for Dummies books?

[qandaseeker]

hi, what do you think of books from for dummies?

[ChuckFickens]

They are fantastic..

They don't go onto the advanced level stuff, but there are no other books that I know of that are better able to give people a clear understanding of the basics on whatever subject.

once you have the basics it's surprisingly easy to build on that.

[Buenchico]

I generally like them but, if I was asked to recommend a particular series of books, I'd opt for Peachpit Press's excellent 'Visual QuickStart' series.

On another thread you've indicated that you like Adobe products. Peachpit publishes Adobe's official manuals for their programs (which should, in itself, be a recommendation) but they also cover many other programs.

There are over 200 titles in the series. The alphabetical listing starts here:
http://www.peachpit.com/imprint/series_detail. aspx?ser=335245&sorttype=0

Chris

[ACtheTROLL]

agree with both - but I'd say join a library - a really basic book is worth it's weight in gold when you start - but even if you have the memory of a goldfish - you'll remember to point the mouse and click the button ....

after a couple of weeks you'll need something stronger ... and then stronger and aaaaagh! ... you'll develop acne and start shopping for anoraks and grateful dead t-shirts

[beso]

AC has it right. The books will get you started with the basic concepts but you soon need specific answers which you will go looking for online.

You could probably skip the books completely and try one of the sites devoted to documentation and learning of the various technologies. They usually start with basics and continue through to the complex stuff in an orderly way often linking to the advanced techniques where they are mentioned in the basic pages and vice versa.

In most cases a well targetted Google search will find links to several solutions and perspectives. Often they will be from forums devoted to the technology you are working with. After a while you begin to appreciate which sources are the best and they often come near to the top in your search.

Join one of the forums and then post your problems if you can't find a solution. By and large the users are very helpful unless you start posting trivial questions that are easily found from existing material. Always post feedback and a thankyou even if the contributor didn't come up with a solution.

[TorahBoy]

They are for Dummies....

(Duh!)