Computers & Internet Books - Page 17

Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid

Douglas R. Hofstadter

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Subjects -> Entertainment -> Music -> Musical Genres -> Classical -> Composers -> Bach, Johann Sebastian
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 239 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Twenty years after it topped the bestseller charts, Douglas R. Hofstadter's Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid is still something of a marvel. Besides being a profound and entertaining meditation on human thought and creativity, this book looks at the surprising points of contact between the music of Bach, the artwork of Escher, and the mathematics of Gödel. It also looks at the prospects for computers and artificial intelligence (AI) for mimicking human thought. For the general reader and the computer techie alike, this book still sets a standard for thinking about the future of computers and their relation to the way we think.

Hofstadter's great achievement in Gödel, Escher, Bach was making abstruse mathematical topics (like undecidability, recursion, and 'strange loops') accessible and remarkably entertaining. Borrowing a page from Lewis Carroll (who might well have been a fan of this book), each chapter presents dialogue between the Tortoise and Achilles, as well as other characters who dramatize concepts discussed later in more detail. Allusions to Bach's music (centering on his Musical Offering) and Escher's continually paradoxical artwork are plentiful here. This more approachable material lets the author delve into serious number theory (concentrating on the ramifications of Gödel's Theorem of Incompleteness) while stopping along the way to ponder the work of a host of other mathematicians, artists, and thinkers.

The world has moved on since 1979, of course. The book predicted that computers probably won't ever beat humans in chess, though Deep Blue beat Garry Kasparov in 1997. And the vinyl record, which serves for some of Hofstadter's best analogies, is now left to collectors. Sections on recursion and the graphs of certain functions from physics look tantalizing, like the fractals of recent chaos theory. And AI has moved on, of course, with mixed results. Yet Gödel, Escher, Bach remains a remarkable achievement. Its intellectual range and ability to let us visualize difficult mathematical concepts help make it one of this century's best for anyone who's interested in computers and their potential for real intelligence. --Richard Dragan

Topics Covered: J.S. Bach, M.C. Escher, Kurt Gödel: biographical information and work, artificial intelligence (AI) history and theories, strange loops and tangled hierarchies, formal and informal systems, number theory, form in mathematics, figure and ground, consistency, completeness, Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometry, recursive structures, theories of meaning, propositional calculus, typographical number theory, Zen and mathematics, levels of description and computers; theory of mind: neurons, minds and thoughts; undecidability; self-reference and self-representation; Turing test for machine intelligence.

New Perspectives on Microsoft Office Access 2007, Comprehensive (New Perspectives)

Joseph J. Adamski, Kathy T. Finnegan

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 1.5 of 5

Requires abstracting the rule 1 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

This text takes you through step by step. However, formatting and technical aspects are given the same weight and are interspersed through each chapter. There is no list of generic steps to follow so you must abstract the rule when your database requirements differ from that in the text. The tutorials at the end (after chapter 4) require some skill that is not developed in the sample problems. It is unnecessarily wordy making it difficult to follow (there is no recognition that the user would have some basic Office skills like holding the shift key down to move a selected object). Often, a process is separated into several headings making it unclear how the process fits together as a whole. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office Access 2007, Comprehensive (New Perspectives)

Editorial Review:

Following the critical thinking, problem-solving approach of the New Perspectives Series learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of Microsoft Access 2007, including the new features of the software. The case-based tutorials challenge learners to apply what they are learning to real-life tasks, preparing them to easily transfer skills to new situations. With the New Perspectives Series approach, learners understand why they’re learning what they’re learning, and are better situated to retain skills.

MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-536): Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Application Development Foundation

Tony Northrup, Shawn Wildermuth, Bill Ryan

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Hardware -> Microprocessors & System Design -> Computer Design

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 74 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Hundreds! If not thousands! 4 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

OK, this book is a little dated, but I got a really good chuckle from an anecdote relayed by one of the authors that is still funny. Early in the book, on page 68, Mr. Wildermuth attempts to assert his expertise to the reader by declaring that he has "written hundreds, if not thousands, of lines of code". I have shown this little blurb around to many of my colleagues and clients. It has turned into somewhat of a euphemism for a n00b. For instance:

Dev1: "How did the interview go with Ted?"
Dev2: "Not great. He's got a good personality, but his skill set is a little weak."
Dev1: "What kind of stuff has he worked on?"
Dev2: "I would say that he has probably written hundreds, if not thousands, of lines of code."
Both: "ROFL!"

or

Dev1: "Holy cow! Come over here and look at this mudball of code that I have to support now."
Dev2: "Wow! You're not kidding. Who wrote this?"
Dev1: "Who do you think? Joe."
Dev2: "Oh man, he's written hundreds ..."
Dev1: "If not thousands!"
Dev2: "... of lines of code."

All that said, this book does the job. It helped me pass the test. I have taken quite a few Microsoft exams and I have usually turned to the Microsoft Press Self-Paced Training Kit books as a first resource. This book lives up to the good name the series has earned for itself.

I see from many of the reviews here that readers are disappointed if the book doesn't spoon feed them all the way through the exam. I would say that, for myself, preparing for an exam includes a multi-pronged approach. It starts with these books and continues to MSDN and Transcender. But most importantly, I think you have to definitely open up Visual Studio and practice. Write some code! Maybe even hundreds, if not thousands, of lines. ;)

Editorial Review:

Get in-depth exam prep for Exam 70-536, a core MCTS exam for the new Microsoft Technology Specialist and Professional Developer certifications and build real-world job skills. Includes test questions, reviews, case studies, code samples, and more.

Network Warrior

Gary A. Donahue

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Networking -> Networks, Protocols & APIs -> LAN

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 27 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Written by networking veteran with 20 years of experience, Network Warrior provides a thorough and practical introduction to the entire network infrastructure, from cabling to the routers. What you need to learn to pass a Cisco certification exam such as CCNA and what you need to know to survive in the real world are two very different things. The strategies that this book offers weren 't on the exam, but they 're exactly what you need to do your job well. Network Warrior takes you step by step through the world of hubs, switches, firewalls, and more, including ways to troubleshoot a congested network, and when to upgrade and why. Along the way, you 'll gain an historical perspective of various networking features, such as the way Ethernet evolved. Based on the author 's own experience as well as those he worked for and with, Network Warrior is a Cisco-centric book, focused primarily on the TCP/IP protocol and Ethernet networks -- the realm that Cisco Systems now dominates. The book covers: The type of networks now in use, from LANs, WANs and MANs to CANs The OSI Model and the layers involved in sending data Hubs, repeaters, switches, and trunks in practice Auto negotiation and why it 's a common problem in network slowdowns Route maps, routing protocols, and switching algorithms in Cisco routers The resilient Ethernet -- how to make things truly redundant Cisco 6500 multi-layer switches and the Catalyst 3750 switch Telecom nomenclature -- why it 's different from the data world T1 and DS3 Firewall theory, designing access lists, authentication in Cisco devices Server load balancing technology Content switch module in action Designing QOS and what QOS does not do IP design andsubnetting made easy The book also explains how to sell your ideas to management, how networks become a mess as a company grows, and why change control is your friend. Network Warrior will help network administrators and engineers win the complex battles they face every day.

How to Cheat in Flash CS3: The art of design and animation in Adobe Flash CS3

Chris Georgenes

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 36 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Frustrated by the overwhelming nature of Flash?

Want to get up to speed with the program fast so you can concentrate on your animation?

Need to solve problems quickly to get work done to time and to budget?

Then 'How to Cheat in Flash' is for you!

This book is different from the rest because it shows you, step by step, how to work from the problem to the solution when creating Flash animations, from the viewpoint of an animator who has been commissioned to create a job and is working to a deadline.

It is task orientated; every example shows real life commercial work. So, it's not so much a case of 'what does this filter/tool/option do?', as 'this is the task I've been set - how do I achieve it?' The solution may involve a variety of tools and techniques; it may take many steps to complete, or only a few. The free CD-Rom includes all the files you need to put your skills into practice as you read, and much more!

It's an accessible (conversational in style), practical book and CD package which also provides artistic inspiration, a goldmine of timesaving practical tips, tricks and step-by-step workthroughs. You will wonder how you survived without it.

* Successful, bestselling How to Cheat coverage now available for Flash
* Learn a myriad of tips and tricks based on real life working methods to help you work faster and more efficiently with Flash
* Work from the problem to the solution, gaining the best possible results from Flash

CompTIA A+ Complete Certification Kit

Quentin Docter, Emmett Dulaney, Toby Skandier, James Pyles

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

As the industry standard in terms of measuring a technician’s hardware and software knowledge, the CompTIA A+ exam is the most popular entry-level certification, particularly for individuals switching from another career to computers. This kit prepares you for the two-part certification exam by offering valuable information on personal computer components, laptop and portable devices, printers and scanners, networks, and security safety and environment.

This boxed contains three books that provides everything you need to prepare for the CompTIA A+ 2006 Certification Exam, including in-depth coverage of all exam objectives, exercises to hone your real-world skills, and a concise review for that last-minute test prep.

CompTIA A+(r) Complete Study Guide

This Study Guide provides complete, in-depth coverage of all exam objectives for all four CompTIA A+ exams in a systematic approach, so you can be confident you're getting the instruction you need

• Hands-on exercises reinforce critical skills
• Real-world scenarios put what you've learned in the context of actual job roles
• Challenging review questions prepare you for exam day
• Exam Essentials in each chapter helps you zero in on what you need to know
• Includes Eight practice exams on CD: 2 each for A+ Essentials, IT Technician, Remote Support Technician, and Depot Technician

PC Technician Street Smarts: A Real World Guide to CompTIA A+(r) Skills

Key information and hands-on practice organized around the actual day-to-day tasks and challenges you'll face in the field as a PC Technician, including installing and maintaining hardware and software, and much more

• Practice what you've learned with challenging real world scenarios
• Follow step-by-step exercises and get the skills you need in the field
• Based on specific exam objectives--use this as a lab manual for certification prep

CompTIA A+(r) Complete Fast Pass(TM)

A concise review tool--and the perfect companion to the CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide--focusing on essential information for all four A+ exams

• Easy-to-use book is organized by exam objectives for quick review
• Exam Essentials in each chapter helps you zero in on what you need to know
• Contains more review questions and practice tools than competing review guides
• Includes four practice exams on CD plus electronic flashcards and a searchable Glossary of Terms

High Performance MySQL: Optimization, Backups, Replication, and More

Baron Schwartz, Peter Zaitsev, Vadim Tkachenko, Jeremy Zawodny, Arjen Lentz, Derek Balling

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

High Performance MySQL is the definitive guide to building fast, reliable systems with MySQL. Written by noted experts with years of real-world experience building very large systems, this book covers every aspect of MySQL performance in detail, and focuses on robustness, security, and data integrity. High Performance MySQL teaches you advanced techniques in depth so you can bring out MySQL's full power. Learn how to design schemas, indexes, queries and advanced MySQL features for maximum performance, and get detailed guidance for tuning your MySQL server, operating system, and hardware to their fullest potential. You'll also learn practical, safe, high-performance ways to scale your applications with replication, load balancing, high availability, and failover. This second edition is completely revised and greatly expanded, with deeper coverage in all areas. Major additions include: Emphasis throughout on both performance and reliability Thorough coverage of storage engines, including in-depth tuning and optimizations for the InnoDB storage engine Effects of new features in MySQL 5.0 and 5.1, including stored procedures, partitioned databases, triggers, and views A detailed discussion on how to build very large, highly scalable systems with MySQL New options for backups and replication Optimization of advanced querying features, such as full-text searches Four new appendices The book also includes chapters on benchmarking, profiling, backups, security, and tools and techniques to help you measure, monitor, and manage your MySQL installations.

Essentials of Marketing with Student CD

Jr., William D. Perreault, Joseph P. Cannon, E. Jerome McCarthy

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Editorial Review:

This edition of Essentials of Marketing has been critically revised, updated, and rewritten to reflect new concepts, new examples, and recent "best practices." It builds on the foundation pillars of previous editions – the four Ps framework, managerial orientation, and strategy planning focus. 11e builds upon its pioneering beginnings that introduced the "four Ps" to the introductory marketing course. Focus of Essentials of Marketing has always been on how to make the marketing decisions that a manager must make in deciding what customers to focus on and how best to meet their needs. This edition extends the strategy planning approach, integrating concepts tightly with the marketing strategy planning model. The authors have made ongoing changes to the text to reflect marketing's best practices and ideas. The supporting materials that accompany it have been more widely used than any other teaching materials for introductory marketing. This edition extends the strategy planning approach, integrating concepts tightly with the marketing strategy planning model.

Security+ Guide to Networking Security Fundamentals, Second Edition

Mark Ciampa

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Lightweight textbook; lab material is dated 3 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

My instructor uses this as one of two textbooks for the Network Security course, primarily because there is an answer key for the chapter review questions. The book isn't bad, although I find it lightweight in comparison to the other text, Designing Network Security 2nd ed., by Merike Kaeo.

My biggest issue is that the lab material presented is woefully out of date, since this book was published in 2004. The principles of network security do not change radically in two years' time, but software certainly does!

I attend Illinois Institute of Technology, which is unique in that some programs mix graduate students and undergrad students in classes, with the expectation that graduate students perform at a higher level than the undergrads. IIT is also known for the [...], or Interprofessional Projects Program, which brings together students from engineering, science, humanities, business, architecture, psychology, law and design to solve many unique and useful problems.

As you can see, IIT encourages diversity and teamwork. My project team consists of myself (grad student with a good deal of experience) and three undergrads with varying levels of experience.

If one does not have a certain level of PC experience, doing some of the labs in this book without current instructions can be tedious, if not impossible for some people.

The official website has only two downloads for the book. One is a list of errata, dated July 2006. The other maps the textbook content to the LabSim content, which I suspect would be useful only if you purchased that option. My suggestion to the author is that he publish a quarterly update on the website with revisions to the labs in the textbook.

Regardless, I would not advise paying full price for this book, especially since the Security+ exam is going to be revised soon, from what I have been reading.

Editorial Review:

Completely rewritten to include Microsoft Windows Server 2003 coverage and other cutting-edge technologies, this best selling text will ensure your students' success on CompTIA's latest Server+ Exam.

Search Engine Optimization: Your visual blueprintfor effective Internet marketing (Visual Blueprint)

Kristopher B. Jones

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

"This book is an excellent learning tool. Like any other tool, you get out of it exactly what you put in. My advice is to spend as much time with each section as YOU need. If you do that, you will walk away with every bit of the knowledge an industry thought leader can provide."--Kevin M. Ryan, Vice President, Global Content Director
Search Engine Strategies and Search Engine Watch

"Search engine optimization is, without question, one of the highest ROI activities a business can undertake. It’s also one of the most misunderstood. Fortunately, we’ve got people like Kris to act as our tour guide and translator. A solid strategy and attention to detail are essential to a successful SEO campaign and that’s exactly what Kris delivers."--Rand Fishkin, Chief Blogger and CEO, SEOmoz

"Kristopher Jones is one of a small number of entrepreneurial executives whose confidence, innovation, and creativity has been instrumental in developing and framing search engine, social media optimization, and Internet marketing. Kristopher is a modern day blend of John Wayne, Thomas Edison, and Andy Warhol. Kristopher Jones and his Pepperjam team tirelessly implement innovative search engine optimization, pay-per-click, affiliate marketing, and social media optimization solutions for a broad base of corporate customers. Kristopher Jones will continue to have a profound effect on Internet marketing and social networking." --Jack Kiefer, President & CEO, BabyAge.com

"Kris envisioned search engine optimization as an integral element of online marketing before the phrase was even coined. This book reveals his secrets for success in getting competitive words and phrases highly ranked on the major search engines. Since 2000, Kris and his team at Pepperjam have implemented successful SEO strategies for igourmet.com, helping grow our revenues and shape our product mix. I highly recommend this book as either an easy-to-follow road map for novices or a valuable reference for experts."--Spencer Chesman, President & CEO, igourmet.com

"Search engine optimization (SEO) is an integral part of an effective online marketing strategy. With this book Kris offers a step-by-step guide to get your Web site ranked by the major search-engines. At 1-800-PetMeds we have worked with Kris and his team at Pepperjam for the last three years to implement a range of online marketing strategies that have worked very effectively. I highly recommend you read this book and implement the strategies contained within." --Alex Irvin, Online Marketing Director, 1-800-PetMeds.com

"Search engine optimization has emerged as the flagship service in the growing Internet marketing landscape, and Kristopher Jones is a leader in explaining the intricate details and subtle balances that make it all work." --Bruce Clay, President, Bruce Clay, Inc.

"Kris Jones is a leading expert in marketing both affiliate-based and client sites. His expertise comes from a wide perspective you can’t get from most search engine marketers. When I listened to Kris speak at the Elite Retreat conference, I felt like I was a conference attendee rather than a fellow speaker."--Aaron Wall, SEO Expert and Blogger, SEObook.com

Welcome to the only guidebook series that takes a visual approach to professional-level computer topics. Open the book and you'll discover step-by-step screen shots that demonstrate over 140 key search engine optimization techniques, including:

• Analyzing your competition
• Researching and analyzing keywords
• Developing your link building skills
• Setting up blogs and communities
• Using Google Analytics
• Networking with Facebook and MySpace
• Boosting traffic with Digg and StumbleUpon
• Setting up pay-per-click campaigns
• Discovering ways to monetize Web traffic
• Installing valuable SEO plug-ins

Extra Apply It

• "Apply It" and "Extra" sidebars highlight useful tips
• High-resolution screen shots demonstrate each task
• Succinct explanations walk you through step by step
• Two-page lessons break big topics into bite-sized modules