Product Description

Authorware Attain is a key tool for the development of media-rich interactive learning applications. This book with companion CD-ROM takes you beyond the usual handbook and explains how to make use of the ultimate potential of Authorware Attain to create interactive multimedia and computer-based training projects for delivery on the Web, LANs and CD-ROMs. This book is divided into a compendium and a workshop to facilitate its use as a learning tool and reference manual: both for those just starting to explore the advanced usage of Authorware Attain and for skilled users, who now seek to get the most from Authorware Attain. The main issues taken up by this tutorial include the application of Active X Controls, techniques of database binding, the use of libraries and templates (Knowledge Objects), variables and functions and a look at Pathware Attain. The companion Windows-only CD-ROM provides both tutorials and useful tools for building new applications.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1706718 in Books
• Published on: 1999-08
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 255 pages

Customer Reviews

Ouch. Just plain BAD.
Wow, what a pile of slop. There's so much inconsistency in the content, style, and methodology that it's practically unusable. I can't recommend this book for ANYONE--novices or experts, or anyone inbetween. It's a real stinker. It goes from 'slapped together' to totally incoherent, and back--several times. Examples are poorly laid out and explained, and much of the information seems laid out in a "look what WE know!" style (the old "baffle them with BS" routine), instead of a clearly-explained, well- written style. I know many people that frequent the AWARE list have come to blindly worship some of the contributors to this book, but this book will not enhance your opinion of these people. Not one shred. You'll read the book and think "Wow, *I* could have written something this bad", and "How could I have blindly bowed before these same folks on the AWARE list?"

While there might actually be an interesting nugget or two in the book, it's most DEFINITELY overpriced for its content. Read it only to realize these people are not the gods you think they are... or for a good laugh...or cry, as the case may be. It's THE most disappointing book I've had the misfortune of reading in years. It's unfortunate that I'm forced to give it even ONE star here, because it's a "0"-star book, at best.

It's... embarassingly bad. I could never justify taking money from people for something as poorly constructed an written as this book is.

Vital information, but uneven presentation
This book patches together chapters by many authors. Some have done outstanding work, others appear to have thrown their stuff together with little attention to detail, readability, or even simple grammatical errors. I would pan the book completely except that the info in the good chapters is absolutely invaluable! Too bad to spend so much money for half of a great book. I got virtually no value out of the CD.

The Ultimate Disappointing Authorware Tutorial
I think the title says it all but anyway here's an objective review in more detail. To begin with the book is very thin for the price...318 small sized pages.

The first 26 pages are just general considerations regarding computer based training...information that anyone requesting this book will know already...rip out these pages.

pages 28-64 contain information on scripting but it is incredibly basic to anyone with a background in IT and could be condensed into half the number of pages...still these pages are OK.

The next chapter on knowledge objects - pages 65-87 contain some useful info but only really gives you a smattering of what you were expecting. Also its very hard work following what they are saying...not enough diagrams...far too wordy...and many grammatical mistakes which are annoying...in fact the grammatical errors and typos apply right throughout the book.

Pages 89-231 contain peripheral information on things like activeX, CMI, packaging for the web etc. - by peripheral I mean none of it is about building the applications themselves...some of this info is useful (especially packaging for the web). However I bought this book hoping to become an authorware guru who could build complex authorware applications...so to that end these pages are not 100% relevant.

pages 233-318 are individual lessons on different aspects of authorware...these are useful but some of them are long-winded for what they are actually saying. Also some of them are sloppily written and require a lot of effort to follow what the guys are saying.

After reading the book from cover to cover I still feel a long way short of being an authorware guru.

I am now going to play around with authorware myself and try to work out how all the features work etc. I guess I'll have to snoop around a lot on newsgroups etc.

All in all very disappointing especially considering that some of the authors claim to be professional authorware instructors.

I would not advise anyone to buy this book. Keep your money or give it to charity but dont spend it on this book.