Interactive Books

It's tough to tell this from Amazon, but this book is a thousand pages, which makes it quite a hefty tome. But that doesn't make it a doorstop. There are screenshots, but they are, by in large, useful and relevant, and the book doesn't use them to tell a click by click story of the interface.

The book is organized into four parts that start at the user interface and continue to peel away levels of the system until, in chapter four, the author covers the command line unix shell at a surprising level of detail. A level of detail which rivals O'Reilly's other command line exclusive books. In fact, this book gives a fine introduction to scripting bash and tcsh. It does as good a job there as it does covering printing, or the vagaries of the new Finder in the chapters that precede it.

This is a quality piece of in-depth work about the unmodified Panther operating system. It's well worth the price for those who are more interested in understanding than hacking (though I admit a love for the new Mac OS X Panther Hacks book as well.)

The publisher, O'Reilly Media, seems dedicated to covering Apple's OSX operating system, OSX, from every conceivable vantage point. Its "Missing Manual" series on Panther is a user's reference on how to use the operating system and its applications for productivity and fun. Its "Hacks" series provides dozens of tips, guides, and project ideas. In the "Nutshell" series iteration, "MacOSX Panther in a Nutshell" designs to provide in-depth, comprehensive information about the inner workings of the OS. It is for power users and developers who want to master the OS and have the fullest description and explanation of OSX.

This book starts out detailing the multi-layered architecture of OSX and illuminates its power and elegance. In great depth and detail, it explains the Unix components, Aqua elements, OS9 and Classic, the Finder, and the multitude of Unix services, daemons, and applications.

This is terse, descriptive prose. The authors focus a sharp telephoto lens on the skeleton, sinews, and pores of OSX, starting with basic elements and probing deep into the details of the file system, networking components, directory services, printing configurations and more. This in-depth description and large handfuls of guides and tips totals over 1,000 pages.

A separate part of the book is devoted to Applescript, X-code tools, and Java. The X-code tools are for developers. Part IV is all about Unix, including three chapters on "shells" alone, plus sections on text editors, the X-Window system, and a full 262 pages of Unix command references, touted as the most complete such source in print publication.

No mere user manual would have ten pages devoted solely to understanding and managing preference files, or five pages on using the Colorsync feature with Quartz filter scripts.

Surprisingly, only ten pages are dedicated to security issues. Although the Mac is known to be extremely secure, recent news shows even the Mac is vulnerable to sophisticated exploits.

For those with a need to know, this is the definitive source for deep knowledge of OSX.

Since I converted I have found OS X UNIX is amazingly friendly and accessible. Some people who had never used it before type commands and work with the operating system directly as a "cool guys" in movies! This book is very helpful and well written and it is serves as a very nice reference. I paired this book with Linux and UNIX for a beginner training suite, 4DVDs + 2CDs includes 4 Unix Academy Certifications ed.2008 This book and a video they contribute one another greatly. You improve the reading and by reading you improve what you have seen.
The book is very particular about the subjects that related to OS X and because there are some differences between OS X and other UNIXes it is nice to have a book that deals with it.

Do any of you remember the O'Reilly books from the late 80s on X Windows? Those became the definitive guides to X11, and probably were crucial in putting O'Reilly on the map as a prominent technical publisher.

Well, this book on Mac OS X Panther captures some of that early O'Reilly spirit. In its comprehensiveness and heft. But also in its terseness. Turn to a random chapter and start reading. The authors try to get to the point, without wasting time. They write at a technical level that assumes you don't know the specifics of that chapter, but that you are no novice to computing.

It should be noted that the second half of the book is essentially a standard unix reference. As you may be aware, OS X is now a unix variant. Which is neat. But also accounts for much of the book's size. Unix has built up a massive set of utilities in 20 years, and the length of the unix sections here reflects this.

Don't let this put you off either the book or OS X. On the contrary! The building of the Mac operating system on top of unix gives you more power and stability (against crashes) on the Mac.

I really like this series, but I have to nit-pick a little. Lady Macbeth sounds way too young, and the Scottish accents seem fake. Other than that, it's a good performance of a great play.

I've been playing this in a regular senior English class. Many of the students are finally understanding the play. The actors in this cd do a wonderful job interpreting their lines. The Scottish accents are well done. Sound effects make it vivid. It's the best production I've found to date.

This CD is excellent--the witches are super creepy sounding, and the unabridged text is well performed. Definitely helpful for teaching Macbeth.

This series is wonderful if you are a teacher. It really helps students to hear how Shakespeare's words are supposed to flow when spoken by classically trained actors. Students snicker a bit at first when they hear the Scottish accents, but they get used to them quickly and the quality of the recording is excellent. The cheesy music in between acts is irritating, but you learn to ignore it. A fun bit of trivia is that the porter scene is acted by David Tennant who most people know as the current Dr. Who! It's also a treat to be able to listen to Macbeth in my car. Shakespeare makes rush-hour almost tolerable.

As many versions of Authorware I have used (3 through 6.5), this book has proven to be one of the "must have" in anyone's reference library. Great examples and simple explainations of all functions and variables. I only wish Joe Ganci would publish a new revision for Authorware 7.

This book is a must have for any serious Authorware programer. It is easily the best reference for an Authorware Programer and a nice addition to the documentation that comes with Authorware 3.X. This book is filled with usefull and practical tips on how to get things done in the most popular multimedia authoring language around.

Joe Ganci, active contributor to numerous online discussions of Authorware, has created a wonderful reference for those who want to squeeze out the functionality from Macromedia Authorware 3.

This book details how, when and why to use the functions that are invaluable to Authorware power users. I've reviewed this book more throughly at my Authorware book site (http://pobox.com/~betsy/).

Betsy Bruce, Authorware Consultant

Even though Macromedia has released Authorware 5 Attain, this book still is a very handy reference. The explanations and examples are great, if just all programming manuals were this clear and to the point... Highly recommended! /Johan Lundstrom

I bought this book a few weeks ago because I appreciated its aesthetic. I sat down to read it this weekend and I was impressed (and surprised) to find it equal parts conceptual and practical. Mighty Assembly has managed to articulate the challenges of developing interfaces in Flash, where the possibilities can be overwhelming. They use simple language to explain their principles of design and how they apply to developing a cutting-edge, experimental Web site. As a designer myself, I'm drawn to the experimental and appreciate contemporaries who push the medium. It's intelligent, well written, and accessible. I am inspired and highly recommend this book to anyone interested in finding new ways to think about developing in Flash.

A 360 degree tour of the mind of top flash designers in the world. It is truly amazing to see a project through the eyes of the Mighty Assembly design team, who take the reader from ideation through execution. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in producing Flash sites that wow the mind and the eye.

finally a book like this exists (a flash book worth my money), covering one entire web site rather than random pieces of various sites. the content is excellent and well written (even friendly) and the book looks fantastic! i particularly like how the authors move in and out of describing the big picture and the minute details behind creating a web site - its one giant case study worth reading. please, more books like this mighty assembly!

This book is not only well written and a visual delight, but it also contains a wealth of hard earned knowledge that is worth much more than the cover price. A must for anyone designing and developing in Flash.

I got a number of these books for my 4-year old nephew for his birthday, and he has absolutely loved reading them.

"Magenta's Visit" is the first book ever in the series of numbered "Blue's Clues" book releases. Both Blue and Steve are excited to have Magenta over and Steve wonders what Magenta's favorite thing to do is. We play Blue's Clues to figure out what it is.

Much of the fun in this book centers around Magenta's visit. She and Blue play together throughout the house and have some fun with dress-up. We also look in on some of our other friends' favorite things to do. We play with Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper, Shovel and Pail, the felt friends and Tickety.

The opening note states that the book focuses on skills such as visual perception, associations and problem solving. One great example of this is with a set of photos taken at close range which readers try to identify.

This book is loosely based on the events of the episode "Magenta Comes Over." It's a wonderful choice for the first book in the series and should appeal to all fans of the show.

My sons love this book. Every page has something for kids to figure out. They can find where everyone is hiding and figure out what close up picture belongs to which person. It's good book for any fan of blues clues.

My sons love Blue's Clues and everything to do with it. Theylove this book too. We have read it many times. Not many stories haveMagneta in them so I think that is one reason why they like this book.

My son absolutely loves this one. The flaps are positioned so they open in different directions (My son loves trying to figure out how to open). I also have slightly different voices for the different animals, which he also loves. Cute rhymes and drawings as well.

Really cute story about what all moms do to take care of their children - from monkeys to elephants. My one year old son loves opening the flaps to find out "where mama is". I can see this being entertaining for years. They did a great job of hiding mama in the backgrounds before you open the flaps - very cute - fun for the adults as well to search for mama.

This book has beautiful illustrations and a lovely sentiment. Our daughter who is two loves it. I particularly love the last page with the panda surrounding her pup. A good note to go to bed on.

In this absolutely beautiful lift-the-flap book, children and parents will be delighted to read about how mothers protect their children.

From a mama kangaroo carrying her joey in her pocket to keep him close during a storm, to a mother cat cleaning her kitten's fur, a wide variety of animal mothers and babies are covered.

Although beginning readers will be able to read this short board book on their own, MAMA, WHERE ARE YOU? is the perfect bedtime or anytime story for parents and youngsters to share together.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

My step-daughter received this book for Christmas last year, and we read it over and over - every day that she was here. It was challenging, informative, and entertaining. She absolutely loved it. This is a great book that hides its educational value very well behind a very entertaining story.

My ten-year old son loved this book. It combines an entertaining story with the need to use logic skills to solve the mystery. He can't wait for the author's next book.

I am in fourth grade. The reason I love this book is because I love using maps. I alo like working with my mom to find a petnapped lizard. This book is recommended by me and my mom! With a "Spittsburg Street Map" you can definitly find anything you would wish for, Malls, Parks, Museums, and even Colleges! Get this book for any occasion, and your family will be "Mapped Out"

Mapped Out was greatly enjoyed by my almost 12-year-old daughter who considers any kind of thinking a chore, but this helped her to use her brain and kept her interested and involved. The story is engaging enough to be entertaining, but satisfied Mom's desire for an educational tool. The interactive format was the reason this is almost the only book she has ever begged to read!

Though not perfect, it is still the best book around on wireless networks. It was chosen as the course book for mobile and wireless networks course during my graduation. I liked it very much and enjoyed reading it. It is written in a simple and easy to follow style, avoiding unnecessary text and explanations. It covers a wide range of topics in wireless networks, e.g., MAC for wireless, telecom networks, WLANs, mobile network layer (Mobile IP and etc), mobile transport layer, and satellite and broadcast systems, along with an introductory chapter on wireless transmission fundamentals. However it is SERIOUSLY missing IEEE 802.16 WiMAX.
I have consulted a few other books in this area. In particular, I found it better than William Stallings's Wireless Communications & Networks.

When you pick this book up, it looks completely boring! Neither the title nor the cover is enticing. However the content is excellent - it has a thorough coverage of all kinds of current and upcoming wireless technologies. Not many books today mention anything about technologies such as bluetooth, however this one has a couple of pages coverage. If you're looking to get an overview of what is happening in wireless, this is a good place to start. I would definitely recommend picking up a copy of this book - I was very happy to have bought it.

This book offers an excellent introduction and exciting insights on latest mobile technologies; from wireless transmission, telecommunication systems, satellites to wireless LAN/ATM, mobile network/transport protocols and the WAP development. The contents are not only well-organized and balanced, but also easy to understand and interesting.

I have read a few books on the overall subject, and this is by far the best-written book. I recommend this book very highly to IT engineers, managers and others who are interested in learning how the latest mobile technology works and how it is becoming the next-wave for the Internet and Web phenomenon.

Very good book that explains current research and technologies covering especially OSI/ISO layers 1 to 4 in mobile/wireless communications. WAP is also discussed. Managers, some developpers may find the first 10 chapters too detailed as the book goes far (up to single bit description in packet headers) in protocols explanations.

This book is ideal for communication systems and telecom engineers and give an excellent up-to-date idea of the mobile/wireless communications field for others.

We at Fragland.com usually don't advertise for books or anything but we've received the book Monster Gaming which is written by Ben Sawyer and published by Paraglyph press and to be honest: it's great!

Everything that's got anything to do with gaming, from regular gaming over competitive gaming to even modding and real development, is covered here along with useful links and addresses for people who want to know even more.

So if you're going on holiday or want a book about gaming to read I suggest this book It's +300 pages will keep you occupied in the gaming atmosphere.

You won't regret it !

I've been looking all over the place for a gaming guide like this. Most of the books out are very basic or they just cover tips for using certain games. This book really captures what I want to know about gaming. The author seems to really know his stuff.

I was drawn to the book because it had a chapter on modding and enhancing game hardware (which turned out to be really good). But the more I read in the book, the more I liked. I didn't realize that there were so many interesting resources for gamers such as places to get old vintage games.

This is the sort of book that every gamer should get a copy of and read cover to cover. It's quite funny in places and just a blast to read in general. The author even included a chapter at the end of the book about what it is like to be a game developer, which was a treat for me because I'd like to develop games some day.

We at Fragland.net usually don't advertise for books or anything but we've received the book Monster Gaming which is written by Ben Sawyer and published by Paraglyph press and to be honest: it's great!

Everything that's got anything to do with gaming, from regular gaming over competitive gaming to even modding and real development, is covered here along with useful links and addresses for people who want to know even more.

So if you're going on holiday or want a book about gaming to read I suggest this book It's +300 pages will keep you occupied in the gaming atmosphere.

You won't regret it !

Stephen @ Fragland.net

At first, you might imagine that the title refers to the computer opponents in various twitch games like Doom or Quake. But no. Sawyer means the fanatic gamers, to whom he addresses the book. He being one himself.

Chapters span all the important topics of computer gaming. From personalising your hardware through overclocking the CPU to tips on searching eBay for items. Plus, of course, on the latter, you can sell various gaming memorabilia.

He also provides ancillary data on books and movies spawned from games. Though he thinks most of the movies are purely dross. There is a fascinating table of the books in Chapter 7. You may be surprised by how extensive it is, with several books being written by well known authors like Mercedes Lackey and Alan Dean Foster. (The money is good for such purely work-for-hire, I guess.)

Most importantly to some of you, he tells how to hook up to the competitive gaming scene, with lists of various regional conventions for the hard core. Interested?

My nephew called me to tell me how much he enjoyed the book after his mother read it to him.

Yet...he lives to tell about it. This is Mr. Bounce. He is no Mr. Tickle. He does not CRAVE social interaction. He does not demand that the small world of the Mr. Men bow down to his whims. NO, Mr. Bounce is more ... manly than that.

The vigor of his physical nature is matched by his personal resilience, he is always willing to carry on, even though he must bounce unexpectedly.

"Unexpectedly, you say? How can that be unexpected? His name is Mr. Bounce!"

I'll tell you how it is UNEXPECTED! Mr. Bounce can bounce off ANYTHING! Even unbouncable products. Nothing can contain him, yet something does! His own sense of propriety, perhaps? His own limitations that being able to break the laws of physics does not allow one to break social laws?

Mr. Bounce is the Jane Austen character we have been dreaming of for children ages 4-8.

Another Mr. Men book I own that I would say is one of the top 5 in the twenty or so we've bought for our son. Poor Mr. Bounce goes to town to see Dr. Makeyouwell so he would stop bouncing about quite so much. But along the way to town he becomes part of a tennis game (ow, ouch, oooowwww) and bounces off the bus, through the window, and straight into a hot cup of Dr. Makeyouwell's coffee!! Mr. Bounce is then outfitted with a pair of heavy boots but.....Mr. Bounce should have bought a better house! (Crash)
A must have for your little one's Mr. Men collection.

This is a really cute and funny book (as all of Roger Hargreave's Mr Menand Little Miss books).
Mr Bounce's problem is not being able to do anything without bouncing. Buy the book and see how he got help! Also I enjoy reading this.