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Let Bolinas Road Creative handle your writing chores. We have years of experience writing copy with impact. Give us a call when you want to deliver a clear, strong message.
Chris Grover, principal
of Bolinas Road Creative, has worked as a technical writer, advertising
copywriter and product publicist for more than 25 years. His freelance
articles have been published in a variety of magazines from Fine Homebuilding
to CD-ROM World. Recently Chris has authored books published by Pogue Press and O'Reilly Media. |
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Chris Grover is the author of Word 2007 The Missing Manual and other books in the Missing Manual series.
The Missing Manual Series was created by David Pogue, a New York Times technology columnist. The series is famous for accurate but easily understood descriptions of technical subjects. An absence of computer jargon and just the right amount of humor make the Missing Manuals a popular series.
Click the image to see more details on the Missing Manual books written by Chris Grover. |
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Microsoft Word has grown considerably in power, sophistication and capability over the past decade, but one thing that hasn't changed since the early '90s is its user interface. The simple toolbar in version 2.0 has been packed with so many features since then that few users know where to find them all. Consequently, more and more people are looking for "insider" tips that will allow them to use these advanced and often hidden features. Microsoft has addressed this problem in Word 2007 by radically redesigning the user interface with a tabbed toolbar that makes every feature easy to locate and use. Unfortunately, Microsoft's documentation is as scant as ever, so even though you will be able to find advanced features, you might not know what to do with them.
Word 2007: The Missing Manual, written specifically for this version of the software, explains basics like how to create documents, enter and edit text, format, print, and fax. You will will also learn how to create sophisticated page layouts, insert forms and tables, use graphics, and create book-length documents with outlines and Master Documents. Coverage also includes how to share documents with other people and programs, create web pages, automate documents with fields, and automate tasks with macros and the Visual Basic scripting language. This book shows you how to do it all. |
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Quickly learn the most useful features of Microsoft Office 2007 with our easy to read four-in-one guide. This fast-paced book gives you the basics of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access so you can start using the new versions of these major Office applications right away. Unlike every previous version, Office 2007 offers a completely redesigned user interface for each program. Microsoft has replaced the familiar menus with a new tabbed toolbar (or "ribbon"), and added other features such as "live preview" that lets you see exactly what each option will look like in the document before you choose it. This is good news for longtime users who never knew about some amazing Office features because they were hidden among cluttered and outdated menus. Adapting to the new format is going to be a shock -- especially if you're a longtime user. That's where Office 2007: The Missing Manual comes in. Rather than present a lot of arcane detail, this quick & friendly primer teaches you how to work with the most-used Office features, with four separate sections covering the four programs. The book offers a walkthrough of Microsoft's redesigned Office user interface before taking you through the basics of creating text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and databases with:
- Clear explanations
- Step-by-step instructions
- Lots of illustrations
- Plenty of friendly advice
It's a great way to master all 4 programs without having to stock up on a shelf-load of different books. This book has everything you need to get you up to speed fast. Office 2007: The Missing Manual is truly the book that should have been in the box.
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Flash CS3, the latest version of the premier tool for creating web animations and interactive web sites, can be intimidating to learn. This entertaining reference tutorial provides a reader-friendly animation primer and a guided tour of all the program's tools and capabilities. Beginners will learn to use the software in no time, and experienced users will quickly take their skills to the next level. The book gives Flash users of all levels hands-on instructions to help them master:
- Special effects
- Morphing
- Adding audio and video
- Introducing interactivity
- And much more
With Flash CS3: The Missing Manual you'll be able to turn an idea into a Flash animation, tutorial, or movie. This book will help you create online tutorials, training materials and full-blown presentations. It also teaches design principles throughout and helps you avoid elements that can distract or annoy an audience.
This is the first new release of Flash since Adobe bought Macromedia, which means that it's the first version that will integrate easily with other Adobe products. It's a whole new ballgame when it comes to Flash, and Flash CS3: The Missing Manual offers you complete and objective coverage. It's the perfect companion to this powerful software.
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Fast-paced and easy to read, this concise book teaches you the basics of Word 2007 so you can start using the program right away. Not only will you learn how to work with Word's most useful features to create documents, format and edit text, share the results and more, you'll also discover how to go beyond basic documents to handle graphics, create page layouts, and use forms and tables.
The new Word is radically different from previous versions, but with this convenient book, you can breeze through the new user interface and its timesaving features in no time with:
- Clear explanations
- Step-by-step instructions
- Lots of illustrations
- Larger type
- Plenty of friendly advice
Word is used primarily for word processing, but there's more to this powerful program than meets the eye. It also offers a staggering array of advanced features that were once found only in page layout programs and graphics software. Many of these features are hidden among Word's cluttered menus, and even the pros can't find them all. For Word 2007, Microsoft redesigned the user interface completely, adding a tabbed toolbar that makes every feature easy to locate.
Unfortunately, Microsoft's documentation is as poor as ever, so even if you find the features you need, you still may not know what to do with them. Word 2007 for Starters: The Missing Manual helps you master Word's redesigned user interface and gives you exactly what you need to create unique, attractive and effective documents. |
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Digital Photography: The Missing Manual helps you to take beautiful
digital pictures -- of your baby, your trip to Paris, your new pet
iguana--and then share the stunning results with your friends and family.
Spiked with the advice and humor that are trademarks of the Missing
Manual series, this book shows you how to:
- Master your digital camera.
- Learn how to use those mysterious buttons and modes to improve your
pictures.
- Take memorable photos.
- Become a better photographer right away with a few simple tricks from
the pros.
- Edit your photos to remove red eye, or crop out extraneous buildings.
- Add colors and effects not normally found in nature.
- Share your pictures using the best programs and Web sites for sharing
your photos-in print, online, and via ESP.
This is a great book for people who want to get started with digital
photography but it's also perfect for those who need to increase the
skills they already have. Intermediate digital photographers will love
the tips and tricks from the pros and the helpful buying guides for those
accessories they're ready to add. |
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Sample from California
Redwood Association advertising:
"Redwood. It lives up to the promise of
your
design. You wouldn’t do second rate work,
so why would you build with anything
but redwood? With its long-lasting, natural
beauty, redwood’s the first choice for landscape
architecture. Other products try to
imitate redwood by mimicking its color and
its texture, but nothing comes close. Your
customers know the difference.
There are cost-effective grades of redwood
for every
project, whether it’s a public plaza or a residential
garden. With redwood, you can choose
from a variety of dimensions, from fence boards
to timbers. When you’re doing your best work,m
choose the material that’s versatile enough to
match your vision. Choose redwood."
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Feature Articles, Book Reivews
& Software Reviews
Chris Grover, principal of Bolinas Road Creative, has written feature articles, book reviews and software reviews for a wide variety of magazines from Fine Homebuilding to CD-ROM World. The subjects of these articles has ranged from home improvement to computer game reviews, from VCR repair to architectural book reviews.
If you'd like to see stories about your business appear in magazines or newspapers, we'd like to work with you. We know how to give editors stories they can't resist.
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Sample from
California Redwood Association brochure:
"...Quality
landscape architecture demands materials that are beautiful and long
lasting. Wood used outdoors must withstand environmental elements,
yet retain its symmetry and aesthetic purpose.
Redwood is the one wood that meets
these landscaping requirements...
"...Redwood grades are established in the
Standard Specifications for Grades of
California Redwood Lumber issued by the
Redwood Inspection Service. Properly
grademarked lumber will bear the
RIS mark or that of another accredited
inspection bureau.
Garden Grades These economical
grades of redwood are tailor-made for
outdoor applications. Their varied wood
grains and knot-textured surfaces blend
well with other natural materials. Garden
grades are available dry or unseasoned
and are usually surfaced on four sides
(S4S). They are available in dimensions
from timbers 20 feet in length to bender
board, used for edging garden walkways.
Construction Heart/Deck Heart
All-heartwood grades containing knots;
recommended for work on or near the
ground such as posts, beams, joists and
decking. Deck Heart has similar appearance
and uses as Construction Heart but
is also graded for strength. Deck Heart is
available in 2x4 and 2x6 only. |
