Digital Books

Take a look at Myer's book if you are interested in the details of how the coupling of your system and the cohesion of your modules affect the quality of your design. Tom DeMarco dixit.

I read this book 20 years ago and I am still recommending it. WE NEED A REPRINTING!

Although it's nearly 20 years old, this book presents principles of software design that remain valid in today's client-server, object-oriented technologies. I know of no other work that so clearly communicates the concepts of modular program structure and the criteria for measuring it.

This is a good book in reliability modeling of computer systems as it explicitly explains very deep knowledge in a clear way. Many technologies presented in this book are easy to be applied in practice. The examples help me clearly understand them although there are some mathematical formulas out of my current knowledge structure.

The book studies the reliability on software, hardware, network and system levels. I especially like the part about the grid reliability that can be implemented to study the reliability of large-scale systems.

This is a good book that comprehensively investigates the reliability for most advanced computer systems.

Conscious Globalism: What's wrong with the world and how to fix it is, according to its author David A. Schwerin, not a book about globalization but rather an exposé of today's tension-laden conflicts using as the setting the globalization drama.

With globalization we are witnessing a re-organization of society around a distinct economic model-unrestrained capitalism. Moreover, as the author mentions, "it can be viewed as the world-wide integration of economic, political and social activities, and information."

Economic integration may be a natural and inevitable process that may lead to a higher standard of living and quality of life throughout the world. However, it is imperative that we are watchful of uncontrolled capitalism that produces counterproductive behaviors that are very often rampant in today's global marketplace.

In order to avoid costly errors, it is crucial to be able to distinguish these shortcomings, while analyzing many of the erroneous beliefs that motivate such conduct, and it is vital that we subsequently correct them.

Conscious Globalism is an engaging and informative read that invites readers to think deeply and seriously about the topics Schwerin zeros in on. One finds everything from the what, why, who and where of globalization, to the challenges, flaws and consequences and the possibilities. Although the topic itself may be enormous, the author has done an amazing job of putting many issues into perspective.

A great deal of ink is devoted to evaluating how our actions are dictated by three multifaceted components of our personalities, Me (self-centered), Them (other-directed) and Us (common-good-oriented.)

This Me behavior is very often in evidence with the heartless actions of corporations and individuals that are propelled by behavior having a negative impact, and which contribute very little to the democratic process. Many of these companies and the individuals, who run them, unfortunately change their ethical outlook when placed inside a corporate structure whose first aim is obedience and profit. Decisions are based on self-interest and ill conceived plans, leading very often to terrible results. Rather than adopting a trustful and co-operative environment, these individuals will adopt the "me first" attitude.

This was very much in evidence with the Enron and World Com debacles; however, as Schwerin points out, the offensive behavior of a few executives is not evidence of a fatal flaw in capitalism. The free market economy did not collapse nor has it been replaced by another economic model.

Other examples of the Me behavior can be seen in the dim-witted actions of the various politicians and world leaders, as well as others in authority.

Unfortunately, the Me behavior is often followed by the THEM rationalization when events don't turn out as planned. Schwerin succinctly describes it as a romanticized image of ourselves that we portray to the world in an attempt to gain acceptance and/or avoid responsibility for shortcomings.

Schwerin's principal argument centers on the concept of aiming for the common good as an ideal, and that we must evaluate the sustainability of globalism within the context of ecological, economic, political and socio-cultural spheres.Ill conceived strategies that ignore these elements will ultimately lead to global turbulence, as is now the case in certain geographical areas. Moreover, we must move from the Me to an US orientation, where globalization depends on trust and cooperation in order to function effectively.

There is a great deal of meat in this insightful and thought provoking book, and as the author points out, we do not live in a vacuum, everyone's fate is inextricably tied to the well-being of all humanity.


Norm Goldman, Editor Bookpleasures

Here is a book that tackles topics that might be deemed incompatible: human behavior, economics, environmental concerns and globalization. Schwerin brilliantly combines these disparate elements into an engrossing, deeply researched volume that convincingly portrays the need for an approach that provides individual fulfillment while protecting the environment, the human spirit, and international relations.

The breadth of the coverage is summarized in the subtitle: "What's wrong with the world and how to fix it." The cost of short-term thinking and immediate gratification is exposed while methodology for "fixing the world" is explored. Surprisingly, most of the recommendations appear reasonable in an era in which the inhabitants of our world seem so confused.

After reading David Schwerin's book, "Conscious Globalism: What's wrong with the world and how to fix it," I found myself feeling hopeful about the world and its future. David's examination of complex economic, financial, and business issues is not only comprehensive but also comprehensible. He lays the foundation for understanding in an articulate, readable manner, so that readers without extensive background knowledge can easily follow his analyses.

Perhaps what makes this book so relevant is that it describes solutions that do not depend on a radical departure from current models but are grounded in the capitalist system. It does not discard profit and self-interest as motives, but rather leads the reader to more accurate understandings of these principles. Citing examples, David shows how adopting practices that align with real self-interest can increase profitability in corporations that enact good employment and sound environmental policies. He also shows how individual investors can make a difference through socially responsible investing. By consciously choosing companies whose policies and practices reflect their values, investors do not necessarily have to sacrifice profit-they may, in fact, even do better.

This wonderful book offers new ways to view previously held beliefs and realistically encourages all that is best in us.

This was a nice little treat at the end of the day; I came home, had a relaxing evening and just got to laugh. I totally recommend this short for anyone who just doesn't have time to read the author's fabulous full-length novels. This story really makes you feel for Constance in a way that you couldn't really before when you were experiencing life from Jane's perspective.

Lauren Baratz-Logsted has that rare gift of making her reader laugh out loud. This is witty and delightful addition to her repertoire. Lots and lots of well-done humor and pathos.

Lauren Baratz-Logsted brings humor back to the short story. In this scene starring one of the supporting characters from the wickedly funny The Thin Pink Line and Crossing the Line, the author riffs on the modern world of publishing and online forums. A delicious Godiva chocolate of a story, this will appeal to the modern reader of classics as well as chick lit.

The short story format allows new readers to sample an unfamiliar author, to try out a new genre, or just to get a quick, punchy, fiction fix. Not all authors deal equally well with short and long forms of narrative, but here the author demonstrates that her talent is broad, as well as deep. Her sense of humor is quirky and charming, she is observant, and deft at quick sketches of characters. Enjoy.

I thought this article provided good insights into government contracting and the future direction of this industry. Very helpful to those managing contracts and working with the DoD as a contractor.

I had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Cavadias speak on this journal at a symposium earlier this year in Washington. His insights into the government's need to invest more specialized and dedicated resources toward managing contracts rather than just awarding them is long overdue for action. Taxpayers' investments into government-outsourced services could be better protected if this common sense paradigm shift is provoked. I'm certain that the Congressional Subcommittee on Government Reform would agree with the premise of this journal because it makes good business sense.

This is an amazing article. We were completely lost in the administration of our performance base acquisition until we read this article.

This monograph is easy to read and packed with practical tips and techniques you can use RIGHT NOW to elevate the level of creativity in your organization. It's a "how-to" guide that offers a variety of simple yet highly effective strategies to ensure purposeful creativity- not just creativity for its own sake.

8 ingenious ways to promote creativity which translates into improving communications, productivity, and your organization's overall environement. The article is clear, concise, and gives examples to back up what they are saying. This article enabled me to take dysfunctional meetings and make them into functional, problem-solving events.

This short book is loaded with little gems of insight. I know a few "wildcards" and I agree that they have been difficult to work with, but were brilliant with ideas! I had never thought about them as a "type" or "role" before, at least not explicitly. This short, easy read gave me some new insights that I will be able to use on the job and in my personal life.

This book reveals the true nature of the nearly tectonic shift in the landscape of content being caused by digital technology. Even as the editor of Digital TV magazine, I have not read a book that examines, in such a penetrating manner, and with such a dazzling collection of expert voices, the depth of this dramatic change and what it now means. Further, it reveals the implications for the future of creating and distributing content in the digital age. This book is a must for anyone who cares about navigating the new world of digital content.

This is a "must buy" for anyone interested in the digital revolution that is changing the way we communicate. It explains how camcorders, Avids, and computers have changed video, movie-making, web streaming, and how to become part of it. "Digital content" is really what video, TV and movies have become. You can re-use your video and audio in many different ways to better serve clients or create original programming. The book explains what's going on very clearly. Digital video is really computer data, so it's cheaper and easier to work with than "regular" video. And the image is better! You can produce any type of show for less money than ever before, and you can do more things with your video; stream it on the web, put it on a DVD disc, project it as a movie, or re-use clips for other programs. Audio and sound techniques are also included.
"Creating Digital Content" starts off with a funny story by Firesign Theatre's Peter Bergman that makes you realize how much digital video and software has changed the way movies and TV are made. Then there's a really interesting section on what "digital" really means, which is the most concise definition I've ever read. Really helpful is the fact that they go into specifics about the best equipment available... over 25 chapters all about computers, Avids, camcorders, memory, etc. which can be used to make HDTV, corporate video, interactive TV and yes, feature films! Whether you're at a local TV station, a production house, a university A/V department, or you're an "A" list DGA feature film director, these are the NEW tools that you must be familiar with and ready to use.
You'll understand how computers, software and camcorders have become the new ways to make TV, streaming video, and big budget movies. Plus amazing interviews with the giants in the field, such as George Lucas and James Cameron.
I highly recommend "Creating Digital Cinema". It's an invaluable resource for anyone seriously interested in video, TV, streaming, and movies, and at the same it's a great read.

For a subject rife with hype and confusion, the editors bring together articles that are by turns surprising, authoritative and laugh-out-loud funny. For industries with notoriously short attention spans, the book reveals the lessons learned from decades of failure and success in Interactive TV and digital TV and gives roadmaps to the future.

Well written and straight to the heart of the matter. If this review does not inspire you to purchase this book, you may count yourself among the hard core cases and should consider reading this inspiring work of words again! Our entire family is getting a copy! Once again, Jamie has captured the essence of the book and captivated her audience with her gift for the written word!

The insight expounded in this review far exceeded any preconceived notions that one would have about book reviews and their usefulness. If Jamie continues to spellbind her readers with the elegant and tactful phraseology, she will surely be recognized by the New York Times.

I have never seen or read anything as good as the review Jamie has written. This is her best work ever. I can hardly wait to read her next review. It was right on!!!!

This book, written by several of data broadcast specification authors, is The Definitive Work on the ATSC Data Broadcast specification.

If you are an implementer of data broadcasting, you need exactly two things: a copy of the specification and a copy of this book.

I highly recommend this book to all those who develop or maintain data broadcasting systems.

The good point is that it is not at all a replication of the specification (though a true copy of the A/90 spec is added as an appendix). The concepts are clear, progressive and sufficiently illustrated.

Chapter 3 alone tells you most you need to know about MPEG-2 Systems standard. I gained extra insight from it even after I had studied the original 13818-1 spec.

I found this book to be a great resource for the engineering and design fundamentals that relate to the question "how is all that data formatted and organized in digital television broadcasting?" The MPEG-2 Systems Standard is one of the foundations of digital television. If you're interested in how MPEG-2 really works at the system level, you'll find this book an excellent resource. The chapter on MPEG Transport by itself is worth the price of the book, but it also does a great job explaining another arcane MPEG-2 Standard, Digital Storage Media Command and Control (DSM-CC). It turns out DSM-CC is very useful in data broadcasting, but if you were to pick up the IEC standard itself and try to make sense of it, you'd find it very challenging.

Even though broadcasters have not started transmitting data along with digital television, this book sets the framework for understanding how it will be done. It's written by those experts in the field who actually designed the standard, so you know the information is accurate.

Absolutely creepy is the best way for me to begin this review on Keith Kekic's short, "Dead End."
We meet a dad, and his daughter, as they travel the turnpike on their way to a weekend visit for daughter,with mom, and her new man. Neither dad, nor daughter, are overjoyed at the long drive to reach their destination.

Needing gas they turn off an exit and travel down a dark road, cross a strange bridge, and find themselves at a weird gas station as the road dead-ends. This is where the 'creepy' adventure begins. What they find there, or should I say what finds them, is hair-raising. Great descriptive storytelling here, might I add.The visual of what is taking place is nasty, not nice. Now, let me say this, the ending will surprise you and is just what you would want in a good thriller read. Scary!

Man, You can spin a good yarn brother! I will never-ever-ever ride the turnpike again!

Dead End has by far been the best short I have downloaded from Amazon. They story keeps the reader captivated until the bloody end! I am looking forward to more material from the author.