Visions of Visio....
Written: Nov 17 '01 (Updated Nov 21 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Small docs (vector graphics) numerous pre-formatted grahpics, external linking
Cons: Haven't found any yet
The Bottom Line: All the internal and external people I in with use Visio. It's an industry standard, aka Microsoft product.
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| myoptical's Full Review: Microsoft Visio 2000 |
OK. So this company was bought out by Microsoft. I assume next this functionality will be integrated into the operating system. Anyhow, I recently upgraded from Visio 4 to Visio 2000 and I'm much happier now. This review of Visio 2k will address 1.) Installation req's and the GUI layout, 2.) basic functionalities 3.) advanced functionalities. I will sprinkle this review with "Slice-O-Life" comments/experiences as appropriate.....
1.) Installation req's and GUI
Interestingly, (actually not, but I'm trying to be nice) Windows 98 is the oldest MS OS supported; talk about progression eh?
HW - Pentium 200MHz or higher, 110-170MB of hard drive space
RAM requirements increase as the OS becomes more recent; Me and NT 4 have the same requirements.
The GUI has standard menu items: File, Edit, View, Insert, Format, Tool, Shape, Window and Help. The preformatted toolbars are (other than the standard two): Format Text, Format Shape, Action, Snap & Glue, Layout & Routing, View, Web, Developer and Stencil. You can view grid lines, rulers, guides, connection points (between shapes / connectors) and page breaks to ensure your work is both accurate and crisp.
2.) Basic Functionality
Interestingly the list of preformatted document types (from File/New) has been expanded. Click on File/New to see a list of the most common types of Visio document types.
Block Diagram - use geometric shapes to illustrate your ideas/message/plan.
Database - specific template to facilitate database model diagramming.
Flowchart - easily create visual representations of procedures and information/process flow. You can also associate data with shapes; allowing tracking and reporting
Forms and Charts - business forms, invoices, product orders, charting for presentations. This is primarily for novice users. It is much more effective to create forms and/or charts using a blank form; provided you already have specifications to go from.
Internet Diagram - also called "Web site map," this cool doohickey can also automatically diagram a real internet site. Go to File/New/Internet Diagram/Web Site Map, type in the address...a few more clicks and "Voila!!"
Map - easily generate geographical or directional maps
Network Diagram- represent networks usint templated shapes for network devices and topologies. You can drill down to which specific device and it's locale by defining serial numbers (or other reporting identifiers) and address. Using Tools/Property Report (a wizrd will step you through it), you can report by OEM, department, serial # or any other spec previously defined. You can filter your diagram by OEM type. If you hadn't guessed by now, I have more experience using this than some of the others.
Office Layout - I know our Tech Team here used Visio when we relocated to this larger building over a year ago. Walls, data/phone jacks, outlets and office furniture can all be brought together to assess the "Feng Shui"-factor before monies have been committed.
Org. Chart - pretty self-explanatory, but a cool feature is you can import data from *.txt or *.xls files and it will plug it in w/o you having to manually add personnel; especially for medium-sized to large-sized organizations.
Project Schedule - Although "Visio-ly" speaking, it can use pictures to speak a thousand words, the functionality of project management is best kept in the project management suites like MS Project (http://www.epinions.com/Microsoft_Corporation_Microsoft_Project_98_S0491678)
Software - Also known as "Program Structure Diagrams," you can (for example) add cells to an array graphically.
Blank - exactly what it says.
3.) Advanced functionalities
* Visio can also take advantage of a VB editor
* Make custom shapes
* Shape positioning - aligning, snapping to the grid lines, etc.
* Interoperability with CAD drawings
* Interoperability with the MS Office Suite
* Html, file and other application linking - We use Knowlix for technical knowledge management. I can scripts jumps to it as well as to the WinHelp files which contain our process flow data
* OLE embedding
* Exporting to multiple formats: *.jpg, *.bmp, *.html, Auto Cad Drawing, Adobe Illustrator, etc.
* Visio Enterprise Network Tools is an add-on which allows extremely granular network diagramming from the actual network in question. The specs for this add-on are slightly more intensive than the application.
Once you really get the knack of using the software, you can make "Visio"-ly stimulating documents with ease. It took me about 2 weeks/20 hours to move beyond the intermediate user skill-level.
No need to buy a book, use the Helpfile. It incorporates links to screenshots and actual software functionality. Plus, it's easier to navigate than a book.
Overall, it's not immediately intuitive due to the plethora of graphics available and additional functions but it does a great job in presenting your data in just the right format.
Happy computing...
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
myoptical
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Member: JOHN B. WADE III, all liberties reserved
Location: near Chicago, Illinois Republic
Reviews written: 59
Trusted by: 64 members
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