Library & Information Science Books - Page 4

MediaWiki (Wikipedia and Beyond)

Daniel J. Barrett

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

Editorial Review:

"A good book! It's a nice overview of wiki editing and administration, with pointers to handy extensions and further online documentation." -Brion Vibber, Chief Technical Officer, Wikimedia Foundation "This book is filled with practical knowledge based on experience. It's not just spouting some party line." -Rob Church, a developer of MediaWiki MediaWiki is the world's most popular wiki platform, the software that runs Wikipedia and thousands of other websites. Though it appears simple to use at first glance, MediaWiki has extraordinarily powerful and deep capabilities for managing and organizing knowledge. In corporate environments, MediaWiki can transform the way teams write and collaborate. This comprehensive book covers MediaWiki's rich (and sometimes subtle) features, helping you become a wiki expert in no time. You'll learn how to: Find your way around by effective searching and browsing Create and edit articles, categories, and user preferences Use advanced features for authors, such as templates, dynamic lists, logical parser functions, and RSS, to organize and maintain large numbers of articles Install and run your own wiki, and configure its look and behavior Develop custom wiki features, called extensions, with the PHP programming language and MySQL database

This book also provides special guidance for creating successful corporate wikis. For beginners who want to create or work on collaborative, community-driven websites with this platform, MediaWiki is the essential one-stop guide. "I was a MediaWiki newbie before reading this book. Now, many aspects of the platform that were murky before are crystal clear." -JP Vossen, author of O'Reilly's Bash Cookbook

A History of Reading

Alberto Manguel

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 25 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

For anybody who has been graced to read to live, and others too! 5 out of 5 stars.
11 of 13 people found this review helpful.

When Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years in a white man's prison for being black he acknowledged that books kept him sane. When Somerset Maugham went travelling through Malaya early last century his companions were books. Any reader can identify with these two quite different gentlemen - Virginia Woolf wrote whilst at school "I have sometimes dreamt that when the day of judgement dawns and the great conquerors and lawyers and statesmen come to receive their rewards - their crowns, their laurels, their names carved indelibly upon imperishable marble - the Almighty will turn to Peter and will say, not without a certain envy when He sees us coming with our books under our arms, " Look, these need no reward. We have nothing to give them. They have loved reading." p. 311/312 A HISTORY OF READING. The great truth that every reader knows is that books liberate one, enrich one, reveal, embolden and humanize, entertain, inform, and nourish.
Senor Manguel's excellent book does all of these things in part - I never knew that the King James Version of the Bible was composed by a committee of 49. It was enlightening too to see the author list the common fallacies held about readers: 1. all literature is political, in the sense that it influences the political consciousness of the reader (a fallacy endorsed enthusiastically by Totalitarian States)2. The influence of a text is is directly proportional to its circulation. ( Mssrs Mills and Boon presently rule the Western World non? Or is it Mr Dan Brown President?). 3. "Popular" culture has a much larger following than "high" culture and therefore it accurately reflects the attitudes of the masses; 4. "high" culture tends to reinforce acceptance of the existing social and political order (a presumption widely shared by both the left and the right), and, 5. the canon of "great books" is defined solely by social elites. Common readers eitherr do not recognise that canon, or else they accept it only out of deference to elite opinion. p. 313 HISTORY OF READING.
Other gems among the many include this from KAFKA " Altogether I think we ought to read only books that bite and sting us. If the book we are reading doesn't shake us awake like a blow on the skull, why bother reading it in the first place? So that it can make us happy, as you put it? Good God, we'd be just as happy if we had no books at all; books that make us happy, we could, in a pinch, also write ourselves. What we need are books that hit us like a painful misfortune, like the death of someone we loved more than we love ourselves, that make us feel as though we had been banished to the woods, far from any human presence, like a suicide. A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us. This is what I believe. " p93 (Brilliant eh?)
There is also a touching examination of the prejudicial punishments readers have suffered because they read - beaten, shunned, imprisoned, and labelled - NERD, INTELLECTUAL, POSEUR, PRETENTIOUS TWIT, COMMUNIST etc.
Beautifully and joyfully composed, I finished Senor Manguel's fine A HISTORY OF READING on 24Dec05 and immediately started TRISTRAM SHANDY and made notes of other books mentioned that piqued my taste, nay love, of the continuing journey - a journey I shall never complete as, for example, I refuse to FINISH Proust - who would want it to end?

Editorial Review:

Alberto Manguel traces the history of reading from the earliest examples of Egyptian heiroglyphics, dating back 6000 years, through to the present day. He argues that it is the demands and expectations of the reader, rather than the creative will of the writer, that is of primary importance in the evolution of literary forms and genres. From man's first use of the written word simply as a form of reference, to the emergence of the first holy or devotional texts, and on to the development of fictions, both poetic and novelistic, this work should amuse, challenge and enlighten.

Photojournalism, Sixth Edition: The Professionals' Approach

Kenneth Kobre

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Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Photojournalism: A Professionals' Approach, 6th edition blends insightful interviews with professionals, practical experience, current equipment and camera technology, and high-impact photographs to create the definitive book on photojournalism. The DVD features footage of working professionals handling on-the-job challenges.

This revised edition features information on new laws affecting photojournalists, new trends in multimedia to keep skills competitive, and as the world grows smaller, a look back at some international history in the photography world. Updates throughout the a imaging chapter, feature pictures, picture editing, ethics, law and wartime censorship keep this book the bible it is known to be. More interviews and case studies with industry greats result in a stunning and dramatic showcase of the best of photojournalism.

What's new to this edition:
* Chapter on Multimedia introduces still photojournalists to reporting and sound gathering for multimedia and video reports for the Internet and television.
* Chapter on Video examines tools and techniques for shooting and storytelling in video.
* DVD includes a new hour-long documentary that takes readers inside Sports Illustrated to see how editors at the weekly magazine edit the world's greatest sports photos.
* Professor Kobré's blog provides links to multimedia and video pieces featured in this edition, and beyond: http://kenkobre.blog.bom

More Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason

Nancy Pearl

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Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The response to Nancy Pearl's surprise bestseller Book Lust was astounding: the Seattle librarian and winner of the 2004 Women's National Book Award even became the model for the now-famous Librarian Action Figure. Readers everywhere welcomed Pearl's encyclopedic but discerning filter on books worth reading, and her Rule of 50 (give a book 50 pages before deciding whether to continue; but readers over 50 must read the same number of pages as their age) became a standard MO.

Once again organized by topic, this sprightly follow-up includes an array of titles in nearly 150 eclectic categories, including Plots for Plotzing (highly unusual storylines), Animal Love (in which humans fall in love with animals), The Autobiographical Gesture (memoirs about complex lives), Child Prodigies (child characters who are called on to perform great and sometimes heroic acts), Nagging Mothers, Crying Children (true tales from the frontlines of parenting), and Libraries and Librarians. Both a valuable reference and a vastly enjoyable read, More Book Lust offers a wealth of enthusiastic, quirky reading recommendations.

Dictionary of Philosophy (Oxford Paperback Reference)

Simon Blackburn

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Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Surprisingly Comprehensive, Brilliant Encapsulations 5 out of 5 stars.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

I have long referred to the original Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy (1994) by Simon Blackburn. At that time, it was almost unique as a one-volume dictionary of philosophy. Especially in more recent years, however, it sometimes seemed to come short. Some crucial entries were missing, e.g. deflationary theories of truth, forms of life, or motivation -- and in particular, postmodern philosophers and postmodern terms.

This has all been addressed eleven years later, so that the 2005/2006 editions do not disappoint. It is surprisingly comprehensive, and it brilliantly encapsulates the core meaning of each entry in readily understandable terms. More obscure entries are cross-referenced to other terms, e.g. axiology, ideal language, or retributive justice.

Blackburn states in his preface that he has sought chiefly to write "through my own interests and judgements", keeping "the likely needs of the user in mind" -- while at the same time seeking to "light up the faculties". I would consider that the end result is a very good mix. One might well find all that one needs in this single volume.

This having been said, Blackburn is not known for his affection for postmodernism. Combined with his own special form of panache, this makes the new edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy a humorous read at times. Foucault, he notes, is said to deal with "subject and abject"; Derrida, on being accused of "a tissue of confusions", responded with a "blizzard of text"; while Levinas is "perhaps beyond the limits of intelligibility". I found myself following the postmodern trail just to find the next joke.

Editorial Review:

Comprehensive and authoritative the Dictionary of Philosophy contains over 2,500 entries, including biographies of nearly 500 influential philosophers. The dictionary provides wide-ranging and lively coverage of not only Western philosophical traditions, but also themes from Chinese, Indian, Islamic, and Jewish philosophy. This clear and easy to use reference also contains in-depth analysis of philosophical terms and concepts, and a chronology of philosophical events stretching from 10,000 BC to the present day.

In Style: Weddings (In Style)

Editors of In Style Magazine

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Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Inspiring Photos & Ideas 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I love this book! If you're planning your wedding and your vision is both tasteful, stylish, & classy - I highly recommend this book! I've had it for a few months now and my wedding is still 6 months away - I refer back to the book for additional ideas! Additionally, the photos are beautiful!

A coffe-table look at weddings 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Although I do not regret buying this book, it is more of an idea and reference book than anything else. But what else should one expect in a wedding book?

I really appreciated the section on invitations. It explains alot of vocabulary used in the printing industry. You think you know something about planning and events, and then you get engaged and realize that the smallest decision can be painstaking.

It could use an update as well. Most of the "celebrity" pairs included are no longer together.

Editorial Review:

Whether you’re married to the idea of an intimate beach gathering or the most formal of church ceremonies, In Style Weddings’ unique blend of expert advice and celebrity inspirations shows every bride how to make her wedding day uniquely her own. Arranged in 10 chapters: The Ring, The Invitation, The Dress, Beauty, The Flowers, The Cake, The Photography, The Wedding Party, The Ceremony and The Reception- this book offers examples and guidance on how to create the wedding of your dreams. With more than 500 vibrant full-color and black & white photographs, In Style Weddings is both visually stunning and useful. This book is your source of practical advice and endless inspiration for your wedding.

The McGraw-Hill Desk Reference for Editors, Writers, and Proofreaders(with CD-ROM)

K. D. Sullivan, Merilee Eggleston

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Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Indispensable Bible for Writing or Editing! 5 out of 5 stars.
15 of 15 people found this review helpful.

This book covers it all. If you are serious about your writing or the writing of others, this book is one-stop shopping. After editing for over twenty years, this book taught me how to not only think like a writer and editor, but to also think like a business person. It covers what references are needed and why, how to edit in an organized manner, and how to maintain consistency and clarity in any document. This book also covers electronic, PDF, and PowerPoint editing. Online references are given for quick assistance while in the process of writing or editing. Also, there's a test included as to focus on what the writer or editor's weaknesses are. This book is amazingly up-to-date and covers most needs for the serious wordsmith.

Editorial Review:

Packed with customizable editing tools--this practical, up-to-date reference includes the latest on writing and editing online

The McGraw-Hill Desk Reference for Editors, Writers, and Proofreaders is an indispensable resource for writers, editors, proofreaders, and virtually everyone responsible for crafting clear, polished writing. Ideal for professionals and novices alike, it guides you through the entire proofreading and editing process and features a CD-ROM with more than 25 interactive tools and checklists.

This all-in-one package offers style sheet templates, a list of editor’s symbols, comprehensive editing and proofreading checklists, and guides to commonly misspelled and confused words. It also presents advice on electronically editing and proofreading for the Web.

The Knot Guide For The Mother of the Bride

Carley Roney

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Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Leave it to The Knot, the most prestigious name in the bridal industry, to create a wise and heartwarming book for the second most important woman in the wedding. The Knot Guide for the Mother of the Bride explains the bridal planning process from start to finish, with special attention given to the responsibilities of the mother of the bride, such as engagement announcements and parties, interacting with the groom's family, and managing finances. Every aspect of the wedding tradition is covered from the mother's point of view, whether the etiquette of gift registries or how to organize a receiving line. Tips on the perfect form-flattering dress and camera-ready hair and make-up will help Mom create her perfect wedding look. Thoughtful suggestions give her ideas for supporting and encouraging her daughter, and for keeping perspective in high-pressure situations. Pretty illustrations and a lovely silvery jacket make this petite hardcover a special treasure. A great self-purchase for Moms or a cherished gift from the bride, The Knot Guide for the Mother of the Bride will help mothers and daughters enjoy the wedding—and each other.

Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning

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Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great purchase! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book is a must-have for anyone interested in becoming a library media specialist. It is an excellent source of information and practically required by the ALA, since that is who co-wrote it. It is also absolutely necessary if you're taking the Library Media Specialist Praxis test. A lot of the questions come from this book.

Editorial Review:

This volume aims to help readers respond proactively and help to lead the way to collaborative learning in schools. The American Library Association has been instrumental in shaping and publishing guidelines for school libraries for 75 years. This book incorporates the standards that should help students become skillful producers and consumers of information along with guidelines and principles to help create a dynamic, student-centred programme. The book's underlying concepts feature: helping students flourish in a learning community not limited by time, place, age, occupation or disciplinary borders; designing authentic learning tasks and assessments; speaking in terms educators understand; defining your role in student learning; and joining teachers and others to identify links in student information needs, curricular content, learning outcomes and a variety of print and nonprint resources.

Mental Floss: Cocktail Party Cheat Sheets

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Show Off Your Inner Geek at Boring Cocktail Parties 4 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

For some reason, this slim volume reminds me of the old TV commercial for Silly String which featured a room of yawning guests as a naval officer showed off his ribbons and said, "This is from the Boer War." It's always a good idea to have something up your sleeve to break the ice with strangers that doesn't have to do with the latest edition of People Magazine. After all, you want to have some semblance of an intellect on display to make that right impression.

This is yet another quick-read book from the editors of Mental Floss Magazine, a bimonthly launched in 2001 and targeted to aspiring Trivial Pursuit masters. This particular one, "Cocktail Party Cheat Sheets", is a clever series of possible conversation-starters that will hopefully make one's deep well of knowledge seem impressive without being intrusive. There are 44 topics, a chapter a piece, somewhat random in variety except a certain level of erudition. Each has a brief summary of what it is, an appropriate context in which to bring the topic up, some intriguing trivia facts to boost your interest, and actual suggestions for starting the conversation.

Topics are all over the map though there seems to be a predominance of historical figures covered from Attila the Hun to Miles Davis to Samuel Johnson to the Brontë sisters. The Rosetta Stone, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Magna Carta are included here, and so are the Dutch East India Company and the martini. Of particular interest to me are much-needed snapshots of James Joyce's "Ulysses" and the Qu'ran (Koran). I think it would have been more helpful had there been a better sense of organization about the information, for example, the creative way the editors used school subjects to divide the topics in another of their books, "What's the Difference?". Nonetheless, this is a fun read and well worth it for the hidden facts some of us actually crave.

Editorial Review:

Friends? Romans? Countrymen?
You never know whom you'll have to impress
at your next corporate shindig or keg party.

Whatever the target audience, mental_floss knows staring facedown into the punch bowl isn't the trick. In fact, that's exactly why we're handing you Cocktail Party Cheat Sheets—a totally effective, foolproof guide to starting and sustaining conversations on every topic under the sun. Want to wax wise about barbarians, socialist theory, and jazz musicians? What about Keynesian economics, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and James Joyce's Ulysses? Well, it's all right here in front of you.

We've jam-packed this book with jaw-dropping facts and hysterical anecdotes that are sure to please. So go ahead and stock up for your next soiree. We're not guaranteeing it will make you the most knowledgeable person in the room . . . just the most interesting.