Hey Stephen,
You sound like just the sort of person lynda.com is set up for. In my  
experience, the courses can be very good. One caveat, some of the  
teachers have slightly annoying styles. I would recommend that you  
check out the free demos, of whatever course your interested in, to  
see if you like the teacher.
-David

On Aug 30, 2008, at 10:40 AM, stephen dicerbo wrote:

>   Has anyone  had any experience with Lynda.com?....  I recently  
> heard good things about it, and just got "spam" for it after  
> coughing up big bucks for some CS3  components  (man, when did  
> adobe start selling automobile priced products?)
>
>    Anyway, I am facing the beginning of a  digital pre-press   
> course at school, with no background ( or probably talent, other  
> than tee shirts)  in graphic design.  I have never even used  
> InDesign or other similar, and believe I will be behind the curve  
> in this situation.
>
>   There is an awful lot to be said for a good graphic designer,   
> who perhaps can't even draw. A good one is invaluable, and is  
> essential in providing a platform for illustrations  to become  
> effective communication tools.
>
> So I strive to become at least somewhat familiar with the designers  
> world, especially with publishers moving more and more of what was  
> traditionally their  concerns  to the illustrator because of the  
> digital front.  Sometimes the lines between fine art, Illustration,  
> and graphic design are fairly distinct, although the ability to  
> wander across these lines is invaluable.
>
> perhaps there is Phd  subject matter somewhere in this.
>
> Ah, but I digress....
>
>
>   anyone have experience with Lynda.com, and what do you think  
> about it?  Your opinions would be valued  before  I let yet more  
> gobs of money fall through the hole in my pocket.
>
>
> Stephen