Customer Reviews

ACT! 2000 Fast & Easy

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Flip quickly through the book and you will see one of its strengths -- screen shots on every page illustrating every step described. Yet it isn't one of those ten minute quick and easy guides with pictures; these screen shots are illustrating how to use the program effectively.

The selling point for me: The instructions on customizing the forms comes right at the beginning of the book! So it helps you set up ACT for your own needs right from the start. Other books hold this information until right at the end, treating it as an option rather than the essential task it is.

I was really disappointed with this book. I've never used Act before, and thought this would be a great book to start with. I read the whole book cover to cover in about 2 hours! 90% of the pages are full of screen shots. It glossed over synchronization, and also use with a Palm Pilot or CE device. If you are purely a user that wants to make ACT work at the most basic of levels, I guess this book would be OK. I went to a Brick & Mortar bookstore and looked at the other Act books. Special Edition Using Act 2000 looks *much* better. I've bought tons of stuff at Amazon and never returned a thing, but I think I'll return this book and buy Special Edition.

This book will take you from knowing nothing to being able to get around in the program with little effort. Each step has a graphic that goes with it. So you really can't go wrong. I worked with this book for a short time and now I am teaching the program to others. You can't miss

If this is your first time with ACT! the book is good. It gives a screen by screen description of what keys to push. But if you have any problems, this book will not help. For instance, if you are importing a database into ACT! and don't know if it is a .txt or .dbf file you're up a creek.

This softback is excellent for new users. Well laid out and easy to follow.

The only reservation I have is that if you already know a little about ACT you may find it too simple.

None the less it is an excellent book for new users.