This one is really for dummies
920023
Woody Leonhard (the author), is without a doubt, the number one expert on windows. Because he is the number one expert, I purchased his reference book "Windows 8 for Dummies"  before loading Windows 8 on my computer. I don't believe the installation would have went as smoothly as it did if I didn't have the book.
4312058
I had also bought the book "Kindle Fire for Dummies"; and I feel that although this book covers some of the same topics, it picks up where the other book left off. It's definitely more sophisticated, but I think that both of the books are a big help; and they are definitely a good one-two punch together. I would highly recommend them both; but if you have any computer savvy at all, I would buy this book only.
868185
If you've ever flipped through any of the "for Dummies" books then I'm sure you can pretty much guess what this is. Very helpful ideas if you know nothing about dog photography or getting dogs to hold still (like me).

One thing I will say is that a large section of the book is devoted to things you can do with photoshop, which is great if you have photoshop but not so great if you don't (like me).

Hope that helps you
1826600
I really have not had much of a chance to sit down and really soak this book in, but from what I have seen as a beginner it may take me some time to sort this book out. Yep, for dummies alright.
1875082
This book is written for morons...not dummies.
3852451
As a person who has written manuals for software and an author, I have found this book to be very confusing for end-users who are not PC savvy or familiar with new concepts or find change to be difficult.  I expected this book to be a quick overview of the changes to the New Version of Windows 8.1 compared to the previous Versions; consisting of steps illustrated in the form of one, two, three, etc. and with numerous diagrams showing changes and proper steps or procedures to migrate to the new version, especially moving forward from the previous Version of Windows 7 or one of the earlier Versions.  Instead, I found the book to be lofty with too many paragraphs and way too many pages (the Kindle Digital Book for the PC, shows more than 20,000 pages.  That is too many pages for people on a beginning level, as reflected by the title, or for a person who is not PC savvy.  I feel this book was written on the level of a person who is on an Intermediate PC level.  (To my astonishment, this was the first Dummies book I have ever purchased and it will be the last.)

If they are going to create a book for end-users (with an insulting word called DUMMIES, the title insinuates the end-users are not PC savvy); therefore, it should be written on a simpler level for a people to develop their understanding or comprehension as an encouragement to pursue a better interest in learning and developing their skills.

I am a firm believer that no questions should reflect to a person as being dumb, but more with the lack of experience or exposure to something new.  For a beginner PC end-user, I feel a purchase of the laminated quick sheet would be a better decision.  Windows 8.1 is EASY once you become familiar with the change of its look.
4782653
This book purports to be about "photoshop 6 for dummies," but it really isn't much help for real dummies.  If you assume that most photoshop beginners, dummies if you will, are most interested in working with their own photographs, this book is of limited utility.  It's terrific in discussing graphics and technical points; none of which has anything to do with working with photographs that may have red eye, have faded, need touching up in a variety of ways or even more basic information, like how a "dummy" should take advantage of Photoshop's organizational features.  It's not that this is a bad book--indeed, the reverse is true.  It's just not much help for the group its supposedly targeted.
barry anderson
4674559
The chart, like the "Dummies" book for Excel 2007 is for people with some working knowledge of Excel.  I started out knowing nothing and I still know nothing.  I have limited computer skills and only needed and wanted simple guide/simple step by step instructions on how to compile names and addresses to make mailing labels.
743702
I am partial to Dummies books to begin with, and the subject matter at hand, Word 2013, is a much needed subject for me right now. I am currently reading this book from cover to cover (even though the author says that this is  not necessary).  You can pick a subject you need help on, and just read. Once I'm done reading the enter book, I will then use it as a reference book.
1821173
This book is very confusing to the uninitiated reader and tends to assume you have expensive commercial software which might be cost effective for speaker designers but not the homebuilder. He covers a lot of material, and only determined and patient amateurs or pros with formal education are going to get very far.

 The DIY audio world, except for the hard core horn speaker/triode amp contingent, is as someone here pointed out very insular and consists of a few authors for Ed Dell's "Audio Amateur' and its descendants. I have been a loyal subscriber since the early eighties and it's sadly apparent that the publication (now AudioXPress) is in its last days. While the High End industry gets more esoteric and expensive every year, it's obvious now that its market is to people who specifically want really expensive and bizarre looking items for prestiege and ego gratification.

 A simple guide to building a few different speakers is probably what most readers expect, and this isn't that book.

 This is just not a suitable book for loudspeaker construction for the amateur, which is what its title (at least, to me) implies.
3924270
Not as smart as I used to be, should have got excel for dummies.
254425
Although this titles clearly says that it's For Dummies, you'd best not be too terribly stupid to expect to tie into an 850 page book on Linux and come out knowing everything there is to know about Linux.

Having said that, this is still a For Dummies book. It starts off making the assumption that you at least know how to turn the computer on. One thing I particularly liked was the idea of you can put this on your main PC, but you might do better (that means less chance of screwing it up) if you put it on an old retired PC. I happened to find a PC at a local thrift store for $75 that I could dedicate to the Linux OS so the family doesn't get upset when I leave the thing in a mess. The software  included with the book comes on a DVD. Or if you want you can order this software from the publisher on 9 CD-ROMs for a nominal fee.

The book is advertised as being 9 books in one. And I agree. The section on open office is clearly enough to get you started on using the integrated office package that comes with the software. And the section on programming is as good as any that I've seen. It's not enough to make you a professional programmer, but it will get you through the installation, setup and first programs. All in all, quite a book.
2566473
Pass the 65 is in a Dummies series format, full of prose and one liners and frustratingly short on organized structured information. It is best to approach the book with a pen and notepad so that you can create the structured notes on your own. That's not to say that all the information isn't there. I haven't taken the test yet so I can't say for sure.
The editing is poor and if you trip over something that seems strange, it would be best to look it up elsewhere rather than to assume it's true. For example ETF's are described as Closed End Index Funds, though I don't know of any ETF that would fit that description. ETFs seem to be either Closed-End managed or Open-End Index in my experience. On page 86 the author explains how to calculate expected returns, but the numbers don't make sense unless you divide the result by two. I'm assuming it was an oversight and who knows how many I didn't catch.
However, as their seems to be a dearth of books on the Series 65, this may be as good as it gets. Take it with a grain of salt and good luck on the exam.
4964932
Like most tutorial books, this one assumed the user has a sufficient amount of computer knowledge to navigate around the maze of options to finally solve the issue. I was disappointed that it did not actually use the "dummy" approach to helping the user learn a new operating system. Someday, someone will do it right. Until then, the "dummies" who buy these books will only get smarter the good old fashioned way....that is by the painstaking method of learning it by trial and error and getting it right on their own!! Good luck America!!
3977586
This is the first Dummies book that I actually felt like I should return and get my money back. However, my habit of highlighting and marking up books rendered this used the only time I read it.

Too much time is spent on the two ready to fly models presented, and social media sites to learn more. This is noticeable thinner than most Dummies books too. Since this was introduced before the FCC changes made recently at the end of 2015, I will not judge it on that account. But this really needs another hundred pages on: the history of drones, common uses, how to build and maintain them, and common statistics. Even some funny anecdotes may have made this book better.

Like all dummies books it has the beginning pages of:"How This Book is Organised", and "Icons Used in This Book". Beyond that, it has very little than can't be gleaned from forums or from actually buying and using a small cheap "drone".

The first chapter, "Drones 101" was good. It began with history and went through to remote control airplanes and consumer and military craft.

The DJI Phantom 2 Vision and the Parrot AR Drone 2.0 are the two models covered in this book. Then the book goes into picking cameras. Next comes chapter 4, "Finding Support and Resources". This chapter is what is usually at the end of Dummies books as an appendix.

For the very basics, with a huge slant toward the two quadcopters noted above, this could be a starting point, but the price should be lowered, to reflect the lack of information and pages this book seems to be missing. I ended up purchasing two other books and magazines that had a lot more information in them. If you tend to start with the Dummies book for a subject first, and then jump in deep, buy this used.
2877572
God help the "dummies" who like to learn from this book. Don't get this book if you are new to technical analysis, which will NOT make you money either. It will just confuse you.  I recommend Martin Pring to start out with.
2528262
I have always liked the Dummies books,,,, for the reason that I will admit to being a dummy and they are a handy review.  So many of the products are coming now WITHOUT any instructions, drives me crazy.