: Summary: Shame on you Adobe! Review: As an experienced user of FrameMaker I was disappointed both in the lack of truly informative information about FrameMaker 7's new structured document features, as well as the obviousness of the extent to which the book and the corresponding lessons had not been proofread or usability-tested. That's not to say that Classroom in a Book ("CIAB") for FrameMaker 7 is entirely useless: If you don't know anything about the basic features of FrameMaker such as formatting pages, creating paragraph and character styles, setting up TOCs and Indexes, using Conditional Text, and so on, then the version 7 CIAB retains that useful and well prepared content from the earlier versions 5.5 and 6 CIABs. (This also means that you may be able to learn basic FrameMaker without buying the version 7 CIAB, since the essential changes between the basic operation of version 5.5 and versions 6 or 7 are in the operation of the FrameMaker book window). In the end it's obvious, even saddening, that Adobe couldn't do better than this feeble and poorly edited effort for version 7 of FrameMaker, particularly the product's new structured documents features. Shame on you Adobe -- show some pride! In the time since I first posted this review Adobe has evidently announced that it will be re-releasing an updated version of this book. Check [the Adobe Web Site], especially the FrameMaker forum on the Adobe Web site for more details.
Rating: Summary: This book and its CD fail badly Review: For someone trying to learn Framemaker, this book fails from the very start. The first format instruction (Heading 1) does not work (it is inserted into the body, not into the margin). The text supposed to be in colour is black. The character catalog illustrated is not what appears, actually omitting the one that the text says should be inserted. All this happens by page 28. (I was forced by the system to give this book 1 star, but it deserves none.)
Rating: Summary: Under No Circumstances Buy the E-Book Version Review: I bought this book expecting to learn structured FrameMaker. I was disappointed that with such a major addtion to Frame 6, only 15% of the book (74 pages)covered Structured FrameMaker. I do have to say that, the rest of the book is very good and gives some good examples of how to perform some advanced formatting features. But, like I said, if your looking to learn Structured FrameMaker, this is not the book for you.
Rating: Summary: Don't buy this if you are expecting to learn Structured Fram Review: I bought this book expecting to learn structured FrameMaker. I was disappointed that with such a major addtion to Frame 6, only 15% of the book (74 pages)covered Structured FrameMaker. I do have to say that, the rest of the book is very good and gives some good examples of how to perform some advanced formatting features. But, like I said, if your looking to learn Structured FrameMaker, this is not the book for you.
Rating: Summary: Update for Adobe Framemaker 7 CD Review: I contacted Peachpit Press and received a new CD for this book in two days. I am working through the lessons. I have always liked this format for learning Adobe products.
Rating: Summary: Quality Control - NOT! Review: I purchased this book with the intent to have a basic knowledge of FrameMaker prior to attending formal, instructor-led training. This book has MULTIPLE errors. The software that is included and must be used for the lessons must have been created by someone that never saw the book. How can Adobe release a product with such poor quality control and so many mistakes. Do Not purchase this book unless you have nothing better to do with your time other than getting frustrated.
Rating: Summary: The worst reference/learning tool ever published... Review: If Adobe actually used FrameMaker 7.0 to prepare this book, then the stock values of their competitors should have gone up significantly. The lessons are poorly designed, and contain fonts and formats that are not native to FrameMaker nor their instructional CD. The actual instructions in the lessons are poorly written. Adobe Creative Team, please have someone other than your own team members try out your lessons before you publish another book. Perhaps you folks are just a little bit too "creative" compared to the rest of us who are still trying to learn to use this tool. I give this book -5 stars.
Rating: Summary: The worst reference/learning tool ever published... Review: If Adobe actually used FrameMaker 7.0 to prepare this book, then the stock values of their competitors should have gone up significantly. The lessons are poorly designed, and contain fonts and formats that are not native to FrameMaker nor their instructional CD. The actual instructions in the lessons are poorly written. Adobe Creative Team, please have someone other than your own team members try out your lessons before you publish another book. Perhaps you folks are just a little bit too "creative" compared to the rest of us who are still trying to learn to use this tool. I give this book -5 stars.
Rating: Summary: Adobe FramaMaker 7.0 Classroom in a book Review: The disk that accompanies the book is inaccurate. It made doing the lessons very confusing. I finally had to contact Adobe Press to find out why the lessons and the sample files didn't work as mentioned in the book. They said the disk had errors, they would send me a replacement. But I'm still waiting... it has been over two week since they said they would send a replacement.
And of course like the series of books of the Classroom in a book... it isn't very detailed especially on authoring structured FrameMaker.
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