by Frank Petrie phranky@mac.com

Did you ever purchase a piece of software and no matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to wrap your head around it? You read the manual (no, really!) and it seems simple enough, but for some reason or other, when you sit in front of the computer you go 'deer-in-the-headlights.' Now what

Product: Learning Apple iDVD4

Company: DigitalOverview: http://www.digitaloverview.com

Requirements: QuickTime 6 or above
Price: US $19.99 (Price includes Free Shipping in the 48 U.S. States only.
Add US $11.99 to your order for shipping to anywhere else in the world.)
Test Rig: PowerMac G4/DP 1.42Ghz/1 GB RAM

"One-on-one training is always nice, particularly when you can do it at your own pace!"

"High quality CD-rom training shouldn't cost as much as the software you are trying to learn. Digital Overview was launched in 2003 by three independent designers / trainers who realized the marketplace needed more affordable options for video based CD-rom training. Now anyone can afford high quality, in depth video based training for the most popular creative software titles." Someone to hold my hand? On a CD? OK, I'll drop it in the tray.

The Good

Insert the CD into your computer and double-click on the topic's icon. They recommend that you follow their movies in the order that they have arranged them in. That's a good idea. I second the motion.

The speaker takes you step-by-step at a comfortable pace. Your visual is a desktop with a cursor following the speaker's every instruction. And it really is best to follow their sequence. In the case of "Learning Apple iDVD4," you start from an overview, proceed to the preferences and then all the way through to your burn. I was never much of a reader and the quality of their instruction is not going to bring me back to books any time soon!

Actually, I'm kidding. I would recommend buying a book. But I would first buy one of Digital Overview's discs. If I'm still a taco shy of a Value Meal, then I can try online resources. And then failing that, a manual whose style I feel comfortable with.

The price for Digital Overview's CDs are quite reasonable, especially when you weigh them against the hours of frustration they eliminate. Also, the fact that they solicit from customers titles for possible future releases demonstrates to me that they're really concerned about their customers, potential and existing.

The Bad

Nada.

The Ugly

Nada.

The Pulp

This iDVD CD was really helpful. And it doesn't stop there - Macromedia titles, Adobe titles. Apple titles, 3D & Compositing titles, Custom Training made-to-order titles and other titles. It's like dozens of teachers just waiting to have a one-on-one with you (in a nice way, of course!).

Another productive way to use these would be for user group presentations. What with the dearth of vendor reps and all, this is a very good way to have a wonderful and knowledgeable program. And the speaker's always on time! And with the reasonable price, it's also a good way to demonstrate Digital Overview's wares (remember to pay for that shareware!).

DigitalOverview.com is to be loudly applauded for their efforts. They're concise and thorough QuickTime films registered with me more than a book. (Guess I should learn to read!) Reduces a lot of 'flop sweat,' to be sure. One-on-one training is always nice, particularly when you can do it at your own pace!

RATING: 10 out of 10

(c)2004 Frank Petrie, SJAUG eCommunicator, Freelance writer Email: phranky@mac.com iChat: phranky

MACinations December 04