1 comments about Core Java, Vol. 2: Advanced Features, 8th Edition.

1. Updated for Java 6, "Core Java Advanced Features" does not disappoint. This is for those of you who have finished volume 1, either this 8th edition or the 7th edition. Quite frankly, I think in the case of Volume 1 you can skate by with the older 7th edition. However, in the case of the eighth edition of Volume 2, there is quite a bit of expanded coverage to the tune of the resulting book being over 1000 pages in length. It follows the same format as past versions of Core Java Advanced Features. The authors start at the beginning of each topic and walk you through increasingly difficult programs and very well done illustrations and screen shots of applications that are really quite helpful. I include the table of contents since it currently is not included in the product description.
   
   1. Streams and Files
   2. XML
   3. Networking
   4. Database Programming
   5. Internationalization
   6. Advanced Swing
   7. Advanced AWT
   8. Javabeans Components
   9. Security
   10. Distributed Objects
   11. Scripting, Compiling, and Annotation Processing
   12. Native Methods
   
   Before you go out and buy expensive books on the topics in any one of these chapters, get this book and read the corresponding chapter. It will make whatever you hear or read from that point forward much clearer.

5 comments about Communicating Design: Developing Web Site Documentation for Design and Planning.

1. I purchased and read this book prior to seeing Dan Brown's lecture at User Experience 2007. I like this book because it's an inventory of no-nonsense user experience documents that get the users represented in the process of interface design.



2. I am responsible for evaluating and coordinating the re-design of a large library website. Since I know the process, I don't read the explanations of this book in depth, but I like it as a reference. I consult it when I know I need a certain type of document, but don't remember the best way to format the information, or have forgotten all the steps involved. The examples are clear and helpful. Why re-invent the wheel? I've developed similar solutions in the past, and they worked.



3. This book is very informative and useful, and it's fun to read at the same time. The author keeps the language simple so it's easy to get through, and it's humorous. A great choice for Information Architects and others interested in the field.



4. If you are an Information Architect, usability person, or interaction designer, this is a must have on your shelf.



5. As a self-starting IA working on large-scale websites, this book has been indispensable. It offers a comprehensive overview of all relevant design documentation from personas and usability to inventories and wireframes. It is an intelligently written and highly readable must-have book for all IAs.

5 comments about C++ Primer Plus (5th Edition).

1. There are some really great C++ books out there but, in my opinion, this particular one deserves 10 stars. Do you want to learn to program in C++? Do you have little or no previous knowledge of the C++ language? Well then, I would highly recommend this book to you. It is very well written, has many relevant code examples, exercises and a wealth of thorough explanations to guide you through it all. The author does an excellent job with providing beginner friendly and thorough explanations. In addition to all this, the book is of excellent value for the money. I wish that I had known about this book much sooner! I struggled with a couple of other "catchy" C++ book titles out there that appeared promising. I was a bit reluctant to purchase this book at first so I checked out a lot of customer reviews. If I had only one book to recommend for beginners, and even those with previous knowledge in the C++ programming language, this book is indeed the ONE and ONLY. If I were to name just one of the many great attributes that stands out in this particular book, it would be the fact that the author takes no shortcuts or compromises in his excellent teaching techniques. Study time in this book is very productive from page to page and no information is redundant. The author re-emphasizes important subject information by including it, where applicable, in the comments following all the code examples, (a good strategy to help instill new structures of knowledge to long-term memory), which is something I have not seen consistently in the other C++ books that I have studied. It is evident that a great deal of resources have been invested in producing this book. If a newer edition comes out, I will be in line to purchase it without hesitation.If I was able to rank it higher than 5 stars, I most certainly would have. Many thanks to Stephen Prata and whoever else contributed to this fine C++ programming book. I am still, after quite some time now, enjoying it. Excellent work!



2. C++ Primer Plus (5th edition), by Stephen Prata, is an excellent book for learning the fundamentals of C++. It's practical, informative, easy, complete, and enjoyable!
   
   Here's an outstanding bonus you get: The author teaches you to program using the generic programming concept. In other words, the book shows you how to write C++ code that is portable (requires little to no modification to run on different operating systems); powerful (gets the job done error free); easy to maintain (spend your time designing and coding--not trouble shooting); and educational (gives you lessons in structrual and object-oriented programming methods).
   
   But that's not all!...
   
   The author demonstrates a genuine committment to developing your knowledge, skills, and abilities by providing background information on C++. In fact, the author even discusses the similarities and differences between C and C++ so you can better understanding the language.
   
   If you want a superb foundational education in C++; one that isn't intimidating; one that is useful; one that is fun, then this book is for you.
   
   Beyound a shadow of a doubt...I highly recommend this book to beginners and intermediate programmers. Even expert programmers unfamiliar with the generic programming concept will richly benefit! Finally, I highly suggest to teachers who teach C++ consider adapting this book for their programming course. Your students will praise you for your savvy decision!



3. I can't really say much about the Primer Plus books. Other than they are the best training texts ever written. This is the first C++ book I added to my library but have purchased others such as C/C#/Java2/vb.net They all stand out above the rest. Mainly because they are in depth and get the job done.
   
   Only cons would be it could use a little larger print. However, thats just me and my bad eyes!



4. I started first with "C Primer Plus, 5th Edition" by the same author and was already convinced about the quality of the information presented by Stephen Prata. This is why I had not doubts when I bought "C++ Primer Plus, 5th Edition" and, guess what ? Again, what an excellent book ! Well written, a lot of very useful examples, a lot of humor, as usual.
   
   If you already have a background in C, this book will be easier to follow.
   However, some parts are more difficult to understand because of the complexity of C++. In my opinion, C++ is a complete different way of thinking, and not only because of the OOP.
   But do not panic, Stephen Prata is there and will present you complex functionnalities in a such way that you will get them rapidly !
   
   So, if you are looking for a quality book about C++, you have found it !



5. My son's a grad student in Digital Production Arts (DPA) at Clemson University and has a BFA in Fine Arts. Because the DPA program is by nature computer programming-intensive, he has to take several prerequisite programming courses. I bought him the C Primer when he was struggling with that course and it made a huge difference. So I bought him the C++ Primer Plus because it was by the same author. For those for whom computer programming does not come naturally, these books by Stephen Prata are a lifesaver. I highly recommend them.

5 comments about The Ruby Programming Language.

1. I only began learning Ruby in earnest a few weeks ago, and I really appreciate how quickly I can go in depth with this book. I examined many well-known Ruby language offerings at the bookstore, and there really was no comparison in terms of readability and comprehensiveness.
   
   True, the book can be fairly exhaustive in detailing langauge specifics; no doubt this will turn some readers off. The problem with other books is that they often avoid detail at the expense of clarity. For my money, this book makes learning the minutae required for competent programming that much easier, by being so complete and well-organized. There's no need for readers of this book to turn to any sort of "supplementary text," as is so often the case with less well thought-out books.
   
   One caveat: if you are coming to Ruby as a very inexperienced programmer, then this book is probably not the place to start (perhaps try "Beginning Ruby: From Novice to Professional" by Apress? I haven't read it, but it seems to have good reviews...)
   
   Originally a "Nutshell" offering, written by Ruby creator Yukihiro Matsumoto, the new edition (written along with David Flanagan) retains the laudable grittiness of a "Nutshell" book, but can be read cover-to-cover. The very first chapter takes readers on a tour of the language, then presents a nifty Sudoku solver consisting of just 129 lines. It's startling how well the program reads, and how quickly one begins comprehending Ruby code. The approach gives readers a feel for Ruby's succinct, efficient syntax, as well as its expressiveness and power.
   
   Highly recommended.



2. It was with delight that I ordered this book. Finally, it's here! There have been other books... but leave it to O'Reilly to put out one this good. The authors have done a great job. And you gotta love the illustrations!
   
   Very small complaint: I wish there was a bit of a story about the Ruby language in here. I learned more about the birds on the cover than the history of the language!
   
   Kudos: Never once do they mention "chunky bacon" in this book. THANK YOU.



3. "The Ruby Programming Language" is everything you'd hope for from an O'Reilly book that is co-written by the language creator and the author of "Java in a Nutshell." This is a well-written, concise, and thorough guide the Ruby language.
   
   Unlike the Pickaxe, which tries to be everything from an OOP introduction to a complete library reference, this book focuses on concisely documenting the Ruby language. If you're looking to learn how to program, look elsewhere - the Pickaxe is a much better choice. On the other hand, if you're already familiar with OOP concepts, this book (along with [...]) is all you really need to understand the language.
   
   Of note, the book is also very current, covering both Ruby 1.8 and 1.9. As such things go, this is about as future-proof as it gets - it will remain current for years.
   
   I can't really stress enough how well-written this book is. The authors don't overwhelm you with jargon, nor do they bury important details between fluff and analogies - I find it to be the perfect balance of density and legibility. Seldom do I find technical references such a joy to read.
   
   In short, if you work with Ruby (or plan to in the future), you really should buy this book. You won't regret it.



4. i write in ruby for about a year or two, mostly as a hoby. after i wrote a lot of simple and complex programs, there were still some basic (or not so basic) things that about ruby that were not so clear to me. this book made it all clear. all i can say about this book is that it is a great book and i recommend it to anyone programming in ruby.



5. This book (TRPL) represents a great alternative for those who are not entirely satisfied with the "Pickaxe", as it goes into much more detail in some areas of Ruby. After reading both books, my general impression is that the Pickaxe can be seen as a lighter reference and TRPL as a more in-depth description. In that sense they complement each other. Make no mistake, though: this book is not a comprehensive reference for the standard library (just as "The C programming language" is not a complete reference for the C standard library).

5 comments about AdWords For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)).

1. I think a slightly better title for this book would be "Online Marketing with AdWords for Dummies". I say that because the book goes beyond just AdWords to talk about the peripheral systems involved. Personally, I was after purely AdWords information, so the extra stuff was just something to be ignored and bypassed.
   
   That added material aside, if you want a VERY thorough walk through AdWords, this book will serve your needs quite well. It is dense, full of very useful information and techniques. The author also includes a great deal of supporting info and tools on a support website, which helps to keep things up-to-date.
   
   All in all, a fantastic investment.



2. The whole idea of managing an effective AdWords campaign can be challenging, but Howie Jacobson presents the information in a logical and easy-to-follow manner. You expect the basics from a Dummies book, but Howie Jacobson goes beyond the basics and lays out the entire process so you can start your own campaign now. He lists free tools you can use to help you out with your research and implementation. When you purchase the book you get access to his readers only site with updates, video tutorials and additional information. Howie Jacobson was a co-creator of the Smart Beginners Course by Ken McCarthy. Howie has years of experience in both online and offline businesses and he uses what he teaches in his own businesses. So this book is based on real-world experience. When you buy this book you're tapping into a wealth of knowledge and experience and you'll continue to learn more as he updates the readers site. This is a must-have book if you want to really understand not only AdWords but also how to create sites that attract customers. Take a look at the Table of Contents!



3. I'd already started to use Google's Adwords but had got a bit lost! After reading Adwords for Dummies I realized why my campaigns weren't working and, more importantly, what I needed to do to make them work. I also LOVE the resources that Howie Jacobson makes available on his website for readers of his book.
   
   The success of my Adwords campaigns has improved enormously, and I now know I'm spending my Adwords budget wisely.



4. The book offers a detailed guide to start with this Google tool as well as marketing tips that will make your ad really magnetic. Great buy.



5. Something for everyone that has an interest in increasing there traffic to there own site through Adwords. But the best thing not mentioned on the cover, is the "members only" site that gives the tools and chapter updates not found in the book. in addition, the followup emails give more insight than other experts give in a full day training class.
   Overall, its highly recommended.
   
   I also can recommend Perry marshall's book for a more detailed strategy guide to adwords.
   Ultimate Guide to Google AdWords (Ultimate Guide to Google Adwords)

5 comments about Head First PMP: A Brain-Friendly Guide to Passing the Project Management Professional Exam (Head First).

1. Very well written!
   
   Concepts are easy to grasp just by looking at the diagram and by a little easy to follow reading with almost no effort.
   
   If you are a novice/expert, this a great resource to have!



2. I would say it's an intro book. I liked other Head First series (more technie-ones), but not a big fan of PMP book. It's just okay, it's not great. You should probably go through it to get a basic understanding of what it'll be all about, but as for studying I prefer Crowe's book.
   
   The PMP Exam: How to Pass On Your First Try (Test Prep series)



3. I passed PMP with PMBOK, this one and Rita Mulcahy's PMP Exam Prep. I love the other head-first books. This one is a good book if you are new to some concepts. But the pictureful book becomes a super hard one if you want to do a quick review.
   Why did I rate 5? Also because HF throws in a free 200 question mock-exam. Just loved it. But felt that the book has some errors.



4. This is great fun book for a "Dry" subject. Has lots of pictures and cartoons which bring the FUN into studying.



5. The Head First PMP is a good exam prep supplement. I would not recommend this as your only source of exam prep material - Andy Crowe's is a little more in-depth and contains less errors in the material (although it too, has errors.) If you get this, know that it's not *the* comprehensive study guide, but it will give you a more hands-on, interactive practice of the concepts than some other guides. Be warned that you will need to download the errata sheets from the publisher, and it's no substitute for reading the PMBOK or using practice exams. I like the friendly, interpersonal style of the book and the use of real-world examples (baking cookies, planning a wedding, developing a software game), pictures, quizzes, and crossword puzzles to help bolster the concepts. I hated Rita's book for her attitude and relationship marketing and wouldn't have paid money for it if I hadn't gotten it as part of a prep class. The exam questions included in the book are representative of other exam questions I've found as well.

No comments about JavaScript: The Good Parts.

5 comments about ASP.NET 3.5 Unleashed.

1. I bought this book after reading all the good reviews from the readers here. I was very disappointed with the book for the following reasons.
   
   This is more of an introductory book on asp.net. It just list out some of the properties of classes and don't really explain how to use most of it. The author took several pages to explain a simple concept which could be explained more concisely with less code.
   
   It doesn't explain the history, internal workings of Asp.net, design of server controls, reasons for linq, silverlight in a comprehensive manner.
   
   For a more thorough book which addresses the weaknesses of the above, I would recommend either Beginning ASP.NET 3.5 by apress or Pro ASP.NET 3.5 by apress.



2. At 1890 pages this book has just about everything you need to know to start building complex ASP.NET applications. While the book assumes that you have some familiarity with using ASP.NET the first few chapters are still devoted to the basics. I encourage everyone to read them, even the experts. There are many tips and tricks in the book so you may learn something new or pick up on something you'd long forgotten. Did you know the asp:Literal control has a build in Mode property that can be set to HTML encode it's content? I'd honestly forgotten about that and had been doing my encoding on the back-end.
   
   This book provides an in-depth look at just about all of the core ASP.NET features building on many of the techniques we used in 2.0. For the new features specific to ASP.NET 3.5 , Walther devotes an entire chapter to the new ListView and DataPager controls. These controls can be thought of as a GridView or Repeater on steroids. There's also a chapter on data access with LINQ to SQL and a 3-chapter section devoted to working with AJAX.NET and the AJAX Control Toolkit.
   
   There are many books out there that focus on the "how" but what I like most about Mr. Walther's books is that he devotes a great deal of time to the "why". For example, the book explains how to use the SqlDataSource control but then also explains why you'll want to avoid it for most complex applications and use the ObjectDatasourceControl instead. With this book you'll not only learn how to get things done, you'll learn how to get things done right. For that reason it's an invaluable resource for your library. Every ASP.NET developer should have this book on his/her shelf.
   
   Note: While the code samples in the previous 1.1 and 2.0 Unleashed books were written in VB.NET, this new 3.5 book has them written in C#. Walther cites the fact that there are now more C# developers than there are VB.NET developers as the reason for the switch. I would've liked to have seen two different versions of the book but all code samples are also provided in VB on the included CD-ROM so everyone can easily follow along.
   
   From http://www.codescene.com/2008/03/book-review-aspnet-35-unleashed.php



3. If I had to pick just one book on ASP.Net 3.5 this would be the one. (But I don't so I have 4 now) this is the book I start with if need a fast example to do something, followed by online help, the net. Good roll up of asp.net 1.0 to present 3.5 as of May 2008.
   
   Worth having on hand weights about 6 pounds lol



4. Avoid this one: it's poorly organized, topics are poorly presented, intentional "padding" is painfully obvious on every page -including the silly code dumps in lieu of proper prose about how to get that code with drag-and-drop of controls in Design mode (Design mode never broached!) The continous repetition -or saying the same thing 3 different ways (and simple things, not complexe things that may need 3 ways to convey properly) make the book twice as large (maybe 3 times as large) as it should be. Then, writing style is dry, clunky, but not even in a scientific matter of fact way, just a low-vocabulary way, leaving you bored instead of excited. The worst thing however, is content: a serious lack of proper introducion to the general concept of developing web applications with ASP.NET, and then a lack of introduction to each topic. This paid-per-page author has no idea who his audience is (hasn't decided), ommitting key explanations for new-comers while rambling on about simple concepts more that any programmer would need -or even any english reader. Quantity over quality definately ruling here. I read many computer books in 23 years of programming, and was wondering "Do they not write good training books anymore?" Well, I bought Pro ASP.NET 3.5 in C# 2008, Second Edition (Windows.Net) and said "Whew! Yes they do!"



5. I have nothing bad to say about Stephen Walther nor the books that he writes. However, I'm not happy with this book because it did not have VB examples in it. I have every other book he has made in the ASP.NET Unleashed series and was "VERY" disappointed when this one did not have VB examples in the book.
   
   Hopefully, the next release of ASP.NET Unleashed will.

5 comments about ASP.NET AJAX in Action.

1. I haven't even finished reading the book, I am only on chapter 5 and will give this book 5 stars. Before starting this books I only knew how to use the ASP.NET AJAX controls and thought I knew something about AJAX. Come to find I knew very little. This book does an outstanding job cover the client centric development of AJAX rather than concentrating stricly on server centric AJAX development. I say if you are thinking about buying another AJAX book consider this one at the top of your list.



2. Very well written. Great examples. In depth as well as plain spoken author. Much to learn and easy to learn. Recommended.



3. This book lacks objectivity and often suffers from hype. The authors came across as lacking proficient experience with the JavaScript language, or exposure to other AJAX Frameworks / Libraries, or sufficient experience using the ASP.NET AJAX Framework in real world situations.
   
   Comments like: "we recommend that...", "because it makes no sense...", "you must rely on a special method...", "you must understand X,Y,Z to run complex client-side code without writing a single line of JavaScript" were discouraging, and always left me hanging. Good books answer more than the "hows" - comments like "you must rely on a special..." are a cry for more research.
   
   The book skims over the technical details of why or how the ASP.NET AJAX framework is implemented. Instead it presented many examples of "how-to" implement the various ASP.NET AJAX constructs and patterns. It would have been nice to see some real world examples of why the ASP.NET AJAX client-side typing system is useful, or why the AJAX Framework extended JavaScript objects are useful and how these contrast to what JavaScript already provides, or what happens behind the scenes when a class is registered through client-side code, or why the AJAX Framework prefers declarative syntax (XML) over imperative syntax, and to have some real in-depth discussions on performance implications.
   
   In addition to these disappointments, the ASP.NET AJAX Framework itself has some serious technical flaws, it's far too heavy weighted (bloated) for practical use. I fear it's a short lived framework, since many of the other AJAX Libraries already offer superior performance and better user experience. I was disappointed with the server-centric approach the ASP.NET AJAX Framework and this book take, and was disappointed to have JavaScript continually swept under the carpet as magic.
   
   Take this book and the ASP.NET AJAX Framework with two grains of salt, if you're serious about AJAX then learn JavaScript and look into the alternative AJAX Libraries like: jQuery, Scriptaculous, Dojo, Mootools, and YUI.



4. I have been reading this book for a while. While at Border's or B&N, I used to grab other ASP.NET AJAX books and used to read them too. But, no other bookes close to this books CLARITY and Detailed and Simple explanation. It starts from the absolute basics and chapter by chapter it brings the developers skill set at par with the pro's. Most ASP.NET developer's client-side scripting needs some work. This book understands it and addresses them in a very simple and elegant verbals.
   I had been debating for a while which book to buy. After a lot of work, I decided to go for this book. And I am happy I made the right decision.
   It also has the sneak peek of the CTP Futures too.
   5+ Stars. Definite YES.



5. This book was a great introduction to the ASP.NET Ajax Extensions and Control Toolkit! Extremely well written. I especially appreciated the practical, real-world samples that were given throughout the book that actually worked.
   
   If you are after further exploration and like to know how things work underneath the hood a bit more, I recommend Dino Esposito's book as a companion.

5 comments about The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering, Anniversary Edition (2nd Edition).

1. This book is a classic on Software Engineering and one of the most often quoted ones. Fred Brooks experienced first hand the development of a huge-scale software development project, the IBM/360, and has learned valuable lessons which he shares in the book. If you're interested in computer science history you will enjoy the description of the pains and joys of software development some decades ago. The article "No Silver Bullet" included at the end of the book is in my opinion the best essay on Software Engineering ever.



2. As a developer, get this book for your boss.
   Maybe he will understand why he can't assign Richie and Carolina tomorrow to your team so you can deliver that COM API you promised for the day after tomorrow and you could not finish it because you were stuck in the tar pit of your old legacy app, even after you explained to him there is no silver-bullet and you are plannning to throw one away.
   
   Best regards,



3. Essential Reading for Project/Program Managers at all levels. This book exposes the shortcomings of the purely quantitative software engineering approach in building software applications and systems. While data driven risk management, decision system is here to stay where PMs use a variety of metrics to measure, control and report on the progress of a particular project, process or operation - the book explains why that approach alone is no substitute for the human factor...



4. An excellent book and a must-have for all those involved in the software industry. The concepts and problems described in this book are still valid to this day in our modern software development process.
   I recommend this book to everyone active in the field of software development.



5. I have been a software project manager for many years. One of the biggest problem that I encountered was what the author called as "Second System Effect". Some times, architects were unable to discipline himself to avoid over-designing systems in the second project. Their goals were to build perfect systems that would streamline all processes without considering the costs and patience of business groups. To convince others that they were right, they could come up with various reasons that sounded very reasonable. Unfortunately, they were not aware of the cost, time window for product delivery, and etc.
   
   This books provided insightful view about this effect. If our architects could have read this book, they could avoid such problems and became more successful.