Preface<br >Since you are taking the time to read this preface， you are probably standing in a<br >bookstore， surrounded by shelves of computer books， trying to decide which one to<br >buy. The function of this preface is to explain the concept of this book to help you<br >make that decision.<br >There are three ideas that sum up the approach used in teach yourself...Harvard<br >Graphics， which I believe make it different from most books about software<br >applications.<br >Education. The purpose of this book is to help you learn to use Harvard Graphics.<br >All learning takes place through a structured experience that guides you through a<br >working session with the program where you will discover for yourself the concepts<br >behind the command structure of the program.<br >In.Context Examples. The examples given in the book are complete keystroke-for-<br >keystroke lessons. This means the features and techniques are explained within the<br >context of an actual project. This is very important when you are trying to learn to<br >use a program well， because it reveals not just how the features work， but how they<br >work with each other.<br > Visual Reinforcement. This book contains more than 150 illustrations. The<br > illustrations are an important part of learning. They show how charts and drawings<br > are constructed， step-by-step， and serve as a point of reference for comparing your<br > results to those in the book.<br > From my experience of writing 28 computer books since 1983， I have found that the<br > detailed， step-by-step method used in this book is the best way to learn and<br > understand a new software application. This method not only allows you to get<br > started with the program， but also encourages you to continue learning after you have<br > finished the material in the book，<br > ROB KRUMM<br >