5 comments about Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics (4th Edition) (Absolute Beginner's Guide).

1. I have been using a computer for many years and still did not understand all the task/programs I could have been using. This book has been extremely helpful working as a primer explaining everything very clearly and is still up to date with the Windows Vista. I would highly recommend this book.



2. This a great book for aquainting yourself with your computer. If you are new to the computer world as I was you will find this book very helpful in taking control of your computer instead of it controlling you. It covers both versions of Windows: XP & Vista. I would recommend it to anyone just starting out. I think it would be safe to say it could save you a lot of time in the longrun and maybe keep you from pulling your hair out!



3. The book lives up to its reputation as being a beginners guide. Good resource for those now getting into computers. And, it also has some good steps for Vista too.



4. Like most people,i avoided the 21st century technology by continuly saying to myself it was not something i needed.I finally took the plunge,a friend set up my Toshiba A2125 and found the"Absolute beginners guide on your web page.It,s format coinsides with my 73 year old mindset.Congradulations Michael Miller



5. Good book for beginner, if you are just learning get this book.There are things in this book that took me years to learn by trial and error unfortunaely for me I only learned a couple of new things, but it did give me some certainty in what I did know. However Im now looking for a intermediate book which is what I really needed.

5 comments about Visual Basic 2008 Programmer's Reference (Programmer to Programmer).

1. Ever since Visual Basic 6 I have purchased Rod Stephens books to stay current with the latest changes in Visual Basic. Again, with "Visual Basic 2008 Programmer's Reference" he has written an excellent reference for the current state of Visual Basic.



2. You might initially think that this is going to be one of those big books with a few examples and a lot of fluff; well, you'd be wrong. This is a big book because it's absolutely packed with really useful examples. Rod takes you through just about every feature of Visual Basic 2008 and he does it with examples. These aren't just the usual academic sort of examples either; you'll be able to use many of them as a source of code for your own applications.
   
   Of course, there are also books on the market that do have good examples, but the explanations stink. Rod takes time to thoroughly explain the examples and the explanations are clear, so you won't have any trouble understanding them. In short, this book has the best of everything.
   
   You probably won't need another book for common business programming needs. That said, some specialty items are missing. You won't find a lot about PInvoke in this book, but then again, most people don't need PInvoke for their business applications. The LINQ coverage is also a tad light, but this technology is only now taking off, so Rod is right in keeping the various coverages in perspective. Overall, this is the book to get if you want to know how to work with Visual Basic!



3. This is a great book. Starting for the simplicity and going strong describing in simple language the complicated topics for the beginner to the advanced programmer in VB 2008(VB 9).
   
   I enjoyed the reading and I am not done yet with the book. And after reading some paragraphs again, have been able to find new details that allow me to improve my routines.
   
   Thank you Rod for the book.



4. I'm experienced with VB.Net but needed a quick reference book for the new features (esp. LINQ) and that would also provide an overview for features I might not otherwise discover.
   
   My first project with VB 2008 sent me right to the book. I was able to easily adapt code lifted right off the page on the first task. However, different code from the book for a second task was less successful (LINQing on a data set table). The syntax (in the book) for the ORDER BY clause was erroneous and raised a perplexing error. (Perhaps the Wrox web site corrects this; I haven't checked.) Googling brought me to a Microsoft web site with an example with the correct syntax.
   
   I guess you should expect such issues when applying 15th century technology (i.e., printed paper) to a bleeding edge tool.
   
   All in all, however, the book was worth the modest investment. Make use of Amazon's excerpts to evaluate it for your own needs (I did).
   
   By the way, the (first) one I received was damaged (crumpled pages, torn backcover) in packaging, but Amazon redeemed themselves by promptly sending an intact replacement.



5. A weighty tome with substance to match the heft. Mr. Stephens knows his material and knows how to make his knowledge accessible. This book has become a necessary adjunct all of my VB projects.

2 comments about Foundations of Mac OS X Leopard Security (Books for Professionals by Professionals).

1. I can't overstate my satisfaction with this book. This is a wealth of information that is presented in a clear and easy to follow manner. Working in the IT industry, it is important to keep up on developments (as they occur daily). For Leopard security, this is THE BOOK to have.



2. At least a half-dozen times in the book "Foundations of Mac OS X Leopard Security" the authors state that there is a misconception that the Macintosh computer is immune from security problems. That allegation may explain why there are very few books published (and nearly none in recent years) about security for the Mac. This book is meant to change all that. The authors acknowledge that the Mac OS Xsoftware has had little of the security problem experience of Windows (and other operating systems, to a lesser extent) but they spend 488 pages detailing exactly where and how the Macintosh platform is (or may be?) vulnerable.
   
   Many of the security issues raised in the book are theoretical or deal with added elements of the Mac software install that contain non-Apple components -- Apache Web server and Perl and PHP scripting packages, for example. Many of the items of concern deal with generic problem areas of computer usage in general, both software and hardware, which affect the Mac as well as any other computers and networks. While the perspective of the book is on the Mac, much of the security review will apply to any type of computer or network.
   
   Messieurs Edge, Barker, and Smith are seasoned Mac and security professionals who point out in a very systematic and comprehensive way the potential problems of running the Mac both in single use and networked environments. The focus is primarily on Mac OS X Leopard and the other software which comes with any new Mac computer, although there is some discussion of earlier OS X versions and earlier generations of Apple applications like Airport.
   
   The book has five main parts covering general security matters, essential security fundamentals, networking, sharing, and workplace security issues. There are four very short appendices of modest value.
   
   The initial first three chapters deal with general security and security fundamentals is basic stuff discussing how technical computer security issues are entwined with practical realities of using computers in a business or home, and that compromises between security and practicality generally must be made. There is discussion of types of security attacks, how the Windows booting programs, Parallels and Boot Camp, implicate Windows security issues on the Mac, and how the UNIX underpinnings of the Mac OS X allow for more sophisticated techniques and tools in securing the Mac computer and networks. Chapter 1 is a useful "quick start" guide of items which can be addressed readily by nearly any level of user to safeguard the Mac from many security concerns. Apple has provided a lot of built-in security features and services which can be adjusted by individual users to his or her own needs, like FileVault, Secure Trash, Keychain, permissions, and others. Higher-level users and maybe experienced security professionals not used to the Mac may be bored with the first part of the book.
   
   Part two deals with protecting the Mac from malware and exploitable services in the OS and major applications like the Safari browser and Mail applications. It explains how malware can affect the Mac through script viruses, social engineering techniques, and other exploits. The book lists a number of available software tools which can help solve some of the potential problems. The section on reviewing and configuring monitoring processes and logs is especially interesting.
   
   Securing networks, using and configuring firewalls, and wireless networking make up the bulk of part three. The content in chapters 7 through 9 is quite technical covering types of networks; routers, hubs and switches;proxy, DMZ, and other servers and hardware setups, advanced firewall configuration using both GUI and command line interfaces; filtering; traffic throttling; and more. The sections describing testing of firewalls and hacking wireless networks using tools like Kismac and iStumbler are especially useful.
   
   Chapter 11, in part four, dealing with website security when utilizing the built-in Apple web services, includes a checklist of at least a dozen items to be dealt with in locking down a site. Security for remote conductivity is addressed also, with particular emphasis given to VPN, secure shell, and the use of network administration tools like Timbuktu and DAVE. Attention is given to both the standard MacOS X installation as well as to OS X Server. The most complex discussions involve using Open Directory in a security plan. My favorite sections were in chapters 14 on network scanning, monitoring, and intrusion prevention tools. The book describes how to understand your own machine/network security status by learning how to attack other networks. And how to use techniques like white/black box testing, fingerprinting, enumeration, port and TCP/UDP scans, ping sweeps, and more.
   
   The book describes how intrusion detection is accomplished. Guidance is provided on software tools like Tripwire, snort, Checkmate, and others. The last chapter concerns forensics and how to handle attempted or successful intrusions to both understand security weaknesses and to preserve evidence for civil or criminal proceedings, CSI-like.
   
   Nearly all of the presentations cover two levels of interactivity using either GUI-based tools or the command line. Except for a handful of sections, the presentations are useful even for higher-end users, including those dealing with medium to large networks.
   
   The writing is workmanlike and without style or wit, but carefully organized and expressed. There are plenty of (grayscale) screenshots of relevant software application configurations, and sidebar Notes and Tips on many topics. Anyone who has a serious interest in Mac OS X security will benefit from this book as its main virtue is its systematic and comprehensive approach to the issues. It is designed to inform users of all levels how and why to think about OS X security. Geeks who want or need to know Mac OS X security will get a nicely organized book sufficiently filled with useful content. This is not a book intended to raise all security issues or to provide all the answers. It does answer many problems, and will point nearly all users in the right direction for their specific needs.
   

5 comments about MySQL Crash Course (Sams Teach Yourself in 10 Minutes).

1. Great book to get you start into mysql. Very good examples and explanations. rather basic in some things, but overall it is worth the money. I got this book and O'Reilly's "MySQL cookbook". A good combination, that got me started with MySQL in no time. Mind you, I knew all the relational database stuff and sql queries already, but didn't know the specifics of MySQL. I was working with MS Access, but Access cannot handle large amounts of data I needed to upload for data mining projects. MySQL is just great -and free. These two books are excellent. I highly recommend them.



2. I am a PHP guy not a database guy. I know what I want to do most of the time but I don't know the exact syntax. This book is great, quick reference for just that. I use it probably 3-5 times a day. Great book for a reference!



3. You do not have to know anything about MYSQL or relational databases in order to start this book; a true novice can begin here. This book is desgined to get you up and running quickly. Although this book can also be used as a reference, it is intended as a series of hands on lessons. Forta's Teach Yourself SQL is also good, but if you are using MYSQL, this is the one to get.



4. If MySQL will suite your needs then this book is for you. I read the book cover-to-cover in my downtime at work over a few days and walked away with a solid understanding of MySQL.
   Unfortunately MySQL isn't the most mature database solution, but if it's good enough for your project, then this is a great resource.



5. As others have said, this is a great book for beginners, whether in MySQL or in databases in general. Because I have a lot of database experience, I went throught it very quickly.
   
   When I started to apply some of the techniques I learned to existing applications, I found out VERY quickly that this is insufficient as a reference. Each topic has enough hands-on examples to give you a start, but not nearly enough depth to use for looking things up.
   
   I thought that Appendix B on creating the sample tables might have been a little abbreviated for the novice user. It refers to Chapter 2 to create a new datasource, but I think it was a little confusing jumping back and forth between the appendix and the chapter. This might be better as an exercise right in the chapter.
   
   Overall, I would recommend this book as a starting point.

5 comments about Professional SQL Server 2005 Integration Services (Programmer to Programmer).

1. SSIS only supports scripting in VB. But whenever there's a custom component or any code outside the mandatory VB realm, the book only presents a C# example. Even the WROX website does not provide VB code. So if I want to code my custom data flow task, or follow their wmi example, I MUST know C#. I can follow along okay, but I don't like having to interpret/rewrite your code samples to be able to use them and extend upon them.
   
   The general information is good, but don't think this book will leave mold you into an SSIS Expert. I only bought this book because I first bought the WROX "expert" ssis book, which started by saying they assume you have substantial knowledge of ssis, such as provided by this book.
   
   All in all, the book is a decent introduction to SSIS. I didn't suffer from the 10 author continuity loss as others did. I just want my examples in VB, especially for a product that only speaks VB for many functions.



2. The book was in perfect condition and delivered promptly. The information contained in the book was very informative and helpful. The writers explained the concepts clearly.



3. If you're needing an SSIS primer, this is a great place to start. There are definitely holes the "how to" part of some sections. However, you really get a good idea of what's possible in SSIS. If you want script specifics, you may need to search for it on MSDN or the web in general--but, at least you know what to look for.
   
   Buy this before you buy the Expert companion title if you're new to figuring out how things work in SSIS. I had several years of experience with DTS packages, and this book was a perfect start for me.



4. I originally intended to give this book two (2) stars, just because I was hacked off at the terrible index, but the content is worth at least three stars. The problem is locating the specific content you need.
   
   Example: User-defined package variables are often critical pieces of a SSIS package. Want to find out how to get/set package variable values from an Execute SQL Task? Well, you won't get anywhere trying to look up "Variables" in the index. Just when you think the text does not address this important issue, you browse the Execute SQL Task section and -- lo! -- there is an extended discussion on how to access package variables from SQL queries. But none of it is referenced by the "Variables" entry in the index.
   
   Brian Knight, by all accounts, is a good writer who knows his material, but any book that has ten (!) authors can't help but display a variety of writing styles and competencies. The book is adequate as a learning tool, but not as a reference. If the publisher had been in less of a hurry to get to market, Mr. Knight might have been allowed to take on fewer collaborators and produced a more coherent book. And a more complete index.



5. So far this book is great for basics. It gives a great overview of all the options you have to create a SSIS package. I had previously purchased the expert version because I had DTS experience and realized SSIS was totally different. So I bought the professional version and it's filled in a lot of gaps. It's also got nice tutorials at the end of the chapters that help you to create a basic SSIS package which is incredibly helpful for learning the new tools that are available.

5 comments about Programming WPF.

1. The biggest strength of this book is that it focus on using WPF programatically, not just laying out XAML. This is extremely useful if you are writing an application for 3D data visualization or a database driven application. You get to learn to create event handlers, generate meshes... all programmatically. I also believe that this book is great, not just as a learning tool, but as a reference guide. It is the most comprehensive book on the subject and a must for the aspiring WPF developer.
   
   If you just want to focus on XAML, however, I will have to recommend "Windows Presentation Foundation Unleashed" by Adam Nathan.



2. I say to ignore those reviews because they do not refer to this book. This is the second edition published August 28, 2007 with 863 pages. Those reviews are based off of the first edition published nearly two years before (September 12, 2005) and with only 447 pages.
   
   Using Amazon's 'Search inside this book' takes you to the 2005 edition also. That shows only 10 chapters while this edition has 17. Most of the negative comments from the 2 and 3 star reviewers seem to have been resolved.



3. This book is the most in depth resource into WPF i have seen. And not just that, it gets to the good stuff that you'll actually use in your code and not just filler or lists of properties that you can get from intelisense. The examples are extremely useful.
   
   The other benefit of this book is that it doesn't just tell you how to do things, but why. This is incredibly helpful in finding the best solution to your specific problem.
   
   Thanks guys! great book!
   Ralph



4. There isn't much yet on the internet about WPF, so if you want to get started using it, you really need a guide.
   
   Not only is the book a well crafted introduction to WPF, I've just discovered that the downloadable source code makes an excellent companion to the book.
   
   Questions that were not answered in another top-rated WPF book I found answered here... so whatever else you buy, get this book!



5. I bought the first edition of this book called Programming Windows Presentation Foundation (AKA Avalon) at the PDC in 2005 and read it completely on the plane home.
   
   When I heard the second edition was released I didn't think much would have changed, but this is even better than the first edition. It's twice as big and covers all major (and not so major) topics in WPF (inc. an introduction to 3D and Silverlight).
   
   I think this book will proof to be for WPF what Programming Windows, Fifth Edition is for WIN32 programming.

5 comments about C# in Depth: What you need to master C# 2 and 3.

1. Jon Skeet does a great job of demonstrating the differences between the features of C# 1, 2 and 3. An abundant amount of detail is provided on the history of the features and how they evolved into C# 3. There are also some great analogies used throughout the book.
   
   In my opinion this book is a perfect size. It is 392 pages, but really seems like more due to the amount of detail.
   
   Some of the major items this book covers - Generics, Delegates, Anonymous Methods, Partial Types, Expression Trees
   
   In closing, this is a great book for intermediate to advanced developers. I believe even beginners will pick up some great concepts.



2. At 392 pages, this is not a long book. Jon intended this book not to be one of those `massive tome[s]' that adorn the bookshelves. It's lean and gets straight to the point, whilst keeping the writing style engaging; not an easy feat. The `frictionless' code examples are so clearly explained, you can glide through them without constantly having to back track into the text.
   
   If there is one thing that sets this book apart from the others, it is the way is it structured to take the reader from C# version 1.1 to C# 2.0 and then through to C# 3. This would be especially useful for developers who are about to embark on a C# upgrade project, and want to be sure to use all the new language features to best effect.
   
   This is the book I'll be reaching for to answer those hard and best practice C# questions. It`s an excellent resource for updating your C# development skills and taking them to the next level. If you write code in C#, you should read this book. Highly recommended.
   
   Here's a link to some of the extra material: http://csharpindepth.com/Articles.aspx. The bluffers guides to C# 2 and 3 are a good way to get a rough overview of some of the new features. This web site also contains notes, online resources, and downloads.



3. This book is a tremendous work for understanding how the most important features of the C# language work. Skeet's been a prolific poster in the C# forums on MSDN for some years now, providing answers, tips and tricks, and in-depth advice to a large number of forum visitors. This book wraps up his great knowledge of the inner workings of C# and hands it over to readers in a well-written, concise, usable book.
   
   Skeet uses a very nice formula for the features of C# 2 and 3: he starts with demonstrating solutions to practical problems in C# 1 then shows the progression of that same solution through C# 2 and C# 3. His walk through of the evolution of delegates through 1, 2, and 3 is a perfect example of this: start with the very wordy, somewhat clunky handling in C# 1 and end up with C# 3's lamba expressions.
   
   One of the many fine things about this book is Skeet's ability to clearly cover complex topics like Lambdas and expression trees at exactly the right level. Readers will be able to pick up the power, complexity, and benefits of language features because Skeet's kept the examples practical and the text conversational. With potentially complex topics it's too easy for authors to fall into trivial examples, or dive into overly academic discussions; Skeet does neither. He also does a terrific job of covering the cons of particular issues -- something I'm a big fan of since it helps me make informed decisions.
   
   Part of the book's success is Skeet's solid focus on the book's topics. He stays directed on to language features and doesn't digress into software engineering or construction. As a result, in roughly 360 concise pages he's able to hit all the major goodies like generics, delegates/lambdas, nullable types, extension methods, and LINQ. He closes the book with a nicely laid out, thoughtful discussion of C# 3's benefits and its possible future.
   
   This is a great book for understanding how some of the more fundamental features of C# are implemented, and how to best use them. This book definitely belongs on your bookshelf, right next to Bill Wagner's Effective C# and More Effective C#.



4. Just ordered my second copy and used Amazon.com (as opposed to .co.uk) for the first time to get a copy sent to a friend in the US.
   Anyone that has ever Googled for anything threading related in C# will have come across the writing of Jon Skeet. Indeed, I have yet to meet a .Net developer that hasn't read and benefited from his writing on his "Yoda" blog. His writing has the very rare magic of being both concise and compelling.
   Unlike most books within the current proliferation of .Net tomes, C# in Depth has a narrow focus. This allows the book to go into exquisite depth whilst maintaining a physical size that means it never leaves my backpack. I cannot stress enough that Jons expert writing means that although the subject matter is deep, you never feel "out of your depth". The chapter on Generics left me with the same feeling I got when I first read Don Boxes Essential .Net book. Excited. Stunned by what I thought I knew before but infact didnt. And most importantly, I actually felt more expert in my field.
   Cant recommend this book enough.



5. I've just counted, it's the fifth book I've read on C# this year (not to mention a dozen books on .NET) and this is by far the best. It's not just very good technically, useful and enjoyable to read, it's flawless. In fact, I didn't find as single typo, a single sentence that was slightly misleading or incomplete which, in my experience, is extremely rare for a first edition. On top of being a highly competent developer, Jon is clearly a gifted writer and a born teacher. Every term is always used appropriately and in the right context, every example is spot on and contains the least amount of code that shows the full extent of the feature... this is a rare treat.
   So, forget about reading the C# Specification. If you want to know all the useful stuff without going through pages and pages of boring and tedious text, read `C# in depth' instead! (I've made the mistake of doing it the other way round).
   To sum up, if you are a good C# developer and you want to become a very good C# developer, there are 3 books you can't afford not to read: Framework Design Guidelines by Cwalina/Abrams, CLR via C# by Jeff Richter and this one!

5 comments about Linux Pocket Guide.

1. These book includes most used unix commands. One step more explanatory than man pages. With its small size, it's very appropriate for reading while travelling with bus or metro.
   But this is not a complete reference book, for advanced users.



2. This is definitely a great companion for any Linux administrator or hobbyist who is trying to become a level 60 command line warrior. There are plenty of commands to familiarize yourself with, and they are grouped logically (rather than alphabetically), which means that when you look up a command, you can find other similar commands in the same section. This book was written with Fedora Core Linux in mind, so it may not cover some of the commands unique to other Linux distros.



3. A pocket sized guide to the essential commands of Linux. While specific to an older version of Fedora, this is still a very handy reference. All the essential commands are covered and explained.
   
   This is a small book with a limited purpose and it acheives its goals. More or less indispensable for the Linux user.
   
   Jerry



4. I'm relatively new to linux and this is a great book to have handy. Very small and tightly packed with easy to find commands and examples. Great tool and good price.



5. While this may be an excellent reference for experienced Linux users, it will be of very limited use for beginners or those who use Linux through a graphical interface. It is also specifically directed towards Fedora. It would be helpful if your descriptive blurb on the book revealed these two facts.

5 comments about Pro CSS and HTML Design Patterns.

1. This book is a nuts and bolts CSS/HTML reference book, that you'll be pulling off the shelf frequently, when editing stylesheets and web pages.
   
   Each entry is presented in this clear, practical and timely format, that allows skimming straight down to the section you want (borderless table format, not inline paragraphs):
   
   Problem
   Solution
   Pattern
   Location
   Limitations
   Advantages - (Some entries)
   Disadvantages - (Some entries)
   Example - (Some entries)
   Tips
   Related to - (Some entries)
   See also
   
   It doesn't waste your time with 1001 details of each tag, yet does give you the essentials you need to know about each tag (some entries have screenshots of the examples, mostly in Firefox, but some in IE7), so you can get to work quickly -- and not get bogged down by the hyped cheerleading, that fills many of these CSS/XHTML books these days.
   
   Would've given this book 5 stars if the author spent more time with cross-browser support other than a few tip suggestions, especially with IE 7, as it uses conditionals instead of hacks to get around the box model SNAFUs. Cross-browser troubleshooting is essential, and not an after thought to be addressed with about 20 words -- more time is spent debugging than actually writing code, and it needs to be addressed accordingly.
   
   Overall, this is the best CSS/(X)HTML reference book I've found to date. It's due to the presentation format above, that doesn't have you trying to find some remote reference in microprint, in a sea of 500+ pages!



2. I often rely on readers reviews before making a purchase so I thought it appropriate to give feedback on this book.
   I am a self-taught programmer who needed to take my CSS knowledge to the next level. This book clearly sets the bar high and helps me get over it almost daily. The models depicted are extremely accurate and on point, and foster a wealth of ideas that extend to some really nice models. Mr. Bowers research and implementation on cross-compatability between browsers is nothing short of excellent (a big learn for me). The style in which the book is written makes it easy to follow and learn from, as well as reference. As a new programmer, I am extremely pleased with this book as it has taken me to the next level of CSS.
   I would recommend this book to anyone who, like me, has a general knowledge of CSS and wants to fine tune and hone their skills in CSS.



3. There is some useful information in this book, but the author's rigid adherence to the format works against the presentation of it. I find that Andy Budd's book (CSS Mastery ...) is a much better book. They seem very different but I think that many developers will read them needing the same information.
   
   Further, as is becoming more and more the case with new apress titles, the copy editing is substandard. It's a pity, as apress had such a good reputation for quality books, and this kind of thing is hurting them.



4. Hi
   
   I have read about half the book and I find it very interesting and very practical. The book gives you patterns and approaches to solve the problems which designers confront daily. The index is also very helpful at the back, which points me straight to the solution of the problem which I am seeking. When compared to other books, this gives more than what every other book is giving, which I have seen. Generally all CSS books give various properties of the html elements, its possible values etc. While this book, has a different approach. This book discusses the affect of changing these element properties based on the context where the element is placed. It has very good discussion of the box model concept and positioning concepts.
   
   Till now, I have loved this book and has become my reference for all my css needs.



5. I like parts of this book, but the author does not promote best practices. The author uses XHTML 1.0 Transitional as his standard, but it's a weak standard. It would have been better if he had used a Strict doctype. He uses the "language" attribute (eg language="javascript"), but the language attribute is obsolete. He uses color names such as "gold" instead of the hexadecimal equivalent; and he likes to insert empty div boxes as spacers between blocks of content. He explains why he does it, but that doesn't make his example best practice, or even good practice. There are other, better ways to achieve the same results.
   
   People purchasing the book for its promise of design patterns may be disappointed, too. The author's examples provide loose patterns for page development, but there are few examples of actual, complete pages; and the page layouts presented are dry designs void of backgrounds and images. Also, the book contains only three pages about styling of forms (407-9), and those are mostly concerned with a button press technique.
   
   On the bright side, the author includes an extensive discussion of the box model, tables, and image manipulation. He provides a through discussion of stacking and positioning issues with examples. He also discusses browser-specific issues and limitations for each technique. You can even view fully-functional examples and download source code with image and support files from the book's web page.
   
   The author also discusses CSS sprites, transparent .png images, and text replacement techniques. He has some slick dropcap techniques, too. Some of his layout techniques, such as his rollup, tab menu, and flyout menu examples require JavaScript in order to run. He relies on JS libraries such as yahoo.js, event.js, and cssquery.js and his own chdp.js to do the heavy lifting. All of it is in the source code download. The rollup is most interesting, but you can actually write CSS flyout and tab menus without any JavaScript.
   
   The problems with the book increasingly annoy me. The author provides a useful discussion of some CSS-related topics and a wealth of code snippets, but he also teaches bad habits and writes to weak standards. Furthermore, most everything in this book is available in other books. In the end, I think this is another book best borrowed from the library.

5 comments about Beyond Bullet Points: Using Microsoft PowerPoint to Create Presentations That Inform, Motivate, and Inspire (Bpg-Other).

1. I was disappointed having bought this book based on good reviews, so here's my review:
   
   1. The author provides just one tool for one particular type of presentation: "pitch an idea to your bosses". The tool is a 3-act presentation using few words and more graphics and presenter narration.
   Although a good tool for some presenters and some presentations, I can only see myself using this in 10-20% of my presentations.
   
   2. Because the author refuses to explore other methods, the book becomes very repetitive and too detailed going on about the same points all the time.
   
   3. Because of this, this is certainly not a book to keep for reference.
   
   4. ...unless you are a total PowerPoint novice and computer-illiterate and want to read a step-by-step instructions about how to resize and crop images in PowerPoint, etc.
   
   5. This is the first book by Microsoft Press I read and I was shocked at the obvious attempts throughout the book to advertise other marginally-related Microsoft products.
   
   The book description says: "Targeted for intermediate to advanced level users". I would never recommend this book to anyone but absolute beginners and even then there must be better books.
   The intermediate user should really just browse the first couple of chapters to get the basic idea (1. set the scene 2. show the conflict 3. resolve the conflict) in a bookstore and then decide for himself if he really wants to waste money on something which can easily be summarized on one page.



2. I borrowed it from the library and I am going to purchase it for my personal business library. I think that this is a great resource book. I decided to try this method since I do a presentation about once a month to pharmacists. This book helped me to organize my thoughts and present the material in a logical manner. I am in the health care industry and the people I present to are used to seeing bullet points BUT they are bored with it. For those that think the information here won't work, I say give it a try before dismissing it. You may find that your audience doesn't want as many bullet points and facts as you think and that you are a breath of fresh air in doing something new and innovative with your presentations. And remember you can put all of that information from your bullet points in the notes pages and print that out for them.



3. Microsoft PowerPoint changed the world of presentations by simplifying the process of creating a computerized slide show. Alas, over time people started squeezing too much information into every slide and using the preinstalled generic titles. PowerPoint's simplicity let people forget the purpose of presentations: to persuade or to inform without being boring. Cliff Atkinson shows you a creative way to build a good presentation without falling into the PowerPoint template trap - tell a story instead. At present, he provides a free template, storyboard formatter and story guide at sociablemedia.com that adds value to the book, which refers to these resources repeatedly. We recommend this to anyone who gives presentations.



4. I bought the book, enjoyed it and then realized that I hasd purchased the 2005 edfition and not the new 2007 edition. be careful as the new one is much better. Amazon should have made this clear!!!!!!!!!!!!



5. I thought there would be much more content. I was already aware of the concept of forming a presentation using a story arc, so there wasn't much new that I can use.