Giving up on ASM manual

[MathinTucson]

I just found more errors in the ASM manual. I can handle a long list of errata, but the list keeps growing. I no longer trust the content of the manual enough to keep using it. And I don't have time to figure out what's correct and what isn't. :swear:
I'm sure that the second edition will be a very fine product, but the first edition is still a draft.

Can anyone recommend another study guide where the errata list at least has stopped growing?

[mord]

I got mine two weeks later, than I could of, and a lot of the errata had been found. You'll probably get bogged down the further on you are. You could try having a two week break, checking the updated errata, and it won't mess you up any more.

[satogaeru]

You're probably just going to have to deal with it. With every MFE study manual being first edition, you're going to see growing errata lists for each. Even the textbook's errata list is still growing.

[Nonpareil]

I just found more errors in the ASM manual. I can handle a long list of errata, but the list keeps growing. I no longer trust the content of the manual enough to keep using it. And I don't have time to figure out what's correct and what isn't. :swear:
I'm sure that the second edition will be a very fine product, but the first edition is still a draft.

Can anyone recommend another study guide where the errata list at least has stopped growing?

There are going to be mistakes in all the manuals, especially the first time around, and with a relatively short of amount of preparation time. Would you rather be using a manual for which you know the author seems to be doing his level best to correct mistakes via the errata sheet, or one that is not as widely used, and may have just as many mistakes, but the errors are not being caught because it's not being used by many people (or because the author is not as responsive as Weishaus)?

If you're open to something besides a study manual, I recommend The Infinite Actuary online seminar.

[mlschop]

You'll be sorry. Assuming Abe is still doing the ASM manual and updates - it's THE only option :tup:

[Carol]

It's just the first edition and the only study manual available now. I would say live with it.

I am not a big fan ASM manual, but I think the author is very sincere on updating the error list. And I appreciate him to publish the manual early so that I can start early.

Here's to the author, I think your manuals are very good except for one thing --- the format. To me, the format is not easy to read, may be you can inlarge the size of the words and/or increase the space between lines. Other than this, your manual is perfect.

[mlschop]

Here's to the author, I think your manuals are very good except for one thing --- the format. To me, the format is not easy to read, may be you can inlarge the size of the words and/or increase the space between lines. Other than this, your manual is perfect.

Wow...are you serious? The format of ASM is fantastic! Pick up a Mahler guide and try to read that formatting. Sure the fonts are larger, but you'll break your back carrying that thing and (if you're like me) have to rewrite all formulas in the margins just so you can read them easily!

FWIW - ASM's font is no smaller than your basic textbook. I think ASM is designed to look just like that - a textbook (but 100% easier to read) :tup:

[Kabaka]

It's just the first edition and the only study manual available now. I would say live with it.

I am not a big fan ASM manual, but I think the author is very sincere on updating the error list. And I appreciate him to publish the manual early so that I can start early.

Here's to the author, I think your manuals are very good except for one thing --- the format. To me, the format is not easy to read, may be you can inlarge the size of the words and/or increase the space between lines. Other than this, your manual is perfect.

That could turn an 1100 page manual (Exam C/4) into 1500 which could drive the price to about 15/11 * 200 = 272 not to mention the extra trees. Think of the trees!

[Kabaka]

Wow...are you serious? The format of ASM is fantastic! Pick up a Mahler guide and try to read that formatting. Sure the fonts are larger, but you'll break your back carrying that thing and (if you're like me) have to rewrite all formulas in the margins just so you can read them easily!

FWIW - ASM's font is no smaller than your basic textbook. I think ASM is designed to look just like that - a textbook (but 100% easier to read) :tup:

:judge:

[Abraham Weishaus]

Here's to the author, I think your manuals are very good except for one thing --- the format. To me, the format is not easy to read, may be you can inlarge the size of the words and/or increase the space between lines. Other than this, your manual is perfect.

As indicated in this thread, BPP uses 10 point type as well. They even claim this is what most students prefer.
http://www.actuarialoutpost.com/actuarial_discussion_forum/showpost.php?p=1919374&postcount=7

BPP uses Book Antiqua rather than Times Roman. I'm willing to switch to Palatino (Book Antiqua is Microsoft's version of Palatino), which would add about 3-4% to the size of the manual. More extreme measures would be to go to 11 point type (adding 10% to the size) or going to a 2-column format (which would take a lot of work).

[Captain Nemo]

If you're open to something besides a study manual, I recommend The Infinite Actuary online seminar.

I appreciate the endorsement... especially considering the number of mistakes that I myself have made.

I can attest that it's very difficult to get something out both perfectly and quickly (especially since I also have a full-time day job) and I have been impressed to hear how responsive the author has been with regard to the ASM manuals.

I have also tried to be very responsive to corrections. One advantage that The Infinite Actuary has is that since the content is online instead of a publication, errata can be fixed in the source so (hopefully) very few people ever notice - and typically by those that who are ahead in the material. The disadvantage, of course, is that despite the tireless efforts of Day Yi and staff, TIA has not yet figured out how to enable students to study by candlelight during a power outage using our materials.

Use what works best for you.

[ubergigglefritz]

Can someone email me the text of the errata listed thus far from the website? I can't access the page at work, and would like to check some things. Thanks for your time :)

[Kazodev]

Can someone email me the text of the errata listed thus far from the website? I can't access the page at work, and would like to check some things. Thanks for your time :)

Attached is the errata list as of 2/20/07 Update

[ubergigglefritz]

thanks!

[SirVLCIV]

I used ASM for FM, M, and C :tup:

First editions have problems no matter what you use :shrug:

[TOTEM]

I can not believe that someone is complaining about the format of the ASM guides! They are the most aesthetically pleasing manuals on the market. I would not like to see them make any format changes. Maybe to appreciate them more you should download the sample Mahler lessons and see what hard to read and poor format really is.