5 comments about Solving the PowerPoint Predicament: Using Digital Media for Effective Communication (Addison-Wesley Microsoft Technology Series).

1. This book is a comprehensive resource for professionals who plan and deliver presentations. It begins with the basics and progresses to the use of more advanced presentation tools. This book also offers practical advice and step-by-step instructions (with numerous graphics and screen shots), which makes it easy for readers to immediately implement the techniques outlined. I especially liked having additional resources listed at the end of each chapter.



2. Tom Bunzel has been an indispensable presentation coach to me for years. In person and in his books he has an uncanny way to bring out the best in people. This book puts in one place Tom's knack for making technical stuff easy while keeping readers focused on the subtle arts of using PowerPoint to make effective presentations. This is the perfect book for new or seasoned presenters to take their communications to a whole new place.



3. I do just enough presentations to know that I need to concentrate on improving my delivery and contents. I was excited to get a copy of Solving the PowerPoint Predicament: Using Digital Media for Effective Communication by Tom Bunzel. This is more than the typical "here's how PowerPoint works" book...
   
   Contents: Planning an Effective Presentation; Implementing Professional Design Principles; Creating Dynamic Visuals; Secrets of Animation and Navigation; Using Video and Audio Effectively; Powerful Presentation Tools; The Latest Technologies - Beyond PowerPoint to the Future; Delivering a Killer Presentation; Index
   
   Most books that talk about PowerPoint are tutorials on how to create one for your presentation. But realistically, nearly anyone can create a PowerPoint presentation with little effort. Whether it's effective or not is a vastly different story. Bunzel approaches the subject from the point of view of the presentation itself... what keeps an audience interested, what types of displays work to reinforce the message, etc. Once you understand what makes for a good presentation, it's much easier to decide what you should and shouldn't do in PowerPoint. Bunzel draws upon the experience of professional presenters, many who make their living using tools like PowerPoint to communicate to others. There are also a number of additional resources and recommendations for software you can add on to your presentation to make it stand out from others (photos, videos, software add-ons, etc).
   
   For me, I was surprised to see how much animation can add to a presentation. I've always avoided the cheesy fade-ins and animations that come with PowerPoint, as I was under the impression that they were more distracting than helpful. But after reading this book, I realize that I've been limiting the possibilities. This is one of those books that could make the difference between boring your audience or firing them up, between being a one-time speaker to being a repeat invitee...



4. Everyone in the business world (and probably in government, education, and all the others as well) uses powerpoint. But that is not to say that it is used effectively. PowerPoint presentations can be just about as boring, trivial, and useless as presentations made in any other way.
   
   This book is about how to make effective and hard hitting presentations. It is not a book on the mechanics of using PowerPoint, it is a book on using PowerPoint to communicate effectively. It teaches you to go beyond the normal bullets to tell a story that breaks through the barriers to reach the audience at all levels.
   
   To be sure, the book does include a lot of information on doing more sophisticated things than normal with PowerPoint including using third-party add ons to extend its capabilities.
   
   Recommended to anyone who makes presentations.



5. This is a great book. It showed me new tips to do in Power Point that enhances your look of your presentation. I learned a lot of valuable information I will use in the future. The book was easy to follow and the CD has all of the templates discussed in the book that you can use or copy. I would highly recommend this book to someone who wants to improve their PowerPoint skills.

1 comments about P Is For Palmetto: A South Carolina Alphabet Edition 1. (Discover America State By State. Alphabet Series).

1. This is a beautifully illustrated book and a lot of fun to read, but I was disappointed in the coverage of the state. Most of the alphabet is about the coast and especially Charleston. There is one letter about the entire upstate of South Carolina and a couple about Columbia.

5 comments about Linux Cookbook.

1. I wanted to become more experienced with UNIX so I had the Ubuntu distribution installed in my computer. I spent six months having a hard time getting simple things done until I came accross this book.
   
   It is organized in such a way that it is easy to get to do what you want/need and, what's better, the explanations provided give you insights on how UNIX works. After a while, you will find yourself doing new stuff on your own.
   
   If you want to get into UNIX but knows little about it my advice for you is: get this book and jump into LINUX - it is worth it!



2. ... which comes in real handy considering how often I reference it.
   
   Chapter 10 (Patching, Customizing, and Upgrading Kernels) and Chapter 12 (Managing the Bootloader and Multi-Booting) helped me recompile my kernel for the first time. Not only are the instructions clear, but the author also made sure to explain each step so I knew why I was typing a certain command. There's even a section on how to create an initrd image for SCSI drive users, which I had a hard time finding on the web.
   
   This book does an excellent job covering all the basics, and it's worth spending the time to read it from beginning to end. I certainly see myself getting a lot of mileage from it.



3. A well-organised and clearly written collection of useful commands and solutions to help one along with the often exasperating arcana of Linux. Covers all flavours and is a 'must have' book.



4. Because this is a "cookbook," it gives you recipies -- step-by-step instructions for performing specific tasks.
   
   This makes Linux Cookbook EXTREMELY useful when it has a recipie you need, and it often gives you a good starting point when you need to do something that isn't specifically covered.
   
   For example, let's say you need to setup a mail server, which you've never done before. As long as you're willing to use the mail tools she describes (which are perfectly good tools), then this book is the fastest way to get the job done. She also shows you how to make sure the server will be secure.
   
   I'm glad I have this book on my shelf, I recommend it, and I refer to it whenever I need to do something new in Linux. The problem is, you can't have a step-by-step recipie for everything. When this book hits the mark, it's the best book you can have, but you cannot rely on this as your only Linux book.



5. Excellent Linux book! Gives step by step answers to common Linux problems in a "Problem - solution" style way. I'm a tad disappointed in the SAMBA section, but that really is a topic deserving of a book of its own.

2 comments about Digital Character Animation 3 ([digital]).

1. George Maestri's Digital Character Animation 3 provides new artwork to pair with animator and writer George Maestri's insights on the theory and basic techniques of rigging, walk-cycles, lip-synch and more: all the elements which bring an animation to life. You don't have to have a prior background in digital animation to appreciate this guide, either: chapters offer both the basics of modeling and animation and progress to more advanced levels of applications and characterization, so all levels of users gain insights.



2. I enjoyed reading the book which gave me several options.
   
   I purchased the book before obtaining the software. Software is needed because it doesn't have a CD-Rom.
   
   I would highly recommend it!!
   
   Linda

5 comments about Massively Multiplayer Game Development 2 (Game Development).

1. there is very little detailed technical content in this book -- i mean, if you are a software developer, then a lot of this feels like fluff. i wanted a leg up on coding, and this isn't that book. it does provide a certain high-level overview, but it's not sufficient for "game development." for example, the discussions of server architect are interesting, but largely represent a kind of "we did this and were successful" summaries. if you wanted to move into this field, this book isn't an "open sesame." if you haven't thought much about the field and just want to get a feel for what the issues are, then the text is interesting but expensive.



2. To the game developer, the theory behind MMOGs can be a mystery. Often it is hit-and-miss and many developers can and do get it wrong. Great games can turn to dust because designers made critical mistakes.
   This book does NOT have all the answers!
   But it does pose a lot of questions and provides learned and thoughtful chapters written by some of the best game people in the business.
   
   Part one covers design techniques with eleven chapters in game theory.
   Part two explores engineering techniques including automated testing, data collection and analysis and anti cheat mechanisms.
   Part three gets into production techniques with eight chapters covering subjects from project management to providing online support.
   
   Its become my Bible of MMOG dev.



3. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS THE SAME REVIEW AS THE SEQUELS BOOK, THAT IS BECAUSE I CONSIDER THEM TO BE EQUALLY AS GOOD AS EACH OTHER.
   DON'T BUY ONE BOOK, GET THEM BOTH.
   
   As a games programmer I wanted to branch out into a MMG and this book was one of 4 that taught me everything I wanted to know.
   
   This book is split into 3 main sections; each section has several chapters about differant aspects of the MMP's. If you have any interest in MMP games you cannot help but to find most chapters helpful.
   I will admit that some chapters bored me and I skipped them, but the amount of helpful chapters there were more than made up for it.
   
   Each chapter has been written by a differant person and quick searches on google makes you realise that these people really do know their particular areas of expertise.
   
   James



4. The book is unlike typical computer graphics books that focus mainly at the source code level. Alexander has compiled an impressive set of essays, drawn from game programmers at several companies. It is an industry-wide summation of publicly available ideas for state of the art coding, circa 2005.
   
   Look, if you are hoping for tips on solving a specific coding problem, this may not be the best choice of books. Instead, the articles are more useful at the architectural design level, for a new multiplayer game. Some topics seem quite novel. Like applying graph theory to study and design a game. Including at the large ["macro"] level where you might be building a community, with economic facets. Graph theory also permits a way to classify different MM games, providing a unified and consistent view. Not the sort of thing you might expect to run into in a gaming text. But the complexities of building a MM world can be staggering.
   
   There are many more essays, touching on numerous aspects. You need to be an experienced game developer to fully appreciate this book. Which is not to say that the ideas here cannot ultimately find expression at the source code level. Just that you need to take a high level view.



5. As an experienced online game producer with one reasonably successful title under my belt I really felt that this book offered less in terms of game development knowledge than what can be freely and easily found on the internet.
   
   The book itself is a collection of essay-length chapters written by different authors regarding various aspects of online game design. I found that the length of these chapters is generally too long for simpler subjects and too short for more complicated topics.
   
   The authors aren't heavy-hitters from Microsoft, Sony, Blizzard, etc. Not that there aren't some great minds behind some of the articles, but I really felt that the majority of the articles were written by authors that didn't have nearly the amount of knowledge regarding these topics that I would expect. In particular there are a few articles from authors (some whose companies have a less than stellar reputation with their users) that contain some patently bad advice.
   
   Overall, I'd say the book is hit-and-miss, with more misses than hits. There are a few worthwhile articles, but not enough to justify the cost of this book. You'll get almost as much from reading the chapter list and spending some time thinking about the topics covered as you will from actually reading the chapters.
   
   I wouldn't recommend this book to a person of any level of experience in online game development. There are far better books on this subject out there.

5 comments about OpenGL(R) Programming Guide: The Official Guide to Learning OpenGL(R), Version 1.4 (4th Edition) (Networking Technology).

1. I've been working with graphics for about 5 years, using an abstracted library. When I had to take over the library, this book provided me an excellent introduction to the use of OpenGL. This book is very good for learning how to use OpenGL, and specific commands, and is presented in a relatively logical order. I keep a copy of this on my bookshelf next to a copy of the OpenGL Super Bible, which is a little better as a pure reference guide. Between the two (and MSDN) I can figure out pretty much any problem, one way or another.



2. When learning computer graphics, theory relies upon some sort of actual rendering environment to make life a lot easier for the programmer. This text helps to alleviate these problems by making the OpenGL architecture available in a structured way. The most positive aspects of the text are its pure devotion to teaching OpenGL as well as its copious, yet succinct examples provided for the presented topics.
   
   The text does not proclaim to be a full text for teaching computer graphics. It claims to be a guide to programming using OpenGL. It completely fulfills that claim. While it does not treat every aspect of OpenGL, the text presents the major topics which are important in writing programs that will render their 3D graphics using OpenGL. It progresses from simple topics through more advanced topics in a seemless way and also is noted in such a way that it functions as an excellent reference when memory alone can not remember syntax for rendering functions.
   
   The code provided with the book provides examples of topics that are presented but do not overwhelm the reader. It is an awful thing to buy a book and have it be predominantly code. Everything presented is succinct, expressing only the newly presented facets of OpenGL. This is grand when one wants to see how a given new topic may be implemented.
   
   It would probably be best to view this text as an ancillary text for learning computer graphics. It is important to remember that the mathematics and algorithms necessary for thorough graphics simulation are of prime importance. However, after the mathematics and algorithms are known, one must know how to perform the operations necessary to render their worlds in the context of a 3D rendering library. This book allows for learning that for the OpenGL rendering architecture.



3. This is a concise, easy to read tutorial and reference for OpenGL programmers. The examples are easy to reuse and short enough that they don't bog you down in irrelevant details. The book is well organized. You can read it cover to cover or just skip right to the topic that you're interested in.
   
   I found the section on the GLU tessellator invaluable. The chapters on viewing and lighting are the easiest to follow discussions of these topics that I've ever read.
   
   Programmers with no previous graphics experience will be able to follow this book and become productive with basic OpenGL operations.
   
   My only complaint is that it's not longer. It gives you enough information to get started and complete most tasks but won't answer your very specific questions. But there's plenty of information elsewhere on more advanced topics.



4. If you want to learn what is openGL and how to create 3d graphics using this library, this book is perfect. But if you need more, such as collision detection, 3d engine design, game programming ..., you should choose another book.



5. If you feel the need to know,this is the book for you to understand raphic programming language.Couple with the extesions handbok it is a complete coursework for graphics programming to be used anywhere visual
   manipulation and creatin is needed.

4 comments about Microsoft Office Visio 2003 Inside Out.

1. This book is what used to be called a "manual" that came "free" after you spent a few hundred dollars on software. If you are looking for a manual, this is a good choice, but if you want to learn how to use the program with this, please don't. The examples it showed were not consistent within the chapter, so you could not follow along by trying to try out the concepts after reading easily.
   I'll keep the book as a reference, but I'm a bit upset about spending money for it. I'll try the "Step by Step" book, but those are generally not very in-depth.



2. Very good general reference. Met my expectations and meets my needs.



3. good detail, nice glossary and defs. Easy to use and the quality of info is great.



4. I am always satified with the Inside Out Series, this book is very helpful for every level.

5 comments about Photoshop Elements 3: The Missing Manual.

1. I'm quite computer literate and have learned to use many computer programs, some of them quite complicated, just by exploring the program. Photoshop Elements isn't like that. You will barely scratch the surface of this powerful program if you don't get this book.
   
   Elements comes with very basic tutorials. If you want to unleash some of the power of this excellent software, you need to get this book. To really did deep, you'll probably need to do some digging yourself, but this book gets you started and shows you what direction to dig in.



2. I am not a total newcomer to photo programs so a book that goes beyond basics was what I was looking for. This book fills the bill. It is well written and fairly easy to understand. The book discusses most of the capabilities of Elements 3 and has great photos as examples for the text. I had a lot of fun applying the lessons to my photos. The only 'con' I have is that I would have liked greater explanation and detail for use of some of the features, for example historigram and gradients, but as a primer to a more advanced book it can't be beat.
   Adefinite "buy".



3. Since Adobe abandoned providing a written manual following Version 2, Brundage's book not only fills the missing manual need but also, provides an expanded guide with a wealth of helpful hints not found in most manuals. Adobe should use Brundage's style for any future manual they might provide, if they change their mind. Elements is too extensive and complicated an application to learn how to use it from the 'How-To' palette or Help button.
   Brundage begins by showing the reader around Elements, and then covers the setup, use and features of the Organizer. Recognizing that some Elements users don't like to use the Organizer or its associated Photo Downloader, she provides details of how to eliminate these features of the application.
   Moving on, the next sections cover the Tool Box, the art of Quick Fix, Selections, and Layers (the jack of the many trades in Elements). Other sections cover Retouching, RAW image adjustments, Filters and Artistic touches. The final segment of the book exposes the best procedures of Printing, Web authoring and Web Galleries and Slideshows. In addition, three appendices provide menu guides for the Organizer and the Editor menus and installation/troubleshooting this application. The author provides an insight in to how to stretch Elements towards the capabilities of its much more expensive parent, Photoshop.
   I consider my self a knowledgeable Elements and Photoshop editing user but have to admit I picked up some interesting tricks going through this book. It should be a must for any serious user of Elements. (Reviewed by MiltK)



4. This book outlined Photoshop Elements 3 very well. The writing was very understandable. If you want to do more with Elements 3, this book will definitely help.



5. Most of the reviews I've read were very positive. Unfortunately I did not find the book all that useful. It talks a lot about what Photoshop can do, but very little about how to do it. As far as a user's manual is concerned, it is still missing.

5 comments about Sams Teach Yourself Macromedia Flash 8 in 24 Hours (Sams Teach Yourself).

1. Hi all, first of all, I just want to thank all the people who had written the comments on this book. It had helped me a lot in making a decision in buying this book. Thanks.
   
   As for the book, I just got it. I am in Hour 2 and so far, it has helped me soooo much. I am new to Flash and I think this will be a great book for all the people who are new like me. I gave it a 4 stars rather than 5 since I haven't finished the book yet and can't comment on the whole book. But base on the first 2 hrs, I think once I am done with the book, my rating would be a 5 star.



2. I bought this book last month due to some good feedbacks. But when I read, it seems the book is too much unnecessary words just to make it look thick but the actual content is thin. I would recommend to learn from the help section of the flash program itself. It's much more clear and right to the point not like this book. From there then google up and you will find a lot of more better tutorials than this book and best of all, it's free!



3. It takes FOREVER to get to the point and many times there is repitition over the instruction. Sometimes in the same paragraph! A good book that gives information yes, but it could easily have been cut to a third the size.



4. Flash is a complex program with innumerable functions. Phillip Kerman breaks the program down into bite-size chunks and leads you through each one step by step. His explanations are concise and easy to understand and always followed immediately by practical exercises so that right from the outset you get your hands dirty creating things using the program. The absolute beginner will have a solid overview of the basic functions of Flash by the end of the book and be able to begin experimenting with a project. The book's well-organized structure and detailed index would also make it ideal as a reference tool for those who already have some knowledge of the program.



5. This book is awesome. Very easy to read & follow and quite informative. I was able to make a really cute flash within 2 chapters and 2 hours. I can't wait to see what I can do when I'm done.

2 comments about C Is for Centennial : A Colorado Alphabet (Alphabet Series).

1. This book is just wonderful. I loved reading it and enjoyed the illustrations. The illustrator got the feel of Colorado just right. Younger children will love the rhyming couplets, and will try to memorize them on the spot. Middle school children will find the sidebar texts interesting and full of fun facts about Colorado. As a Colorado resident, I especially enjoyed discovering the places and people the author featured. As an educator I feel this book would be a great addition to children's non-fiction collections at home and school and will appeal to kids ages 5-14.



2. "C is for Centennial" by Colorado native Louise Whitney is a wonderful and informative book about the beautiful state of Colorado-written in the alphabetical letter format. This delightful book celebrates Colorado's 100 plus years of statehood with rhymes and facts about selected Coloradoans, historical landmarks, natural resources, and even the state song. The text is creatively and well written, the corresponding illustrations are well chosen, complementary, and beautifully done, and the entire book is a treasure to read. Each new alphabetical letter that is introduced is so interesting that you want to immediately turn to the next page to see what the following letter represents!

   Many of the well-known sites (especially to visitors of the state) are represented, such as Mesa Verde, Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Four Corners, and the Royal Gorge. But you will be surprised by the numerous additional facts about Colorado that you didn't know about such as herbal teas, the poetess who wrote "America the Beautiful", rodeos, the Pony Express, and even bicycles! Bravo to Louise Whitney for her authorship and extensive knowledge and to Helle Urban for her lovely and life-like illustrations throughout the book and the cover. You can really see in reading Whitney's creative work that she holds Colorado close to her heart.

   This book is not only for children of all ages; adults will also enjoy the illustrations and facts about Colorado. It is a real treat to sit back and read about a state well traveled and loved by many. "C is for Centennial" is a splendid book that needs to be in homes and on the shelves of school and community libraries. It will prove to be a valuable resource book for students who may be assigned the task of writing a state report in their classrooms.