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Re: Xara Xtreme Book
They're probably not even aware of what Google did, specific to the Official Guide.
McGraw-Hill publishes at least one book a day, and although they're aware that Google is brute-forcing a "Gentleman's Agreement", M-H can't possibly look after every book, every day. It would be sort of like trying to herd house cats.
The only good thing about this reality is that it helps popularize and sell books.
So it's more or less like being mugged and then getting a back massage from the mugger.
-g-
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Re: Xara Xtreme Book
Hopefully not a paperback massage. ;)
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Re: Xara Xtreme Book
Where's that "wincing' smiley?
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Re: Xara Xtreme Book
Note to Gare:
Haven't had time to really go through all the book but it looks excellent. I have already learned enough to mark PAID on the cover. I can't do that with a KIndle or electronic version! Give me paper any day.
I don't envy the role of the author today, as you see your work stolen and transmogrified by others. Hopefully you will gain enough to feel it's all worthwhile.
I'm not entirely a fan of JUST doing projects, the case study method. I like clear instructions then examples, but I'm learning. It's always hard to design a book for as many levels as possible. I think you have done well there.
It's also a bit unusual to have the author available for consultation. I may just take you on that.
Best wishes for sucess with the book. DaveC
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Re: Xara Xtreme Book
You take me up on Q & A right here or with a PM, Dave.
My wife Barbara and I have always supported every book we've written since 1992. The 'net makes doing this a lot easier—you can't imagine how much we save on postage stamps today!
I hear you about "project-based" documentations, tutorials, whatever we choose to call them.
Hopefully, there's enough plain vanilla documentation in the guide to keep you interested; I felt the Help system and manual are excellent with Xara, so I really didn't want to go there. I've actually seen books for sale that are reworks of the application's Help file.
I was once told by a professor that a poor teacher does so by examples. I disagreed then, and I disagree now, based solely on watching readers grow in their skills over the years. I try not to use examples (steps, IOW) when something is better explained outright than resorting to an analogy, but you might see that the tutorials in The Official Guide are not your cut and dried fodder. If you follow most any of the steps, I think you'll find that you've actually ingested a pricipal or technique, it contained very few calories, and you walk away with skills you can apply to not one, but several variations on what you've discovered for yourself.
As a learner as well as a teacher, I understand the importance of independent invention when it comes to an artist. That's why several tutorials lead to you your own creative conclusions.
My Best,
Gary
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Re: Xara Xtreme Book
Hi Gare,
Having used Xara for many years I purchased your book just because there was one available at long last. I must say it is very well written a delight to go through the practical way of explaining techniques. Nice to see other ways of tackling a challenge.
So 2 thumbs up here in Oz. I only wish Xara was recognised as a Industry Standard piece of software then I could dump Illustrator and Photoshop.
Look forward to seeing more from you.
Cheers
Dave