Customer Reviews

iWork '05: The Missing Manual

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Review iWork '05: The Missing Manual

With iWork, we have a case where the manual isn't actually missing. When I got my copy of iWork I was pleasantly surprised that Apple had actually included a real honest-to-goodness printed manual that was more than a quick start guide.

So why pick up a "missing manual"? That depends. If you are familiar with similar applications to the two in the package, you probably will get by fine with the real manual. A Powerpoint pro will have no trouble using Keynote, needing, at most, occasional references to either the online help menu or the manual.

Pages proves a little more complicated. It's part word processor and part desktop publishing program.(DTP) The word processor functions much like ones we're familiar with, sort of a cross between Word and Appleworks both in features and design. The Inspector will be quite recognizable to anyone who has used a recent version of Word. The menu items are pretty much what we've come to expect.

It's the DTP features in Pages that make the Missing Manual worth getting. Pages is enough different from any other application that the bare-facts Apple manual starts to lose its allure as my reference of choice. The included manual, like most manuals is terse. Just the facts, Ma'am, just the facts.

I did knock out a quick newsletter the first afternoon after getting iWork, but it took frequent referrals to the manual and help menu. I also have had quite a bit of experience with Pagemaker and some with Quark and InDesign. Without that background, I think I would have had more trouble and possibly become quite frustrated, as have several people who have described their first experiences with Pages to me. I knew enough to make sense of the manual and what to look for. And I realized that Pages is a fairly complex program that does need a manual. I've created several Keynote presentations with no problem. My Powerpoint background is sufficient to make Keynote easy to use.

iWork '05: The Missing Manual would have made my first experiences much smoother. It is a much more comfortable introduction the Pages. Where the Apple manual gives, bare-bones instructions, Elferdink takes the time to actually explain both how-to but also why-to, offering a context for the instructions. His style is readable and conversational, in keeping with the rest of the series.

I've also found that having a more approachable text encourages me to browse, which I never did with Apple's manual. Of course there is a lot to the program that I don't know and didn't even know to look up. As I work through iWork, I'm sure to find answers to questions I don't even know to ask.

The book is not perfect. It either doesn't mention or glosses over some of Pages shortcomings, like the flaky nature of Flash export and the inability to re-order pages in Pages. Still it's a credible manual, reasonably well indexed and written in plain, understandable English. Recommended.

The iWorks'05 Missing Manual is truly a missing manual for Apple Computer's word processor/page-layout software and presentation software Keynote 2. If you are in a hurry to use either Pages or Keynote 2 or a very visual learner, I would recommend looking into a different manual. In the 379 pages, this book has a lot of detail on the two programs which is truly a manual. You can easy skip to the sections you need and do not have to read the entire book to use it. The author has chapters in both Pages and Keynote 2 and are very basic. In the beginning of some of the chapter he lets the reader know you can skip the chapter if you are experienced user. At the end of the book the author gives you resources to help you go beyond the book for additional help and ideas for using Pages and Keynote 2.

Pages

The book covers the basics of word-processing in case your are new to computers and word processing. The book then covers the layout features to Pages. The author gives you advice on different fonts and layouts. He covers why you would use certain fonts in the headers and body of the text. In addition the book covers creating tables, charts and working with objects. Objects include text, pictures and graphic in your document and how to place them in the document.

The author also covers how to use iTunes, iMove in Pages and why you might not want to use Pages to add in iTunes and iMove in to your document. He recommends using Keynote 2 instead. The book also covers exporting Pages to other word processors such as Microsoft Word and publishing the document to a web. The author also gives you example of what will happen if you export to various programs from Pages.

Keynote 2

The book covers the basics of how to develop and give a presentation in case you have forgotten or have never given a presentation before.

The author also spends some time on using Keynote 2 with laptops. He covers the reason why you might want to consider purchasing the PowerBook over an iBook. For instance, iBooks can only perform video mirroring which shows the same image on the screen as the external monitor and PowerBooks can be used in the dual-display mode which can show a different image than the PowerBook's screen. Keynote 2 can display to your audience the normal view of your slides on the external display and on your PowerBook you can show the current slide and the next slide, a speaker's notes, a clock, and time.

The book also goes in to using iTunes, iPhoto, and iMove with Keynote 2. They all integrate nicely together. The author also covers exporting Keynote 2 files to other formats. He discusses exporting to Microsoft PowerPoint, into a PDF, and into QuickTime in case the machine you are using does not have Keynote 2. The book also discussed how to publish a Keynote 2 presentation on a website.

I would recommend this book as a manual for Pages and Keynote 2. If you want use the program right way I would look for another manual if you are not willing to put some time in to the necessary reading.

The mini manuals out of the box were ok, but this book is great. I was able to finish a project that was "stuck". The beauty of the book is that it explains terms and ideas without being a "beginners" book. A lot of detailed ideas to use and apply to your projects or just how to use the program more powerfully. iWork is a great little program (less than 80 dollars) that is made even better with this book.

The learning curve for Pages can be steep if coming from Word or new to word processing all together. (Actually, it's probably less frustrating if your new altogether.) That's not Pages fault. I think Pages is actually quite intuitive. It is just different than Word, and in my opinion, far superior. This text does a great job explaining Pages' ins and outs, and also offers great tips that will help when using Pages in projects. The tips captions give the text a real hands on feal. It is written from the perspective of someone who really uses and enjoys Pages, not just a lifeless manual like the one that comes with iWork. (Though the one included in the box serves as a good reference.) I have't read the section on Keynote, as I do not have a need for it. Great Book, and still very useful even if you are an 06' user.

Would you like to create documents with classy and colorful Pages templates that make you appear like you have the art department on your payroll? If you would, you're in luck! Author Jim Elferdink, has done an outstanding job of writing a book that introduces iWork '05, a brand-new software suite that'll eventually replace the venerable but aged AppleWorks.

Elferdink, begins by showing you how to create a basic document. Then, he covers everything you need to know about formatting your documents and introduces you to Pages' built-in spell checker. The author continues by describing how to use Find & Replace, an editing tool that can make short work of sifting through long documents. Next, he shows you how to lay out pages. Then, the author guides you through table and chart creation and formatting--starting with tables. The author continues by exploring the next step in the life of a Pages document: delivering it from your computer into the hands and in front of the eyeballs of your intended audience. Next, he shows you how to make your own templates so you can add them to Pages' built-in templates roster. Then, the author shows you how to plan, prepare for and deliver a better presentation. He also shows you how to build a basic presentation. The author continues by showing you how to add to your slides everything from text boxes and pictures, to tables, charts, and fancy transitions. Next, he shows you how to import presentations created with PowerPoint or AppleWorks, so that you can continue editing with Keynote. Finally, he shows you how to customize Keynote.

You'll find in this most excellent book, step-by-step instructions for using every Pages and Keynote 2 feature, including those you may not even have quite understood. This book's also designed to give you a thorough grounding in planning and pulling off effective presentations enhanced by Keynote.

Jim Elferdink's iWork 05: The Missing Manual covers Pages and Keynote 2 as it provides all the basics of how to create documents and produce presentations with iWork's latest, powerful features. Mac users receive a solid reference which will appeal to beginners and advanced users alike: particularly appealing when covering such new functions as Keynote, which has gone through a major update to make it a formidable competitor to PowerPoint. Business users, especially, will find iWork 05: The Missing Manual an essential reference to maintaining professional standards.

this should be read by any user of Iworks.

Will be able to use the program, much easier and faster.