5 comments about Macromedia ColdFusion MX 7 Web Application Construction Kit.

1. Ben Forta has compiled an enormous amount of information on ColdFusion and put it into an easy to use format. One can go through the book in order to be walked through a complete web site construction, or use the chapter guide to find specific information to meet your needs. One side note; the book comes with a companion CD. Make sure that you get this also as it contains the last 4 chapters of the book.



2. Learning CF or getting more tips on how to improve a website, this author knows how to explain the process.



3. I am a beginning CS student and even though I don't have too much experience programing this book teaches CF in such a simple and easy way. Don't let the simplicity fool you though, though CF is simple, it's also very powerful.



4. I like this book, but it is way too big and I find myself looking for other things to do. It is just overwhelming, but it has a lot of good information.
   
   I really wish there were Quick Visual Pro Guides for CFMX 7 like in previous versions. It seems that no one wants to write anything for CFMX7.
   
   I would really like to see shorter versions of this book that works like a lesson plan.
   
   In all, I really do like the book and would recommend it (especially since it is the "only" book out there that has about every thing in it).



5. If your a CF developer you need this by your side. Alot of the step by steps are the same for version to version of this book but its got all the tags, and functions and their various attributes which is invaluable to your development.

5 comments about The Definitive Guide to Windows Installer (Expert's Voice in Net).

1. Many developers who write applications for a Microsoft operating system know all too well of installation hazards. The possibility of introducing DLLs that are incompatible with existing DLLs, for example. Plus lots more things that could fail. Wilson starts off his book with a listing of what could traditionally go wrong in an installation.

   Not to put too fine a point on it, but this was a wretched state of affairs. You typically had programming expertise in your particular field. But there should have been no a priori reason why this expertise should have to stretch to the installation process. Right?

   Wilson gives an alternative. He details how you can use Windows Installer to install and uninstall your application. The process is still nontrivial, mind you. Which is why we have a book of this length. But it shows how, if you fit your application within WI's strictures, then the entire install is now much easier and safer.

   Perhaps the single best advantage is that WI makes your install a transaction. Either it all works, or the install will fail and your system will be unaffected. Atomic. We have rollback ability.

   Those of you familiar with SQL and transaction processing will recognise this. Wilson shows that WI is in fact based on SQL tables and relational processing. Some people at Microsoft made a nice design! By undergirding the installation with SQL tables. It lets WI have an inner coherent structure, into which third party applications can fit, in a disciplined way. Plus, it allows the panoply of SQL queries. At the right level, it is an elegant approach.




2. Specifically designed and written on an intermediate to advanced user level, The Definitive Guide To Windows Installer by Windows expert Phil Wilson fully lives up to the promise of its title. This informed and informative "how to" manual will enable users to create windows installer setups for all categories of .NET applications ranging from Windows Forms, to Services, to Web projects, including traditional COM applications. Sixteen superbly organized and presented "user friendly" chapters are devoted to every aspect of Windows Installers. Of special interest are that chapters specifically addressing "Updates Using Patches"; How-Tos, Tips, and Gotchas"; "Tools and Futures". The Definitive Guide To Windows Installer is a strongly recommended reference for both personal and professional Windows reference collections.



3. I liked that this was a Windows Installer book. I also liked how short it was (less than 300 pages). The author has an impressive resume which is at odds with the books grammer. It was like reading something printed verbatim, and this got annoying very quickly. I'm no english major, but whoever edited this book should re-edit and try again.
   Run on sentences, and redundancies aside, this book provided gutsy insight into the Windows Installer world. You soon find out why there are companies that specialise in making installation software.
   Since theres not much to choose from, this book will probably be a top pick for many. However, I found it difficult to read, expecting somewhat better "english".



4. I say it's not definitive because I think that means there's nothing more to be said on the subject. The MS Windows Installer technology is huge, and it would take a book five times the length of this one to be definitive. This book describes the client/server architecture of the installer and explains about the important tables in the database. It demonstrates how to make an installation package with Visual Studio, but assumes you will be using a commercial package in real life. To get the most out of the book, you'll need to install Orca, which is available in the Microsoft Installer SDK. Orca lets you view and edit the tables in an installation package.
   After a bit of orientation, each chapter tackles a common installation topic: patches, ASP.NET, .NET assemblies, windows services, and the installer APIs. Wilson is good about explaining why something should be done a certain way and giving you the background to understand it.
   My only disappointment is that, due to the shortness of the book, there is no room to go into more detail about some of the standard actions. I'd like to have seen an example of the minimal set of actions needed to install a file; kind of the hello world of installer. The beginning example he provides is built with Visual Studio, and I'm sure it puts in a lot more actions than are really needed, so it's hard to mentally associate what the package is doing with the action records that are doing it. To really understand how the installer works, you should be able to build a package from scratch with Orca.
   There are few or no typos, which is amazing for a computer book nowadays, and I didn't find any errors of fact.



5. This book covers in a simply and useful way several aspects of Windows Installer. I suggest this book as a "bible" for those programmers who needs to customize their installation procedure. Obviously this book does not resolve all the problems related to Windows Installer, but offers a valid guide to start to resolve them.

5 comments about Pro Oracle Database 10<i>g</i> RAC on Linux: Installation, Administration, and Performance (Expert's Voice in Oracle).

1. This is a very hands on command line oriented book. Good understanding of RAC concepts. I found it extremly useful in my day-to-day work.
   
   Highly recommended.
   
   Thanks!



2. Very well written. No mater you are a Pro or a newbie, it will be helpful. A very well written book.
   
   
   Highly recommended.



3. This book delivers what it promises. It contains a great balance of technical detail,examples and theory. It encompasses all aspects of implementing/maintaing 10g RAC on Linux.



4. Many books around Oracle's advanced topics simply parrot the manuals. Julian avoids that. Instead, he describes Real Application Cluster technology from the ground concepts up to full implementation, with practical notes and tips. He gets into topics that the manuals never touch, and much of what he writes can be useful in any RAC environment, not just Linux.
   
   I whole-heartedly recommend this book and own both the paper and eBook version which I often reference.



5. This book can easily be used as a college textbook on Oracle RAC. I am studying for the Oracle Certified Master exam and this is possibly the most high level book on Oracle I have read.
   
   It has 3 major strengths which I found to be superior to any Oracle RAC books I have read (including the manual from Oracle).
   
   1)Technical Depth
   2)Comprehensive Overview and instructions
   3)Quality of writing
   
   
   1)Technical Depth
   The authors write about Linux and Oracle and are high level experts in the subjects. For example, the authors have a very detailed description of how Oracle Cache Fusion handles locking across all the nodes in a RAC environment (probably the crown jewel of RAC technology). They also discuss, in detail, different types of CPU, memory, and storage and contains detailed description of each architecture. Lastly, it contains vast number of "how to" install, configure, change, analyze, backup/restore, and utilize Oracle RAC and Linux.
   
   2)Comprehensive Coverage and Instructions
   No small amount of detail has been skipped. The book contains every utility (there are many) provided by Oracle to implement RAC. It provides a good step-by-step coverage of Linux and Oracle RAC installation as well what each step is adding to the RAC environment. To top it off, it adds how to performance tune, administer, troubleshoot, backup/restore, and use Dataguard in a RAC environment. I can't think of a subject on RAC which the authors did not cover.
   
   3)Quality of Writing
   I was pleasantly surprised how well written this book is. Although far from a Pulitzer Prize material, it certainly belongs in that category amongst the Oracle books. Every praragraph has been well organized and written. The proofreader of this book deserves major praise for their work.

5 comments about Java Software Solutions: Foundations of Program Design (6th Edition).

1. There is an updated printing of this book that uses ISBN 0-321-32202-7. The updated printing (which corrects small but important changes from the final version of Java 5) also is called the 4th edition. The publisher added words "Java 5.0 Version" to the title listed in online stores, and added a leaf with the words "Covers Java 5.0" to the bottom right of the cover. Be sure to verify that you get this ISBN, and do not to buy an old printing that you can't return.
   
   This URL to purchase the most up-to-date printing from Amazon is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0321322037/qid=1126549578/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i2_xgl14/102-3991796-1688157?v=glance&s=books&n=507846



2. Lewis & Loftus give the reader an excellent introduction to object oriented programming in Java. The very clear explanations as well as simple examples do an excellent job demonstrating many concepts to the reader. I recommend this book to anyone wishing to learn Java for the first time.



3. Another great hit by Codemate. Best programming book for new programmers/students. Really goes step by step and gives adaquete information for newbies.



4. For the price I wouldn't buy this book unless it was a textbook for a class or if you can find one used. That said, it is a great book for someone with a few Java basics under their belt. You could use it as your first Java book if you are a quick computer learner and can remain focused as the chapters are rather long and meaty. Each ends with a GUI section which could almost be a chapter on its own. The code runs well and is available for download. There are very few mistakes and/or jumping assumptions in Java learning although the complexity makes having an instructor to ask questions helpful. Basically it is a textbook for just after intro object programming college class and it does that very well.



5. In case you're doubting how much of a beginner's book this is, consider that the first chapter of this book is all about telling you what a computer is. If you have any experience writing any sort of script or program you will not want this book. If, like for me, it's required for a course, keep an eye on the bookstore's textbook buyback schedule.
   
   Even once you have learned what's taught in this book, you will probably find it frustrating if you try to use it as a reference for Java syntax. Information about the language is dribbled out in bits and pieces with no clear way to find what you're looking for. Well, yes, there's a table of contents and an index, but you'll do better selling this book back and picking up Java In A Nutshell, 5th Edition once you have some familiarity with Java.

5 comments about Excel 2000 for Windows for Dummies.

1. This book not only took the mystery out of spreadsheets, but made me a spreadsheet junkie. I keep it by my desk for reference. A definite for people who want a quick start into the world of spreadsheets.



2. I used this book in lieu of sending a large group of our people to training classes. After doing so, the "help" requests for Excel went to absolute zero. Heck, I'm VP of IT and been working in spreadsheets since VisiCalc, and I picked up a couple of things.



3. This is a good book for a non stressfull introduction, but there are few good hands on examples. I've found that by doing complex detailed step by step examples you can learn more faster. The learnkey.com website has a good excel class



4. I foudn the book compleely useless and a waste of money. It explains nothing. After studying this book for two hours I was unable to do anything whatsoever in Excel. Look elsewhere.



5. This book is fine if all you want to do is basic spreadsheets. If cutting, pasting, basic formatting, or creating VERY simple formulas is all you need to do then this book is fine. However, if you are trying to do anything more complicated forget using this book. For instance, the section on creating Macros wasn't very detailed. In addition, the book is completely missing any explanation of how to use the more complicated formula functions (there is no mention of how to do any of the statistical functions). Probably 80% of what an average user needs is in this book. But for anything beyond the basics, forget it; you'll need another reference.

2 comments about Pro Java 6 3D Game Development: Java 3D, JOGL, JInput and JOAL APIs (Expert's Voice in Java).

1. There is some overlap between this book and the author's other book on Java game programming, "Killer Game Programming in Java", but overall there is enough new material to make it a worthwhile purchase. The author starts out trying to explain Java3D. His explanations are OK, but the best explanation I have ever found as an overview of the API is "Java 3D API Tutorial" on the Sun Microsystems website. It's old, but the basics haven't changed. For the specifics of working with Java 3D in the modern era, come back to this book. The author has done a good job of putting together some programming examples that show how to program in current versions of Java 3D including a 3D version of Conway's game of life. He then modifies the program to show off some of the features of Java 6 such as its ability to communicate with scripting languages. Further chapters show how to build creatures with operational limbs that demonstrate Java 3D's TransformGroups, how to handle physics and Java3D using a specific physics API, multitexturing for more natural looking outdoor scenes, and finally how to deal with level of detail problems using mixed mode rendering. In each case, the author just doesn't talk about how to do something, he produces working code that gets the job done and provides a blueprint for the reader to go further.
   
   The section on non-standard input devices deals with interfacing devices such as webcams, game controllers, game pads, and the P5 Virtual Reality Glove to your 3D worlds and games. He mentions parts of Java that are seldom well-explained such as JInput to describe how to control these devices. In the section on webcams, the author talks about JMF and an alternative method of interfacing to cameras. This is good, since for all intents and purposes JMF is really a dead API with very little useful capability. One of the more interesting chapters in this section really has nothing to do with input devices, that being the chapter on JOAL, which is a wrapper around OpenAL, the OpenAudio Library. This is very practical since there are bugs in Java 3D's sound interface that have been there from the beginning and show no sign of being resolved. This chapter provides a practical way for Java programmers to get actual reliable 3D sound into their games and applications.
   
   The final section of the book is on JOGL, which is a Java wrapper for the OpenGL graphics library. The author explains and illustrates the use of JOGL by first implementing a very simple application to clearly illustrate all of the steps needed. Next, a 3D world is written using JOGL that includes a floor with a checkerboard pattern, an orbiting earth, a skybox of stars, a billboard that shows a tree, overlays, and keyboard navigation.
   
   This book, along with the Sun tutorial, is a good education in how to use the Java 3D API in general, and also how to build virtual worlds in Java as well as how to write 3D Java games, which was the book's original purpose. Highly recommended.



2. If you are new to 3D programming in Java then this book is not a very good place to start. That's not to say this isn't a good book its just that you will need to be somewhat comfortable with Java3D before reading this book. Like the previous reviewer said the sun tutorials will help to understanding the examples used in this book, just don't think that this book will hold your hand.

5 comments about HTML 4 for the World Wide Web, Fourth Edition (Visual QuickStart Guide).

1. Very good book. A little heavy on the deprecated tags good intro material for JavaScript and CSS.



2. It's hard to believe such a thin book could be so valuable. They only say it once and they say it well. The book is richly cross-referenced and well indexed, so wherever you are, you can page to the right spot for more if you need it. For me, this is the perfect design. I never read a software book front to back. I scan through it to find that one nugget that will get me going again. I'm always learning stuff "that I really don't have time to learn."
   
   Ms. Castro has written this book especially for that style of use. The writing is concise and you can find your way to the topic you need. The examples are very very good and the author has put special care into how well they commmunicate. My favorite is Llumi the cat, who's picture becomes a tiger ("what Llumi is thinking") when you mouseover the photo. Very memorable.
   
   I recieved this book about 3 years ago, not knowing anything about html, and I still use it today. I started out wanting to add a couple things to a web page another program made, now I'm thinking about a whole app. interface. In fact I just realized, I've finally read the whole thing, one bit at a time. Yes, you can read it chapter by chapter and it flows well. But if you're like me, you'll love the way you can find the relevant part, learn what you need to and move on.
   
   Overall, this book is good for beginners and is a good basic reference. It sticks tightly to it's subject, so it doesn't teach Javascript or CGI, other than to explain where they fit in. It makes great use of your time because of the clear concise writing, excellent examples, experience of the author, and rich cross-referencing throughout the book.
   
   I'm now in a spot where "I don't have time to learn" ... CGI. So I'm visiting Amazon looking for a CGI book by Elizabeth Castro based on my experience with this book.



3. Elizabeth Castro is an excellent technical writer. HTML for the World Wide Web is easy to read and easy to understand. Anyone who is a beginner to HTML should have this book in their library and/or on their desk for quick and concise learning and reference.



4. If you're new to HTML, this is the best book I could find. I did some research and even went to a book store and poked through 7 or 8 competing books. Those other authors really couldn't compete.
   
   Pro:
   -Written in plain English so anyone can get started
   -Each topic is on its own page so you don't have to flip page upon page... truly unique!
   -All major topics, from getting started and creating your web page to advanced things like scripts. Also contains debugging tips as well as techniques to help get your page noticed and to increase site traffic
   -Unbeatable index and appendices... You'll want to photocopy the "symbols" appendix!
   -Fourth edition to me indicates that this book is popular and also likely getting enhancements
   -Great use of pictures/visuals
   -Even compares different HTML editors and other multimedia tools
   -Not long-winded, uses examples to teach you
   Con:
   -Some very good "freeware" not listed in the comparison section, plus revision number not listed (features can vary a lot in different versions). Note: this is a picky comment on my part as othersdont even offer a section like this
   -I do not recall the author giving us perhaps my favorite tip for beginner programmers: visit a page that you like anduse the "view source" command in your browser... So handy for getting ideas!
   
   Bottom line: I think that this book is a must have.



5. A nice pocket book that has already proved it worth. Not the whole story but full of little tips that are making my life easier.

5 comments about Flash 8 ActionScript Bible.

1. If you don't know anything of Action, I recommend this book. Who knows a little bit, half of the book is great for you. That's it.



2. The book covers all of the bases. buttons, interactivity, sound and websites, more importantly, it is easy to comprehend and get the gist of actionscript 2 which will make it easier to pick up actionscript 3.



3. I've just opened the book for the first time to try to get a handle on XML and ActionScript by coding the examples on page 698. The comments attached to the code don't tell the real story of what is actually returned from the XML object/variables (my own trace commands displaying what each variable contained were more accurate) and there are a number of coding errors that I had to work out myself. It taught me something, sure, but I shouldn't have to be correcting the code along the way. It wasted time I didn't have.



4. Recently I had to do a project for work involving ActionScript 2.0.
   I have a technical background and am quite knowledgeable in a multitude of programming languages and programming paradigms. This book got me to where I needed to be fast. I cannot say enough good things about it and the author. Well done!



5. This is a very easy-reading book (Not that easy-reading, of course, as everybody would expect from a computer language book, but you know what I mean). It is not dull to remember you that you should be familiar with the Flash 8 environment before buying this book.
   The first part of the book, the Getting Started, has many useful details. Maybe there are more details than the needed at the beginnig. But, when you are starting to miss the practical issues, the book gives you simple exercises that became more complex in a nice way. And you realize that the details were just there because the authors don't want to save words on good explanations and examples.
   In the second part, "Using Core Classes", the authors start to complement the contents of the different chapters, what means that they did a lot of work of re-writing and polishing prior to publishing. Also, after each exercise, there is a description telling you why you wrote that specific code. This is an achievement not always found in other books of this kind.
   Not all the contents were crystal clear for me and there are more errata than I'd like, but they are not big problems actually.
   The book is organized very well, from easy to hard, always remembering the previous issues. I have reached part three: "Working with Display Objects". I am enthusiastic.
   In short, it is a great book, very powerful and useful if your aim is to learn ActionScript 2.0. I am enjoying each page, and it is very hard for me not to keep on reading and practicing with this nice guide. BUY IT

5 comments about Sams Teach Yourself XSLT in 21 Days (Sams Teach Yourself).

1. Best book to start out with XSLT;
   quickly takes you to the point where you can put knowledge from the book to work;

   ALSO - it is very easy to follow the Book on the road BECAUSE it explains exactly what each line of code in examples does;

   Very thourough analysis and not much mumbo-jambo (as in xslt for dummmies book)




2. This book works. It does, however, assume that you have a meaningful level of computer proficiency. This is probably a safe assumption for anyone intending to go spelunking in XML files and performing transformations on same.
   
   To complete the book's lessons, you'll need to download and install one of the free XSLT parsing engines listed in the book. Alternatively, I used the jEdit free text browser and its associated XSLT plugin to run the examples.
   
   I don't believe in assigning five stars, or I would have for this book.



3. Some PROs and CONs...
   
   Pros:
   Topic flows very well. Author was able to explain each topic without asking reader to refer to upcoming forward chapters. Best part of this book are the examples. They are relevant and short and sweet enough to understand. Best of all, there are lots of examples. The author doesn't just slap them on the page and tell you to figure it out yourself. The author walks the reader thru them.
   
   Cons:
   Some areas reads like a technical manual.. causing me to reread sentences over and again. But that said, the book still comes across as tutorial friendly (You figure that out.).
   
   Comparisons:
   I rate the book 5 stars. I own Beginnning XSLT 2.0 by Tennison, XSLT 2.0 by Kay, and Mastering XSLT by White. My opinion is that XSLT in 21 days is the best book to get you to learn it the quickest because of the author's superb examples.



4. If you know absolutely nothing about XSLT, this is the book for you. Very straightforward. I got through the first week (7 chapters) in about a day. You could easily read and understand most of the content in this book in less than a few days. Great for anyone wanting to pick up the language quickly. For advanced users, this is probably not your book.



5. The book is easy to understand. There are plenty of examples and the exercise help reinforce what you learnt. The two negatives are: it's not XSLT 2.0 and the printing and binding of the book is poor. It is still a good way to learn XSLT. It would be great to have a study group guide.

5 comments about Oracle E-Business Suite Manufacturing & Supply Chain Management.

1. This book is very useful for the beginners as well those who want to brush up their knowledge on oracle applications release 11i.
   
   Mostly it covers all Manufacturing & Distribution modules. Financial modules are not covered in this book. I was planning to buy a book and searching for it and finally ended up in buying a very useful book.
   
   Main drawback is not much of screen captures displayed. So if you want to better understand you have to read it by sitting in front of applications screen and switching the forms as you read.
   
   Overall the book is worth having it.



2. I was part of the Oracle implementation team at our company, and I have found this book to be a useful tool for myself in the year since implementation as we continue to explore new functionalities. It is also a useful tool for the application users to learn how Oracle works. In fact, I not only purchased this book for myself, but I have purchased copies for several other people in the company. I refer to it all the time.



3. The tentative date of receipt is 27th Jan 2006 but to i haven't received the book as of today.
   
   Pls send same asap
   
   Arul



4. This book is for users of Oracle Manufacturing and has the end-user in mind Definately not for the the technical minded, site specific Installs and for those who are used to Technical Reference manuals



5. While Gerald & Co's book may look like a good introduction to Oracle's manufacturing & supply chain management modules, it will make little sense to those who have never used the system or don't have access to it. Because I had three years of hands-on experience with Oracle's E-Business Suite, the book is useful and I'm giving it a 3-star rating.
   
   Things that Gerald & Co. could have done better: more illustrations of what they write about. There are many "bells and whistles" in the software, but the book doesn't have enough "screen shots" to show you where they're located on an Oracle "form." I'm not satisfied with the case study, which they have placed in chapter 22. There are no screen shots there either.
   
   Gerald & Co. are assuming you can navigate and know a lot of the Oracle lingo. If you are new to this, don't expect to learn it from this book. The audiences for the book are intermediate and advanced users.
   
   One could also regard this as a reference book. Use it to answer problems you encounter while using the product or better understand what's going on. In this context, I'd rate it 3 stars, too.