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The Latest from VisiBooks

Text Books For Open Office Are Now Available
 
Visibooks has published textbooks for Open Office 2.0. There are 4 books - Base 2.0, Calc 2.0. Impress 2.0 and Writer 2.0.  These books use small projects (many can be downloaded from their website) to give you step by step instructions on how to use each of the programs. When a concept needs to be explained - such as elements of a databse - you get simple, precise explanations that are easy to understand and remember.
Visibooks were written as a part of a U.S. Department of Education research study.  The purpose of this study was "to develop a prototype textbook that makes it easier for students with learning disabilities and low English proficiency to learn computer subjects". Using an Illustration Based Approach to Learning, Visibooks has made it easy to teach almost any age group how to use computer programs.

The website will allow you to download the first 50 pages of either books. Since I have always avoided databases - never could find the "right" book to learn from -  I decided to give Base 2.0 a try. I went through the first section "Database Basics" in about an hour or so. After doing that section, I found it easier to understand the basic database concept and the mechanics of the program.  I could easily see my self using these books in a classroom setting.

Visibooks carries many more titles than Open Office - titles such as Windows XP, Linspire Five-O, PHP Basics, Photoshop CS2 and many more..  Books are offered in book format ($24.95) and electronic format ($4.95 per seat). It has been a long time since I have seen text books for that price. Thanks, Visibooks! - Fran

More From VisiBooks 

9-14-07 Just got a notice that In Pictures now includes tutorials for the new Office 2007. Way to Go VisiBooks!!

I received an email  from Chris at Visibooks about free Open Office Tutorials online. Yes, they now have a site called "In Pictures", where you will find tutorials for the following subjects:
 
Open Office includes Base, Calc, Impress, and Writer 2.0

Microsoft Office 2003 includes Access, Excel, Power Point, Word and Publisher

Also:
Dreamweaver
Html and CSS
Photoshop Elements
Fireworks
My SQL Basics
PHP Basics
Perl Basics


Click here to check out "In Pictures".

Thanks again Visibooks for such wonderful resources............Fran

Fibromyalgia - A Chronic Pain Syndrome

I suffer from a chronic pain illness - Fibromyalgia. There is a website that I frequent for infomation support and more. It is called  Fibrohugs. It is run by a fellow Fibromyalgia suffer, Ken Euteneier.  Here is their mission statement from their website:

The Mission Of FibroHugs is to offer a place where persons with Fibromyalgia can find understanding, knowledge, and support in their daily battle with this painful disease. To offer support, not only for the patient but also to their loved ones, in an attempt to help all understand the effects of this illness. It is also our hope to bring awareness of this disease that a cure will be found.

There are items that they sell to help run the site and promote Fibromyalgia awareness. I have provided a link to some of these below for those that may be interested in purchasing one of them. When you finish with ordering the item(s), you will be directed back to this site.