Customer Reviews

AppleWorks 6: the Missing Manual

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Readable, thorough, useful, clear, and wow, inspiring, this manual will work for beginning and experienced users, and be useful for anyone trying to decide whether to go for the upgrade.

This is a book you can take to a coffeehouse to read even without the computer program in front of you for reference. The writing style is relaxed, clearly laid out, and substantive. It isn't laugh-out-loud funny like David Pogue's writing (the creator of this series), but it has moments of humor and,, most important, has that perspective of taking all things with some humor. It covers everything you want it to cover - all the nuts and bolts how-tos of all the areas of Appleworks. Additionally, the authors anticipate what our problems are likely to be....and answer them so I can understand. (Right off, iIfound the answer to a problem I've had printing out spreadsheets; thank you, thank you). I found the layout to be easy on the eyes and on the mind - I could find what I needed easily. There is a thorough section on installation and upgrade scenarios - which I find most valuable. And there is an excellent troubleshooting section. The authors deal honestly with the problems that Appleworks6 frist presented - its strengths and weaknesses, what was flawed and what was fixed, what was lost, and what is gained. Their honesty, which makes them credible, coupled with their knowledge gave me the info I needed to decide whether this was the right application for my needs. Here is the advantage of buying a manual not written by the manufacturer.

Finally, a womderful dimension to this book, which truly delightes me, is how strongly the vision of possibilities comes across, of how to take this application beyond how I've previously used word processing and spreadsheets programs, to be more creative, more time efficient, more cost efficent, to ways I hadn't thought of or known of...this is exciting stuff and makes the book feel like a two parter - first the part where you master the how-to-use-this-program part and then the mind-expanding-fun-part of "wow, what you can do with this you are only just beginning to know." This is one good manual!

I am so delighted with this book in every way; I hope these authors will continue to write for us; I would look forward to anything they would produce.

Having used Appleworks since the days of my Apple IIc I thought that it was an amusing little programme that I had grasped completely. After reading your manual I realize that I had only scratched the surface of the program. I was seriously considering biting the bullet and spending the money for MS Office 2001 but I now see that I can use Appleworks for everything I need to do ( I am a freelance writer).

This is, without a doubt, the best written manual I have ever read ( and I have been forced to read a lot of them !). The humour in this book is downright addictive and I found myself taking the book to bed so that I could get a few chuckles before I fell asleep. The turns of phrase and asides are just plain funny - not geek attempts at humour.

I cannot imagine using Appleworks without this trusty manual by my side. I hope that the writers keep producing works of this quality - I will be sure to buy them.

I'm new to the mac community and AppleWorks and continue to find this book invaluable. From simple things like keyboard shortcuts to more complex functions, the information is easy to find, understand and excute. Jim Elferdink and David Reynolds have certainly done their homework and present it in a very approachable way. By following their step by step guide for setting up a music database, I had mine all set to go and was discovering new things on my own (like adding a customized photo) all in about an hour.

I also found out that I can create Powerpoint-like presentations and html web pages in addition to word processing, databases, spreadsheets and drawing. Now I don't feel so bad in not buing Office V.X and will probably never miss it!

One part of the book that I use often is Appendix A. It lists the meanings and functions of EACH menu item in EVERY Apple Works module. For a newbie it's a godsend to have all that information in one place instead of trying to remember where you read what 'Mount iDisk' means and how to activate it. I imagine it would be helpful for even experienced uses as there are SO many menu files.

If you want to learn how to do something in AppleWorks, pick up this book. Not only will you find out how to do it, but you'll have fun and probably learn something else along the way.

I had Appleworks 6 installed on my Powerbook for over a year before I purchased this vital reference tool. The pieces of the puzzle then began to come together after this book arrived in my mailbox. Beforehand I could manage to perform the basic functions but knew instinctively that I was missing the larger picture. What this book has taught me is invaluable. I now have a better understanding of how Appleworks can be tailored to my specific needs. Any Appleworks user unfortunate enough to not own this book risks being left out in the dark.

The best part of the book is the coupon located in the back of the book for MacLinkPlus at a reduced price. What a bonus!

Having just purchased an iMac as a home computer, I am totally new to AppleWorks. This book is a godsend -- it takes you step by step through various program functions and helps you trouble shoot any possible problem.

Had to get this book because Appleworks comes on Apple's stuff and you may as well get up the energy to use it instead of spending MEGA-dollars on Microsoft Office for the MAC. Why get a MAC so you can buy Microsoft stuff - get windows and run it there. The book is well written and actually covers the things I needed, for example: label generation, integration of graphics and spreadsheets, etc. Excellent index and table of contents, which are features on which so many books fall short.

Thanks to your book, AppleWorks 6, I am, for the first time ever, understanding how to create a database. Your chapter on that subject is suburb. It is easy to read, takes me carefully through each step, informs me of the quirks I might encounter and offers such a deep look into the program that I can see its application to a lot of my projects. I actually feel successful at setting up the complex database I am creating for my research.

I have used Appleworks since it was Clarisworks 4, then Appleworks 5, and now 6. I love this program with it's ability to drag and drop between the Word Processing, Database, Spreadsheet, Graphics, Drawing and Painting. I create all of my fliers, newsletters, etc. with it. You can create slide shows and presentations, too.

This is a great book for anyone who already uses Appleworks, or would like to learn. It truly is "The book that should have been in the box" as the subtitle indicates. It is full of step by step instructions for understanding each part of the application. It has plenty of graphics to show you what it should look like and what your menu choices are.

The layout is easy to read cover to cover, or to skim for tips and tricks. The index and table of contents make it easy to find what you're looking for.

I recommend this book for beginners or veteran Appleworks users. From O'Reilly Books, it is one of the Missing Manual Series which you can always count on to be helpful.

Just Switched from MSFT. Not as good as Apple Works For Dummies.

I have used Appleworks 6 for years but do not remember all the ins and outs that one encounters now and then. Then out comes the Missing Manual to the rescue. Aw, so simple! I should have known that.

Great book along with other Missing Manuals I have on hand.

Too bad programs do not come with instructions as well written as in these Manuals.