Hardware Books

Most computer manuals are boring, difficult to understand and fail to solve the problem in a short amount of time. Elliott's book allows one to find the problem quickly and solve it even more quickly! What normally would have taken 15 minutes plus a few phone calls, can be accomplished, by even the most inexperienced and/or advanced user, in a few moments. I look forward to Book #2 by Mr. Stern. Good work!

As a frustrated computer user, I found KEEP YOUR COMPUTER RUNNING RIGHT to be the first book that shows you how to solve all those annoying crashes and problems BEFORE you get them. It's even fun! Thanks to Elliott Stern (and his easy-to-read manner) my computer is working better than ever, saving me lots of time and grief. Stern's writing makes you feel like you've got a friendly "computer guy" right by your side -- someone who knows what you're going through, then helps you through it while keeping your spirits up. I didn't need a new computer; I needed this book!

No one ever told me computers had to be maintained. I thought you turned them on when you wanted to use one and turned it off when you were done. Not so! Mr. Stern's book enlightened me regarding this matter. It was very refreshing to read a practical, easy to understand book on keeping my computer in tip-top shape. No techy talk. No big words. Just plain, simple english mixed with flecks of humor. I followed Mr. Stern's step by step instructions and found I had 127 megs of totally unnecessary internet files cluttering my hard drive. That's more space than I had on the entire hard drive of my last computer. I highly recommend this book. The instructions are clear, the procedures are simple, and it's fun to read. Thank you Mr. Stern. I hope you write more books.

It's not just easy to read... it's addictive. Great, thorough examples with wonderful twists will get you started on Linux appliances in no time.

There's really not much to say besides that if you are even remotely interested or curious about the topic, it's a must-have.

First of all, you know that when you see the word "appliance" in this context, you should think more like a router or alarm system (the book uses this as a development framework), not a refrigerator, say. [Although (shudder!) the latter could be a sweet example in the near future.] And, before I write another word I should state upfront: I was a technical reviewer of this book.

I found lots and lots of interest in my "required" reading:

- the authors have developed an API for appliance configuration and control, which they term RTA (Run Time Access). Briefly, a Postgresql library is developed to allow a pseudo-database to store configuration values or issue control commands;

- there's a intriguing chapter on using an infrared remote control as a device to conrol an appliance. It has neat stuff like the observation that one's digital camera can "see" the pulses from a remote control. (Try it at home!);

- the authors cover the ins and outs of the Linux framebuffer device, which is very nice to know;

- the information about SNMP in several chapters is probably the clearest and most succinct I've ever read on this somewhat complicated (dare I say, miserable?) protocol.

It's a fact, there's lot of stuff here you ain't gonna see anywhere else, and with embedded devices you need all the ideas and techniques you can scrape together anywhere you can find 'em!

Linux continues to increase in popularity and utility among computer enthusiasts. The combined effort of Linux experts Bob Smith, John Hardin, Graham Phillips, and Bill Pierce, "Linux Appliance Design: A Hands-On Guide To Building Linux Appliances" teaches Linux users how to build better appliances for the Linux systems thereby providing them with more types of interfaces, more dynamic interfaces, and better debugged interfaces. Linux users will learn how to build backend daemons, handle asynchronous events, connect various user interfaces, and so much more. Now even the most novice Linux user can add professional network management capabilities to their applications, build a web-based appliance and a command line interface, build a framebuffer interface using infrared controls as input, as well as manage logs and alarms on appliance. If you have a Linux system, then "Linux Appliance Design" will prove an invaluable, indispensable, thoroughly 'user friendly' instruction and reference manual for getting the most out of your do-it-yourself designer software.

Forget about those "Computer for Dummies" books. They stink in comparison to "The Little PC Book" series. These books explain and help you learn about computers in a much better way than the "Dummies" series. I personally recommend this book to my clients.

I have been using PCs at work for a few years but recently bought my first home PC. This book taught me a lot. It was easy to read and incredibly informative.

I've been using Apple computers since 1981 or so. And I still operate my business using Macintosh computers. But in an increasingly Windows OS world, I often find myself seated at--horrors--some sort of PC. I go from computer expert to rank beginner in seconds! Whether you're an old Mac addict forced to use Windows, or a new PC computer user wondering how it all works and what you can do with it, I recommend this book very highly! It told me everything I needed to know without making me feel like an idiot or a dummy. Leave those other books on the rack. Magid's book is the one you want.

This Book for Mac or Windows is Outstanding. It covers just about all the commands in Lingo, And no one knows them better than the person who wrote the Lingo language. Sample movies help explain complex commands in an easy straight forward manner.

Jervis Thompson => http://user.aol.com/jervo

I use Director 7, and this book is made for Director 5. . . And let me just say it makes no differnce want version of Director you are using, if you want to know about Lingo, then this is the book for you! After just reading 4 of the 18 chapters of the book, I know more about Lingo then I did after reading two other books! This is a must have for any serious Director User!

As someone who both works with Director and teaches it at the university level, I'm always looking for good books for beginning to intermediate users. This is NOT the first book I recommend for beginners (usually that's Director Demystified) because it's pretty dry and technical.

But, for anyone who has a general understanding of how Director works, this book is useful in the way a good cookbook is useful. If you know what you want to do, you can look it up and find clear instructions on HOW to do it. My copy is filled with post-it markers showing the answers to questions students have raised in class ("How do I get Director to... ?) The sample movies are very helpful, and teach a valuable lesson: learn the basic principle using the simplest of movies, then apply it to the real thing.

Since the most recent version of the book covers Director 5, I'm waiting for an updated version. But most of the information in the book is still valid...Lingo doesn't THAT much from version to version.

This is a marvelously creative and innovative look at the management and motivational needs of Gen X and Gen Y knowledge workers. Dr. Amar proposes a surprising symbiotic management approach to encourage fullest potential outcomes while contributing to innovation.

The assessments presented are unique and thought-provoking.

This book inspired me to rethink and to modify my approach to teaching/learning at the graduate business school level.

This is a marvelously creative and innovative look at the management and motivational needs of Gen X and Gen Y knowledge workers. Dr. Amar proposes a surprizing symbiotic management approach to encourage fullest potential outcomes while contributing to innovation.

The assessments presented are unique and thought-provoking.

This book inspired me to rethink and to modify my approach to teaching/learning at the graduate business school level.

A very interesting and well-written book. As an employee of a leading technology company, I found a lot to identify with in this book. A very useful reference for both managers and workers.

If you're looking for a general Mac book, this is one you'll want to tuck into you're library next to The Mac Bible and The System 9 books by David Pogue. I've known Amy for a number of years and I know what she put into this book. It's well thought out, well researched and, even in 2000, helpful to the typical Mac user. Amy's an excellent Mac teacher and she knows how to distil the basic facts into phrases that both new and experienced users can understand and use. I've had a copy of this book on my selves since the day it came out and I keep refering to it all the time. You will too.

when I began my quest for macintosh knowledge many years ago, I bought this book. Then, I fell in love with the mac. Now, granted, the book is a tad dated, but the basics are there and one simply cant go wrong with this book as a starter. it will always hold a place of honor on my shelf. amy laskin should be commended for this work. YOU SHOULD READ IT! SHE DESERVES THE MONEY!

A computer book with a sense of humor, this book gives you helpful ideas for organizing your Macintosh hard drive, valuable troubleshooting tips, etc. A gem

Having been using Microsoft products (like many of us) through the generations, I find that most "techie" books are 90% review, 5% new, and 5% other. This book doesnt waste time with the old "this is a mouse, and press the left button once to click" stuff. It assumes that you have a working knowledge and takes off from there.
The authors do a great job of explaining this stuff in detail without all the mind-spinning technical jargon, while still keeping it out of the "for Dummies" range.

Ah, finally a Windows 2003 book with some *meat* to it! I bought Rand's Windows Server 2003 Unleashed book earlier this year when it came out and that helped us get migrated and started with Windows 2003! I've been looking for the next generation book and I was glad to see this Insider Solutions book come out!

Excellent information on Group Policies, security, and management. Exactly what I was looking for!

If you manage or administer a Windows 2003 network, get this book! Chapter 7 on Managing Desktops and Chapter 8 on Administering Windows 2003 Remotely were the most helpful chapters I've read for system administrators!

Great information on daily tasks like automating user creation, automating group modifications, etc. Also provides tips and best practices on things most administrators would not be aware of from normal day to day use.

I'm still reviewing other chapters that are of interest to me, so I'll probably post more later.

Another excellent book from William Stanek! I nearly wore the first edition of this book out I used it so much. I bought the second edition as soon as I saw it was available.

William Stanek is the #1 Windows authority and for good reason: he's the best at what he does. I love his books. They are always clear, concise and useful. The book is packed with everything admins need for Exchange administration and has been the book I use all the time.

I'm always amazed at how much useful information William Stanek can pack into his books, and this is no exception. With 600 pages, packed with details, this handy pocket consultant is the definitive Exchange Server 2007 guide. Excellent for administrators, developers and anyone who works with Exchange.

Folks, I bought my Mac, a copy of Macs for Dummies, and in just a week I was flying with it! I went back to the store and grabbed a copy of More Macs for Dummies, and have been having a ball with my Mac ever since. These books are NOT manuals, indeed, I read mine "away" from my computer, by taking the book to work with me and reading on my breaks. Each night, I'd try out my new-found knowledge on my Mac. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! Every Mac home should have Macs & More Macs for dummies on their shelves. David Pogue is a delightful author; humourous, knowlegeable, and a fantastic teacher

Don't be Fooled by other author's who write MAC FOR DUMMIES BOOKS. David Pogue is the Master Mac writer. Anyone else is a pale wannabee. This book helped me learn to use my Mac within a week and I didn't even feel any pain! It was fun to read and easy to follow. I'm ready!!! More, More, More!! Marilyn

If you read & enjoyed MAC FOR DUMMIES, you will Love this one. It is even funnier& more informative than MAC FOR DUMMIES. It will help you with all those questions you are afraid to call Apple about because you think they will write "DUH" next to your name in a secret Mac File and you will sound like the numero uno Mac expert at the next users meeting or in the office with very little effort on your part. Mr. pogue does all the heavy lifting & we benefit. Thank you for another great Mac book, Mr. Pogue. Keep 'em coming. Eileen

Most books on Multimedia either deal with specific applications of multimedia or offer an analysis of just one Multimedia standard, but this book establishes the fundamentals of multimedia signal processing, introducing generic concepts and then offering a more detailed analysis of the underlying mathematical concepts.

The language is simple and the author does not try to confuse the reader with technical jargon. The material on audio and video compression and various standards is especially intensive. The example programs in the MATLAB CD are well written and give the user a clear understanding of the practical aspects of digital filtering, compression algorithms and the basics of multimedia signal processing. I would strongly recommend this book to someone who wants to know the `whys' as well as the `hows'.

Most books on Multimedia either deal with specific applications of multimedia or offer an analysis of just one Multimedia standard, but this book establishes the fundamentals of multimedia signal processing, introducing generic concepts and then offering a more detailed analysis of the underlying mathematical concepts.

The language is simple and the author does not try to confuse the reader with technical jargon- a very good read. The material on audio and video compression and various standards is especially intensive. The example programs in the MATLAB CD are well written and give a clear understanding of the practical aspects of digital filtering, compression algorithms and the basics of multimedia signal processing. I would strongly recommend this book to someone who wants to know the `whys' as well as the `hows'.

It is not easy to find a textbook on multimedia for upper level undergraduate and graduate computer engineering students. This book has filled the need, and has presented an excellent and interesting introduction to multimedia in fifteen chapters. Although, it has been assumed that the readers have knowledge about discrete-time signals and systems, a chapter has been included to review basic transforms and filter theory, as well as to present advanced theories such as discrete cosine transform and wavelets. The signal processing theories have been explained and demonstrated with simple examples. A strong point of the book is the accompanying CD that contains MATLAB codes for all relevant examples. The readers can easily run these codes and verify the results of the audio/image/video experiments presented in the book. For those who are not familiar with MATLAB, the processed audio/image/videos for several examples are provided in the CD. These readers can just play the audio file or display the image to verify the subjective quality. Instructors should also find the Power Point figures and tables provided by the author useful.