This book "Microsoft Office Visio StepbyStep" is yet another example of an almost useless manual, that barely duplicates what is available in the online manual 4 Visio.
It basically consits of screen shots & procedures.
It doesn't sit back & say "well, what might a user want 2 do here? Oh, you want 2 create a circle with center & radius? Then look 4 such & such a shape in such & such a stencil." Etc.
Because it lacks this "meta-contemplation", this manual is only as good as the programmers - it is basically like talking 2 the programmers, in their mindset. (I'm a programmer: this is NOT good). If what you need 2 draw is exactly covered by Visio, this manual may help you. If what you need 2 draw is not exactly covered by one of Visio's pre-packaged setups, this manual is not much help.
I work in an intensely graphical field - VLSI design. But Visio has no pre-packaged setup 4 my area --- the "electrical engineering" & "digital design" stencils & templates are not very useful. (This opinion confirmed by surveying my fellow engineers at Intel & AMD - all of us want 2 use Visio, but all find Visio sorely lacking.)
This manual is utterly useless with respect 2 advanced Visio, e.g. using ShapeSheets 2 create "smart" shapes.
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Because I have mentioned my employers' names, past & present, I must add this disclaimer: this review is my own personal opinion, not the official position of Intel & AMD.
Although I daresay many engineers at Intel & AMD agree with these sentiments, it may be hard 2 put this on the record.
Rating: 5 of 5 StepbyStep: Microsoft Office Visio 2003
I really enjoyed going through this book. It is laid out well & has lessons you can do 2 help you learn.
Rating: 5 of 5 Just what the title says.
Well organized & easy 2 study. Suits multiple learning styles. The CD has some excellent additional information.
Rating: 4 of 5 Good tutorial 4 non-database functionality
This is a well-written & easily understood intro 2 Visio, which does a good job of covering diagrams, flowcharts, Gantt charts, floorplans, & the like. But, it has absolutely no information on building database diagrams with Visio, 4 which I deducted a star.
Teach yourself how 2 diagram business & technical information using Visio 2003—one step at a time! Build exactly the skills you need by working at your own pace through easy-to-follow lessons & hands-on exercises. Topics include formatting & connecting shapes; creating project schedules, network diagrams, & organization charts; laying out office space; & customizing shapes & templates. You get all the book’s practice files on CD, along with the Microsoft Office System Reference pack, featuring templates, clip art, an electronic version of STEPBYSTEP, plus three other eBooks: Microsoft Office System Quick Reference; Microsoft Computer Dictionary, Fifth Edition; & Introducing the Tablet PC. Designed 4 beginning-level & intermediate-level users, STEPBYSTEP puts you in charge of developing exactly the skills you need, just when you need them!
It basically consits of screen shots & procedures.
It doesn't sit back & say "well, what might a user want 2 do here? Oh, you want 2 create a circle with center & radius? Then look 4 such & such a shape in such & such a stencil." Etc.
Because it lacks this "meta-contemplation", this manual is only as good as the programmers - it is basically like talking 2 the programmers, in their mindset. (I'm a programmer: this is NOT good). If what you need 2 draw is exactly covered by Visio, this manual may help you. If what you need 2 draw is not exactly covered by one of Visio's pre-packaged setups, this manual is not much help.
I work in an intensely graphical field - VLSI design. But Visio has no pre-packaged setup 4 my area --- the "electrical engineering" & "digital design" stencils & templates are not very useful. (This opinion confirmed by surveying my fellow engineers at Intel & AMD - all of us want 2 use Visio, but all find Visio sorely lacking.)
This manual is utterly useless with respect 2 advanced Visio, e.g. using ShapeSheets 2 create "smart" shapes.
---
Because I have mentioned my employers' names, past & present, I must add this disclaimer: this review is my own personal opinion, not the official position of Intel & AMD.
Although I daresay many engineers at Intel & AMD agree with these sentiments, it may be hard 2 put this on the record.