No comments about The Microwave Way to Software Project Management.

5 comments about Developing Personal Oracle 7 for Windows 95 Applications.

1. This has to be the worst book i have ever used. Besides the numerous mistakes and typo's each subject is covered so breifly that u might as well guess as to what to do. The books title is very misleading also. It says 'for windows 95' when a good part of the book is geared towards 3.11. I think that the only good use for this book would be to replace a broken leg on a couch.



2. I've been learning great thing from this book. Starts from basic to complex, explains everything a new person to Oracle wants to know.



3. If all you are interested in doing is learning Personal Oracle basics and SQL, THEN THIS IS THE BOOK! But if you already know SQL, then don't waste your money.When I needed this book, I was trying to automate Oracle with Visual Basic and it did not help at all.



4. This is a great book! I was former Webmaster and lead CGI programmer at a fortune 500 company and currently am development manager on a team writing and developing Oracle Web applications. This book is the most used Oracle book I own! I must have over a dozen Oracle books and this book rules! It is not advanced but 98% of the time I am able to get the information I need for what I am trying to do. The writer is a good teacher and one could use this to learn and become very proficient in the use of Oracle from a developemnt standpoint. Other critics here have said it is too basic and I agree it is basic but not too basic to be very useful. I heartily recommend this book to anyone learning Oracle or who needs a one volume easy to use reference for Oracle.



5. best book for oracle related person

No comments about Sematech: Saving the U.S. Semiconductor Industry (Kenneth E. Montague Series in Oil and Business History, No 10).

No comments about Information Communication Technology And Economic Development: Learning from the Indian Experience.

5 comments about Oracle PL/SQL: The Complete Video Course.

1. I bought the video expecting a better speaker. The woman who is the lecturer has a very heavy Russian accent, pauses often in mid sentence, blinks a lot and lacks dynamic presentation skills. The content seems ok, but a better presenter would improve the video greatly. Also, I can't understand why the cameraman doesn't center the camera.



2. A deft and knowledgeable hand who ably presents lean and well thought out material, Ms. Silvestrova avoids the trap of spending too much time attempting to create a glossy and slick presentation, and quickly gets down to the business of teaching PL/SQL. Her slight accent was melodious, and served to inject freshness into the teaching of a technical subject.

   I found this course not only highly satisfying, but also very effective in making PL/SQL an easily approachable subject. The emphasis obviously is placed on teaching a technical subject in a down to earth fashion, not on entertaining the audience with a glitzy set and air brushed actors. If the latter is what you want, better wait for the Walt Disney version (or buy one of the slickly produced competing PL/SQL videos on the market - this is experience speaking here). However, if you are a serious student, who seeks a sound introductory foundation and a solid immersion into the heart of intermediate PL/SQL, delivered by an apparently seasoned professional, then look no further. A+




3. Both this book and the similiar Oracle DBA book are magnificent. Each in their subject area is the most effective training books I've ever used, and I've had to read WAY too many in my career. The PL/SQL book gives superb examples- each example is a complete runnable block, not an excerpted fragment. So you don't have to flip all over the place to understand how the statements work together ot to test it out yourself. The book's diagrams are also very good. The explanation text is lucid and well organized. I really dont see how the books could be much better unless they could do a Vulcan Mind Meld!
   The video on the other hand is quite disappointing, really almost useless. I had real difficulty understanding the instructor. The pronunciation and mangling of english constructs results in a presentation that is very difficult to follow - especially considering you are trying to learn a difficult and complex technical subject. Buy the book (seperately), and you will have the best tool for learning PL/SQL short of a personal tutor. Makes the Complete Reference series seem like random monkey typing!



4. With over twenty years in large scale IT development using Java/C++/C/Assembly languages on HP-UX/Solaris/AIX/Windows 2000/NT platforms, but a neophyte with PL/SQL, I needed a PL/SQL package that would assume no background knowledge in PL/SQL, get me up to speed fast, and at the same time be comprehensive. In other words, I wanted everything. This package no only satisfied this need, but opened up new avenues of thought concerning approaches to database programming. The book is simply matchless (it should get 6 stars--an extra star for the terrific exercises that incorporate hidden pearls of IT wisdom), and yes I have perused others on the market. Ms. Silvestrova demonstrates that she is a consummate professional. The flow of the book, depth of the hands-on exercises, and scope of material is an inimitable combination. This so far may sound over-glowing, but a workman is worthy of her hire. I would recommend this package to any introductory or middle level PL/SQL student. If you desire to be a competent PL/SQL professional, look no further. If you desire to have a guide that provides you with a solid answer to specific types of PL/SQL problems, look no further. However, if you seek a slick product that spoon feeds you programming palaver (under the guise of teaching), fly you fool: you have many under-performing options available. The video is as effective as any video can be on a Sequential Non-Event Oriented and Non-GUI programming language. It provides a visual venue that reinforces and compliments what the student should have accomplished in the workbook. Let's avoid any petulance or semantic superciliousness: Yes, Ms. Silvestrova has a slight accent, but no more than how someone from Alabama would sound to a New Yorker or vice-versa. She is easy to listen to, and more importantly, easy to learn from.
   Buy it, try it, apply it!!!



5. One star is way to high of a rating for this book!! I bought this set hoping that I would get in-depth knowledge of the PL/SQL programming language. I was greatly disappointed. First of all, I have no clue how the author, Elena Silvestrova, got her job with Columbia University. The presentation material was read directly out of the book. She did not elaborate on any examples at all. Isn't that the point of a video course??? Many times she would read an example incorrectly and then move to the next slide then catch her mistake and go back to the previous slide to correct her mistake! The video was very unorganized and not edited well at all. You could pick the book up and literally read the entire video course with her. Elena Silvestrova has a very heavy accent and it's quite hard to make out what she is reading. Her presentation skills are very poor and she stumbles through sentences. You would be better off to just to skip this one as I have put mine back in box. I stopped this course after chapter four and had to come to this site and leave my comments.

5 comments about Oracle DBA Tips and Techniques.

1. Good books should have good binding. Good books that fall apart at the center become worthless books. My SQL developer's guide split in 2 with 20 pages falling out and then one of the halves split in 2 again so I now have 3 pieces of book with 30 or so loose pages.



2. A very comprehensive and good quality book. I agree with the previous reviewers that the book is a must-have for Oracle DBAs. I have found coverage on some critical areas of RDBMS management to be very helpful. It has added to my arsenal a lot of new and useful techniques. Also the information about Oracle 8i was helpful for me. I thank Sumit for taking the time to share with us this wealth of knowledge.



3. The scripts to accompany the book are not on the web site yet?? Come on Mr Sarin- get a move on.. Bind quality is very very POOR- Content of the book is good.



4. Concise chapters, clear and candid presentation makes it easy to read. Ready reference book always in the book shelf at the worksite. Scripts are missing on the web site mentioned in the book. It would be nice to have them. It will be a good investment on the book.



5. The content of this book is very much outdated and is very much behind current technology.
   This is a waste of money and time.

2 comments about The Info Mesa: Science, Business, and New Age Alchemy on the Santa Fe Plateau.

1. This is a well researched, well written, interesting book about scientists in Santa Fe developing entrepreneurial start-ups based on complexity science. The science and business combination is fun and wide ranging. It belongs to a genre of books about the Santa Fe Institute, of which Michael Waldrop's Complexity is one of the earliest and best. Many of the characters are the same in both books. My criticism of the Info Mesa is that much of it reads like publicity hype. It overstates the scientific accomplishments of the Santa Fe Institute and the importance of complexity research. It overstates the health of the tech business climate in Santa Fe. It romanticizes the people who work at SFI. It romanticizes the town in which they work. The descriptions of Santa Fe are so over the top as to be laughable to those of us who live here. Not even our tourist brochures hype Santa Fe so well. So, in conclusion, the Info Mesa's story isn't really so. All of you should just stay home, and leave Santa Fe to those of us who got here before you. ;-)



2. Ed Regis is an exceptional writer.

   This book is actually based on research, or least we anticipate a journalist's report of details. If you read his earlier book Mambo Chicken and the Transhuman Condition you might choke on a few missing details. Ever hear of a transhuman? Regis applied this title grabbing "transhuman" to a few people who didn't know what the word was, let alone meant.

   Regis' use of "transhuman" was wide of the mark. His writing was marginalized when he neglected to point out the transhuman futurists in Los Angeles. Even one who coined the term, let along with a hundred others. At least they called themselves transhumans, unlike the Silicon Valley geeks. But then Wired magazine appealed to Silicon Valley and LA was Hollywierd. Sounds like Regis was noshing his editors at Wired.

   At least Regis is moving in an interesting direction with alchemy, can't factualize that.

   Roy Whitman

4 comments about Bill Gates: The Path to the Future.

1. If this book is called The Path to the Future, why does the author spend so much time talking about the past? The book contains boring histories that everyone already knows, plus a lot of filler and no actual insights. Don't waste your time.



2. This book is definitely not worth reading. The premise is misleading (it is hardly in-depth), writing is poor (I found numerous typographical errors), all views are strongly biased towards Gates, and none of the author's arguments are supported sufficiently.



3. This book is a great book. It is a condensed version of his life... Instead of reading too much into boring details you get the quick fast pace version in a great, easy to read novel. The author has obviously done great research of his subject. Do not listen to these other reviews which are obviously from people who hate Bill Gates. Below you will find my summary and analysis of this book:

   Bill Gates is probably one of the smartest and most successful men of our time, maybe of all time. This book is the summary of Bill Gates' path to success and the history of how our society became dependant on computers and of course Microsoft. How did Bill Gates become the richest man ever know? What Challenges did he face? All is revealed about the man behind Microsoft, the company that changed how we live.

   Bill Gates is a genius that is probably smarter than anyone you will ever know. Here is the story that will show you his inner workings. Interesting combinations of unique personality characteristics that this man has is what has made him the success he is and is explained to you in this story.




4. This book is a great book. It is a condensed version of his life... Instead of reading too much into boring details you get the quick fast pace version in a great, easy to read novel. The author has obviously done great research of his subject. Do not listen to these other reviews which are obviously from people who hate Bill Gates. Below you will find my summary and analysis of this book:

   Bill Gates is probably one of the smartest and most successful men of our time, maybe of all time. This book is the summary of Bill Gates' path to success and the history of how our society became dependant on computers and of course Microsoft. How did Bill Gates become the richest man ever know? What Challenges did he face? All is revealed about the man behind Microsoft, the company that changed how we live.

   Bill Gates is a genius that is probably smarter than anyone you will ever know. Here is the story that will show you his inner workings. Interesting combinations of unique personality characteristics that this man has is what has made him the success he is and is explained to you in this story.

5 comments about Oracle and Open Source.

1. Hardly, and after taking a look at this book you will agree.

   This book is perfect for anyone that wants to investigate the use of Open Source tools with their Oracle databases.

   Finding out what is available, what is useful, what is available, where to get it and how to install it can take a great deal of time.

   There is a lot of useful Open Source software available for use with your Oracle database, and though I am a proponent of Open Source software, I will readily admit that it is not all good.

   I've given up in exasperation with more than one Open Source tool that would not compile, promised more than it delivered, or simply did not work.

   There is though a large collection of Open Source tools that do work, and work well.

   What Andy Duncan and Sean Hull have done is compiled an encyclopedia of Open Source tools that do work, and work with the Oracle database.

   This book is much more than just a list of Open Source software. Sean and Andy tell you where to find each application, how to install and configure it, and how to use it.

   Need to know the different connection methods for Oracle and JDBC? You'll find it here.

   How about using Oracle, Apache and JServ? It's in this book.

   I thought myself fairly well versed in what Open Source tools were available for Oracle, that is prior to seeing this book.

   Some excellent Oracle specific tools are here that I was not aware of previously. In fairness to me though, I know of at least one not in the book. :)

   Oracle & Open Source is a well thought out and well executed guide that belongs on the desk of every Oracle DBA, Architect and developer that wants to get a jump start on using Open Source software with Oracle.




2. Oracle for quite some time now has embraced Open Source technology and as a result there are a number of Open Source tools that can be used with Oracle databases. This book takes a look at all of them. Starting off with a brief "history" of how Oracle and Open Source software have combined to build a number of Oracle applications, how Tcl, Perl, and Python have played a part and how to install them, building web-based Oracle apps, how Java, GNOME, and GTK+ also are involved with Oracle software, even a brief mention of how Linux & Oracle work together.

   There is a wealth of good open source programs around for use with Oracle and this book gives a detailed explanation of how to install and use all of them to your advantage.




3. Found this book very useful and a real eye opener for those who like myself believed that all your Oracle goodies coming from Oracle Corp. A set of Open Source tools and applications described in this book is amazing. In particular, DB Prism/Cocoon is something that I jumped in right away. Whether you are DBA, developer or just a plain user of Oracle databases, you will find something that will benefit you/your business. Money well spent.



4. I find the content exciting and very educational. I am a developer in the corporate enviroenment and mainly use mainstreem software. But this book opens a new world of knowledge and experties. The URL's are up to date and you can learn and explore what ever you like in the book extensively. It is useful stuff and can bring new skills to your CV.



5. If you've come from the Oracle mainstream like me, you're probably not even aware of the breadth of open source apps and tools that can be used with the database. You may have had an inkling from the porting of Oracle to Linux, and Oracle's adoption of Apache and modules such as mod_perl, but that's only the surface.

   When I first spied "Oracle and Open Source" by Andy Duncan and Sean Hull, I was so intrigued that I had to buy it. I couldn't believe that there was enough out there to write a book on. How wrong I was.

   The two authors have done an excellent job of collecting information on:

   * Programming environments, tools, languages (Python, Perl, Tcl, Tk)
   * Database maintenance tools - including Orac, Oddis (Tk);
   * Web-based monitoring tools for Oracle (such as Karma, Oracletool) and the network too (Big Brother)
   * Plus Open Source Java apps (even the Java isn't open source itself), Gnome/GTK+ and more.

   The book's aim is to introduce you to the rich range of technologies rather than being the definitive reference. It provides enough to get the tools installed and to set you on your way. And once you're up and running, the authors list the web pages and books that will take you to the next level. I never knew so much was available, but with the groundswell of support from the Open Source community as evidenced on the Internet and in this excellent book, I'm learning fast.

5 comments about Sams Teach Yourself Oracle 8I on Windows Nt in 24 Hours (Teach Yourself in 24 Hours Series).

1. This book is very good value. Easy to read and understand and gives a lot of information to jumpstart using Oracle on Windows NT. A number of useful tricks are provided on how to use Windows NT effectively. Lot of good examples.



2. The book is very poorly written, and is not useful at all. Please don't get fooled by the other "reviewer's" five star rating. If you must buy this book, I would urge you to go to a bookstore/library and browse through the book and decide for yourself. There are too many good books on Oracle out there to waste your money on this.



3. Sadly I found this book to be next to useless. Learn Oracle in 24 hours, HAH. First of all, this book wastes more time talking about NT than it does about actually installing Oracle and connecting clients. In fact it provides only an explanation of the GUI install wizard and only a beta at that. By the way everything explained here is available in the Oracle documentation. If you install Oracle according to this book don't plan on using the client from which to work. If you get lucky you will connect, if not this book provides no help. As a matter of fact I have found very little information on Net8 connections in any book. Well I could go on, but don't waste your money if you are new to Oracle.



4. The 5-star reviews are wrong. This is not a good book. There are no useful examples. The installation information is non-informative. All screen shots are from Oracle 8.1.3 Beta. Coming from an SQL Server background, this book was a waste of $30. Unfortunately, I don't have a suggestion for a better book.



5. It can't even help me in setting up a useful Oracle 8i in my system. I have managed to setup the Oracle 8i on my system and able to interact with it with the help of the following Oracle8 for Dummies and Oracel8i for Dummies. The dummies' explanations are much clearer and more organized. At the end, I have donated this book to the charity.