Reviewed By: Missy Grote
Date: October 10, 2004
Section: Book Reviews
Publisher: O’Reilly
Authors: Derrick Story
Pages: 160
Retail Price: $14.95
Dot Journal Price: $10.47

Christmas shopping is coming and maybe you only have stockings left to fill; you might have run out of ideas on how to accomplish the goal of ‘meaningful stocker stuffers!’ Let me help you with this! Think: Digital Photography Pocket Guide, 2nd Edition by Derrick Story. Published by O’Reilly, this slim book is no larger than the size of your hand and can easily be stored in a pocket or camera bag. The size though is no indication of the meaningfulness of its contents. Consider it a take-along quick-reference photo mentor that explains all the components on a digital camera and how to use them!

The whole focus of the book is to give the control back to the digital camera user, instead of being at the mercy of the digital camera. With all the features that abound with digital cameras it’s amazing that most users still capture prints in automatic mode. This book will definitely lead you to get out of the box of automatic shooting and into capturing what you want to see.

The book is easily divided into 3 chapters: What Is It? What Does It Do? and How Do I? In the first chapter, What Is It? you’ll find a detailed map of all the components on a digital camera (top, bottom, sides, and inside.) An added bonus is the addition of an A, I, or B, depicting whether it is an advanced, intermediate, or beginner-level feature. The second chapter, What Does It Do? will help you determine how to use all those features. From digital zoom, to flash modes and self timer, this section will give you a handy refresher! I particularly liked the sample photos where you could read the shooting modes each was shot in. The final section, How Do I?, explains 15 professional shooting techniques in easy-to-understand language. If all this doesn’t sound great, there’s even more! The Digital Photography Pocket Guide, 2nd Edition also includes easy-to-use quick reference charts for the various shooting modes.

ith digital camera sales leading over the traditional film cameras, I have no doubt you know someone who would love to see the Digital Photography Pocket Guide, 2nd Edition in their stocking!

Reviewed By: Missy Grote
Date: October 10, 2004
Section: Book Reviews
Publisher: QUE
Authors: Scott Mueller
Pages: 1008
Retail Price: $49.99
Dot Journal Price: $33.99

People that know me understand I’m the type of person that will try to fix something that is broken before I will stop and ask for assistance or even call a repairman. I admit, I’m my father’s daughter, and excited about the idea of tinkering. Computers included, my confidence is high when I take off my PC’s cover. I even get several calls a month requesting PC assistance from family and friends. Despite this, you won’t hear me mention anything about tinkering with my laptop. Lucky for me whenever I try to use the few programs I have installed on my laptop, they run without fail. Even still, when that day does arrive when it starts to act up, a laptop technician would be my first choice in assessing the problem.

Knowing my hands-off policy in regards to laptops I was a little excited when I saw the book, Scott Mueller’s Upgrading and Repairing Laptops. Published by QUE, the book is MASSIVE, nearly 900 pages and includes a CD with over an hour of video on the inner workings of a portable PC. Since Mueller has been writing Upgrading and Repairing PCs since 1985, I consider him a pretty reliable source!

Let me say, even if your laptop is always on par, Scott Mueller’s Upgrading and Repairing Laptops is a good tutorial on laptops in general. Mueller’s coverage on the various laptops and their hardware components is quite comprehensive. If nothing else you will have a better understanding of how portable computers operate. For me operating a simple IBM ThinkPad, the information was mind-blowing!

The simple user that I am, I appreciated the section on maintenance which was split between preventative and active maintenance. Even better, the lists were divided by weekly and monthly tasks with instructions on how to perform each. I also enjoyed the many diagrams throughout the book which identified all the parts and how to access them. If you ever wanted to know how to remove the LCD screen, you now will know!

Scott Mueller’s Upgrading and Repairing Laptops is a great reference book, but I think you’ll agree that it’s geared more for the intermediate/advanced computer user. In a nutshell, all of the possible components of a laptop are discussed in detail along with possible upgrade / repair scenarios. From processors, memory upgrades, expansion slots to logging on to a Wi-Fi Hot Spot, this book has it all! The minute my laptop starts acting up I’ll quickly reach for Scott Mueller’s Upgrading and Repairing Laptops with confidence that I might not have to call a technician!

Reviewed By: Missy Grote
Date: October 10, 2004
Section: Book Reviews
Publisher: QUE
Authors: Jim Boyce
Pages: 384
Retail Price: $18.95
Dot Journal Price: $13.26

No matter if you’re a new MS Office user or just upgrading to the latest version, QUE has published a book to help you become familiar with Microsoft Office 2003. I’m referring to the Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Microsoft Office 2003 which was written by Jim Boyce. Written as if you were a beginner, you won’t have to worry about being weighted down with intense technical terms. Instead, you’ll be pleased with the clearly written explanations. As someone familiar with prior Office versions I appreciated the simplicity as well.

The book starts with a section on getting your feet wet with Office 2003. You’ll take a tour of the features and understand why traditionally Microsoft’s office suite is so popular. There will also be tips if you are upgrading from a previous version. An entire chapter is dedicated on how to use the various Office Help features such as the Microsoft Office Assistant or using the Help Menu. Never before did I know that help was only an F1 keystroke away, or that Clippit is the proper name for the Microsoft Office Assistant!

The rest of the book is what I consider the meat of the book. Here, the book is divided into 5 remaining sections which explore in greater detail Office 2003’s applications, respectively Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. In the Outlook section not only will you learn how to set up an email account and share your contact list, but you’ll also be walked through changing Outlook settings and adding a signature line. Similarly, in the PowerPoint section you’ll learn how to quickly build and present slideshows with such elements as tables, sounds, video clips or animation! Want to view it yourself without the animation… no problem!

Even though I am not an Office newbie, I found that this book had incredible value for me. When using Office applications I tend to under-use their features based on the amount of learning time I have before productivity is required. I learn just enough to be successful with my workload. By browsing through the Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Microsoft Office 2003 I intstantly become aware of all the features that I am not using. I use Tables all the time, but never realized I could convert paragraph text into a table. If I was J.K. Rawlings, I’d know just how to create my own custom dictionary so words like Hogworth and ..hajdhsljdhgjdgh wouldn’t be plagued with a squiggly red line!

Instead of looking for an application-specific book, I’d recommend the Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Microsoft Office 2003. Not only will you learn about how to use each Office application, but you’ll also learn how to use them together. Cohesively.

Reviewed By: Missy Grote
Date: October 10, 2004
Section: Book Reviews
Publisher: SAMS
Authors: Rogers Cadenhead
Pages: 480
Retail Price: $24.99
Dot Journal Price: $16.49

You’ve been given a week to design a workable web site that reflects your company’s new vision. The only problem; your experience lies in running the company, not in designing a website that could potentially bring in increased revenue. You start to sweat knowing that the boss gave you the project because he says he believes in you. Before starting to panic your wife calls with a perky afternoon hello. In the brief conversation you learn that your nephew (9) just got an A for designing a creatively designed web site on your family’s genealogy. You wife suggests you take a look at the site, especially on the link he created for his favorite Uncle Fred. Nothing like pressure you think to yourself. But that’s when it hits you. You challenge yourself to break out of your business mold and build that website for your employer. After all, if your brother’s boy can create a functioning web site, so can his Uncle Fred!

Feeling a little inspired you vaguely recall that your Office Suite comes with Microsoft FrontPage. You’ve heard this web publishing program is powerful enough to create professional web sites, but also designed for those that don’t know any programming languages. After all, it is one of the most widely used WYSIWYG web designers. You’re not sure how to start when your boss stops by on the way out the office with a book and says, “Hey Fred, I thought you’d appreciate a useful reference tool.” On your desk you have the book, Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003 in 24 Hours.

Thumbing through the book you realize this is just what you needed! This book was written for someone that has never created a web site and through 24 one-hour lessons you, the reader, should have web-creation mastery! You’re feeling very optimistic because in the very first chapter you will be creating a web page with graphics, headings, and formatted text! Yippee! You’re thinking that if it’s that easy, you know you’ll be able to impress the boss.

As your week unfolds you carve away hour segments and with each passing chapter you learn how to not just create a web page, but a professionally-looking dynamic web site! You learned the basics on designing a workable web page, along with creating templates for the entire site. By the weekend you publish the site and learn how to attract the largest audience. More importantly, you learn how to update the site easily, because you know the boss will want all data current.

Monday morning finally arrives and it is show and tell time. The boss is quite impressed with your efforts! Little did you know that we would announce to a roomful, “Fred is now the resident expert on building web pages.” You smile to yourself, very glad that you read the book!

Reviewed By: Missy Grote
Date: October 10, 2004
Section: Book Reviews
Publisher: QUE
Authors: Daniel Giordan
Pages: 304
Retail Price: $29.99
Dot Journal Price: $20.99

Often thought of as the gold-standard in image-editing software, Adobe’s Photoshop is one of the most widely-used graphics programs. Most people think of Photoshop as having many different levels of complexity, and because of these complex layers many users use less than 10% of it’s capabilities. If you fit in this group, I wouldn’t doubt that you only use Photoshop to view your digital photographs. That actually is the good news; Adobe Photoshop is simple enough for beginner users, but is ready to grow with you along with your desire for more features. The other good news is that Daniel Giordan has written a book, How To Use Adobe Photoshop CS, which will guide you in your quest to learn how to use these features without losing out on your precious productivity time.

Written for the beginner or intermediate Photoshop user, you will be pleased with how accessible the information is presented. The book is divided into 13 chapters, each of which is broken down into various Photoshop tasks and how to accomplish them. The thirteen broad chapters are: Getting Started with Photoshop, Optimizing Photoshop Projects, Selection Techniques, Working with Tone, Working with Color, Image Editing Basics, Drawing and Painting with Color, Using Type, Using Paths, Working with Layers, Digital Photography Features, Building Web Files, and Special Effects. If that sounds complex, each individual task is broken down into numbered steps from One to End that when followed will give you the intended result. Most tasks are simply stated within one to two pages. One of the best parts of How To Use Adobe Photoshop CS, is that it is geared to help anyone that can read pictures. With full color illustrations and screen shots, the focus is getting you the information you need quickly. Handy How-To Hints are scattered throughout the book help to make sure you are on the right path.

With a MSRP of $29.99, I believe this is a very reasonable amount considering how much information is covered and how much time you will save just thumbing around the program by yourself. I used to be one of those Photoshop users that when looking at the interface felt a little intimidated with all of the options. How could I decide what tool to use if I didn’t even know what it did? Now with the book, How to Use Adobe Photoshop CS I have found my confidence. Confidence that if I don’t know how to proceed to get the desired effect that I’ll know exactly what page to find out!

Reviewed By: Missy Grote
Date: October 10, 2004
Section: Book Reviews
Publisher: QUE
Authors: Tim Downs
Pages: 304
Retail Price: $20.99
Dot Journal Price: $20.99

You’ve become reliant on your computer and are quite knowledgeable on how to use it. You’re even comfortable tweaking it so that it runs smoothly, efficiently and even virus-free. Now the hard part: You have to try to answer your wandering 9-year-old’s curiosity about how exactly a computer performs addition or how an LCD screen is different than a SVGA monitor. Explaining, yet alone understanding, the inner workings of a computer can be daunting task. Correction: Unless you have the book, How Computers Work, Seventh Edition by Ron White, understanding the inner workings of a computer can e a daunting task….with the book it is a breeze!

As a parent, an educator, and a pretty savvy computer user, I LOVED the book! I found the book visually engaging with the ‘blown- up’ illustrations of various computer components. In the beginning of each chapter there is a timeline to give you a better idea of where we were and where we’re headed. Did you know that it is predicted that in 2005 typical desktop hard drives will hold 280Gig on 5 platters. (Enough to hold 1500 1 Gig vacation photos!) Ok, I’m impressed. I also appreciated the chapter overview with the key concepts if I needed a quick refresher.

How Computers Work is now in the Seventh edition and continues to explain to readers the newest of technology. While highlighting newer technology, DVDs, Windows XP, Ron White also discusses still-used older technology. With our rapidly changing technology, it is nice to know that Ron White is also keeping pace. Chapters in the book include: Boot Up, Microchips, How Software Works, Data Storage, I/O Devices, Multimedia, Internet, and Printers.

From my introduction, I didn’t mean to imply at all that this is a book for 9 year-olds, but instead a book that gives very clear explanations with illustrations to make understanding real. Here are just a few of the questions you’ll be more comfortable answering:

Reviewed By: Missy Grote
Date: November 14, 2004
Section: Book Reviews
Publisher: QUE
Authors: Michael Miller
Pages: 416
Retail Price: $18.95
Dot Journal Price: $13.26

The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Upgrading and Fixing Your PC is not only a must for new computer users but also for any non-technical computer user. You’re thinking, “Is there such a thing...A non-technical computer user?” To answer your question, YES! Many people know just enough about their computers to get by until something is no longer functioning. Non-technical computer users live with the status quo thinking that this is as good as it gets. So what if it takes 10 minutes for the machine to reboot, or data backup sounds like a good idea in theory. I hope you believe me, we can all fall into the lazy trap of thinking of computer system couldn’t get any better.

The good news is Michael Miller, author of Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Upgrading and Fixing Your PC makes no assumptions. He gives you a brief rundown of the hardware and how it functions. He’ll then go through a list of various components that you could upgrade along with the reason you’d seek along with price expected to pay. Upgrade a keyboard? You bet! There are now more ergonomic as well as wireless keyboards to choose from. Miller then delves into the nuts and bolts about how to upgrade your computer components. From increasing your system’s memory to upgrading the sound card and speakers, Miller takes you step by step into the numerous hardware upgrades.

In addition to hardware tweaking, Miller also discusses upgrading certain applications that make your computer experience run smoothly. No matter what your fancy, Miller discusses an assortment of applications and how use them successfully. From internet radio, to scanning photos or editing movies you will be feel empowered with the non-technical instructions.

If you have a screwdriver and a little patience, the Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Upgrading and Fixing Your PC will help you upgrade your PC into a smooth sailing ship. Even though the book is intended for non-technical computer users, Miller makes no assumption that you’ll be able to fix everything. He’ll walk you through how to troubleshoot some common problems but will also advise you when it is best to seek a professional. I consider myself a 10+ year on-the-edge technical computer, and even I found my confidence rise as I learned even more!

Reviewed By: Missy Grote
Date: November 14, 2004
Section: Book Reviews
Publisher: O'Reilly
Authors: Steve Bass
Pages: 200
Retail Price: $19.95
Dot Journal Price: $13.57

Anyone that owns a PC knows that there are times when all you want to do is shake it silly and put an end to all of it’s quirky hang-ups! I just hate the point when I’m beyond frustration, so much so, that I choose to stop working instead of sitting at my PC irritated that it won’t do what I want it to. Not to mention all the times I’m mildly irked and simply choose to ignore the irritation, My beloved PC that I can’t live without has stressed me PLENTY! (I wonder if there is yet a medical diagnosis for this, PC-Stress-Syndrome.)

If this sounds familiar to you, you’ll probably want to run right out and buy the new book, PC Annoyances: How to Fix the Most Annoying Things About Your Personal Computer. Written by Steve Bass, a PC World Contributing Editor, and told in a somewhat humorous way, I’m sure you will reap the benefits quickly as numerous computer fixes are revealed.

pcannoyances.jpg

The book is organized into big categories of computer annoyances – Email, Windows, Office, Hardware, File Management, Internet, and Multimedia. The format couldn’t be simpler. For each ANNOYANCE, a FIX is explained right underneath usually no longer than a few paragraphs. Sometimes the fix only entails selecting a new menu option, and for others a simple download of a free program is recommended. Most times a few clicks is all that is needed to end your PC irritation!

After browsing through the book, you will come to the conclusion that this is a must-have reference book and a great gift idea for any friend. With incorporating a few hints you will be surprised at how calm you are at your workspace. I now feel that I’m the one driving this thing!

Reviewed By: Missy Grote
Date: November 14, 2004
Section: Book Reviews
Publisher: QUE
Authors: Gina Carrillo
Pages: 252
Retail Price: $14.99
Dot Journal Price: $10.49

Ready to get on top of your finances? No better time than the beginning of the year, before Christmas bills are due. Creating a Budget or a debt-reduction plan doesn’t have to be intimidating at all with the use of the book, Easy Microsoft Money 2004. Written for the beginner, this book is a great companion to someone new to Money or one that wishes to have a refresher on the numerous Money tasks. The information is easy to access with full-color illustrations that literally pops off the page. One thing I was particually impressed with was each task throughout the book had numbered steps from One to End when you knew that if you followed those steps you would complete the task.

Speaking of Money tasks, are you familiar with the top 10 Money tasks? Flip the front cover and you will see the breakdown, along with the corresponding page to learn more. There is also a detailed contents which is color coded with the book to help you zone into the information you need. With the help of this book, you’ll become the resident expert on each of the Top Ten Tasks:

Entering Account Information
Adding a New Account
Recording Account Transactions
Creating a New Budget
Creating a Debt-Reduction Plan
Recording Investment Transactions
Entering Your Tax Information
Planning for the Future
Planning for and Managing Major Purchases
Exploring Money Services

I personally have been using Microsoft Money for several years now and very happy with the program and with it’s ease of use. Though, paging through Easy Microsoft Money not as a beginner, I am a little embarrassed about how very much I am under-utilizing the program. I record all of my financial transactions into Money and would be in deep water if my data file would ever become corrupt. But tracking investments and tax planning are features I have never bothered learning more about.

Thumbing through this book, I have renewed energy to maximize my efforts with Microsoft Money. I will set up a bill calendar. I will set up bills to be paid online. I will set up a monthly budget and learn how to modify it. I will create a workable debt-reduction plan. And Easy Microsoft Money 2004 will show me how.