Microsoft® Office Visio® 2003 Step by Step (Step by Step (Microsoft))

This book "Microsoft Office Visio Step by Step" 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.

I really enjoyed going through this book. It is laid out well & has lessons you can do 2 help you learn.

Well organized & easy 2 study. Suits multiple learning styles. The CD has some excellent additional information.

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 STEP BY STEP, 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, STEP BY STEP puts you in charge of developing exactly the skills you need, just when you need them!