Adobe(R) Acrobat(R) 4.0 Classroom in a Book (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

~ Adobe Creative Team (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In its second edition, Adobe Acrobat 4.0 Classroom in a Book adds another entry to the popular tutorial series from Adobe Press. It contains additional lessons on security features, digital signatures, comparing files in multiple open windows, and Web capturing (creating PDFs from Web sites).

The Portable Document Format (PDF) uses the PostScript language to preserve all aspects of design and layout--including images, fonts, and text formatting--and reproduces them on any Windows, Mac OS, or Unix computer requiring only the Acrobat Reader and Web browser plug-in. Although the Reader and plug-in are freely distributed, you need Acrobat 4 to create PDFs.

There are 15 lessons and an introductory tour (a succinct overview of most features). Each lesson starts with an outline and an estimate of how much time it will take to complete (most are around 30 minutes). Readers learn how to create PDFs; use Distiller or PDF Writer to convert documents created in other applications; convert a fax or scan; and modify existing PDFs (adding pages, images, and annotations), including adding interactive links. More advanced lessons show how to create an online version of a printed book or a form that can be submitted over the Web, how to use Acrobat Catalog to create a searchable index for a library of PDFs, and how to add movie and sound files.

The text is aimed at the beginner and is paced accordingly. Lessons rely on sample files (on the CD-ROM) and cover all of Acrobat's features thoroughly--whether it's adding sound file annotations or optimizing document sizes. There are many screen shots, though not for every step; the user is expected to be reading along at the computer. Each lesson ends with review questions and answers (which can serve as quick references if read first), plus occasional suggestions for exploring features on your own.

The index is not very comprehensive, a definite drawback for more advanced users who just need to troubleshoot specific topics. But this is a small issue in a book that gives you as solid a foundation as this one does. --Angelynn Grant

Topics covered: Step-by-step lessons on the features and applications of Adobe Acrobat 4, including creating and modifying PDFs, working with text, images, links, bookmarks, annotations, converting files created with other applications, converting faxes and scanned images, creating a searchable index, adding multimedia, circulating a PDF among multiple reviewers, and compiling annotations and distribution and compression settings. CD-ROM includes all lesson files and QuickTime tours of other Adobe products.

Product Description

Provides the fastest, easiest, and most comprehensive way to master Adobe Acrobat 4.0. Covers the basics of Acrobat and the tips and techniques to help you quickly become an Acrobat pro. Softcover. CD-ROM included.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Adobe Press; 2 edition (January 14, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201702843
• ISBN-13: 978-0201702842
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,658,691 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

95 of 95 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars As good as all other "classroom in a book" manuals, May 23, 2000

By	+++ (CA, United States) - See all my reviews

Adobe PDF is a very common file format, largely due to the PDF's ability to faithfully maintain the formatting of a document while offering smaller file sizes, searchable text, printability, and integration with the most popular web browsers. The availability of a PDF viewer, Adobe Acrobat Reader, for free download has played a decisive role in popularity of this file standard. I purchased Adobe Acrobat primarily to be able to create PDF files from Word documents and the like. Although Acrobat comes with a detailed manual available through the "help" menu, it took me almost a year before I actually decided to learn what one can do in Acrobat besides creating PDF files. I decided to start with the "Classroom in a book" manual since I already had positive experience with this series. Indeed, I was not disappointed. First, I discovered many advanced capabilities of Acrobat, which can make PDF format more convenient than any other format; secondly, it was a pleasure to work with the book. If you never used the Adobe "Classroom in a book" series before, the following comments may be useful:

a) the book does not contain anything that is not included in Acrobat Help; In fact, it even contains less information as it periodically referres the readers to one or another chapter of the online manual. The only purpose of this book is to help you to get a "hands-on" practical experience with the program using the example files from the enclosed CD.

b) this book is for the beginners. Acrobat is generally not as sophisticated as many other Adobe products, and this book does not even attempt to go into much detail. If you know nothing about Acrobat, you will find it helpful.

c) Unlike many computer books, this one is very carefully written and edited. The guidelines are very easy to follow both for Windows and Mac users. In this sense, it is an excellent and a very accurate tutorial.

d) most likely you will use this book only once. Later on you would rather refer to Acrobat Help than to the book since the latter one is more complete. Getting this book from the library may be an option to consider.

72 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Leave the classroom to the professionals, July 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Adobe Acrobat 4.0 Classroom in a Book (The Classroom in a Book Series) (Paperback)

I am a designer who does a lot of multi-tasking (are there any who don't?). I keep many books close at hand when I work to use as references for specific problems that may arise. I find that most of the books I own are very orderly and, therefore, an efficient use of my time.

This book, and the other "Classroom in a Book" series components, on the other hand, are completely disordered. You can never be sure where a given topic may pop up within this casual, stream-of-consciousness style. And don't expect the index to be of any assistance either; it seems to have extracted only what was of particular interest to some periodic user who would rather just do their work in MS Word.

Do yourself a favor and leave this one on the shelf. In its place pick up the "PDF Bible". Don't be intimidated by its vastness; instead, be welcomed by its ordered presentation and functional index. Other than the owners manual, The "Bible" series has proven to be an excellent primary source for me.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Beginners Guide to Adobe Acrobat 4.0, March 16, 2001

By	A Howald "felix7" (Memphis, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This is a great book for beginners to get the basics on what this product's capabilities. I never realized that Adobe Acrobat can do so many things! If you need to learn this product quickly, this is the book to get. As you advanced in your abilities with this product, then other books would be more beneficial.