Finance-Software

I have been a Quicken user since 1995, and I believe that the best way to learn the software is to start using it to manage your money. This is a good reference manual if you are fimilar with Quicken and want to learn the finer points of the sotware. If you are new to Quicken, I would recommend to dive right in and get a basic feel for the program before purchasing this book.

When I started using Quicken three years ago, I mainly tracked daily transactions. That didn't take a lot of warm-up readings. But now, as I try to streamline the recordkeeping which includes investment tracking and tax planning, it seems that more time spent in planning and setting up Quicken scheme will yield more meaningful results. If you find yourself in a similar situation, then you might want to check out Mastering Quicken 2000 by Stephen Nelson.

Recognizing that Quicken is just a record-keeping tool, Nelson, a CPA himself, does a good job of presenting both contextual and technical information. Take a look at what he said about tax planning. "There's only one real trick to using Quicken as a tool for income tax preparations: Use category lists that neatly tie to the tax form lines you need to fill in when you file your income tax return." He then presents 14(!) pages of various tax forms before discussing Quicken features. Nelson isn't afraid to voice his opinions, either. In discussing Quicken's 401(k) feature, he says, "..it probably doesn't make sense to track tax-deferred mutual fund investments in Quicken. There's no harm in doing so, but you don't get anything extra for your effort."

I appreciate his honesty, hands-on opinions and advice that come from a person with financial and accounting background, as opposed to someone who is more on the technical side. Nelson also is the author of Quicken 2000 for Dummies, but I think he suffers a bit in that book from the Dummies format. Mastering Quicken 2000 is far less technical and far more comprehensive, though it is twice as thick as the "Dummies".

Which brings me to the only shortcoming of this book. While the book is organized so that first-time Quicken users may benefit, I think two-thirds of the book seem to be written for readers who are familiar with personal finance software. If you are trying Quicken for the first time, don't try to read the entire book -- start with just Part I, and read the rest as you increase your comfort level with Quicken.

I had the prior version as a textbook in the MBA course in Strategic Marketing. Very instructive and a good learning tool that shows the interaction between the strategic variables in your marketing plan.

Wow!What an excellent simulation!! Nerve recking! Can't sleep withourt seeing the results every day. Better than the class room teachings and bag full of articles and books. Tests your marketing knowledge to the ultimate limits. Best part of this simulation is that no one losses and no one wins but every one LEARNS AND A LOT . This simulation is an eye-opener to the so called market strategists. The team spirit is revitalised and real leaders emerge. I recommend to all serious marketing strategists.

I am absolutely amazed that the folks at IDG Books let this one make it to the printer and than decided to allow it to be put into our hands, the readers who value their concerted "Dummy" offerings. This book will insult you if you know how to do something as simple as turning on your web browser. If you have never, ever ventured into the world wide web and have been living in a cave for the last 10 years, than read this book. Otherwise don't waste your time!

What's the most amazing thing to me is the fact that the "Dummy" series books are known for having substance that is geared both towards the novice and the more advanced/learned people looking for good reference material. I have thoroughly enjoyed some of their other publications and I can't highly recommend Business Plans for Dummies enough - that book was tremendous. This book, however, will insult you if you are like me, having moderate web based experience and it will leave you regretting the time that you spent to read it, not to mention the money that you spent to buy it. It was definitely an excercise in futility - throwing good money after bad. I will now have to rethink any future purchases of IDG reading material as the singular result of this poor offering by their company. In short, this is the absolute worst reference book that I've ever read.

Do you want to earn extra income from your business? There are plenty of people today who can offer you helpful information on how to market your business online. There are also plenty of fine books available to help you market your business as well. Feel like a real dummy at marketing? Maybe you are one but don't worry. IDG Books has published Marketing Online for Dummies to offer the average person on the street the basic marketing information they need to be successful.

Marketing Online for Dummies offers a broad range of useful information about the online world, domain name selection and use, Website content, and effective Website marketing strategies. Readers should pay particularly close attention to the chapter dealing with domain name selection and use. According to the authors the selection of an effective domain name can be easily overlooked. Because the use of a domain name will have a direct impact upon the marketing success of any company, it is important to come up with the right name for a company's Website in order to successfully market the products and services they have to offer. This book offers an excellent treatment on this very important subject.

Another bright spot about this book is the special Internet directory of companies and individual Websites where readers can obtain important business information related to online commerce and great shareware software programs. There are valuable resources available on the Internet today and you will find many of them listed here.

As are other books in the Dummies series, this one is quite easy to read and understand. This book is ideal for the novice entrepreneur. The information is first-rate. The software included on the accompanying CD will get the reader online. You won't be an online marketing dummy after reading this book but you may be one if you don't read it at all. The choice is yours!

I am only on page 90, but this book is worth its weight in gold. It helps you to understand the on line demographics to see how much of your marketing budget to put into a site vs. your off line dollars.