Q: is there a user manual for using the iBooks Author program?

See iBA Help...

And http://www.apple.com/support/ibooksauthor/

No, there does not appear to be any sort of manual.  Apple doesn't really believe in manuals - they seem to take the view that their software is so wasy to use no manuals are necessary...

The help files are not much use either...  There is not much content, and in any case you have to try and work out what terms the American developers might use to describe the functionality for which you are looking - a bugbear with all Apple help systems...

There do not appear to be any sample documents either - just a gallery...

I don't know if Apple offer phone support - I am about to try that.  Yo can try feedback, but it goes into a black hole and Apple do not generally respond.

There is a lot of negative feedback in the discussions about things that don't work and no response from Apple...

I call that a FAIL Apple...

Much in Author is intuitively obvious, but a lot isn't. I've been using this Kindle book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0075O2D90/ref=docs-os-doi_0

It covers the basics in a logical sequence. I spent a few hours going through it to get up to speed. The author did a nice job given the fact that it was put together in just a few weeks. Had Apple created a decent Help file and some video tutorials, this book would have been totally unncessary. I suspect others will fill the breach - iBooks created with Author about how to use Author - so meta.

Apple has plenty of manuals: http://support.apple.com/manuals/#macosandsoftware but they seem to rushed Author into the market without one.

Thanks, great link...  Though, I have to say, I prefer paper manuals - with a full TOC and an Index. :-)  Still, these PDF files can be downloaded to my iPad, so at least I can read the manual without cluttering up my screen!  Cheers!

I had a quick look on Amazon - it does seem to cover more than the help file...  Still, on balance, I think I will wait for a proper manual...

At http://help.apple.com/ibooksauthor/mac/1.0/ you can view a browser version of the help included with the app. Click the Print icon in the upper-right and print to PDF.

powerpcp wrote:

 

Is there a user manual for using the iBooks Author program?

http://www.box.com/s/t76yqfdl6p470abx4s3r

Great! You rock!

See this thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3728120?tstart=0

A free manual from O'Rilley: http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920025597.do

It's very good. Download it. You'll be happy you did.  - Fabe