Special Edition Using Staroffice

This book is an in-depth reference to the StarOffice functionality. The book is huge, fine print; and still the book does not touch on the new database capability of Adabas.The StarBasic programming section is particularly instructive. The book's programming tutorial nicely complements the SO Online Help system and the SO SDK downloadable from the internet.For old hacks, like me, this material (and Linux) is the best of times for computing.

I'm a technical writer who writes regular book reviews about computer and programming books. I can say without a doubt that this is one of the nicest, most user-friendly app guides that I've seen. It's a hefty book with lots of screen shots, and they cover a lot of material here, including a lot on installation for linux. They present a lot of materials in boxes and give "tips," and the great index makes me confident that I can find anything I want in seconds. Unlike most user guides for office apps, this book describes pretty thoroughly the limitations in star office (such as the fact that its database is not relational). I bought this book in late 1999, and undoubtedly other books have been published on star office, and more will be published as star office gains mindshare. But it really is amazing how thoroughly this application has been described by this book. This is the sort of book you'd expect for an app that is several years old, not for one new to the market. The group of writers must have spent forever not only studying the program inside and out, but presenting it in a form that is interesting and easy to wade through. Recently Star Office 5.2 has been released, and it's possible that the functionality will have changed. But this version or later versions of this book will still be the easiest to understand. It's not glamorous to write a book about office apps, but it's nice when a publisher has done such an excellent job.

Unfortunatly this was the third Star Office Help Book that I bought - I wished there was a review that discussed the book, instead of the progam - prior to my two other purchases.The Special Edition book is a volumous tome of information that every skill level can use. The book is written in a manner that appeals to both the computer expert and the newbie user.Each section of the book discusses the basic techniques that are used on a regular basis and then it progresses to more powerful techniques. Examples and illustrations are plentiful - which many people find helpful.The index and table of contents is written is plain english - so it is not difficult to find the answer to any question you may have. The book also discusses the compatibility of StarOffice and other major office suites.For expert level user tasks - macro designing, the book offers very little information on this area. But to find the answers on building the macros - I simply went to the Sun Microsystem's (The Makers of StarOffice) website and did some poking around until I found my answer.Sadly, StarOffice 5.2 will debut this year and this book may be obsolete by teh time you read it - but if you plan to use or continue to use StarOffice 5.1 - then consider buying this book. The price may be a bit higher then some of the "thinner" books - but in this case - you get what you pay for. Don't be a "Dummy." Purchase this book!

I think there is no comparison between this book and the others I have looked at and read - the "Dummies" book, the "Teach Yourself" book, and "Sun StarOffice 5.1 for Linux". To say the others pale in comparison would be an understatement.This "Special Edition" book is not by any means the most ideal book, nor is it completely comprehensive. It is just far more comprehensive than those others. The five stars is because I grade on a curve. :-)I have not looked at the recent "StarOffice For Linux Bible", or "Mastering StarOffice 5.1 for Linux", so they may be better for all I know.

This is a useful book to have around because the online help in Star Office isn't too friendly. It covers everything from getting started to pretty advanced stuff, such as desktop publishing and Star Basic (the built-in macro language). There is stuff it doesn't cover (such as advanced star basic programming for spreadsheets). However the stuff it does cover in its 1520 detail-packed pages is more than enough to become a real power-user. It does tell you how to publish StarCalc worksheets on the Web by the way (re reader from silicon valley's complaint below), on pages 556-558.