Comparing Dummies and Idiots Books for Learning

[Dagenais]

When learning or just reading about Science, Mathematics or other subjects do you ever read Dummies or Idiots?

Or do you prefer reading other texts?

For computers I usually enjoy books not from Idiots or Dummies since they don't cover as much, and for learning programming I usually find free tutorials on the internet.

For Math, I use Dummies and separate books.

For other sciences I like using Dummies and Idiot's Guides.

How about you? Do you like the quality of the two?

 

[selfAdjoint]

I've had good results with for Dummies books on simple tech stuff. My learning style requires I get a context before I can start scarfing down info, and I find that the Dummies series gives me that context.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Both are great in my opinion. I have a calculus for idiots book and it's a very easy read and explains a lot in easy terms. I also have investing and college planning for dummies which has been very informational.

 

[Zantra]

I've always found dummies books to be a good beginner's text for more complexed subjects, or when I need the basics on something and don't feel like purchasing a 5 volume set. And nowadays, think of any topic, and chances are there's a dummy/idiot book to accompany it.

Which reminds me.. investing for dummies.. hmmmm

 

[Artman]

One of the suggestions made to writers doing research is that they begin with children's reference books and then get more indepth from there. The dummies and idiots guides, although not children's books, are also a great starting point.

I think that the dummies and idiots guides are a great starting point for technical subjects. I usually get one that matches my operating system on my computer, then I might get a more indepth volume at a later date. I also have one for computer repair, which has led me on to more advanced books such as A+ certification books. Often as not, the idiots guide has the moe useful information.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Which reminds me.. investing for dummies.. hmmmm

Haha, true it hasn't made me a penny, but it was a great introduction on how all the different types of investing works and some general tips.

 

[Shadow]

I haven't used Dummies, but I have used two Idiots Guides and I like them a lot, they are great books.

 

[Dagenais]

Often as not, the idiots guide has the moe useful information.

I usually find Idiot's Guide to be more in depth and longer than Dummies. They lack the variety of topics though.

 

[Zantra]

Originally posted by Greg Bernhardt
Haha, true it hasn't made me a penny, but it was a great introduction on how all the different types of investing works and some general tips.

Well I'm pretty cluless when it comes to investing- someone recommended doing "options" so I need to read up on that.