5 comments about CG 101: A Computer Graphics Industry Reference (3D Graphics Other).

1. It's not as full featured about technique and practice as I had hoped, but certainly a fantastic reference for the terminology, and techology employed in Digital Production today. By far my favorite parts of the book are the historical references that help really put my daily work into perspective.



2. This book covers the bases quite well. Not only is it useful to industry veterans, but more importantly I feel that it's essential reading for people starting out a career in computer graphics. It gives a very detailed background of not only the history of CG production, but also the innovators, movers and shakers, to include production houses and developers. The glossary is very helpful too.



3. CG 101: A computer Graphics Industry Reference Terrence Masson: PUBLISHER: New Riders REVIEWED BY: Barbara Rhoades

   BOOK REVIEW: CG 101 is a great reference guide. Forgotten what a particular term means? No problem! Just Open CG 101 and look it up. The first 208 pages and a few more inbetween are jam-packed with terminology and what they mean. There are side bar "blurbs" that contain factoids and quotes. This provides great bits of trivia.

   The next 148 pages tell about the history of the graphics industry and how it has progressed from the start to what we know today. CG 101 tells about the companies and the people who use computer graphics to provide us with entertainment in movies and much more.

   The 22-page index provides an easy way to find items, people and companies you want to know about. And just in case you wanted to know more than the book has to offer, there are URLs and telephone numbers to give you added places to glean information.




4. Superficially subdued by a bland title that reads like a basic, frills-free "Introduction to Computer Graphics" course, Terrence Masson's CG 101: A Computer Graphics Industry Reference, by New Riders Publishing, nevertheless dispatches preconceived notions with its exquisitely detailed history of digital art production. A visual effects director and the founder of Digital Fauxtography, the author has spent at least two stints with Industrial Light & Magic and once served as a technical director at Digital Domain.

   An amalgam of CG terminology (pp. 1-209), impactful corporate industry presences (pp. 210-347), programming and mathematics terms (pp. 348-361), fundamental and miscellaneous terms (pp. 362-385), a computer graphics timeline (pp. 385-437) and other mini-sections on CG FAQ (pp. 438-451), job descriptions (pp. 452-461), previsualization (pp. 462-467) and the analog computer era (pp. 468-476), this unique text probably represents the definitive chronology of computer graphics' evolution. The resource's 500 pages belie the mundane name and cover by chronicling numerous advances marking the historic progression of computer graphics-from the pre-mechanical days of the 1940s to the archaic, punch card-based leviathan units of the 1950s and `60s, to the sleek and potent desktop workstations of the late `90s. (The book was published in 1999.)

   With the ambitious aid of 97 other industry sources, Masson begins the book by defining "color and light," "painting and graphic design," "modeling," "animation," "rendering," "compositing" and "input & output" terms alphabetically, per section. Processes, programs, properties, rules, companies and more are clearly defined during this first section, accompanied by applicable screenshots, diagrams, quotes and informational tidbits. For the purely artistic members of the digital art community, this material doubtless will prove dry and unpalatable. But for those having more of a technical and scientific bent, this comprehensive industry reference is a fascinating excursion into the intricacies that help materialize the eventual pretty, pixelated pictures so many of us enjoy producing and admiring. Learn what "pixel" denotes ... who invented the Phong shading method ... what "pixmap" means ... the origin of the omnipresent teapot icon ... the beginnings of morphing ... who started Atari ... the conception of ILM ... the significance of SuperPaint ... and much more. It's all here.

   Section 8, "Historically Significant Companies," really is the beginning of the salivating learning experience, though, introducing readers to pioneering companies and people whose prosperous contributions have nursed CG through its proverbial growing pains. Some of today's popular and recognized field leaders appear, such as Industrial Light & Magic and Robert Greenberg and Associates, and they're graced by numerous lesser-known but equally essential precursors. Remember the 1979 feature film The Black Hole? Think Abel Image Research and Robert Abel & Associates. Recall 1984's The Last Starfighter? Think Digital Productions. The list and sundry, voluminous details are phenomenal.

   The second portion comprising stellar, historically intensive reading, Section 11, "Computer Graphics Timeline," lists and delineates all key advances in the industry, throughout the 20th Century's final half.

   On the downside, some of the quotes by CG experts seem to ramble, are inapplicable or just plain too long, but they appear to represent Masson's method for best expressing these individuals' contributions to the digital art community-or just relating arguably interesting events. (Besides, art often is about storytelling, anyway.) The text also is somewhat outdated, having been printed three years ago. But this does not diminish the paperback's essential overall value.

   As for the seemingly innumerable industry term definitions, these provide industry professionals -and interested hobbyists-with a valuable reference resource. They also remind the reader that, despite all the creativity involved in generating digital art, CG's undergarments are math and science. It's always technicality before imagination.

   Quite simply, if you're genuinely interested in computer graphics as an artistic medium, and you value the learning experience, CG 101: A Computer Graphics Industry Reference is a must-read. All told, this undoubtedly is among the most interesting titles-of any kind-this reviewer has ever read. (No kidding.) Assuming you possess the technical interest in these details, you'll find yourself perusing this gem night after night, until you've marked your last highlight with a neon felt tip and a corner page fold. (I tallied 14 page folds and 39 blue highlight markings in my copy.)




5. I bought this book for Computer Graphic Course for Animator class, and I found it really valuable because I wanted to learn much about history of computer softwares like painter, photoshop,and Maya. Anyways, this book is superb! This book is highly recommended for anyone who is interested in working in Entertainment industry.

5 comments about Linux iptables Pocket Reference.

1. This book is written for linux/unix sysadmins, not programmers. The topic of iptables is intimately related to guarding a network against intruders. A sysadmin task. Plus, the compact, pocketbook size lends itself to a common scenario.
   
   You're a harried sysadmin in the machine room of your company, surrounded by racks of computers and cabling. Equipment everywhere and little room for you to prop up a regular sized text on intrusion detection. Quite possibly, the master console is some cheezy old monitor that you got stuck with. Or even worse, it is just a terminal. If the latter, it's really awkward to do a man on iptables and also run it, especially if you're in real time mode against an active intruder. In other words, what this book is ideal for.



2. 'Linux iptables Pocket Reference' is an important and sorely needed reference to iptables, the interface to the Linux packetfilter used by System Admins to create firewalls, NAT routers, transparent proxies, and other 'magical' network devices. While not a tutorial, it offers good advice for those with a grasp of basic networking concepts, and a good notion of what a firewall is and what it is used for, in a dense and concise format. Sufficiently detailed information about the protocols involved obviate the need to keep additional references at hand, and make the work relatively self-contained. This should not be the first book you read about firewalls or tcp/ip, but if you are a networking professional, a technically oriented user, or just interested in creating special purpose network devices, this book belongs in your library. Those familiar with iptables will especially appreciate the lucid description of packet flow through the tables and chains, and the supporting diagrams ... they alone are worth the price of purchase.
   
   If you have need for a book on the topic, you will not be disappointed with this one.



3. Linux iptables Pocket Reference is a great book.
   
   there is a dearth of info on Linux iptables, and this pocket reference is a great book!!



4. Concise and very handy. Guides like these aren't meant to be a complete reference on iptables. Yet, the author managed to pack quite a bit into such a small book. 82pages from page 1 to beginning of index.
   
   21 pages to theory and operation -- connection tracking, accounting, NAT, SNAT, DNAT, Transparent Proxying, load balancing, and stateless/stateful firewalls.
   
   The next 61 pages are a command reference to iptables. It is in the command reference that you shall find interesting little nuggets like:
   
   1) How to rate limit incoming traffic. Specific examples provide for allowing only 10 pings per second.
   
   2) How to setup IP pools to match source and/or destination addresses. Instead of writing a line for each IP or netblock, throw the addresses into a pool and write a line for each pool.
   
   3) How to match multiple ports on the same line.
   
   and so on.
   
   Worth every penny. Lives up to O'Reilly name. Would recommend for every Linux sysadmin.



5. Last year, I was forced to become a fly-by-night system administrator. I worked for a small, local startup as its web developer, but was thrust into a sysadmin role when my boss decided to host a website on a server in our office. I was developing the site on our Ubuntu server, but was learning how to secure the server on the fly. This reference, out of all the other books I read and sites I visited, had the most bang for the buck.
   
   It's short and sweet. It describes what you should know, and gives you a reference for dealing with iptables syntax, and that's it. No flowery text, no colored pictures. Just simple "This is how to do X."
   
   If you're a sysadmin, especially if you're just getting your feet wet, get this book. It's cheap, it tells you what you need to know, and it fits in your pocket. What's not to like?

5 comments about Photoshop Elements 3 For Dummies.

1. Okay... Altho i am getting better, I still am not very savvy on the computer. Because of this book my friends think I am a photo guru!!! This book is soooo easy to understand and the example pictures are a big help. I am having so much fun!!! I highly recommend this book for beginners.



2. I've had Photoshop Elements for some time but was only scratching the surface on what it could do. This easy to read book has shown many, many functions to me that has made the money spent on the software much more of a value to me. I've jumped around chapters to focus on what was most important to me. Don't feel you need to sit and read cover to cover - start with what you want to learn. At times a boring subject the authors fit in humor.



3. I have six books for Photoshop Elements 3. This one is the best of the lot. Written so I can understand it. Unlike the others, this one does not assume that I am already an expert on the program. If I knew what the others assume I know, I wouldn't need their books.
   
   Let's hear it for the Dummies.



4. I got rid of both the full-fledged Photoshop and PhotoShop Elements from my hard drives, so I'm a biased reviewer. The programs are needlessly complex and counterintuitive, but this book is helpful. I tried PhotoShop Elements 5 and got rid of it, too. Too slow, too stupid. But the "Dummies" series is helpful if you want to invest in the learning curve.



5. I am excited to learn how to edit photos. I am just a beginner, so this book is good as it is at my level.

3 comments about Game Development Essentials: Game Story & Character Development.

1. As a student in interactive writing for video games, this book is a must-have!



2. This comprehensive guide is an excellent resource for anyone interested in game design and story writing. It systematically details all of the elements necessary to good storytelling, framing them in the context of various video game genres. The conversational style is engaging and easy to read, with numerous examples illustrating each concept. Review questions and prompts at the end of each chapter provide a variety of opportunities to work with the ideas and put them into practice. This is a must-read for all students of game development and anyone interested in honing their storytelling skills.



3. This book would have been nice if it had more practical tips on story and plot development and innovative examples on how to create interesting characters. But at least 50% of the book just describes what is common sense and stuff that you know already if you are interested in this topic. Also most of the thrown-in comments from people in the industry are just the obvious blather and no really useful tips. Everybody keeps telling you how storytelling for games is different from storytelling for film and TV but none of them give you any innovative examples on how to approach creating ideas for your game or creating intricate plot layouts and interesting character backgrounds.

2 comments about Macromedia Studio 8 Step-by-Step: Projects for Flash 8, Dreamweaver 8, Fireworks 8, and Contribute 3.

1. This book really leads you step by step -- without explaining much, to the point that you don't know why you're doing things or how to use the applications when trying to create your own webpage (you're fine as long as you're doing the exercises in the book). If you're an absolute beginner, choose something else.



2. Very good, clear step-by-step instructions for beginning Studio 8 users. It could use a little more explanation on the use of CSS, but overall a very useful book.

3 comments about Flash Journalism: How to Create Multimedia News Packages.

1. Finally a flash book that does not just show you how to make a ball bounce across a stage!
   
   This is the book I recommend to aspiring multimedia journalists.
   
   If you are a journalist who wants to go toward the online realm this is the book to buy, read and learn from -- I have always sent folks to Mindy McAdams' web site in the past -- now this new book she has done is even better.
   
   Seth M. Gitner
   Multimedia Editor
   (...)



2. This book is excellent. It has a mission and it executes it well. Its mission is to teach people to use Flash to communicate their ideas through images, words, and if necessary, sound. The book is structured with an introduction to communicating effectively followed by 10 progressive lessons for using Flash to accomplish the stated mission. The 3rd part of the book presents 6 case studies, real live examples of Flash in action. These case studies discuss the issue at hand, the approach that the designers, producers, and developers took to solve their problem, plus a technical tip that we all encounter when building Flash applications. An Appendix is included with additional information, such as preloaders, swf management, and video. The companion website takes this book from 5 stars to 10 stars. This is one of the best technical books I have ever read. It never looses sight of its mission. It marries technical technique to a functional objective.



3. Very clearly explained for people who have no experience in flash. However, it didn't get me all the way to where I wanted to be. I wanted to produce an audio slide show that featured a) faded transitions, b) synchronization to the audio track, c) seamless loading on the user's end, and d) dynamically loaded content for ease of re-use. Although the book teaches a, b, c and d individually, it never puts them all together; the "final project" doesn't incorporate syncronization or seamless loading, and the audio-sync slide show it teaches doesn't have dynamic content or faded transitions. However, I feel well equipped to pick up a more thorough flash book to take me the rest of the way, and I'm glad I started with this one (a more general starter book would likely have covered topics of no use to me, like advanced animation et cetera).

5 comments about Foundations of GTK+ Development (Expert's Voice in Open Source).

1. A textview widget in python had me stumped, but no longer. Anyone wishing to tackle GTK+ programming should buy this well organized and excellent book. It is well worth it.



2. I got this book a few weeks ago and found it to be well written and to the point.



3. FINALLY... a great book on GTK+.
   Easy to follow and understand, great example, great explanations...
   
   Usually I dislike the writing styles in Apress publications, but this is a definite winner. For the first time I can say I actually understand and can effectively use GTK+.



4. I picked up this book to help me develop an application knowing absolutely nothing about GTK+ programming and it was beyond helpful. Excellently written, not to mention many code examples showing how to use the GTK+ library properly and efficiently. This book gives you the tools and the understanding for building your own applications and not just re-creating the examples given to you.
   I highly recommend this book to anyone programing in C and want to learn how to use the GTK+ library along with the GLib and Pango libraries. This is one book I'm not going to let go of.



5. I wanted to like this book, but unfortunately I cannot in good conscience give it 5 stars as the other reviewers have.
   
   I will say the book is well organized and is definitely useful as a starting point for studying GTK+ and the author clearly has a great deal of knowledge about the subject. But what should have been the main strength of the book that differentiates it from the mostly inadequate online tutorials is the author conveying to the reader straightforward explanations of important concepts and insider tips and tricks that can only come from extensive experience. He tries to do this, but I found many of his explanations ambiguous and confusing. Important terminology was left undefined or poorly defined which contributed to the confusion.
   
   The author dutifully plods through a presentation of most of the main widgets, providing essentially the same trivial example code each time with minor variations- basically just showing how to put the widget onscreen. But there was a frustrating lack of material devoted to how to use signals and events to perform any useful tasks. The vast majority of the functionality of any GUI application lies in its event handlers and callback functions. After reading this book, you will be able to prototype the GUI for your application, but you may be at a loss to make it actually do something.
   
   By Ch.3 and 4, the same example code has been replicated so many times that there is an increasing frequency of copy-paste errors that gradually becomes very annoying. Also, there are many typos in the text. The lack of editorial oversight and technical review on the part of the publisher combined with the author's lack of attention to detail and failures in exposition has created a book that I can only marginally recommend- mostly because all of the other books that have been published on GTK+ are either out of date or out of print, so this book seems to be the winner by default.

4 comments about Master VISUALLY Dreamweaver 8 and Flash 8 (Master VISUALLY).

1. I am a total novice to Dreamweaver - only my desire to learn exceeded my knowledge. Having read many previous books on the subject I was becoming quite depressed at getting nowhere. I found this book informative where I needed it to be, easy to follow and the only Dreamweaver Book that guided me to success. I now even have a job updating web pages thanks to what I learned in this book. I highly recommend it for all ages. My son is now referencing from it as well. Learning Flash 8 is a blast as well.



2. The book presents Dreamweaver and Flash in a way that makes the programs easier to learn than from other books. It becomes a great reference to easily find specific tasks you have forgotten later. Master Visually Books
   are teriffic for learning a new program like Photoshop also.



3. I learned more from this book than I did from the course I took at an online college. I could have saved the $2,000 and taught myself.



4. This book is not well laid out. The index does not separate Flash from Dreamweaver topics. Over all, I'd give it a C+ Since I am fairly proficient at Dreamweaver, I can't really comment on how a beginner woud see that part of the book. Oh, and it's NOT that visual! Lots of crowded text.

4 comments about The Art of Stop-Motion Animation.

1. I was curious about stop-motion animation and decided to invest in this book. I have to say that is very useful and well explained. The examples are great and the book guides you step by step on how to get started. It is worth the money.



2. I ordered this book and am very impressed. While on the way to the book store Christmas Eve, with a nasty ear ache, on the phone, and very content, I called the bookstore in advance to pull anything off of the shelf for my purpose. When asked to check for books about stop-motion animation, I was told that there is a book on 'the art of stop-motion animation'. I said order it. There I was driving to the book store to do the usual checking the shelf, to look in the arts section (for my intended mission) on clay animation, or puppets.... anything about stop-motion animation?, I asked. Yes. Order it I said. I have the book now. And I have not put the book down since. My goal is to learn how to make puppets like the one in Rudolph, and all the Rankin & Bass specials. I got a lot more from this book. It is right in line with everyting you will want to know about stop-motion animation. The author has the passion for the art. Extensive background on the history of rare antiquated movies in the art and also contact with very recent directors and producers from movies like 'Corpse Bride' and 'The Night Before Christmas.' Also within this book is golden information from those who have private studios and offer courses with valuable knowledge in the field of puppetry for stop-motion animation. The book is easy to read, very informative from what is needed to film, how to animate, and even interviews with teachers, and Professionals within this field. It is an art that will survive and will continue to, even along side CG (Computer Graphics). It is almost like a class college book,(regarding the lay-out and the interviews with associates-a special bonus added!), yet is so simple to ready. The author speaks like he is talking. It is and continues to be a very special treasure! The author even includes classes one can take a professional colleges. I find it fascinating and one that I will keep.
   
   Hats off to this author!!! Now -- in persuit those who are serious in entrepreneurial venture, or hobby.



3. to see some of my friends mentioned in this book, as well as a couple of sites I frequent regularly. Everything, right down to the stopmotion software I use is presented in this book, and the author is a nice guy, very quick to write back, and supportive of raw talents in stopmotion. Great teacher, great book!



4. First, I must say that the book's cover was designed good enough, and previous reviews in this page, were so appealing that made me expect a little more of stop-motion movie related examples than what I found.
   
   However,basic and rough exercises through the book (and the CD-ROM)are useful enough for any stop- motion beginner to keep him/her motivated without expecting outrageous results.
   
   The book offers also some interesting data through the appendix section. I believe it's a good starting reference, but not outstanding alone.
   
   If you are interested for more in depth stop-motion references, check this other titles available from amazon. I believe you wont be decieved:
   
   Books
   
   *Stop Motion: Craft Skills for Model Animation (Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation) (Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation) by Susannah Shaw.
   (Full of average difficulty stop-motion tips and exercises)
   
   * Stop Motion: Passion, Process and Performance by Barry J C Purves
   (A really passionate book about stop-motion, its origins and particular procedures through case studies and interviews. Fully recommended-)
   
   DVD
   
   There are a great number of commercial stop-motion DVDs through amazon U.S., but I really would like to recommend this less commercial title from amazon UK. I really hope it's still available by the time you read this (you could still find it in other european websites with international shipping services, but I believe this kind of information is banned in amazon):
   
   *Peter & The Wolf - Sergei Prokofiev
   DVD ~ Suzie Templeton
   (A must have!)

5 comments about Adobe Camera Raw for Digital Photographers Only (For Only).

1. This book is one of the reasons I have started shooting in RAW format. Another reason? Photoshop Elements and the free Camera RAW plug-in from Adobe.
   
   All in all, the text appears to cover pretty much everything you would really need to know about Camera RAW and how to use it to show your photos at their best.
   
   At times the illustrations don't clearly show the subtle changes that result from applying some of the optional settings, but that probably is more a function of the limitations of photo print reproduction in an affordable book.



2. Rob Sheppard has become one of the most prolific and well-received in the now crowded field of digital imaging authors and educators. Every writer has a style, and Rob's is simple and direct, avoiding hype and always seeking to communicate in the clearest possible manner regardless of the complexity of the topic.
   
   Really learning Adobe Camera Raw is not a simple task. There are many books on the subject varying in style from ponderous and mind-numbingly detailed, to once-over-lightly treatises that are mostly pictures and little substance. This book strikes a fine balance with accurate, colloquial, understandable discussion of the often highly technical details supported by ample illustrations and images to provide a visually appealing lesson that will tend to stick in your personal data bank. If you have no other books on Camera Raw, this would be an excellent one to start with, even if you are a "visual learning" person.
   
   This edition has numerous positive attributes. Its clear, concise, easy-to-read language cuts to the heart of complex issues, keeping them as non-technical as possible. Rob also avoids absolutes, suggesting that his opinion, as informed as it is, may not be the right answer for the reader. He points out there are often several different ways to accomplish a certain goal, and one method may suit an individual photographer better than another. One minor shortcoming is that the description of a task and its paired illustration sometimes wind up on different pages; this doesn't lessen the overall value, but it does make it a little harder to assimilate.
   
   One fine point worth noting is the discussion of sharpening during the Raw conversion. Anyone familiar with Bruce Fraser, PixelGenius, and PhotoKit Sharpener will want to study this section very carefully, for the "new" Camera Raw has incorporated some new sharpening features from this highly regarded plug-in that could make a real difference in achieving your highest quality output.
   
   Conclusion. Highly recommended. If Rob Sheppard writes it, it's bound to be good, and it is. Adobe Camera Raw is a fundamental cornerstone for the highest quality digital image processing for many top photographers, and this book, if studied carefully, will unlock most of Camera Raw's secrets. If you apply what you learn, you'll be able to take your photography to an entirely new level.



3. The subject of Adobe Camera Raw is covered well. There are some typos when talking about the controls in the Basic tab. In ACR version 4.* the Shadows adjustment has been renamed to Blacks. The author makes a point of discussing the change but then proceeds to call the control by it's old name, Shadows instead of Blacks.



4. Without a doubt this has been the greatest photography book that I have ever read; and I have an extensive library of other titles.



5. If like me, you have ever tried taking an adult education class at a local community college to expose yourself to a new topic, you might understand my experience with this book. The author has all the dynamism of a bottle of cold molasses. He is like the ham radio operator who somehow has landed a job teaching Introduction to Broadcasting in the local community college. He may have the passion and the knowledge, but it certainly doesn't come through. This book drags on and on without imparting the information. His style treads the borderline of being pontification. One must endure a full 100 pages of this 350 page book before getting to the meat of the subject and THEN, the author does not provide the images to work along with that first exercise. In fact, for the entire book, he has provided a total of 8 images to download and work with the text.
   
   Especially if you are an aficionado of the writing/teaching style of someone like Deke McClelland, you really need to save your money and look for another book on camera raw. I admit, i got no further with this book than page 125, and i'd sell it on Ebay if only i wouldn't feel guilty for ripping someone off by doing so. I'll donate it to the public library.