The “IBM Lotus Notes 8.5 User Guide” is a practical, hands-on user guide with time-saving tips and comprehensive instructions for using Lotus Notes effectively and effiently.

The author, Karen Hooper, has over 13 years of experience in Lotus Notes and Domino. She has a good writing style and you can feel that she knows how to teach.

The foreword is written by Ed Brill and going to the list of reviewers, youl’ll find well known names like Susan Bulloch, Mary Beth Raven, Karen Hobert and Kathy Staples.

As the title implies, the “IBM Lotus Notes 8.5 User Guide” is written for end-users and from their perspective, the contents covers all aspects of Lotus Notes in an detailed and comprehensive way without being too technical.

I even recommend this book to servicedesk staff. Reading the book will take you to the same level in communication your users are on. This can make communication with your servicedesk more effectively. As an example, take a look at the screenshot on page 7 which names all the relevant parts of the user interface. Knowing you vocabulary is very important in communication.

Another valuable information I found on page 12; shortcuts! Users love shortcuts. They can make their daily work easier. What I am missing here is a printed version of all the shortcuts that could be detached from the printed copy of the book.

The book contains tons of screenshots. IMHO some of the screenshots are a bit overloaded with information. The publisher should also think about the print quality. It is sometimes not easy to see the details. And very important; keep in mind that the screenshots are taken in color mode, but the book shows the pictures in grayscale mode.

Despite this, I recommend the book as a valuable resource for all users of Lotus Notes. If you are looking for a resource for teaching your users how to use Lotus Notes effectively and effiently, “IBM Lotus Notes 8.5 User Guide” is for you.

I hope that this book will also be available in other languages soon.