5 comments about Oracle8 DBA: Performance Tuning Exam Cram (Exam: 1Z0-014).

1. The performance tuning exam is the toughest one in the 8 track, primarily because the score required to pass is higher.

   This book covers almost everything you'll see on the exam. I would not have been able to pass without it. Well worth the money!




2. If you have had some experience in actually doing performance tuning, but are fuzzy about a lot of situations, then this book will clear those confusions. But if you are a novice in Oracle, and has never really done actual DBA work, you will have to look elsewhere for more comprehensible reading material. At times, the book digresses a bit from the real "syllabus", but that is in fact helpful if you wish to become a knowledgeable DBA, NOT just a certified DBA.



3. I don't think there is any important topic that this book doesn't cover. Very good reference of the most important Oracle performance-related dynamic views (can be very useful not only for the test, but equally for DBA job-related tuning tasks afterwards) and a good collection of sample questions. I think the book can also be used for the Oracle8i Performance Tuning test (at least until the 8i Tuning Exam Cram comes out).



4. I failed my first Oracle8 performance tuning exam almost a month ago. I found the questions cover many things that I had no idea of. Then I bought this book from a local book store and started reading it. Although it contains some errors and some of the paragraphs need to be read more than once to get the meanings, the tips and notes that the book provides are very useful. Someone like me who has no experience in any database software can pass this test with help from this book only (53/61). I'm now officially an Oracle 8 DBA! Thanks!



5. You can find all chapters taken from revealnet (now: quest) oracle knowleadge expert program, which evaluation version you can download for free. Explenations in the book are not clear. Do not try to use this book for preparation for Oracle8i exam - it will be waste of money. Many parameters are made obsolete in Oracle 8i, which this book describe. Moreover - there are mistakes (eg: how you call tkprof?). My advice: search for something else.

No comments about Oracle Workgroup Server Handbook.

No comments about Legal Care for Your Software/Book and Disk.

5 comments about Oracle PL/SQL Programming: Guide to Oracle8i Features.

1. In the preface of this book Steven announced that he is developing the third edition of his well-known book "Oracle PL/SQL Programming" that will cover Oracle8i. I hope he'll postpone this release until Oracle9i hits the market so he can cover this major release too. In the meantime I think this book is perfect supplement to PL/SQL series from O'Reilly. Even if you don't follow Steven series on PL/SQL (which I doubt if you're Oracle developer on planet Earth ;-) you'll find this book more than adequate resource for quick reference on all major Oracle8i PL/SQL features. I particularly liked chapters on invoker rights, native dynamic SQL, fine-grained access control and new trigger features. If you're not familiar with these terms then you'll be glad that you read this book! The only (minor!) deficiency that I found in this book was what Steven is calling "breath of fresh air" approach to examples that will help us engage with the technical material. Perhaps I could better relate to the examples about USA health care, gun lobby or fairness of wage structures if I ever lived in the states. Steven, if you're reading this please go back to old boring emp/dept examples or pick somehow less distract full examples.



2. I particularly needed the chapters on NDS and Bulk Collections - also good is the TUSC book Advanced PL/SQL Tips and Techniques. How unusual to find a programmer with a political conscience, not just another self-centered, workaholic, money-hungry, vacation in the Bahamas type ;> I found it refreshing.



3. I have been working with Oracle for serveral years. We recently upgraded to Oracle8i from Oracle7. I found this book to be very useful in quickly getting up to speed on the new features of Oracle8i. I found the chapters on Built-in packages and fine-grained access control to be particularly useful.

   I agree with another reviewers comment that more should have been done with Java. Perhaps, Java rates a book of its own.

   I hope Mr. Feuerstein will produce a similar book for Oracle9i.




4. Pro: Great reference for Oracle 8i PL/SQL, a bit lacking in the Java side, but for the rest is really good.

   Con: Mr. Feuerstein should leave politics out of the book. He has the right to hold any political view, which by the way I don't subscribe to, but this was supposed to be a technical text that should help readers all over the world, not only those in Berkley who vote left wing.

   Next time he better stick to the usual, neutral and actually more useful, examples.




5. would gave this book 4 stars if it wasn't for the bad political jokes and awkward plaements of them such as 'in code'. I recommend Oracle PL/SQL by Benjamin Rozenweig(it even features an actual database to perform against.) Please keep in mind this recommendation is for beginners.

No comments about SOFTWATCH INTRODUCES SRS 2.2, OFFERING SUPPORT OF ORACLE; GIVES HEALTH COMPANIES NEW E-BUSINESS FLEXIBILITY.(Product Announcement): An article from: Software Industry Report.

5 comments about Oracle 8 Troubleshooting.

1. As an Oracle dba, I found this book to be of little, if any, value. I suggest you try to find a copy in a bookstore and look it over before you buy it. Unless the Oracle Applications section of the book is helpful (my company doesn't use the product, so I skipped this section), I can't imagine who would actually use the material in this book.



2. THIS BOOK DOES NOT GIVE CONCISE AND TO THE POINT ADVICE ON VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ORACLE 8. TOO MUCH USELESS INFORMATION, WHICH MAKES FINDING SOLUTIONS TO VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ORACLE 8 HARD. THE BOOK WAS ACTUALLY SUPPOSE TO BE WRITTEN AS A FILM STORY, BUT FORTUNATELY, HE MIXED SHOOTING WITH TROUBLESHOOTING AND AFTER THAT, HE ADDED ORACLE 8, WHICH BECOMES ORACLE 8 TROUBLESHOOTING. THE AUTHOR NEEDS TO HIRE A GARDNER AND TRIM THE BUSH.



3. This book is pretty good at taking care of some of the basic problems that can be seen with oracle products. One of the problems that I found with this book is that is not for a beginning DBA. There are many places in this text where the author makes assumptions that you the reader know what is going on. The other issue is that they try to cover trouble shooting on mutiple platforms and with many different oracle products. If I were the author I would have picked one platform and one product to focus on. Not really bad book, but it is a bit vague and does require an experienced DBA.



4. I would disagree that it should concentrate on 1 platform. I think it's strength is the multi-platforms. Also I would disagree that an experienced dba could only benefit. I think that there should have been more installation related issues that's all.



5. I found this book to be good for someone who is not totally new to Oracle, however is not all that experienced either. If you have about a year's worth of experience and would like to learn more about how to solve common problem's, this book is a good choice.

No comments about Advanced Oracle: Tuning and Administration; Make your database perform at peak level throughout its full lifecycle.

5 comments about PC Roadkill.

1. Reading this book (which I did in an afternoon, as I'm sure you also will), I was amazed to realize that, in about twenty years, we built not only a personal computer industry, but a true folklore, complete with tales for all kinds of subjects! Those of us old enough to remember will find the book deeply nostalgic. And all you "new kids on the block" will be amused at some of the things we used to consider "state-of-the-art"... Anyway, very, very funny (the old ads alone are worth the price of the book). A Must Buy!!!



2. This was one of the funniest books that I have ever read. It describes what really happens in the computer industry. From swimming in Lake BillG at Microsoft, (named after Bill Gate's e-mail address, BillG@microsoft.com) to the numerous hilarous code names and then final products (for example Marvel was a code name for The Microsoft Network, but after a threatening note from Marvel Comics, Microsoft changed it). If you really want to laugh, have a good time, and see what really happens inside the computer industry, this is the book to read.



3. Overall, I enjoyed an inside look at the history of how the computer industry got where it is today. Only a techno geek would like this book though. Luckily I happen to be one!



4. I love this book. I've reread it several times since I bought it. The stories are hilarious, the behind-the-scenes information fascinating, and it's fun to reminisce over products of days gone by. The book is sitting in my lap...I came to Amazon.com hoping to find a sequel...if you've been around computers for a few years, you must buy this book!



5. I absolutely loved this book. The included stories and easter eggs in software are great. I really like the pictures of shirts handed out at some conventions that are pretty funny. In short, the book rules and its worth it if you work in this computer industry. Even if your a word processor you'll find this book funny! (Joke!)

No comments about VALUECENTRIC USES ORACLE DATABASE FOR PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY.(Company overview): An article from: Worldwide Databases.

No comments about Netscape Time 6cpp W/ Easelback.