My view on what a good software book ought to look like has changed a bit over the years. I use to think it needed to include all of the step-by-steps with detailed examples, but the books just kept coming out with longer and longer list of steps that took forever to navigate. Then I wanted comprehensive desktop reference books but found I never read them and I was always throwing them out with my increasing number of phone books that would pile up in my office. Often I would buy one of those books and then realize when the new version came out I had never even opened the book. I am not sure why I though I would read several 1000+ page technical reference books a year. I can't even get throught the New York Times on Sundays anymore. Besides, MSP on-line help has improved so much that approach seems a bit dated.
Oh yes, I am embarrassed to admit, I too have bought the dummy and idiot books. I won't say more.
For me, learning software is all up to me. I have to teach myself and all I need is a basic guide to work with. I want simple, clean, easy to read, and to-the-point types of books. You know, books that give you just the right amount of information about topic to get you pointed in the right direction. Books, that you mind to much when you find yourself sort of thumbing through topics. Sort of learning and little, and then moving to another topic. This book fits the bill for me. I know software pretty well so I just want the "gist of a topic," a good screen example, and then a couple of steps. Then I am off figuring out the rest on my own.
What I also like about this book is the consistency in approach and organization. Every page has two screen captures in the same location. The steps are right below them, and a topic is only going to span a couple of pages.
I like the blue. The book feels good.
One thing I found myself doing with this book is looking up all of the web sites referenced on the odd-numbered pages. Found some cool project management stuff along the way and read chapters that caught my eye.
Seems MSP is starting to look more like a project management tool with its new WBS custom codes and network diagram that seems to actually work. Now, if Microsoft would only spend a little money on the product and give us a multiple undo (say at least 100) for a little if-then-thinking, I would be a happy planner.
Ray Coker
