Adobe FrameMaker 7.0 Classroom in a Book [With CD-ROM]

I thought this book was a great introduction to FrameMaker. I am a novice in the area of publishing. I was asked by my employer, to create a handbook for our department. This book walked me through all the basic steps to create the book. Someone mentioned in an earlier review that some of the fonts on the lesson CD did not translate into fonts within the software, but FrameMaker will translate those fonts into similar fonts. This did not seem to have a negative impact on the lessons. Even though the book was written for FrameMaker 7.0, I used it with the software for FrameMaker 8.0. There were a few minor navigation differences, but even this novice could figure out what to do. Having just finished the book and lessons, I will be applying my knowledge to begin creating my department's handbook and will definitely utilize the book as a reference guide during the process.

This book is essentially an excellent learning book for FrameMaker. It covers most of unstructered FrameMaker's features. Adobe should be ashamed for publishing their Classroom in a book series with perfect binding. No learning product should be perfect bound because the book does not stay open to the page you need unless you destroy the binding. Spiral bind your learning products Adobe! Another minor criticism is that the lessons are a little too much aimed at graphics-oriented layouts. Most folks learning FrameMaker need technical writing centric lessons. It would be better if more importance was put on building great formatting for paragraph and character tags, and header and footers for technical layouts. Despite my criticisms, it is an excellent book to learn FrameMaker basics.

I don't know why all these reviewers hate the book. Granted the instructions to install the fonts were wrong and sometimes the fonts the lessons require aren't there, but I can live with that. The instructions are right and the lessons work. Yes I wish it was in color, but I can live with B & W too. I've done eleven lessons and have enjoyed the book very much. I love the power of FrameMaker and think the book is good. I think Adobe/Peachpit press has gotten its act together since these reviews were written. The book is worth getting now.