Others say...

"Best reference out there..."
As a BOXI r2 user, I have referred to this book a great number of times on the job. It is an indispensable reference tool which has helped me immensely. The chapter on formulas (I think it is chap 22) is especially well written. I highly recommend this to anyone who uses the XI r2 version of Business Objects.

"Just Okay"
This book highlights to you the different functionalities of the Business Objects suite. If you are a savy user, I doubt if it will be that much of a help.

"Definitive Reference"
Cindi Howson's guide to Business Objects XI Release 2 is a must-have addition to any Business Object developer's war chest. She has explained in easy-to-follow terminology HOW to use functions and WHY to use functions. Business Objects is touted as being a user-friendly program but frequently their own documentation is lacking. Ms. Howson bridges the gap neatly and comprehensively. I recommend this book for those who are getting started with the tool, as well as for experts who want a quick reference to specifics.

"Cindi did it again? Did she, really?"
I recently purchased the "Complete Reference Business Objects XI (R2)" by Cindi Howson.

She has worked closely with Business Objects (foreword by B. Liautaud, founder of Business Objects) and technical editors who are Business Objects employees, which has its advantages (inside knowledge).

On the universe/Designer side the book does cover the SQL parameters of universes such as SQL ANSI92 syntax, aggregate awareness, index awareness, universes built directly against OLAP cubes, fan/chasm traps, loops, contexts and aliases, etc. The problematic involving semi-additive measures is mentionend as well. The OLAP technology with advantages/disadvantages is well explained.

Cindi prefers putting most of the Intelligence in the universe

WebIntelligence with its formulas is covered in depth.

What is missing:
Cindi clearly states in her introduction that her book does not cover Crystal Reports, Performance Management, DataIntegrator, or Live Office.

Further the challenge on how to setup a Business Objects system in detail nor the many options in the CMS (setting up complex security, best practices, etc.) did not find its way into the book. The "rights fidelity" and "merge" options in the import/export wizard are only briefly mentioned. Although cascading prompts are covered, the many shortcomings of cascading prompts in Business Objects are not (cascading prompts in Crystal Reports work better).

What is clearly missing is a cd with the book in electronic format acompanying the printed edition.

This book is the only reference book for XI (covering universe design as well as reports) as far as I am aware.

"Good overview for the new BO user..."
All the basics are covered here. It will be particularly valuable for someone coming from a Crystal 10-or-earlier environment, or from a BusinessObjects 5.x environment.

For users already on 6.x, there's not a lot new here in this book. I was hoping the book would call out the product functional changes more clearly, aside from security and the architectural differences.