Business & Culture Books - Page 23

Managing IT as a Business: A Survival Guide for CEOs

Mark Lutchen

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

"More than a survival guide for CEOs, Managing IT as a Business provides a framework for properly leveraging IT and does so in a concise, well-sourced, and eminently readable format. This book is a must-read for all successful executives!"
–Donard P. Gaynor
Former CFO, SVP-HR, CIO, and Reengineering Leader
The Seagram Spirits and Wine Group

"Mark Lutchen offers up some important guidance to the CIO on how to bring IT into the mainstream of the business and how the CIO can make the transition from tech guru and administrator to a full member of the executive team."
–Marinus N. Henny
Vice Chairman and CFO
Universal Music Group

"Mark Lutchen thinks like an operating executive. He recognizes that IT costs are a major line item in any corporate budget and that these costs must be viewed as a means to building a business rather than an end. He knows that this happens when CEOs and CIOs communicate effectively. That’s what Managing IT as a Business is all about."
–Kenneth Roman
Former Chairman and CEO
Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide

"Lutchen’s insights are practical and actionable. In fact, CEOs and other executives traversing the IT minefield will find no more authoritative guide than Managing IT as a Business."
–Paul Turner
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
AMS

"Increasingly, CIOs are being asked to join the ranks of top management. In Managing IT as a Business, Mark Lutchen offers CEOs a powerful perspective on how to leverage IT as a strategic tool. For CIOs, he cogently addresses the leadership skills they need to be full and effective members of the business-strategy team."
–Glen Urban
Dean Emeritus and Chairman of the Center for eBusiness
MIT Sloan School of Management

Penny Arcade Volume 4: Birds Are Weird (Penny Arcade)

Jerry Holkins, Mike Krahulik

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Subjects -> Comics & Graphic Novels -> Comic Strips -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Brilliant, Inspired, Freakin' Hilarious! 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

As with the last three volumes, this book delivers exactly what it promises: a year's worth of side-splitting, laugh-out-loud comics. Holkins' writing is, as always, uncompromisingly witty, and Krahulik's art improves every year.

The only noticeable improvement to the compilation would be a little extra material in the rear of book. The full color, full page art included in the previous volume blew me away, and it would be nice to have something that breathtaking in all of their publications.

Editorial Review:

OHMYGODDIDYOUSEETHAT?!? So, anyway, I'm sure you stopped by to find out what kinds of Penny Arcade goodness we will be lavishing upon you with this latest collection. Oh, and you came for the cinnamon almond biscotti, of course. But mostly you came because you can't get enough of the smash-hit web-comic Penny Arcade. Well, my friend, do we have the goods for you! All the Penny Arcade web-comics published online in 2003, a smorgasbord of commentary courtesy of Gabe and Tycho, and more bonus material than you can shake a pigeon at! Huh? Oh, sorry, did I say "pigeon?" I meant to say "stick." Sorry, but that bird is still really creeping me out. You can tell it's totally planning something. Can't you see it watching us, with its eyes!?! Man, birds are weird...

Gray Hat Hacking, Second Edition

Shon Harris, Allen Harper, Chris Eagle, Jonathan Ness

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A perfect reference for IT-security consultants 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Contents
Second edition of books I like are always welcome - and this book is no exception. So I was very happy when I was provided a review copy from the publisher.

I really liked the first edition of this book and consider this follow up an essential book for IT-security consultants and other professionals.

The book is comprised of five parts which each give an overview of important subjects for professional IT-security consultants. Within these five parts are 21 chapters which are mostly around 20 pages, making it possible for busy professionals to digest a chapter while performing the usual projects and everyday work.

The five parts are:
I) introduction to ethical disclosure, including legal system in the US
II) penetration testing tools: metasploit and backtrack
III) exploits 101 with everything from basic programming skills to writing shellcode, but only on Linux and Microsoft Windows.
IV) Vulnerability analysis which is a strong part about static analysis, reverse engineering, fuzzing, writing real life exploits and references to the essential tools used for these purposes
V) Malware analysis is saved for last and includes the finishing touch to why IT-security professionals should care about all the rest of the book

The great thing about this book are that non-programmers are presented with enough materials to get started in finding and developing exploits. This was also the reason why it took so long to do this review. Each time I read a chapter I was itching to get started running the examples and trying the techniques.

Since this book tries to cover a lot of materials they have decided to include references. There are a lot of specific references to full-length articles covering each of the specialized techniques described in the examples. This really works out great, since I can skip the articles I already have read - but get some in-depth materials to complement the book.

As you can probably understand this way of building the book makes it very efficient and much to my liking, I can decide where to go next. The reader can also decide to skip a chapter and enough references to other chapters are provided that I will never get lost. The small price to pay are a few lines repeated in two chapters.

The writing style and the edge of the book is presented with authority and the authors have done a superb job of making this book consistent. The book is written by 4 authors, but except for a few places were they hint to the author of a chapter there are no clues to who wrote what part. The book is overall high quality and I have only discovered two small wording errors.

I have not discovered any problems in the materials presented and was in general amazed by the updates done. As an example they use Vista for some of the Microsoft Windows examples and in other parts they reference articles and techniques that are up to date. When second edition of a book is published the fear is always that only the new chapters are updated, but it seems the book was updated in all chapters.

Some bad things, which are not really that bad are. I would expect more script-languages but for some reason a lot of examples are using C programs for exploits. I personally use Perl for developing scripted exploits, and the book does use that - but in odd places they use C programs.

This is not really wrong, but it feels a bit old'ish. To be fair in some cases the C programs are needed and since the programs that are to be exploited are also C programs, it works out.

The worst thing I can say about the book is that the index is kind of weak. I know specific things are included in the book, but they are nowhere to be found in the index. That does make the book less useful. Others would also think that a book like this should include a CD/DVD - but since everyone can download the tools I would recommended not adding a CD/DVD for the third edition, but use more resources expanding and adding more chapters instead :-)


Target audience
This book is for anyone interested in getting into hacking and developing exploits. While the primary target audience are security professionals I would recommend that some parts are copied and put on the desk of your manager - they really need information about risk, ethical hacking and legal aspects.


Conclusion
As I started out I welcome second editions, and I had high expectations when receiving this book.

I am happy to report that I was satisfied with the results, and even though I got to go through stuff again I was delighted to relearn a lot which I had forgot. Having an updated concise book about exploits with a great number of references written in an easy to follow language is high value for me.

I would suggest that IT-security consulting companies include this book in the welcome package for any new employee who is doing consulting in IT-security - along with a BackTrack CD, laptop, mobile phone and the usual other stuff.

One word of warning, if you own ALL the more specialized books about exploits, shellcode, secure coding, reverse engineering, fuzzing etc. you may want to skip this book. On the other hand you might own all these books, but never found the time to read them cover to cover, then you should read this book :-)



Links:
The home page for this book is:
http://www.grayhathackingbook.com

A sample chapter about metasploit is also available on the book website.

Editorial Review:

"A fantastic book for anyone looking to learn the tools and techniques needed to break in and stay in." --Bruce Potter, Founder, The Shmoo Group

"Very highly recommended whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting out in the security business." --Simple Nomad, Hacker

Modeling Structured Finance Cash Flows with Microsoft Excel: A Step-by-Step Guide.Book & CD-ROM

Keith A. Allman

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

A practical guide to building fully operational financial cash flow models for structured finance transactions

Structured finance and securitization deals are becoming more commonplace on Wall Street. Up until now, however, market participants have had to create their own models to analyze these deals, and new entrants have had to learn as they go. Modeling Structured Finance Cash Flows with Microsoft Excel provides readers with the information they need to build a cash flow model for structured finance and securitization deals. Financial professional Keith Allman explains individual functions and formulas, while also explaining the theory behind the spreadsheets. Each chapter begins with a discussion of theory, followed by a section called "Model Builder," in which Allman translates the theory into functions and formulas. In addition, the companion CD-ROM features all of the modeling exercises, as well as a final version of the model that is created in the text.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

The One Page Project Manager for IT Projects: Communicate and Manage Any Project With A Single Sheet of Paper

Clark A. Campbell

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Fantastic! 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I have the first One-Page Project Manager book written by Clark Campbell, and as a Producer in the Video Game Industry I knew I needed to order the second book specifically written for IT Project Managers. These books gave me insight on project organization that I never learned in Business school or after 10-years in the industry. Great hands-on concepts that will simplify your life as a Project Manager.

The One Page Project Manager for IT Projects 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

The One Page Project Manager for IT Projects is an excellent addition to the concepts and in-depth examples discussed in Mr. Campbell's first book, the One Page Project Manager. However, this new book not only stands on its own, but contains a very understandable, and abbreviated version of all of the concepts discussed in the first book as well as all of the 12 steps needed to construct and use the One Page Project Manager template to organize your IT project and use it as your tool to communicate project status to project team members and upper management.

The real value of the One Page Project Manager template lies in the fact that it is so comprehensive, addressing all of the five essential components of a project (Tasks, Timeline, Cost (both budget and actual), Objectives and Ownership) as well as simple to read, understand, and use as your primary communication tool.

There is no doubt that a responsible project manager would compile all of the data contained in the One Page Project Manager, but, if they are anything like me, they would have a thick folder in which it is all stored; definitely not the easiest way to lay your hands on any requested information quickly and gracefully. Using this tool provides two major benefits. One, in its construction, the project manager and team members must think through and organize the project, providing them with an in-depth understanding of the project's objectives, tasks, ownership, etc. and two, it allows upper management to follow the status of even a large project at a glance.

As Clark Campbell mentions, in order for this tool to become the definitive tool for communicating project status within your organization, project managers and top level managers and executives really must buy into its use. Mr. Campbell is quickly becoming a sought after speaker on the subject of The One Page Project Manager. Having participated in one of his workshops recently, I am happy to say that he was informative and entertaining. He provided, in a half day workshop, the opportunity for the attendees to actually work through the creation of a One Page Project Manager, learn how to create and populate each section of the One Page Project Manager, understand how it is used it in an extensive project (one that was successfully completed in his company), to handle complexities that may arise in a complex project within the existing structure, with some variances.

To position yourself to speed along the learning curve of this essential tool and to get widespread buy-in of the One Page Project Manager within your organization, I highly recommend both the book and attendance at one of Mr. Campbell's excellent speaking engagements.

Editorial Review:

Clark A. Campbell, author of a best-selling book on project management, has written a project management guide specifically for IT professionals who want to save time and work more efficiently. The One Page Project Manager for IT Projects:Communicate and Manage Any Project With A Single Sheet of Paper presents you with a winning formula for managing your complex IT projects using minimal resources. Coverage of vital topics like working with outside consultants, ERP project management, and ISO 9000 will be of special interest to IT managers and CIOs.

Radical Evolution: The Promise and Peril of Enhancing Our Minds, Our Bodies -- and What It Means to Be Human

Joel Garreau

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 31 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Taking us behind the scenes with today’s foremost researchers and pioneers, bestselling author Joel Garreau shows that we are at a turning point in history.  At this moment we are engineering the next stage of human evolution.  Through advances in genetic, robotic, information, and nanotechnologies, we are altering our minds, our memories, our metabolisms, our personalities, our progeny–and perhaps our very souls.  Radical Evolution reveals that the powers of our comic-book superheroes already exist, or are in development in hospitals, labs, and research facilities around the country–from the revved-up reflexes and speed of Spider-Man and Superman, to the enhanced mental acuity and memory capabilities of an advanced species. Over the next fifteen years, Garreau makes clear in this New York Times Book Club premiere selection, these enhancements will become part of our everyday lives. Where will they lead us? To heaven–where technology’s promise to make us smarter, vanquish illness, and extend our lives is the answer to our prayers? Or, as some argue, to hell–where unrestrained technology brings about the ultimate destruction of our species?

Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution

Steven Levy, Steven Levy

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 81 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Today, technology is cool. Owning the most powerful computer, the latest high-tech gadget, and the whizziest web site is a status symbol on a par with having a flashy car or a designer suit. And a media obsessed with the digital explosion has reappropriated the term "computer nerd" so that it's practically synonymous with "entrepreneur." Yet, a mere fifteen years ago, wireheads hooked on tweaking endless lines of code were seen as marginal weirdos, outsiders whose world would never resonate with the mainstream. That was before one pioneering work documented the underground computer revolution that was about to change our world forever. With groundbreaking profiles of Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak, MIT's tech Model Railroad Club, and more, Steven Levy's Hackers brilliantly captures a seminal moment when the risk takers and explorers were poised to conquer twentieth-century America's last great frontier. And in the Internet age, "the hacker ethic"--first espoused here--is alive an well.

Literature an Introduction to Reading and Writing

Edgar V. Roberts

List Price: $77.00 By: Prentice Hall College Div Amazon Marketplace: 19 new & used starting at $3.63

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Great teaching book 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

This book has a companion video series called Literary Visions. That series alsoo includes a study guide. I would highly recommend it.

For a textbook it's a really good book 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Obviously I purchased this for class, but unlike some textbooks which can be boring this one was really great. It's more of a collection of plays, stories, poems, etc. than a "literature is blah, blah, blah". It's also very informative, some of the english books I've had for other classes have been really boring or they've cut some of the authors work short. This one gives you so much that I'd really call it more of a book of collected works than a textbook.

It's also broken into sections like Fiction, Poems, which makes it easy to navigate through and the sections are further broken into chapters such as theme, setting, etc. with works that correspond, so you really get a good example of what each chapter is talking about.

One negative though would be the size, it's really big but with all that's included I guess it only makes sense that it would be that massive.

All in all it was a great purchase plus I think I bought it from someone on Amazon for a $1 (for a hardcover!) so it was also a good buy. My suggestion would be that more English professosrs should use it or for anyone who just wants to be informed literally, this is a really good book.

Editorial Review:

For Introduction to Literature; Freshman Composition, second semester, where the focus is on writing about literature. A brief, paperback version of the best-selling Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing, this compact edition retains all of the outstanding features of the original text. Like the book on which it is based, it is dedicated throughout to the interlocking processes of reading and writing. In addition to carefully chosen literary selections, each chapter contains detailed information on and sample essays for writing about literature.

Now Is Gone: A Primer on New Media for Executives and Entrepreneurs

Brian Solis, Geoff Livingston

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 24 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Now is not worth buying 1 out of 5 stars.
10 of 12 people found this review helpful.

Unfortunately Now is gone is not worth buying. It's a book that should have been a pamphlet. The essence of the book is barely a chapter's worth of meaningful material. The book belabors the same point over and over and yet provides little insight into the greater media landscape. I found the book to be a painful read and yet I slogged my way through more out of my own dedication to the topic than the hopes of finding something meaningful. The most interesting part of the book is the last chapter which is a series of interviews with other people. Again, it is from these interview that the author draws much of the material for the book.

If you are truly interested in the topic of social network's impact on media and society check out "Groundswell" published by Harvard Business Press.

Editorial Review:

Now Is Gone seeks to help businesses embrace Social Media intelligently. Readers can learn if their organization is ready, how to begin, the predominant participation is marketing approach that other businesses are using, social media marketing strategies, and general social media insights. In addition to best practices, the book is laced with case studies that demonstrate corporate successes. This primer provides the quickest way for executives and entrepreneurs to figure out social media marketing.

Hacker's Delight

Henry S. Warren

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

A collection useful programming advice the author has collected over the years; small algorithms that make the programmer's task easier. *At long last, proven short-cuts to mastering difficult aspects of computer programming *Learn to program at a more advanced level than is generally taught in schools and training courses, and much more advanced than can be learned through individual study/experience. *An instant cult classic for programmers! Computer programmers are often referred to as hackers -- solitary problem solvers engrossed in a world of code as they seek elegant solutions to building better software. While many view these unique individuals as "madmen," the truth is that much of the computer programmer's job involves a healthy mix of arithmetic and logic. In Hacker's Delight, veteran programmer Hank Warren shares the collected wisdom -- namely tips and tricks -- from his considerable experience in the world of application development. The resulting work is an irresistible collection that will help even the most seasoned programmers better their craft. Henry S. Warren Jr. has had a 40-year career with IBM, spanning the computer field from the IBM 704 to PowerPC. He has worked on various military command and control systems, and on the SETL project under Jack Schwartz at NYU. Since 1973 he has been in IBM's Research Division at Yorktown Heights, New York. Here he has done compiler and computer architecture work on the 801 computer and its several variants through PowerPC. Presently he is working on the Blue Gene petaflop computer project. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the Courant Institute at New York University in 1980.