Customer Reviews

Creating Mac Widgets with Dashcode (FirstPress)

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

 

 

I got a copy of this book and read to the end. The last paragraph said "in the next 2 chapters......" ,but there were no next chapters. I wanted to learn about using program changes to add to widgets, but those chapters were not there. The information which was there was simply a minor rewrite of Apple's developer documentation, which is available online free (and which does describe how to change the programs). Books of this type usually expand on the free Apple material, and offer expert advice on how to make better use of the tool. This one does not - and so in my opinion, it is of no use.

As the other reviewer noted, the book is missing two chapters. What remains is utterly worthless. I contacted the publisher regarding the missing chapters, they apologised and said the following:

"We were informed that the chapters 4 and 5 was [sic] going to exist, but it ended up not making it to the book and should have been erased."

The book should never have been published in this state, it fails to cover the topics stated on the back cover.

I have nothing much different to say from the other 2 reviews here, but had to write something as i am so annoyed that i waited for this book to come out hoping it would give me further insight in addition to the available release notes from the Apple web site. It doesn't. This book is a waste of money. The two authors of this work claim to be Professors of Computer Science, that may well be the case, but i would expect something with a more in depth approach into the subject than just a rework of some free notes that anybody can download from two people who sign their qualifications as such on the book itself. Not cool guys, you should be ashamed of yourselves. That aside, there are 2 chapters missing, it claims that Javascript code will be discussed on the back cover, it doesn't. is that legal? The book should be removed from sale.

Is it possible to give a NO STAR review? This book is less helpful than the online help documentation that comes with Dashcode. The last two chapters are missing. Obviously the release deadline was not met and in an attempt to get something in print they went with a partially complete product. Even the editor (if there was one) failed to remove the last paragraph in the book that explains what will be happening in the next two (missing) chapters. LAME!!!