This is a very thorough text on the business done and situations faced by Equity Stage Managers. There is an entire chapter discussing the basic Equity contract and what it means to you (especially helpful with the scheduling and break-time rules) and tons of first-person stories from colleagues of the author. However, the stated mission of the book is to discuss union productions and needs. Therefore, the book is of very limited value for people not in that situation. Kelly, Stern, or even Ionazzi would be a much better investment for the person on her or his first stage management job.
This book is reasonably useful to a novice, but doesn't offer much beyond that. It just seems to lack depth in its description of the techniques used.
I read it pretty much from cover to cover and learned just a little bit. I dont refer to it very often, unlike some other photoshop books that are torn and tattered from constant use.
Expand Your Playing Field! / / 2007-11-01
This book "The Best Of Adobe Photoshop" has really expanded my playing field with my images. This book offers many different ideas to accomplish just about anything artistic and unique.This book is not another how to book on using Photoshop, but a guide to advance your skills. I really enjoyed and learned alot of much needed information from Bill Hurter and his contributors.
Over cooked Photoshop images / / 2006-10-05
Sorry, but the images look really overdone. This is not a good example of Professional Photoshop use.
Pure Fluff / / 2006-07-19
I have to step in and beg them to stop ...all of the authors that just republish the same material over and over.
This is another example of big billing and no filling. Great images, to be sure....but they can be seen anywhere here on the internet. And in many of the previous "Best Of.." books. This is NOT...I repeat NOT a "how did they do that"...it is geared to the saps like me that thought perhaps this time ...wrong again. Pass on this...unless you want another ... "don't forget the basics book".
A nice coffee table book, but not very instructive / / 2006-06-09
The author of this book is a wedding photographer, and he certainly includes some stunning photographs that he has processed with Photoshop. Those photos and the contents of this book would be enough for me to hire him as a wedding photographer, but not to recommend this book to photographers who need to learn various Photoshop techniques. The prose is too conversational to be very instructive. When you are writing a book that is teaching you how to use a software package, you need to take a more instructional approach and include clear numbered steps and frequent screenshots of the application, even if it is about an artistic subject such as Photoshop and photography. A good alternative to this book is "Complete Photoshop CS2 For Digital Photographers" by Colin Smith. That book breaks down areas of Photoshop into individual lessons that you can work through like a workbook. The author walks you through each step of the process and also provides clear alternatives. He also has more variety in the photographs with which he is working than this author does.
Thus if you want a very attractive and colorful book full of nice wedding photos that have been processed with Photoshop, this book will do the trick, but I would not recommend it for the budding digital photographer looking for clear instruction.
How can a book be less useful than its predecessor?? / / 2009-06-15
I've owned the previous version of this book for years. I was hopeful. The TOC you can read online indicated that the book had grown with the industry. This edition includes more space dedicated to user scenarios, collaboration, topic-based authoring, content management, and localization. And yet the book has less to say than the previous edition. Gone are almost all of the concrete examples and practical advice. The "best practices" that are sprinkled throughout the book are rarely more than platitudes or admonishments that you should do something, but the tools to do it are missing. I suspect that the book is really more interested in advocating for Hackos's consulting business than in providing value for your money. Buy the 1994 edition. You'll get more out of it.
Admit that you are a wasteaholic / / 2007-08-01
Any organization, large or small, that wants to get serious about growth should read this book, breathe it and master it. The first step is to admit you have a problem. "Hello, my name is Bob. I'm a wasteaholic."; "Hi Bob".
I used to HATE process. HATE HATE HATE. I didn't want to be constrained; I rationalized saying "well it is a waste of time to invest time in process, it is just needless bureacracy". I was a creative person, still am. Then 10 years later I realized I was wasting a lot of time because things weren't organized, there wasn't accountability, the projects were driving me, instead of me being on top of things.
Are you a wasteaholic? Answer this question: Do you feel on top of things?
If answer = yes, close browser window. If answer = no, order book.
Book is dead on.
Several years ago I interviewed for a staff position at Cornell University, in a dept. run by a guy who had spent a number of years in industry; I wanted to impress him, so I asked, "are there any books you'd recommend, out of all you've come across, about project management and content?" And he said "Managing Documentation Projects" -- which is the precursor to this book.
It rocks.
A truly recommendable read / / 2007-06-15
In this book, JoAnn T. Hackos has compiled a great amount of useful information, "decorated" with many illustrating sample cases.
Well-structured, intelligible and applicable, "Information Development" is a welcome asset, although with 600 pages, it is nothing you read - least of all SHOULD read - overnight. :)
New book -- not 2nd edition / / 2007-06-03
Please note that none of the reviews below are written about the 2006 new book on Information Development. The book is not a 2nd edition; it's an entirely new book with new content. The focus is on strategically managing a publications organization and effectively managing projects. The project management part of the book focuses on agile methods and managing topic-based writing activities.
Author has nothing to say and takes too long to say it / / 2007-01-06
I bought this book because I liked the table of contents. I assumed this book would present concrete, actionable specifics on the subjects presented in the table of contents. I was disappointed.
Under information planning, this book only tells you that you should do it. Gee, thanks. Under estimating and scheduling - you should estimate future project resources and you should request new resources and fund innovation. Oh, boy. Yippee.
This book is an exercise in stating the blatantly obvious. I expected to see information on the nuts and bolts of producing technical documentation...I expected to see examples of budgets, examples of ways to create efficient systems for document production using single-sourcing, and to see examples of specific, important techniques for planning a document production process that allows for easy translation, revision, re-usability and transfer to different mediums. I expected to get a reference that would become well-worn on my desk. This book is as far from such a tome as it could possibly get while still being written in the English language.
I want to improve the efficiency of my documentation projects. I'd like to know about technologies (XML?, VBA?) that might help me with separating content from layout and improving reusability. Is that here? Nope. But you do get way too much talk about how you should acquire good tools that support your business goals. There is nothing about what those tools should be or what specifically would make them good.
One page tells you the difference between a "traditional" project and an "agile" project...things like: An agile project "responds to change" and has "minimal process documentation" as well as "reduced development schedules". That's nice. Who cares?
Implementing a Topic Architecture is the only section that even makes a move in the direction of specific, concrete, useful material. But even it leaves you thinking, "Well, duh...yathink?"
To sum up, this book tells you all the obvious things you ought to do...but that's it. It doesn't have anything to say about HOW you would actually do those things. I doubt the author has the foggiest idea how because I doubt she has a single hard skill to speak of. She definitely didn't write about any.
A valuable resource of technical standards and data for architects / / 2009-12-22
As a former Dean and Professor of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York (1990-2000) and former Visiting Professor at Yale School of Architecture and Chair of Yale's Master of Environmental Design Program (1970-1990), Mr. Donald Watson, FAIA, NCARB, and Mr. Michael J. Crosbie, Ph.D., an adjunct professor of architecture at the Roger Williams University School of Architecture, utilize their experience and expertise in architectural journalism, research, practice and education in compiling and editing the "Time-Saver Standards for Architectural Design." (8th Edition)
For over 60 years, "Time-Saver Standards for Architectural Design" has been a valuable resource of technical standards and data for architects. It includes 5 parts organized per the Uniformat II classification system (from bottom to top, and from outside to inside of a building), contributed by a number of experts in the field:
Part A is Substructure. It discusses foundations and basement construction: soils and foundation types; retaining walls, subsurface moisture protection.
Part B is Shell. It discusses superstructure (overview of structures; design loads; designs for different types of structures: wood, steel, concrete, and masonry), exterior closure (overall view of exterior wall systems; thermal insulation; building movement; corrosion of metals; moisture control and the building envelop; watertight exterior walls; exterior doors and hardware; windows; solar control), and roofing (roofing systems, gutters and downspouts; roof openings and accessories).
Part C is Interiors. It discusses interior constructions (suspended ceiling systems; interior partitions and panels), stair cases (stair design; stair dimensioning), and dimensions (dimensions of the human figure; universal design and accessible design; design standards for pedestrian circulation; parking and vehicular circulation).
Part D is Services. It discusses conveying systems (elevators and escalators), plumbing (plumbing systems; sanitary waste systems; special plumbing systems), HVAC systems (HVAC systems for commercial buildings, special HVAC equipment), and fire protection (fire protection sprinkler systems; special fire protection systems; fire alarm systems), electrical systems (communication and security systems; electronic systems specialties; lighting)
Part E is appendixes, including: mathematics and drawings, units of measurements, the SI metric systems, and a table of contents for CD Rom.
"Time-Saver Standards for Architectural Design" includes many interior line drawings, such as sections and details, etc. They are practical, clear and straight forward: showing you where you should place flashing, drip, and weep holes, etc.
"Time-Saver Standards for Architectural Design" has 640 pages. It is a valuable resource of technical standards and data for architects.
Gang Chen, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Author of "Architectural Practice Simplified," "LEED GA Exam Guide," "Planting Design Illustrated," and other books on various LEED exams, architecture, and landscape architecture
Useful Reference / / 2005-02-08
Excerpt: Time-Saver Standards for Architectural Design, 8th edition, is a ref¬erence for architects, design and construction professionals, and edu¬cators.
It represents the result of more than a half-century of documenting the knowledge and technical database for architectural practice. Over 80 authors and experts have contributed to the present volume, either with entirely new articles or, in other cases, updating topics and rec¬ommendations developed over many decades.
How to Use This Book
Scan the first-page summaries. The volume can be quickly scanned to provide an overview of the entire scope of architectural practice data. On the first page of each article, there is an introductory summary as well as key words, also found in the Index.
I
Use the Index for topic search. All topics covered in text, figures, and tables are listed in the Index, providing a cross-reference to locate specific content items.
Read introductory articles and each specific topic article. Each topic area and separate article presents a series of layers of increasing de-tail, beginning with introductory articles. Highlights of each article are presented through illustrations and text, including checklists of key design criteria. References at the end of each article list sources and citations.
Use the CD-ROM for easy access to selected articles with more data and detail. The CD-ROM Table of Contents is at the end of this volume, just before the Index.
Build your knowledge like a building. Topics in this volume are organized like the process of building a building, "from the ground up." This conforms to the Uni format II classification system, beginning with foundations and proceeding through superstructure, enclosure, interiors, and services. It parallels the sequence and elements by which the ar¬chitecture and construction process is logically conceived.
Companion Volumes in the Time-Saver Standards Series
The focus of this volume of Time-Saver Standards for Architectural Design, 8th edition, is the architectural design and building project, as defined in architectural practice, including all technical aspects of its design and construction.
Two additional recent titles of the Time-Saver Standards series follow a similar format and serve as companion volumes and additional ref¬erences:
Time-Saver Standards for Building Materials and Systems, 1st edition (2000), is a compilation of technical details and checklists for specifi¬cation and selection data. It is an ideal companion volume for the building designer and construction specifier.
Time-Saver Standards for Urban Design, 1st edition (2003), is an archival compilation of articles and references from the past 100 years, documenting the values and knowledge base of urban design. It covers topics beyond the scale of building to include urban design and planning.
An okay introductory book, but it lacks substance/research/depth. / / 2008-01-24
This book serves as a very general introduction to visual design, but it doesn't have much "meat" to it. Specifically, it might tell the reader to do something, and it might explain why the reader should do something, but it provides no references to all the research and studies that back up the theory.
That's perfectly fine for people who want to just get some general concepts, but it's completely unacceptable for advanced college students (especially at the masters or PhD level) or those who are truely interested or experienced in this area.
If you want a truly definitive book on design theory--especially with respect to paper (and to a lesser extent online) design theory--you MUST get Karen Schriver's "Dynamics in Document Design: Creating Text for Readers" book. It is THE definitive document design theory book for people who want not only the theory, but also the research and references to go digging deeper.
Unfortunately, "Designing Visual Language" merely scratches the surface of this discipline. I can only recommend this book for beginners/novices/undergraduates, and I would do so hesitantly at best.
Also, be aware that this book is not representative of the Allyn & Bacon series in Technical Communication. Some of their other books are quite good/useful--though occasionally lightweight on references.
Dreadful / / 2007-05-20
This book was required for a graduate course in visual communications. The book is written in a style of chest-puffing academic balderdash that renders it useless and unreadable. Crummy paper and truly ugly illustrations add to the miasma. I usually keep classroom texts but I'm selling back this one. I won't get much money though because it's so poorly bound that it looks much more used than it really was. Poor unlucky student who buys it.
Poor quality / / 2005-09-11
The content of this book is not bad, but the actual quality of product is horrendous.
I have had this text for about a week and the pages have already become unbound. Some of the pages look like they were printed on a photocopier running out of ink. The text is fine, but the graphs look terrible. One would think that a book about design would have put more thought into their own design and production run.
My gripe is simply that this book is too much money for the truly piss-poor physical quality. $76 for a book whose binding became unglued in the first week? $76 for a text whose pages look like they were printed on with an empty toner cartridge? This is a sick joke! Designing Visual Language is a piece of junk and Allyn & Bacon should be ashamed of themselves for having no quality control.
Addendum...
I'm wondering why people have not found this review helpful. Is it because they want to buy a book that is poorly made? If so, I invite you to buy the book. Unless Allyn & Bacon make some serious changes, you'll soon think, "Maybe his review WAS helpful after all!" but by that time you'll be out $76.
Designing Visual Language / / 2001-07-13
It reads kind of like a text book, but the information is very good. I am trying to learn about graphic design in my free time and this book has helped me to better understand the basics of visual communication. I have also reciently read "The non-designers design book", which I also recommend. This book starts at the beginning and helps you to understand what you must do, and take into account in order to make something visually pleasing. It has helped me in my design efforts. The book was lent to me and now I plan on buying it, it was so good. I might even look into the rest of the books in the series. (The Allyn & Bacon series in Technical Communication) All in all a good book. I give it 4 stars
A useful resource for architectural working drawings / / 2010-01-03
Architectural working drawings are difficult for young design professionals. College education does not cover enough working drawings, the only ways to learn how to develop working drawings are: 1) learn through working experience in design offices; 2) teach yourself by reading good books.
"The Professional Practice of Architectural Working Drawings" can alleviate this problem.
As a Professor of Architecture and Department Chair of Architecture at Los Angeles Harbor College, Mr. OSAMU A. WAKITA, Hon. AIA, and Mr. RICHARD M. LINDE, AIA, a licensed architect in California, Arizona, and Hawaii, and president of his own architectural firm, summarize their many years of experience and expertise in "The Professional Practice of Architectural Working Drawings."
"The Professional Practice of Architectural Working Drawings" includes 3 parts, which is further divided into 21 chapters:
Part One is Professional Foundations, including discussions on the office, basic drafting requirements, standards and techniques, CAD, environmental and human considerations, construction methods and materials, initial preparation phase for construction documents, and game plan for materials selection.
Part Two is Document Evolution, including discussions on site and grading plan, foundation plan (it should be part of structural plans for larger projects, for small residential projects, you can include it as part of architectural set), floor plan, schedules: floor, window and finish, building sections, exterior elevations, roof plan and framing systems (again, framing plan should be part of structural plans for larger projects, for small residential projects, you can include it as part of architectural set), interior elevations, and architectural details and vertical links (stairs and elevators).
Part Three is Case Studies, including discussions on conceptual design and construction documents for a conventional wood residence, conceptual design and construction documents for a wood building-beach house, conceptual design and construction documents for a steel and masonry building-theater, Madison steel building, and tenant improvement.
"The Professional Practice of Architectural Working Drawings" also has a comprehensive Index and some useful appendixes, including a survey of regional difference, fraction to metric conversions, feet to meter conversions, concrete block dimensional chart, brick dimensional chart, and a uniform system if architectural working drawings abbreviations.
Architectural Practice is regional. If you want to really learn more about architectural working drawings, you can also simply find a good set of construction drawings for your local area and for your project type, read it word-by-word from beginning to end, and try to understand it. This will help you to gain a good understanding for working drawings in your area and for your building type. You may need to read the set several times and seek answers from more experienced colleagues to completely understand it.
"The Professional Practice of Architectural Working Drawings" has 736 pages, over 900 illustrations, a companion Web site, and many case studies. It is a useful resource for Architectural Working Drawings.
Gang Chen, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Author of "Architectural Practice Simplified," "LEED GA Exam Guide," "Planting Design Illustrated," and other books on various LEED exams, architecture, and landscape architecture
Complete to what the title says. / / 2009-02-04
This is a great book on how to layout plans and what is involved in each one. Very quick reference on CAD but that is not what this book is titled. Great transition from each subject to the other. The constuction is lacking and probably use Ching's with this one.
Not metric / / 2008-03-08
I bought this book for electrical and drainage working drawings but unfortunatly, the book does not include any of that (very little info). Also, the drawings dimensions are all not metric and all on US and Canadian standards. I'm really displeased about these important issues and I think Amazon must add these details for other countries standards.
Excellent Book / / 2007-08-29
To chime in with the other reviewers, I am not exactly sure what is up with the one bad review, this book is excellent. I have read this book in its entirety and found that is very rich in content. The first section of the book covers various cad standards and conventions, however it is the latter part of the book that is pure gold. The book lays out the entire process of creating (as the name implies) architectural working drawings, and even gives examples of the development of the working drawings for various buildings of different constructions. It is in no way "out dated", some of the references to certain software and drafting technologies may be a bit stale, but the information contained in the book is timeless and applicable to both manual drafting, and CAD. In addition to this book I would also recommend the book on architectural detailing by the same author, as the two books make a good team.
From both the office and academia... / / 2006-08-02
I'm very surprised at the two star review below. This book is one of the most comprehensive and updated books on the topic of architectural working drawings to date. Each chapter is a literal list of things to do and strategies for preparing a full set of construction documents. There is even a CAD chapter and nearly 500 new CAD illustrations. Also, an appendix is available on the publishers website that has a comprehensive amount of CAD information. If you want more CAD information, google search "National CAD Standard". You're money is well spent on this book; look at the number of people who purchase it above 50%+ of the people who looked at this book and all others on the topic. Don't hesitate to buy it now :)
Last thing, Dr. Wakita's other books are just as informative. Check out "The Professional Practice of Architectural Detailing" for a well packed book of drawings and strategies.
/ 2007-11-01
/ 2006-10-05
