5 comments about Flash CS3 Professional Advanced for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickPro Guide.

1. This is a very good book. This line of book is great for learning Flash. It's important that you get the previous book first because this one gets Advanced in a hurry. Overall, I really like it.



2. The Visual QuickPro Guide Flash CS3 Professional Advanced, the follow-up to the Flash 8 book*, is a great tool for anyone trying to make the transition from ActionScript 2 (Flash 8) to ActionScript 3 (Flash CS3). I am Flash 8 Certified, and as I make the push to re-certify for ActionScript 3, this is the book I am studying. It is more concise and compact than the Flash Bible, yet still contains the information needed to build great Flash apps and to pass the expert exam. It covers all the big differences between AS3 and AS2 in a clear, concise manner. But newbies shouldn't be put off by the title: beginner topics like 'what is a Movie Clip' and how to do timeline animation are also covered. The only complaint is the lack of a companion CD-ROM containing tutorial files. But even without a CD, this is still a fantastic resource for the Flash aficionado, professional or student. (*Anyone buying this book might also consider the Visual QuickPro guide for Flash 8, which is also excellent--and still relevant. The Flash 8 book deals with ActionScript 2, which is widely used for developing mobile / cell phone apps.)



3. Constantly refer to this book as a reference while coding. This book provides short, but well explainded "How To" on esssential Actionscript 3 coding topics. I own several Actionscript 3 books, but this is the one I refer to again and again.



4. I suppose this book may be fine for anyone wanting to learn a broad overview of AS3 ("Flash" is a misnomoer; Flash is ActionScript). But for anybody like myself trying to build a website with specific components, the book is worthless. This is because the author, instead of showing the steps to create a complete component (dropdown menus that LINK; scrolling thumbnails that LINK), shows you instead how to build shells that do nothing, and says, "we'll discuss the rest in a later chapter." Then doesn't, at least not in a way directly applicable to the previous instructions. Why not just show us how to create something that actually works, all in a single lesson? Forgive me if that's too much to ask.



5. When actionscript 3.0 (Flash CS3) came onto the scene, it caused great consternation among interactive designers who were used to working directly in the Flash IDE and coding AS 2.0 on the timeline. Almost all the new books/threads on the topic, including Moock's 'Essential 3.0', showed a bias in demonstrating AS 3.0 in the context of OOP and Flex. Granted, that is where the true power/purpose of AS 3.0 lies. BUT, this also created the sentiment in the non-developer camp that AS 3.0 is severely verbose and not as flexible and fun as AS2. This is simply not the case as AS 3.0 was created to embrace BOTH designers and developers.
   
   I think Adobe was so preoccupied with wooing the developer crowd that it failed to reassure existing beginner/intermediate 2.0 users that 3.0 works just as well on the timeline and that you CAN still make a banner ad, personal portfolio site, microsite without building/executing your codes as Classes or authoring them in Flex/Components.
   
   Having said that, if you are hardcore OOP developer and need to build an enterprise level web app using AS3, this book is NOT for you. In fact, you have no business using the Flash IDE or coding on the timeline.
   
   Russell Chun takes nothing for granted and starts by giving a quick overview of the program's tools. Then you'll be taken through a series of exercises that is very easy to follow. By the end of the book, you will have learned enough to build a decent interactive web page. You will also have the foundation to move onto OOP.
   
   I have owned a number of Russell Chun's books since MX2004 and will vouch for its effectiveness. Its generously illustrated, concise, clearly written examples will help beginners and intermediate 2.0 users EASE into 3.0.
   
   Get this book and you'll see that AS 3.0 can be just as fun.

5 comments about Agile Software Development, Principles, Patterns, and Practices (Alan Apt Series).

1. In my role as an architect and a J2EE evangelist, I have to teach a lot about OOAD principles, the Java language and Agile techniques. There are lots of books in my armour that capture the gist of many of these practices and techniques. But none in my opinion better than this book.
   
   Robert Martin is a master at explaining OOAD concepts and applying them to the Agile methodology. For instance, the Agile practices mandate certain practices that need to be implemented in the upfront design and conception of the project. This is in contrast to the methodologies that were hitherto used that emphaisized methodology over design.
   
   This book provides that point of fusion. A great achievement indeed! Concepts such as dependency injection and the Single Responsibility Principle were explained before they became mainstream design tenets.



2. This book covers the most common, and usefull design patterns. Each patter is presented in plain egnlish, with full examples.
   
   In addition to patterns this book covers the principles surounding patterns that make them truely usefull.



3. After reading this text, I feel it deserves the attention of other great texts such as Design patterns and Refactoring, even though much of it's content expounds upon the ideas of these two classics. It's my opinion that this text has two strong points: it explains the ideas and details of agile development very clearly, and it does an excellent job of explaining the most popular patterns originated by GOF, plus a few more. The authors style was very good, with most of the examples in Java. Being a C++ programmer, I would have liked to see more examples in that language, but this is not any fault of the author.



4. I bought this for my brother. Got for a good deal on Amazon. Very happy with the fast delivery by Amazon.



5. It's a great book. As a senior developer with more than 5 year's experieces of Object-Oriented Design, I think this is a valuable pragmatic book about how to do in a practical project.

5 comments about Physical Computing: Sensing and Controlling the Physical World with Computers.

1. A highly recommended book for anyone getting started in programming micro controllers using BASIC. It covers several of the most widely used controllers: The Basic Stamp, The Basic Atom, the BX-24 and PICS in general. Very good coverage of interfacing transducers and practical circuits and lots of code examples, specific for each controller. It is written in very basic and easily understood terms, clearly aimed at someone with very little or no knowledge of the subject. If you are already comfortable with the fundamentals, you may want to look for a book that deals with the more advanced aspects of programming. However, this book puts the fundamentals in pure layman's terms, unlike some other tutorials I have seen.
   
   It does have a slight slant to the use of controllers in the performing arts, but this does not take away from the value of the information, and presents some interesting examples of how controllers are used.
   
   An excellent beginners book.



2. I was hoping to find a book with a good range - from basics to advanced. this is a good one, starts at the very basics with tools, shopping list- then moves on to programming. I'm not at the end yet- so I'm not sure how 'advanced' its going to get- but if you have little to no experience in electronics and micro-controllers - this might be the book for you.



3. I got this book knowing it would be Basic based however I figured I could pick up some technique and knowledge anyway. I found the book to be vague and superficial. Lacking detail on the examples provided while lacking good examples.



4. This book gives a good starting point for progaming microcontrolers, building some simple robots, conecting your art-work to computers. I would recomend buying other books that would complement this one though. Not so glamorous, books like Robot Builder's Bonanza would give you a more "hands on" info, manly on mechanical parts. I would also suggest magazines like MAKE because they are full of simple creative ideias that are easy to do for starting of physical construction and some practical hacking. That said, I seriouly recommend it.



5. Este libro es una muy buena introducción a los principios de la electrónica aplicados a microcontroladores. Existen muchos ejemplos en el uso de diversos componentes,como : servo motores, sensores, circuitos. Con los que se puede alcanzar altos niveles de interactividad. El libro parte desde lo básico hasta involucrarse con telepresencia a traves de internet..etc...Muy recomendable.
   
   Marcos Chilet
   Diseño, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

5 comments about Create Your Own Website (2nd Edition) (Create Your Own).

1. Reading this book allows someone to create five different styles and types of Websites by walking the reader through accessing Composer and desired templates, altering the text, color, and photos to personalize each Webpage, obtain a host provider, register a domain name, and publish each Webpage to a Web server.
   * Chapter 1 introduces the basic functions of what a browser and Web page are, while showing the reader how to down load a free software program provided with the book.
   * Chapter 2 describes the logistics of setting up a public location for viewing Web pages on the Internet by locating a host provider.
   * Chapter 3 discuses customizing a Family/Personal Website template by using Composer like any other word processor, adding or deleting pages, and saving with a URL to the same folder located on the reader's computer.
   * Chapter 4 continues with detailed items in "Creating a Hobby Website" by scaling images, changing existing hyperlinks, adding rows, discussing anchors, and the effect they have on sharing information with Website viewers.
   * Chapter 5 "Creating a Website for an Organization" introduces obtaining a map from the Internet to replace the templates generic sample, offering email access to customers, and providing additional tips.
   * Chapter 6 "Creating an Informational Website for Your Business" shows how to customize color within cells, add tables for creating coupons, and setting navigational hyperlinks.
   * Chapter 7 "Creating an Online Storefront" deals with how to implement an e-Commerce Website by merging with "Creating Paypal Merchant Account" Website. With this tool, advanced programming skills that are typically required to create a shopping cart, a means to accept payment, and the functions of using forms for transferring users from one Website to another are eliminated. This lifts those advanced tasks off the reader and transfers them onto Paypal's Website in exchange for a small percentage of the product profit.
   * The Bonus Chapter goes into more depth covering specific topics, like HTML, Understanding How the Internet Works, Domain names, and Optimizing Your Digital Pictures.
   
   Throughout this book, the author highlights topics that have been covered in Shelly Cashman's "Discovering Computers" text book. One is how the Internet works. Scott Mitchell relates the Internet to the U.S. post office and adds a picture that gives a simple analogy for beginners. I appreciated the comparison, and could visualize the delivery process of digital information clearly (Mitchell 130).
   
   The second item introduced in chapter 2 explained the concept of bandwidth. Mitchell shares very practical information related to space and cost that should be considered when choosing a host provider. The nominal comparisons made corresponding to bandwidth gave me a better appreciation for this concept.
   
   The title "Create Your Own Website Using What You Already Know" very accurately describes what to expect out of the contents and functionality this book provides. The reader will be happy to know that the author's voice is very excited to share information in a reassuring way. Scott Mitchell continually keeps the reader in touch with the fact that the process he is laying out will be fun and easy to do, that the reader will not only learn the process but enjoy going through it.
   
   I found the way the information was presented kept the progression of details simple enough for a first timer to feel very comfortable using and exploring all the items introduced.



2. Received both these books within 5 days of ordering -- excellent resources - thanks for the variety of selections to chose from --



3. Very easy to understand and it has been very helpful in creating my own website.



4. The product arrived on time and I started reading it right away. I appreciate the full color, it made for an easier read. It was helpful for a beginner as myself.



5. The book is what I expected, but may be a bit less. I thought it would tell me some of the basics about how to put things on the web and then highlight one web development software program and go from there. It got into the web development software faster than I thought and I still had a lot of basic questions about how to put things up on the web. Having said that, however, it did point me in the right direction and I think I feel better about choosing a web development program now than I did before I read this book.

5 comments about How to Break Web Software: Functional and Security Testing of Web Applications and Web Services. Book & CD.

1. I recently finished reading How to Break Web Software: Functional and Security Testing of Web Applications and Web Services by Mike Andrews and James A. Whittaker. I, like many of you, develop web software for a living. I've always taken security seriously and occasionally sneered when I ran across examples of common mistakes. Having said that, this book was an eye opener for me.
   
   The book covers common exploits such as bypassing input validation, SQL injection, and denial of service. There were also several types of attacks I hadn't really considered before. I won't list them here because someone would undoubtedly say, "I can't believe he didn't know about that one!" The authors cover 24 different types of attacks in all. The book also includes coverage of web privacy issues and security related to web services.
   
   Finally, as icing on the cake, a CD is included that contains many tools that will find permanent spots in your arsenal. There are tools to do things like scan web servers for common exploits, mirror sites for local analysis, and check SSL cipher strengths. My favorites are the local proxies that will allow you to view and modify posts as they travel from the client and the server. I always knew I could do this, but didn't know how easy it is. The CD also contains the source code of an example site that includes many flaws for you to practice.
   
   This book is written for software professionals to help them put the hackers out of business. So, it necessarily includes hacker techniques. If you develop or test web software, you should read this book before the hackers do. :-)



2. It was a good experience to purchase from Amazon and getting them delivered in India at my door-step. Order reached me ontime and is in good condition.
   
   Thanks,
   Samta



3. I've been programming for over 10 years and thought that I had encountered it all. Uh ya, I was wrong. I'm amazed that a person can work with something for so long and yet still miss simple things like URL jumping. This is a great 32,000 foot view of web security (not a how to hack book) and covers what you should know if you are a web developer. Even if you alredy "know it all" this is a great read and excellent reference for creating check lists on projects and threats they may be succeptable to.



4. I was disappointed in this book. The actual content was pretty thin, and not very well written. Chapter 1 is a complete waste of time, and actually spends pages explaining what client/server means, what the Web is, and other things that are patently obvious to the supposed audience for this material. I found myself turning to the front to see if this book was written in 1997! You then get nine fairly short chapters with instructions on how to hack a website, more or less; followed by 50 pages of useless padding in the appendices including: an unrelated article co-authored by Whittaker for the IEEE, a detailed list of all the bugs present in their "sample application," and then descriptions of their recommended tools, all of which can easily be found on the Web without paying $22 for this book.
   
   As another reviewer mentioned, there are many typos and other problems like incorrect illustrations, making the reader wonder if Addison-Wesley even employs a copy editor. Furthermore, I felt this book was inaccurately named and described. It's really more about rudimentary hacking and protecting your web application against hackers than web quality or web testing. A beginning web developer might do well to read this as a primer on how to create sites and applications with basic security, but as an experienced tester it was of limited use to me.



5. If your company has a web site, there are many people waiting to attack it and break into it.
   
   In How to Break Web Software: Functional and Security Testing of Web Applications and Web Services, authors Mike Andrews and James Whittaker detail the myriad Web software exploits that attackers will attempt to carry out. The tools and techniques that can be used to fight against them are also detailed.
   
   The book also includes a companion CD that contains all of the source code referenced in the book in addition to a number of testing tools. The authors include software code from an insecure Web site, which helps the reader get a real-world feel for the topics involved.
   
   The authors conclude with a look at the last 50 years of software defects, showing that developers are not learning from the mistakes.
   
   The authors are of the opinion that software quality is no better today than it was decades ago. And in some cases, it is worse.
   
   The book helps drive home the importance of having developers think about writing secure code and testing it for flaws. It is a recommended read for IT professionals.

5 comments about Microsoft Office Excel 2003 Inside Out (Microsoft Office Excel Inside Out).

1. As with all Inside Out books from Microsoft Press, Excel 2003 was fantastic. The thing I love most about these books is (1) the comprehensiveness of the book while (2) not forgetting to cover the fundamentals of the product. Thus, anything you want to do with Excel is covered, from simple formatting to working with external data all the way up to creating highly complex spreadsheets with macros and programming. This book is perfect for all Excel (or spreadsheet) creators.



2. From what I dicovered from the friend I puchased this book for, she is very delighted with this book because it has ALL the stars & bells she's been looking 4. Thanks alot !!!!



3. I just love these "Inside Out" books for their thoroughness and how well written they are! I'd highly recommend any of the books like this!



4. This book is a great tool and resource for Excel 2003. It provides more detail than MS provided help along with real-world examples. Stinson does another fine job. The included DVD is also a nice bonus. It includes the entire book and is great for traveling without having to carry the book on a plane.



5. This book is absolutely a waste of money if you have been using Excel. I thought since it's "Inside Out", it should include some advanced contents, but I'm very disappointed. I was too lazy to return the book, so I still have it as a decoration.

2 comments about PHP & MySQL Web Development All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)).

1. GREAT book!! Perfect for beginners, but still good enough for somewhat experienced users.
   
   I had my site up and running with loads of php scripts, mysql query's etc. in just a week after I got this book, complete with log-in pages, registration, and other fancy bells and whistles.
   
   After this, I got a couple other books for more advanced coverage, but still find myself turning back to this book quite frequently.
   
   highly recommended for anyone looking to learn php.



2. This is a very well written reference on PHP and MySQL. The book includes a 6 in 1 desk reference, which doesn't allow for the minute detail that is contained in some other "for Dummies" editions. But, it is a good additional to a PHP library nonetheless.
   
   The explanations are clear and easy to understand. The sample code is fully documented to allow the reader to fully understand the script and how it works.

5 comments about GIS for Web Developers: Adding 'Where' to Your Web Applications.

1. The book is a *solid primer* for understanding GIS data and its usage.
   
   It will walk you through vectors, projections, and rasters. You'll be introduced to spatial databases and OCG (with a focus on Open Source tools).
   
   This will get you going... places :)



2. Prior to reading this book, my experience with mapping technologies was limited to writing Google Maps applications and using its geocoder. I didn't even really understand what a geocoder was.
   
   Scott Davis provides a friendly, easy-going assist to learning the bizarre complexities and conventions associated with real mapping technologies. I was frankly dismayed at the state of the art, with its odd compromises and incomplete, conflicting tools. But Scott leads the reader through the maze quite effectively.
   
   If you're ready to move beyond simple markers and lines, this book shows the way to _real_ mapping applications.



3. We have a hard time as software engineers mastering our own concepts. Once we are asked to work in a non-trivial domain like geospatially-enabled environments, it is easy to get lost (pun intended). This book acts as a map to the world of maps. It shows you where you are; in this case, building web-based applications that need to visualize spatially-oriented data. It shows you where you can go without taking too many trips down unnecessary rabbit holes. In short, Scott walks masterly on the very fine line of theory and practice making it both useful and instructive.
   
   In addition to the informational content, the book is one of the more beautiful computer books I've seen recently. The decision to go with color plates for the images is key. In order to fully appreciate the power of visual contexts like this, you have to see the richness of the data.
   
   I worked on one of the first "whole Earth" environments 14 years ago and would have gone bananas for a book like this. The field has changed pretty dramatically since then with the emergence of both the Web and rich and complicated standards like those we are seeing from the OGC. This book lays enough foundation of the theory and catches you up to the new and sexy tools available to us now.
   
   We are not genetically-programmed to stare at words and tables. We are visual creatures and gain real insights when we can see relationships literally laid out in front of us.
   
   Do your customers and users a favor and add some "where" to your applications. Do yourself a favor and pick up this guide to help you along the way.



4. GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is one of the most important development technologies to be applied in the past few years. By using GIS concepts you can learn to apply geographic code to any and all applications easier and better than ever before. With 'GIS for Web Developers: Adding 'Where' to Your Web Applications' you can learn the ins and outs of how and why you will want to add a GIS presence to your application. With plenty of maps, code samples, and a look at the different GIS viewers and editors out there in the world today, this is a good book for any developer that wants to learn more about GISs and their relationship to GPSs.
   
   Good introduction to the technology.
   
   **** RECOMMENDED



5. I was not familiar with GIS system and I got this book to figure out how things work. The book turned out to be a great help for me. Since everything was very new to me I ended up spending a lot of time to learn about the PostGres database, it PostGIS extention and Geoserver. So do not take it as a complete walk through tutorial but it certainly great help when you get stock somewhere. Bear in mind that I am quiet computer savvy and familiar with linux, java and such. Overall, I recommend this book if you are a web developer that wants to deal with spatial data and his needs are beyond things that can be done simply on google Map, yahoo map and such.

5 comments about SQL Server 2005 T-SQL Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach (A Problem - Solution Approach).

1. This is the book that I consult most often, when there is something I want to accomplish quickly and easily. There is a lot of SQL Server 2005 specific content here, and most major aspects of SQL Server are covered at a decent depth. Very highly recommended.



2. I think this book is a good addition to your bookshelf but I was hoping for a little more. The price is right and the breadth of topic coverage is fine. I just want more "recipes"; that is more examples showcasing each topic with variations on how to use different commands and techniques in my SQL code plus best practices for developing a SQL Server databases across an enterprise software system.



3. This is a great book to keep at arms length. It has many great examples of the T-SQL commands and syntax. I use it most oftern when I find myself asking the question, "How do you use that command?". Subject matter is complete and includes the XML extensions to T-SQL.



4. Background: Professional developer with 20 years experience of application programming and embedded development who is recently learning SQL / SQL Server.
   
   I was looking for a solution to a problem and found it in the online text included in this book. The solution saved me about 2 hours of research, so I went ahead and bought the book since it had already paid for itself.
   
   It has since paid for itself many times over.



5. Great, convenient reference: I usually check it before turning to Google and MSDN, and so far have found it to be a sufficient, and far-easier-to-navigate, resource.

5 comments about PHP 5 / MySQL Programming for the Absolute Beginner (For the Absolute Beginner).

1. When it comes to programming, Mac users appear to be at a disadvantage. However, with a little research via the internet, I've been able to take advantage of the programming material that is mostly geared towards Windows. This book is no exception. The most difficult part of the process is getting PHP and MySQL set up and that has nothing to do with this book! A quick search on the internet shows that a lot of people have this problem.
   Initially, I thought there were some problems with the code, but I always discovered that is was MY code, not what was written in the book. It's very easy to forget a semi-colon or a bracket or even a period and not see it even after carefully re-checking. (It can help to print it out instead of trying to read it from the screen.) Personally, I think programming can be quite dull, especially for someone who enjoys "design." But, that's part of what makes this book good, it does incorporate design and it uses concepts that are actually fun. I'm still learning, but I'm enjoying the process and I can't wait to start using some of things I've learned on my own website.



2. The book seems to do an OK job of getting the major points across, but I would have liked to see a clearer progression of information with a separate section for a quick reference. I like the CD with the code available to use. That is a valuable asset for the book.



3. This book is physically easy for me to read. It is clearly written and helpful for me as a rank beginner in PHP programming. The reader needs some background in programming with HTML and CSS.



4. Unfortunately this book, despite its best efforts, falls flat on its face when it comes to teaching php. I am a beginner to the language and I ordered the book recently to begin teaching myself. The code in the book did not work at all, even when I uploaded the pages stored on the CD rom directly to my site they didn't work properly, which let me know that even though I'm new to the language the errors weren't my fault. The script is incomplete and poorly written, as told to me by professional web site authors I know. It lacks the most important parts of the script to make them work and if you're on your own you won't be able to figure out why it isn't working, unless you find the answer in a forum or something. I recommend this book instead, PHP 6 and MySQL 5 for Dynamic Web Sites: Visual QuickPro Guide. The code in this book actually works and any errors are insignificant plus have corrections online at the author's site. Don't make the same mistake I did in buying this book. It will just disappoint you and waste your money.



5. My son was looking for an introduction to web development, and I couldn't think of a better place than PHP with which to start.
   
   I found the author's writing style very enjoyable - and was particularly impressed by his choice of example programs. For instance, the chapter on databases introduces concepts using an adventure game!
   
   The only problem I had was the lightweight treatment of Content Management Systems (in particular the discussion of PHP-Nuke), which ended up being much too generic to be of use.
   
   However, that doesn't really detract from the quality of the rest of the book, which is highly recommended.