My OpenOffice.org 2.0 Book Has Been Published; Three Free Chapters Are Available

I am delighted to announce that my OpenOffice.0rg 2 Guidebook has been published!

More specifically, I have gotten the rights back and have self-published it.

The OpenOffice.org 2 Guidebook replaces the  OpenOffice.org 2.x Resource Kit on Amazon, which is never coming out. If you've ordered the Resource Kit,  order the OpenOffice.org 2 Guidebook instead.

A Little Background

It's been a long time coming. I had it done in May, but there was much dithering at Prentice Hall. It's not just them -- lots of publishers are facing the fact the publishing is different now, and book contracts have been getting cancelled all over the place. I had the opportunity to get the publication rights back, so I jumped at the chance and ha've self-published the Guidebook.

Thanks to everyone who helped me generate names for the book and gave me feedback on the sample chapters I posted!

Information About the Book

Please click the Book Resources link to see information about the book. I'll have the same links as here, free chapters and the TOC. It will also include links to articles I've written on advanced topics that were outside the scope of the book, and downloads on additional topics.   (Also note that many of the advanced topics haven’t changed significantly since 1.0, so the instructions in my OpenOffice.org 1.0 Resource Kit   still apply to some topics.)

The Book Resources blog  also includes  links to files I reference in the book, such as a template for adding lines to presentations, and a prefab trifold brochure using linked frames.

You can also click the Book Resources link to make suggestions for an advanced book, if you are interested in my writing one, and to submit errata.

Free Chapters From the New Book
To celebrate releasing the book, and as a thank you to everyone who’s written to me and encouraged me through the past few months, I’m posting free content from the book.

• Creating and Formatting Writer Tables

• Sorting and Filtering in Calc

• Formatting Master Pages in Impress

Thanks to everyone who has written to me about the book and encouraged me to keep going with it!

Buying the Book

You have several options; order in whatever way works for you shopping style and schedule. I'm happy to have you order straight from me; Cafepress is good too but might be a little slow this time of year.

• Order directly from me through Paypal -- Go to PayPal.com and send your address and the appropriate amount to guidebook@getopenoffice.org. This is the best approach right now during the holiday season. Just send me an order and I'll send you a book! The book is $30 plus shipping: $4 for media mail, $10 for priority, $12 for Canada, $22 for Europe, and $25 for other international locations. 
  
  So if you're in the US and not in a hurry, send $36.
  
  
• Amazon.com --  Click the "Used" link to order directly from me under the openofficeauthor ID.
• Cafepress.com -- If you like cafepress, order there.
  
• Bulk discounts -- Just email me directly through guidebook@getopenoffice.org.

 

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Comments

[Simon Roberts]

Awesome, congratulations! If this is anything like your previous works on this topic, I have to get one.

It's great that you managed to get past the dithering of the publisher, and even better that you're now in control of the books destiny.

[Joel Longie]

Hello,

A few weeks ago I bought your database book and would just like to say thanks, I am really enjoying it and have learned a lot from your book. Looking forward to this one.

[Michael Judd]

I've been looking forward to this coming out for a long time now. Great work!

[Robbert Michel]

Lifehacker just mentioned your book here:
http://www.lifehacker.com/software/open-office/download-free-chapters-from-openoffice-guidebook-220566.php

[quote]
OpenOffice.org (its silly name notwithstanding) ranks among our all-time favorite apps here at Lifehacker, and we're happy to see an entire book devoted to it. The chapters prove the author knows her subject inside and out, so after you've devoured them, you'll probably want to move on to the complete, print edition. — Rick Broida
[/quote]

[Solveig Haugland]

Hi Simon, Michael,

Thanks for the kind words! I appreciate it. I am very glad to be past the dithering -- Prentice Hall was just following the market, I guess, but it was still disappointing.

Solveig

[Solveig Haugland]

Hi Robbert,

Thanks for posting the quote! I had seen (and whooped!) that LH had posted the link but not that they gave me props like they did. Cool!

Solveig

[Solveig Haugland]

Hi Joel,

Thanks! I'm glad the database workbook is useful. I've included perhaps 1/3 or 1/2 of the database topics in the book. Please send me any suggestions for the database book if you come across things you'd like to see added.

Solveig

[Felicia]

I've been eagerly waiting for your book to become available. I ordered it from Cafepress last week and should have it tomorrow. When it arrives I will earnestly try not to tackle the UPS driver and rip it from his hands! Anyway, if your book is as informative and entertaining as your blog then I will gladly endure any consequences if I fail to restrain myself when your book arrives. Thanks for the wonderful blog!

[Solveig Haugland]

Hi Felicia,

Thank you so much! If you do tackle the UPS driver I'm sure it'll be a fun wacky spot in his day. ;>

Solveig

[Samuel deHuszar Allen]

Should we use your solveig[AT]getopenoffice[DOT]org address listed above as the Paypal recipient for direct payment? Also, is there a PDF version available yet?

[Solveig Haugland]

HI Samuel,

Yes, that's the correct address. There isn't a PDF version available yet; I'm still considering how to do it.

Thanks

Solveig

[Zaine Ridling]

Wow, what a great book! Even the "Everything that didn't make it in the book" section is neat. I posted a blog entry here:

http://www.thegsblog.com/?p=136

It arrived faster than I expected — and during Xmas week! — and is an attractive volume. Even if you're an OpenOffice expert, Solveig's Guidebook will fill in what you don't know. It's wonderful and thanks for all the hard work you put into it!

[Solveig Haugland]

Hi Zaine,

Wow, it got to you that quick? Dang. ;> Props to the US Postal Service.

Thank you, I'm glad you like the book and thanks for posting on your blog.

Solveig

[John Ranta]

Congratulations Solveig on another great offering and best wishes!

[Solveig Haugland]

Hi John! Great to hear from you. Thanks!

Solveig

[TestKing Exams]

Awesome, congratulations! If this is anything like your previous works on this topic, I have to get one.I am really enjoying it and have learned a lot from your book.Thank you so much.I am sure I will be back again after my exams 70-648 for Upgrading Your MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist.In my exams Testking helped me a lot because it’s a great source of professional knowledge.I am confident to pass in first attempt because I have already pass 70-237 Designing Messaging Solutions with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 and 70-284 and 70-297 which is for Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network so I will back again to read more.