Real World QuarkXPress 5

Rating:
Summary: Blatner's Done It Again
Review: David Blatner is an excellent writer and continues to explore the new depths of QuarkXPress 5 with his "real world" approach, incorporating a welcome mix of humor in what could otherwise be a dry subject: desktop publishing. As a college level graphic art technology instructor, I've used Real World QuarkXPress 5 as a text book. The students have learned to give QuarkXPress the respect it deserves for the position the application has earned in the industry. Real World QuarkXPress 5 has the depth necessary to cover the new features in the program. I use the book in my own business as a handy resource. I recommend this book hands down against other books currently available.

Rating:
Summary: Too long and full of useless info
Review: Do you buy computer books by the pound? Peachpit press seems to think so. This book is so full of mindless babble, (N.B. all tech writers. You're not actual writers. Don't try to tell me a story. Give me the facts, Jack.) lame 'tips' and other [stuff] that I got fustrated and returned it for a Quickstart book. Sorry, Mr. Writer, but if I wanted to be entertained I would have bought an novel.

Rating:
Summary: Too long and full of useless info
Review: Do you buy computer books by the pound? Peachpit press seems to think so. This book is so full of mindless babble, (N.B. all tech writers. You're not actual writers. Don't try to tell me a story. Give me the facts, Jack.) lame 'tips' and other [stuff] that I got fustrated and returned it for a Quickstart book. Sorry, Mr. Writer, but if I wanted to be entertained I would have bought an novel.

Rating:
Summary: Great book; be prepared to work at this great program
Review: This is a wonderful book for serious users of QuarkXPress, which is the best and most broadly-used professional DTP program on the market (recent improvements to InDesign notwithstanding). If you're looking for a quickstart guide to build your church newsletter, buy one. If you're a serious professional who wants to understand how to really use Quark in the real world (and it's a worthwhile investment, believe me), buy Blatner's book. Period.