Autocad 2005: One Step at a Time-Part I

Rating:
Summary: Good innovative series
Review: A friend recommended the One Step at a Time series when I finally decided to add Cad to my résumé. At first, I found the sizes of the books to be daunting. But it turned out that the print is large and the graphics are sized for the landscaped layout of the book. Both of these things served surprisingly well to ease the strain on my eyes when moving from text to screen.
This innovative layout also helped me to practically fly through the pages (the first book took me about 15 hours to complete - doing at least one of the end-of-lesson exercises in each chapter).
I found the series to contain an easy to follow explanation of the task, followed by well-organized, simple steps to mastering each. After getting a little more experience, I hope to continue with the 3D text. If 3D is as simple as this text makes 2D, I can't wait!

Rating:
Summary: Good innovative series
Review: A friend recommended the One Step at a Time series when I finally decided to add Cad to my résumé. At first, I found the sizes of the books to be daunting. But it turned out that the print is large and the graphics are sized for the landscaped layout of the book. Both of these things served surprisingly well to ease the strain on my eyes when moving from text to screen.
This innovative layout also helped me to practically fly through the pages (the first book took me about 15 hours to complete - doing at least one of the end-of-lesson exercises in each chapter).
I found the series to contain an easy to follow explanation of the task, followed by well-organized, simple steps to mastering each. After getting a little more experience, I hope to continue with the 3D text. If 3D is as simple as this text makes 2D, I can't wait!

Rating:
Summary: Quick AutoCAD Training at a Bargain Price
Review: First the content - as an engineer, I needed to get familiar with AutoCAD for a new job I was working. I found this text satisfied that need quite nicely. It was easy to follow, explained things in simple detail, and walked me through the software one step at a time (excuse the pun).
Now the format - I've used eBooks quite a bit in the last couple of years and found this one to be above average in usability/readability. Its file size was large, but not unmanageable. I admire a publisher who takes the environment into account and utilizes technology rather than killing trees.
Now for the real reason I had to write a review (something I don't normally do.) A previous reviewer complained about the format because he had to flip screens. I guess he's weak in computer expertise and doesn't realize that you can open windows side by side (as I did). He also complained about printing limitations despite the statement on this page that most publishers don't allow any printing of their ebooks. This publisher went farther than most and allows 30 pages per week - enough to allow for a quick reference without killing a whole forest. Finally, he complained about losing the Adobe key - apparently he doesn't realize that he simply has to re-register the reader. He reminds me a lot of the man who shoots himself in the foot - and then blames the gun manufacturer!
I suggest he purchase the printed version of the book next time - it's nearly four times as expensive (as are most printed books), but it won't crash on him. Ebooks are a bargain, but they're not for everybody.

Rating:
Summary: Quick AutoCAD Training at a Bargain Price
Review: First the content - as an engineer, I needed to get familiar with AutoCAD for a new job I was working. I found this text satisfied that need quite nicely. It was easy to follow, explained things in simple detail, and walked me through the software one step at a time (excuse the pun).
Now the format - I've used eBooks quite a bit in the last couple of years and found this one to be above average in usability/readability. Its file size was large, but not unmanageable. I admire a publisher who takes the environment into account and utilizes technology rather than killing trees.
Now for the real reason I had to write a review (something I don't normally do.) A previous reviewer complained about the format because he had to flip screens. I guess he's weak in computer expertise and doesn't realize that you can open windows side by side (as I did). He also complained about printing limitations despite the statement on this page that most publishers don't allow any printing of their ebooks. This publisher went farther than most and allows 30 pages per week - enough to allow for a quick reference without killing a whole forest. Finally, he complained about losing the Adobe key - apparently he doesn't realize that he simply has to re-register the reader. He reminds me a lot of the man who shoots himself in the foot - and then blames the gun manufacturer!
I suggest he purchase the printed version of the book next time - it's nearly four times as expensive (as are most printed books), but it won't crash on him. Ebooks are a bargain, but they're not for everybody.

Rating:
Summary: The Good, the bad, and the really ugly
Review: The material in the book is pretty straight forward. It introduces you to Autocad 2005 and walks you through the procedures pretty good. As far as I got! That's the good. The bad was because I got the ebook version I had to keep jumping back and forth between Adobe Acrobat Reader and Autocad when I had questions. Now the UGLY!! If your computer crashes. You've lost your book. Or at least the security key to read it. The book is still on my D drive, but apearently the security key to view it was stored somewhere on C drive, which crashed, and it is now gone, and the ebook is worthless. And by the way, don't think about printing it out. It's well over 700 pages and the security key only allows 30 pages to print a month. Lets see; how many years is that.....?

Rating:
Summary: Material Thorough
Review: This book, and the companion ones are very thorough. Overall I am quite happy with the content.

However, my keys to open and read the PDF files do not seem to survived my computer restarting (not a crash, but a shutdown or restart by me). This means that the reader must be re-registered each and every time I restart my computer. That is nuts!