Multimedia Books

Like so many others, I'm self-taught in Photoshop, InDesign ... and now I'm tackling Final Cut Pro.

Visual QuickPro Guides are quickly becoming my "go to" books for technical learning. I have found them to be:

1. Packed full of information;
2. Easy to read (the pages are set up perfectly for us visual learners);
3. Well indexed to find information.

Lisa Brenneis' FINAL CUT PRO 6 guide is quickly becoming well-worn as I learn the ins and outs of final cut.

If you're teaching yourself Final Cut like I am, this book is a must-have.

Enjoy!

Learning FCP by reading the manuals is like running in mud. Turning to Visual Quick pro is a great way to get a jump start on learning FCP. Using this book is perfect for finding answers to simple yet mounting tasks when editing with FCP. Great book to keep on hand weather you're new to FCP or an old pro. This book will save you time and cut down on the trial and error process.

I own most books written on Final Cut Pro. I love all the Apple Pro books. But.......this is the first book I always tell everyone to purchase. It is the essential FCP reference for most situations. Of course it doesn't go into everything like the manuals but I feel this book is a must read and is never far from my editing room.

The guys at the Genius Bar in the Apple Store in San Francisco recommended this to me, and I'm happy they did. It's simply excellent!

I didnt buy this book to learn about flash coding, or web development. I bought this book because I am interested in Software rendered graphics. That is, applications that dont utalize OpenGL or Direct 3D for rendering to the screen. I bought this book for the techniques it discusses in "faking" 3d, and also producing real 3d. So far it has done a perfect job in giving me ideas and techniques that I can use in my applications. For anybody interested in producing anything that is real time, and 3d, I would reccomend this book.

This is the best book I have read in years! If you know the basics of ActionScript and you know sine and cosine, this book opens up whole dimensions of possibilities for both games and business applications of Flash.

It is clearly written and reads more smoothly than most programming books. While it does assume a basic literacy with ActionScript, it does not leave you flailing with complex 3D concepts. You may have to pull out your definitions of sine and cosine, but beyond that, it is pretty light lifting.

The genious of the book is that it violates commmon assumptions, and this results in simple, elegant techniques that are also powerful for a wide range of problems. The common assumption is that Flash doesn't do 3D. Don't believe it anymore. If you are willing to use some basic limitations to your application (such as keeping your polygon count down), you can have some smoothly flowing, useful 3D applications with relatively little effort. And unless I'm mistaken, those applications will run equally well on a browser running on a Mac, Windows or Linux.

The solutions are simple and eclectic. The authors have created a variety of 3D engines - each optimized for a given purpose. The engines are simple enough that (in theory) you can take the source and enhance it to your needs. Each technique is backed up by source code that you can download from the publisher's web site. But don't shortchange yourself with only the sample code - the explanations in the text are worth the cost of the paper book.

Here are my favorite techniques:

* ch 8 (P 195) - Drawing API and Math for 3D - here they explain and provide a working polygon 3D engine. The demos work smoothly (at least 20-30 frames per second) on my cheap Dell laptop. The demos include a oragami bird and a rocket ship with at least 10-20 polgons each. It doesn't support bitmapped textures, but it does offer fill color and shading support.

* ch 9 - 3D Slice Engine - this is the more clever, powerful and non-obvious technique of the book. Check out "dad.swf" in the binary samples from the web site to get an idea of the power of this approach - the author has made a 3D talking head of his father from a photograph! The idea here is that if you can view your 3D world as a topographical map, then you can model it with a set of parallel planes, where each plane represents a certain cut through the entire 3D model. This approach, though not immediately intuitive, is extremely powerful in Flash because it plays on the strenghths of Flash. Each plane is represented by two "movieclip" objects, with one embedded in the other. The first one handles scaling, and the second handles rotation, within the scaled clip. The hidden surface problem is finessed because the planes are parallel - so you only reverse the rendering order once every 180 degrees of change in viewer angle. This enables you to handle full bitmap detail of your scenes, and the result is pretty dazzling! The basic rendering engine requires only about 50 lines of ActionScript!

* Ch 6 - Parallax Scrolling - This name is misleading - it really goes beyond a scrolling 2D game model. In the Wyvern's Claw" example, it explores the idea of building a 3D world like a movie set - with a set of strategically placed flat surfaces (like the fronts of buildings in the studio sets). Each surface is a movieclip, and your script manages the proper scaling and shading as the viewer moves through. The demo then shows an animated walk-through of a small town rendering in such a way. This seems very cool for a potential game.

I'm already using the Chapter 9 slice engine for a work-related project - multidimensional data browsing. So for me, the book was not only stimulating to read but valuable!

TOC:

Chapter 1 Introduction to Flash 3D
Chapter 2 Light and Shadow
Chapter 3 Scaling for 3D
Chapter 4 Isometric 3D
Chapter 5 Focus and Depth of Field
Chapter 6 Parallax Scrolling
Chapter 7 Text Effects in 3D Space
Chapter 8 Drawing API and Math for 3D
Chapter 9 3D Slice Engine
Chapter 10 Departure Lounge: Moving beyond Flash 3D

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 10 don't require a trigonometry
background. One of Chapter 6 topics uses XML though.

The best chapters for me were 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6.

I gave the book 5 stars because it has something for everyone.
Some people use Flash to create digital art while others use it
for practical purposes. This book delivers to both people.
Unfortunately, I belong to the latter kind and some of the topics
aren't for me.

I also think that some chapters are impractical unless you're
really a math geek. For example, I think Chapter 8 - Drawing
API and Math for 3D -- is unnecessary because you can import
Swift 3D files.

Some of the authors also show you Actionscript without really
explaining what it does (I think they assume you do know trig).
I work for a software engineering firm (not as an engineer
though) but I do know that it's bad practice to embed magic
numbers -- literals that don't have apparent meaning -- in
any code. It's better to put them in constants.

One of the authors (the Chapter 4 author I think) said to get
a good book on trigo. I don't think I will because there are
plenty of free trigo tutorials on the web. I agree though that
to get the most out of Flash and this book, learning trigo is a
must.

This has to be about the best book I have ever seen. The 3D cheats in it are amazing -- and you surely wouldn't know you were cheating. There are some incredibly insightful techniques, and some more staple things if you're not quite steady on your feet yet.

I think I am, but this book showed me how much more there was to know!

a great book for any flash student with superb examples . a must for anyone connected to computers..

This is a quite thorough book that picks up where Mohler's intro book leaves off. It's written as if a Flash instructor literally transcribed his class presentations, which is good and bad. Explanations are long, but at times are wordy and dull. It will remind you at times of tedious homework assignments and drills. There is quite a bit of slogging through pages with only two or three long paragraphs with no Flash code. That's not bad, but it's a sign that an editor probably could have tightened up the writing here.

Also, these authors need to lighten up and learn to write! The tone they take is often "academic", with all the snobbiness and overuse of big words and long sentences that comes with that. Often it's clear that one or the other of the two authors has written a particular passage--and there are some awful clunkers there. Better instructors and writers strive for a more human, friendly tone.

Also, there are coding techniques that seem to me not to reflect current or common Flash coding practice, like the frequent use of the eval() function and the set() function (which I've *never* seen other advanced Flash authors use).

One good thing: the two long projects in the book are kind of neat, definately better than in some other big Flash books.

I'm a beginning flash user, and I picked this book up as a follow up to Mohler's first book. Even though it explores advanced scripting, the explanations are clear enough for beginners like myself to understand. I actually understand OOP because of the great dog class example. There are some really great examples on the cd-rom. It's so helpful to have an actual Flash file to play with, so I can see exactly how it works.

I bought this book a couple of weeks ago and I love it. It has tons of examples in the CD. It is a great book to learn complex actionscripting.

Oh, how beautiful it is to look at your calendar and feel inspired, peaceful, content, optimistic! And Susan Seed's art work does this so well. You have to see this calendar to believe it, and it almost makes you wish the year 2000 would disappear so we could use this calendar right away...every day! --Tom

I think the graphic design of this desktop calendar is beautiful. Just looking at it makes me feel relaxed. Each month has an inspiring quote that adds to its uniqueness.

I think the graphic design of this desktop calendar is beautiful. Just looking at it makes me feel relaxed. Each month has an inspiring quote that adds to its uniqueness.

The thing that really stands out on this desktop calendar is that the artwork and calligraphy is excellent - beautiful to look at. The poetry for each month adds a nice touch. Practically speaking, I appreciate that on the flip side of each artistic rendition is a more basic calendar of the same month, with even enough room to jot a small note. Also, it's great to have a 14 month calendar for those of us who need a couple of extra months to get that new desktop calendar ! Anyone would love this calendar, but I see it as being an especially nice gift for the ladies in the office. Buy a bunch !

I grew up with these songs (only they were on cassette then) & absolutely loved them. It was played over & over again. Very good, catchy lyrics as well as contemplative songs teaching about God & His character. I am so glad they are now out on CD as my cassette got worn out with me, and then my younger sisters, playing it that it's no longer in good working order for the next generation!

One Starry Night: Stop and Smell the Roses Series (Stop and Smell the Roses)

My parents bought these in LP format when I was a kid. I was so excited to see they remastered the songs and put them onto CD. My kids love them as much as I did. They still ask to listen to them and they are a little older that I would think to still be interested in them (6,7 & 10), but they are just fun songs - your family will enjoy them for a VERY LONG TIME! Highly recommend the CD - you won't be disappointed.

Bullfrogs & Butterflies: God Is My Friend (1978) is the first of four cds in the series "Bullfrogs and Butterflies."

The Agapeland website says this cd features: Barry McGuire, George Banov, Jim & Dee Patton, Andy Davis, Kathy Salerno, Sherry Saunders, Frank Hernandez, Mary Gross, Theretha Boswell, Ane Weber, Ron Krueger.

Songs on the album include Welcome To Agapeland, Good Morning, This Is The Day, Rainy Day Song, Kid Talk, I Like Knowing God, My Hands Belong To You, Friends, Practice Makes Perfect, Bullfrogs and Butterflies, Noah, and You're So Good To Me. Throughout the songs there are some narrative bits.

"Welcome To Agapeland" is the cheerful opening song which "transports" the listeners to a cartoon-like world of love, peace, and goodwill. (I know this because the record album included illustrations for all the songs.) 5 stars

"Good Morning" continues the cheerful spirit of "Welcome To Agapeland" and unless it's used as a mean-spirited wake-somebody-else-up song...is quite enjoyable :) 5 stars

"This Is The Day" is a softer, slower song with lyrics taken straight from Scripture. 4 stars

"Rainy Day Song" is one of my favorites. It's message is that the weather (rain or shine) doesn't matter since Christians have a different sort of son shine. (Corny pun, yes, but it's still fun in its own little way.) 5 stars

"Kid Talk" is another one of my favorites. This song is a conversation between two kids: a boy and a girl. The message of the song...is that everyone...kids and adults...can have a relationship with God. 5 stars

"I Like Knowing God" is sung by a spirited bunch of kids. It compares the normal "kid activities" with the more spiritual ones. Cute song. 4 stars.
"My Hands Belong To You" lacks the spirit and energy of the rest of the album, it's more of a slow-down-and worship song. 4 stars.

"Friends" was the first song on the second side of the record/cassette; so it begins off with a cheerful "Welcome Back" message. It's an upbeat song that is very catchy. 5 stars.

"Practice Makes Perfect" is an endearing song about a young girl whose piano playing is less than perfect...and her determination to keep on trying. 5 stars.

"Bullfrogs and Butterflies" is a very fun song; it's hard not to sing along with this great song. 5 stars

"Noah" is a very fun story-song (much better than the classic "Arky Arky") that, as you can guess, tells the story of Noah. This song is fun to clap and dance too. Although I spent my entire childhood listening to this album, it wasn't until recently that I noticed how much of a disco-beat this song had! 5 stars

"You're So Good To Me" is the last song on the album. It is in a way a "wind-down" song. It's probably my least favorite on the album...although it's not a bad song. 3 stars.

I grew up listening to BULLFROGS AND BUTTERFLIES: God is My Friend. It was a wonderful album then, and I'm glad to see it has been released on cd.

The music will probably seem dated to some audiences, but if you grew up in the late seventies to early eighties...these songs will transport you back. (A trip I'm quite happy to make some days.)

I remember the "Bullfrogs & Butterflies" title song from childhood, but, it wasn't until I bought this CD recently, that I heard the entire album. I gotta tell you, I adore it! I gave it to my sons (ages 2 & 4) for Christmas, and they already know most of the words! It's soooo cute to hear their little voices singing about God and His love for us.
The songs are not annoying like some kids' music can be. The tunes are very catchy, and the lessons are simple enough for the youngest listeners to understand.

I went to school for video so a majority of the book was review. There were aspects I found useful. There are some differences in video production for the web. This book clearly identified them. Very useful tool to have beside the computer.

Do you ever published video online using Flash? Do you ever used Flash Media Server and don't know where to begin? Do you know how to make your videos look gorgeus online?

The response to all this questions (and much more) are beautifully explained in this book.

It covers from capturing video, creating a 3 point light studio for maximizing the quality and size of the compressed file, to the deployment of your solution using Flash Media Server. It's full of real world examples that you can use right out of the box.

Really really good book for starters. And if you want more, look for others titles of Focal Press.

This is an excellently mastered book. The writing style is clear. The step by step examples are appropriately illustrated. There is source video and a plentiful supply of links for needs. The illustrations are appropriate and carefully selected for the key points.

If you are a FMS (Flash Media Server) administrator or programmer, you will find answers to those user inquiries why their video looks poorly. You will have intelligent responses and tools to analyze the problems likely caused by the capture and prepartion of the video.

For videographers, this is your bible on how to capture video for Flash.

For video editors, this is your bible on how to prepare and compress the files.

For newbies to Flash video, you have the soup to nuts book that breaks it down into nice chunks with examples.

Very impressive part of the text is that many assertions are supported with research from many major video publishing entities.

Finally there is a thread throughout the book that provides the market and industry information to help you assess your choice of Flash video as a web video platform.

You will learn the specific steps in major digital video software packages such as Adobe Premier and Final Cut to fix issues.

You can learn how to set-up a recording set with the correct lighting that will be best for Flash video format.

You can learn to install the Flash Media Server (free) and use it and not be a programmer, but willing to download example files needed. Or if you are interested in programming FMS, this gets you started.

The Hands-On Guide to Flash Video if full of good information for anyone interested in streaming video on the Web. For those interested in using streaming video for anything from professional level videos to those who just want to get something on YouTube, this book is a gem. Ranging from those who know absolutely nothing about Web video to those, like myself who need to learn more about taking videos and some of the technical characteristics of digital video, such as interlacing, you'll find this book invaluable.

The 19 chapters are written in a friendly and accessible style covering 1) Creating video, 2) Preparing video for the Web, and 3) working with Flash, including a clear introduction to Flash Media Server. Having worked with Flash Media Server (FMS) since it's inception, I have found that one of the best tricks for saving on bandwidth is good lighting and good sound, both of which are covered in this book. Likewise, for those new to streaming video, you will find how to set up a progressive download that you can set up on your hosting server without having to use FMS if you choose.

Among the many other topics I found revealing are the following:
1. Chroma keying - removing parts of a background so that any background can be inserted. Best known for weather reports on TV.
2. Cue points - adding triggers in the video that can be used as events. Cue points are very useful for adding information,
3. Interlacing and Deinterlacing in video files
4. Decision-making in setting video parameters
5. Optimizing light and sound for streaming video

An area that is in need of serious help is provided by the introduction to Flash Media Server. This will help in developing FMS2 applications for those who are new to open socket server technology. So for newbies to FMS, this will come as a welcome addition.

One of the interesting (and I think correct) decisions the authors made was to use the Flash CS3 platform with ActionScript 2.0 instead of ActionScript 3.0. Here's why. It will be at least a year or so before a significant number of users will have the Flash 9 plug-in for their browsers. Yesterday I bought a new iMac, and the Safari browser that comes with the Flash plug-in is still using Flash 8. (I found that out when I tried to play one of my apps built with AS 3.0.) What's important is that On2's VP6 technology started in Flash 8. So, no one is missing a significant video element using ActionScript 2.0 as would be the case with Flash 7 or earlier. [...]

How to Use Flickr: The Digital Photography Revolution by Richard Giles taught me a lot that I didn't know before. If you have months to read through the forums then you can learn some of what is in this book. If you want to learn that and more in a week then this is the book for you. I keep it next to the PC because I have it full of bookmarks. To learn even more tricks, let me suggest the
Flickr Hacks book too. They go well together.

I must have come late to the party! How did I know so little about Flickr? It is such a natural outgrowth of the Web and digital photography.

Flickr is a web site for the storage and display of photographs by anyone who wants to take the time to post them. In that way, it's similar to an individual website. But Flickr is so much more.

In the first case, it's so much easier to load a picture onto Flickr, than to create a website. Sign on, click upload a picture, browse through your computer, find the image you want and click. There it is on screen.

Flickr lets you limit access to the photo in various ways or open it up to the whole world to see. Then you can add tags (or keywords) to your picture that let that photograph be integrated into the larger Flickr community. Note that word community. That concept is a central tenet of Flickr because the site aims at tying its members together. It does this through a number of devices, like allowing its members to set up groups of like minded photographers. For example, there's a group that features pictures of members looking at pictures of members, or a group that is concerned with the development of Flickr. Members get to comment on each others pictures, and communicate back and forth. And Flickr offers a number of controls so that one can decide just how much or little one wants to participate. And that's just the start.

I had a number of questions about Flickr. Setting up a website for your pictures lets you exercise far more control over how people view your pictures. I was also concerned about how you protect your property interest in your pictures until I saw that Flickr will import your EXIF data (if you don't know what that means, it's probably not an issue that will bother you) including an imbedded copyright.

Meanwhile, what about the book? You can probably learn all of the potential of Flickr by banging around the website, clicking links. But what Giles has done is put it into order with explanations of capabilities of the program and detailed steps on how to access them and set up your pictures the way you want. For those who are interested in the history of the community or in learning about some other participants, there are sidebars which are not essential to read but interesting to get the feel of Flickr. Giles' writing is accurate and helpful. I easily got onto Flickr (which offers a free membership, although heavy users will want a paying account), uploaded my pictures, and even used those pictures as a feed to a blog. Giles is an apostle of the community aspects of Flickr, and even an old anchorite like me could see where it might be fun to get in on Flickr. My only worry with pursuing Flickr is that I can see where this could easily become an addictive time suck.

If you are not afraid of that, and if you are a digital photographer and don't know the in-and-outs of Flickr, it's time to get Giles and get started.

While this wonderfully written book is one for the beginers too, as a veteran of almost two years in flickr, not only had I have joy of reading it but also learned and discovered things I never knew.

Not only teaching, but agrable interviews with those around or working for flickr or products usefull for those having pictures in it, it also conveys so well the spirit of communication of flickr.

I recomend it to all, not only all ages but all competences too, and all over the world who understand english. Hope, soon will be also translated in other major langagues.

In one word: one excellent, usefull and enjoyable book.

I checked this book at the bookstore twice, spending each time over 20 minutes browsing through this book. I have to say that if you feel challenged by the internet this book will help you learn the ins and outs of Flickr in an organized and easy to read way. On the other hand, if you know how to explore the web by yourself, use the help tool, and forums there is no point in buying this book.

So why did I pick it up in the first place? I wanted to learn about the strategies people use to increase traffic in their site. Ultimately I want some of my top notce pictures to make it to the Explore main page. Alas, this book did not add much to my knowledge in that area.

Although I have iLife '06, this edition on '04, which I found second-hand at a bargain price, is good enough for the moment in guiding me around the various components of the software (I am new to Macs and iLife). The recommendation is naturally to find a copy on the version of iLife you've got, but I like David Pogue's book on OS X Tiger, and when I found this book I snatched it up without hesitation.

Under the general name of iLife, Apple includes five software packages that are oriented to your creative expression and entertainment. While the programs are nifty, the documentation that comes with them is somewhat less than outstanding. David Pogue, has created a series of books called "The Missing Manual." In this manual, he provides what is missing for the iLife software, the missing manuals.

The five software packages included in iLife include: iTunes, iMovie, iPhoto, iDVD, and GarageBand. Mr. Pogue highlights the newest features and improvements of iLife '04, covers the capabilities and limitations of each program within the suite, and delivers countless goodies not found anywhere else: undocumented tips, tricks, and secrets for getting the best performance out of every one of iLife's life-changing new applications.

I have trouble believing the basic premise of the book. That Apple bundled together 5 very useful programs (iMovie, iPhoto, iTunes, iDVD and GarageBand) into something it calls iLife, and then released it with no hardcopy instructions! Granted, Apple is generally considered to be a very innovative company. Its products like these here are typically the most intuitive in the computer industry. But surely it is arrogant to omit a manual. If nothing else, it voluntarily cedes revenue that passes to the author of this book. An Apple shareholder might reasonably be upset.

You can read the book as a very natural continuation of Pogue's other successful books on the Mac. He shows how Apple put together a very coherent group of programs. Pogue demonstrates a higher level synergism, aptly summarised by the first figure in the book. It shows the 5 programs as vertices on a circle. Directed arcs are drawn between these vertices if data can be transferred in that direction between them.

This figure is so compelling and succinct that it should have gone on the cover. Or at least reproduced on the inside cover, so that you can easily and often refer to it, whilst going through the text. [Think of a chemistry book, with the periodic table on the inside cover.] It neatly encapsulates the entire reason for the book. Think about it. Without discussing the ability to transfer data between the programs, we really have 5 separate programs. The book would then cleave into 5 nonintersecting portions, each of which would be outweighed by other more comprehensive books devoted to each program. The figure and its elucidation give meaning and value to the book.

The book has reasonably in-depth coverage of the five iLife applications in iLife '04: GarageBand, iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie and iDVD. The content is not step-by-step for beginners but rather for people that understand the basics of Macintosh applications and have some experience with the applications. The text is well written and illustrations are used effectively. All of the applications, save iDVD, are covered thoroughly. But that's ok since IDVD gets short shrift in every manual.

For true beginners I would recommend buying the O'Reilly manual for the application that you are likely to use the most. For example, I think photographers will get a lot out of iPhoto 4: The Missing Manual. What's the difference? There is more exposition, which eases the learning curve, and there are more tips and tricks. But if you are a Macintosh user with a reasonable amount of experience who is looking for a book that covers all of the applications at a reasonable level, then this book should appeal to you.

For genuine beginners I would also recommend looking at Peachpit Press' "The Macintosh iLife '04".

I love reading technology and since research is my life this book was among the many subjects I covered for my thesis in the creation of my watermark project. The book is highly didactic and the essential algorithm along with its elemental principles cite a uniformed approach when designing software. This is remarkably a great book.

This is a very good introduction to steganography and watermarking. The book is well organized. Moreover, many researchers who have been studied in this field contribute to this book. I think this book gives a comprehensive understanding to people who want to study on watermarking.

Great introduction for tech or non-tech readers into the field.

Excellent introduction and reference on information hiding. Covers very well the various aspects of the subject. With this book and the procedeeings of the information hiding conferences, the subject is pretty much covered. This research area is relatively young, and no other serious text is available.

This book entitled "Intelligent Broadband Multimedia Networks" is volume 1 of the two volume set. The authors Prof. Syed V. Ahamed (CUNY) and Dr. Victor Lawrence (Bell Labs) have presented the topics in this book in a very easy to read manner without much mathematical treatment.

The book covers in depth about the evolution of intelligent networks with its systems design and architecture. Topics such as IN/1, IN/2 and advanced intelligent networks (AIN) are presented very well. The book also touches upon certain aspects of ISDN elements, wireless networks, knowledge processing systems, intelligent multimedia networks, educational and medical networks.

This book is recommended for graduate students in computer science, electrical and telecommunication engineering. Scientists and engineers would certainly find certain advanced topics covered in this book to be interesting.

The companion book for this book is entitled "Design and Engineering of Intelligent Communication Systems" (Vol. 2)

This is an era of Information Superhighway and emerging Global Intelligent Networks that is encompassing almost every aspect of human life. Whether we are at home, in an office, at friend's home, or in between, we want to stay connected irrespective of time and place.

Prof Syed Ahamed and Victor Lawrence have written two volumes on the topics: "Intelligent Broadband Multimedia Networks" and "Design and Engineering of Intelligent Communication Systems" illustrating the architectural designs, software and hardware requirements of these systems.

First, this is the first attempt by these authors to present the material combining data networks, computer networks, and different communication technologies with algorithmic and adaptive intelligence leading to Intelligent Broadband Multimedia Networks and Intelligent Communication Systems, and perhaps that is the solution of our ever growing desires for variety of services.

Second, the language used is bejewled, lucid, engaging, and appealing with penetrating metodologies, simplifying the complexity of the material by diagrams and flowcarts wherever necessary.

Third, the subject matter is designed specifically for the graduate students involved in research at Master or Ph.D level.

Fourth, the chapter on Knowledge Processing in Educational, Medical, and other networks is a unique and an elaborate exposition of the subject that is still unexplored.

Finally, I strongly recommend these volumes for the graguate students involved in research in order to benefit from the material as I myself did.

Prof Tasneem H Kazmi
City University of New York (CUNY)
September 25, 2001.

"Intelligent Broadband Multimedia Networks" is an excellent book about new emerging technologies and the future of data- and tele- communications. That's why it's a reference book of choice for many research scientists and network professionals at a well known R&D company like Bell Labs. And I strongly believe that it will still be for the next decade!
Prof. Syed Ahamed and Dr. Victor Lawrence put together a reference book presenting, in a systematic way, all aspects of modern communication networks, with emphasis in intelligent telecommunications networks (IN).
The book has 3 parts: - In the first part is presented the transition from classical networks to the more advanced intelligent networks. The approach of Bellcore (now Telcordia) and AT&T Labs, the 2 major players in the area of Intelligent Networks, is further investigated. Also the ITU-T standard for IN is presented, to better understand the current status and the evolution of IN.
- In the second part AT&T's Universal Intelligent Services Network and Bellcore's IN-1, IN-1+, IN-2 and AIN(Advanced Intelligent Networks) are analyzed in full detail: the architecture, functional resources, as well as supporting hardware and software. Intimate connections between IN and ISDN or wireless networks are also explored.
ITU-T's IN Conceptual Model is analyzed here in detail and a systematic presentation of Global Intelligent Networks, detailed for several country specifics, are given.
- The third part explores in many details the future evolution and applications of Intelligent Networks. The impact of IN on educational and medical environments are explored in full detail. In this third part the reader is also introduced to the very new concepts of "Knowledge Machines" and "Knowledge Processing Systems" as well as their connection with a "Multifunctional Intelligent Network". At the end the social and cultural impact of Broadband Intelligent Networks is analyzed.
The book has a very high density of useful information, introduces in all detail many new concepts in the field of communications networks, and it's intellectually challenging. Always, the systematic way of presentation makes it easy to follow complex technical concepts and their interrelation.
I clearly see this book and its companion second volume "Design and Engineering of Intelligent Communication Systems" as an excellent support book for graduate courses in communications networks as well as a main reference book for any research scientist as well as other specialists in the field of data- and tele- communications networks. Other categories of engineering professionals, eager to better understand new emerging communications technologies, could find valuable information in this book and its companion volume.
Also, philosophers can find a refined analysis about the evolving Knowledge Society, the impact of it onto the personal life, and the changes it may imply in the family structure, public sector, and corporate sector. Social workers can find in the book an authoritative voice in the social and cultural impact of future modern communications networks.

Dr. Anthony Malczanek
Sr. Network Consultant

Intelligent Broadband Multimedia Networks by Dr. Ahamed and Dr. Lawrence is a graduate level textbook. The material covered in this book ranges from defining intelligent networks to more specific coverage of educational, medical, and knowledge-based networks. This book is in three major parts and twenty chapters; each part contains several chapters. Part I has four chapters and discusses generic aspects of networks. It focuses on communication networks and computer systems. It describes fundamental concepts. It presents similarities and differences between intelligent networks and conventional networks. It also discusses signaling networks, data networking and communication networking, and evolution of phased intelligence in American public-switched networks. Part I covers the seven layers of the OSI model and their functions and X.25 public-switched network standards. Part II has nine chapters and focuses on recent and evolving networks. It defines wireless communication networks and intelligent networks (IN). It presents in great detail the three versions of IN/1, IN/1+, and IN/2 and their building blocks. It also presents global intelligent networks and advanced intelligent networks (AIN). An entire chapter is dedicated to ISDN. It covers other topics in great detail such as BRISDN, PRISDN, BISDN and ATM technologies. Part III in seven chapters focuses on future intelligent networks- educational, medical, knowledge-based, and intelligent home networks.

Dr. Ahamed and Dr. Lawrence have included design methodologies for putting intelligence into any communications systems. They include specific architectures that can be used by network designers/engineers and planners, telecommunications managers/professionals, and computer scientists. The breadth of the coverage of various topics makes this book suitable for use in advanced level courses on intelligent communications networks.

Intelligent Broadband Multimedia Networks (vol.1) and Design and Engineering of Intelligent Communication Systems (vol.2) were textbooks in two courses I took with Dr. Ahamed who was also my mentor at CUNY, Graduate Center, New York, NY. Both volumes are excellent textbooks for graduate courses.

C.S. Rani, Ph.D.