Customer Reviews

Lotus Notes and Domino 6 Development (2nd Edition)

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

 

 

I was looking for an update book that would cover the new @Functions and @Commands in the programming language. I saw them listed in the first chapter, browsed through the other chapters and saw the real-world code examples and purchased the book. I was very disappointed to see only R5 code in the bulk of the book, even when new @functions in R6 could have been used to simplify. This is just a rushed rehash of the R5 text with new screenshots of R6 Designer client. I should have saved my money and gone with the IBM Redbook and the Lotus help documentation.

This book follows the same formula as predecessors in the most part except for the "real world code" sections. It is very similar to the equivalent ibm red book. Domino is a well seated technology and so you will probably skip right past the first 300 pages about whats a form, a view, a page and a frameset. You could work all this out yourself if you have a designer client infront of you. It takes you through all the elements that any other domino book written about R5 does as well. Then towards the end you get some javascript and HTML basics. But nothing on CSS, (which for anyone who has built a web page after 1999 is now the formatting technique for any dynamic site). If you really have no idea what you are doing and dont have any other supporting literature then this book would help.

But for those of us who are well versed in domino you can find all this on the internet anyway through LDD (aka Notes.net) and download the PDF's, you could even get a (...) R5 book and work out the rest. Dont forget there is an extensive online help system.

Though I didn't buy this book I read the example pages here at Amazon.com and I compared it with the Domino Designer 6 Handbook from the Redbook series and all I must say it is almost a copy of it. The only difference are the "RealWord"-Code Examples, but beyond that it is one of the many books telling you who to create a form, who to use fields etc. I would be interested in anybody's review who has this book to know if it is for advanced developers or if it is - as I think - for beginners. The authors have written good books I own and publish in many reference magazines but it is no garantee that every book has the same level. l could recommend this book to beginners who want to see some code examples.

If you're trying to learn Lotus Notes, don't bother with this book. Especially if you're a new administrator and you just want to manage databases. I didn't find it very useful at all and had to purchase other books to get what I really needed. I find the Lotus Help feature gives you better information than this did.

Debbie Lynd and Steven Kern know their stuff. This book is well written and detailed just enough. They key into exactly what is needed to move to and explore Lotus Notes R6. I highly recommend it and only wish I would have bought an autographed copy.

If you are serious about Domino, its a good guide, even if you know R5 or if you are a rookie. (but it's really heavy..you will hate it if you usually travel whit it.)

The wait for this new release was worth it! The new features of Notes and Domino 6 are presented with precise and detailed information without killing the reader with a lot of technical jargon. The sections focused on DECS and DCRs were most helpful! While other publications have only glossed over this highly valuable feature set, Debbie and Steve take the necessary time to walk the reader through the process of programming and using these new features. Thank you! Out of all the books I have for Domino 6 Development, I continue to find that I turn to this one for all the answers.