Customer Reviews

Gimp: The Official Handbook: Learn the Ins and Outs of Gimp from the Masters Who Wrote the GIMP User's Manual on The Web

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I have over 300 technical books on C, C++, Java, Linux, Unix, Windows NT, distributed processing, CORBA, DCOM, Perl, etc etc. I have been a software developer for over 17 years. The reason I mention this is that I know a good technical reference (or tutorial, or "handbook") when I see one, and this is none of those. The first reviewer here had it right when (s)he said "try looking something up". It's truly useless. A classic example of a rushed book timed to cash in on the open-source and Linux craze. Save your money. The online reference is actually more useful than this glossy garbage. Case in point: I tried looking on page 51 as the last (positive!) reviewer suggested and the only information I can see is a URL for the plug-in registry - not exactly a reference for someone looking for a particular add-on tool in a hurry. And it's true that when optional plug-ins are mentioned, NO indication of the package name is given, which is very frustrating. Do yourself a favor and wait for a more thought-out reference.

I am sorry to give this such a poor review, but it is when you are beginning to use a product and need to look things up that you really see how good a book is. It is full of glossy pages that look great but give no useful substance. Calling this a "handbook" is a real stretch. It's more like a very extended chatty tour with no details. Two examples: 1. Looking up "Transparency" gives no useful instructions on how to actually make an image with transparent backgrounds. 2. The book gives examples of plug-ins that are optional (and extremely useful), and while it admits that these modules are not part of the standard install, it gives absolutely no clue as to how to find these modules, not even a name! I had to do a lot of digging around to find the "Paste into new image" plugin. I don't like to give bad reviews, there are usually at least some good qualities to any book. But apart from the unusually glossy finish, this is a truly useless book. Sorry.

Like so much in the opensource world, this book is not designed for the ease of it's users. The authors show little concern for accessebility or introducing their material in a structured, sensible manner befitting a primer on Gimp. This book, at best, has value as a reference work...

I will just add to the two negative reviews below by saying that the *explanations* I read when skimming through the book were so bad that I could only understand the sections on points I was already familiar with. I think this is the worst technical writing that I have ever seen in print.

I am unable to derive any benefit from the book, it is too bookish and not "step-by-step" explanation.

I therefore, demand refund.

This book refers to Version 0.9 of GIMP. As of this review, Version 2.6 is current.

Nuff said?

Seriously, it spends a lot of copy on installing on Linux and setting up SCSI scanners, Ridiculous today!

Whether the material about using GIMP is still relevant is irrelevant. The book is completely out of date!

A total waste of money (and the English language). The authors are more concerned with showing their "guru" status than with actually instructing the reader in such basics as applying plug-ins, transparencies... By all means, if you're a guru yourself, this book will be more understandable. But then again, if you're a guru yourself, you shouldn't need to toss your money away.

The information that some readers assert is lacking from the book is in fact easily found. For example, instructions for downloading and installing new plug-ins is on page 51 in the section ``Extra Plug-ins.'' People who have more patience, and who are willing to spend the time with this 900-page volume, will find it extremely helpful. I have been using it for just a few days and have already learned many useful techniques. The numerous illustrations well demonstrate the operations that can be performed with all the available tools. See for yourself. This is an excellent book.