Multimedia Books

I think this is a brilliant book because I wrote it. Now please stop trying to make me buy it.

My son began playing with this book in a stuff-mart type store, and I was more than happy to buy it for him...especially since he needs to learn to tell time beyond o'clock and thirty.

While reading the story, you press one of the nine sound buttons that corresponds to the page. For example, one page tells how Pilchard needs fed breakfast at 7 AM. The button asks "What time is Pilchard fed breakfast?" and the child moves the clock hands and then presses the "time" button. There is instant verbal feedback if the time selected is correct or not.

Children can play with this book on their own, without using the story buttons. By moving both the minute and hour hands--and then pressing the time button--they hear the time verbally, as well as see a digital readout. This clock gives time to the 5's (12:05, 12:10, 12:15, etc.)

My son loves using this book, but he's noticed that it gives the incorrect time sometimes (which it's great that he notices this!). But it's obviously not good if a child is just learning to tell time. I have a feeling that the battery has wound down from repeated use at the store (it was the only one on the shelf), so we'll replace the battery and see how that works.

If it continues to work accurately, this will be a great addition to my son's learning!

Posted by the author - Benny Bing.

Review by Dr. Norman Abramson, inventor of the first random access protocol - the ALOHA protocol.

There are three key technologies that are important in the design of efficient digital communication networks - communication channel theory, traffic analysis and transformation, and multiple access protocols. The first of these technologies, communication channel theory, dealing with questions of modulation, signal detection and error control coding is the oldest and best developed. Traffic analysis and transformation, dealing with questions of data compression, protocol spoofing and caching is perhaps the least developed although the first major results in this area are almost as old as those of communication channel theory.

The third of these key technologies, multiple access protocols, dealing with the sharing of a common communication channel by a group of users has assumed a greater importance during the past two decades with the advent of shared cellular networks, packet radio networks and satellite networks. The analysis and design of these multiple access protocols in a variety of application areas is the topic of this well organized, comprehensive yet compact book.

Bing defines the scope of the multiple access problem, describes many of the different approaches taken to solve the multiple access problem and analyzes the various approaches to their solution. Both fixed allocation strategies such as FDMA and TDMA as well as random access strategies based on a variety of ALOHA channels are treated. Since important differences in multiple access protocols define competing approaches in the network marketplace at the beginning of the third millennium this volume is well timed to help us evaluate different multiple access choices in network design.

Dr. Norman Abramson ALOHA Networks, San Francisco, July, 2000

This is a great book for the absolute beginner to the world of music recording on a PC. The only prerequisite is a basic understanding of how to operate a computer. The style is clear and direct - and with an appreciated dose of humility and humour. The reader gains confidence in building/modifying a PC so that it can successfully satisfy the demands of music recording software. Then the reader is guided through the selection of the audio-specific hardware and software required. The recording, editing and mixing of a multitrack song are then very clearly and thoroughly taught. Finally, the reader is shown how to create their first CD and, if they wish, how to publish it to the internet in the form of mp3 files.

Criticism might be leveled at the author because he is using a particular combination of hardware and software throughout the text (Steingberg's Cubase SX, Tascam's US-428 and Edirol's PCR-50). In my view, however, this is a sensible approach because the beginner faces an overwhelming number of possible combinations of gear (many of which may not work together!). Afterall, the world of PC audio recording has two major obstacles: the software and the hardware. This book saves you much time by giving you a working hardware setup which allows you to move directly to mastering the software. By using a setup that is tried, tested and true, you get results quickly and painlessly. In this sense, the author is doing the reader a huge favour. Renting this gear from your local music store won't break the bank and will allow you to gain some well-guided experience. After a couple of months, you'll be ready to decide on what gear configurations you want to actually purchase and (perhaps more to the point) you will have gotten a complete overview of how things work. In fact, you may have recorded and produced your first CD!

Well written, up to date and sorely needed. Highly recommended.

Three themes knit together Peter Keen's wide-ranging study of multimedia. The first and opening one is the claim that, unlike networks which just move information, multimedia humanizes it. Multimedia is essentially about making digital information seem natural and common sensible to people (p. 193). Multimedia presentation to the human senses is self-evident and self-justifying. Thus, one of the explanation of multimedia promised and delivered by Keen ends up being Zen. It is paradoxical in that no further explanation is required. It works. Still, many other detailed explanations and through-provoking analyses are offered by Keen for the benefit of the business manager, who along with the executive and business-savy technician form the audience for this text. High on the list of explanatory devices is the notion of "dominant design". Running throughout Keen's work is the task of identifying dominant designs (see James M. Utterback on innovation ). Four breakthrough areas for the application of multimedia to business form an "opportunity checklist" (p. 25). These include knowledge management, customer interaction, natural decision input, and shared understanding. Multimedia produce dramatic results in reducing training costs and improving staff retention of information communicated. Customer service and the power of the ultimate on-line catalog (the Web) - whether delivered over souped-up twisted pair or cable modems - is a realty. Natural decision input and shared understanding are more complex. But ultimately more important. "Visualization is central to everyday human thinking and to synthesizing large volumes of data" (p. 20). Visualizing complexities in finance, manufacturing, and communication renders matters more manageable by making them seem simpler. Watch for dramatic future developments here. In the work place effective understanding between members of workgroups, between customers and salespersons, and between designer and producer, are all enhanced by multimedia presentations and simulations. These themes -- including those of dominant design, self-evident and self-justifying technologies, and the Web as a would-be subset of multimedia - are driven through an alphabetic listing of key concepts and terms. Although this second section runs to over 300 pages and is entitled a Glossary, that term is misleading. Many entries are the equivalent of multi-page, stand alone essays, with facts plus executive briefing style editorial comment. Given the author's impressive command of the language and IT expertise, it makes a rewarding and interesting cover-to-cover read. One key to Keen's success is the promotion of the dialogue between the business and the technical specialists. Multimedia adds an additional dimension to that - be sure to include the design specialist with the skills required to build Web pages or high quality CD-ROM disks. However, in the end, no technology - including multimedia - generates value all by itself. That most precious and limited of commodities, management skill does that. That is Keen's point and the power of his message. --excerpt from my published review in COMPUTING REVIEWS, October 1997

I thought this CD was wonderful; great graphics that flow easily with wonderful music throughout. Was easy to use and relaxing too! It's like taking a vacation without having to leave home and I highly recommend this CD.

Creating video is all about images and the preference for better images leads many people to choose digital video (DV). This guide book is in FULL-COLOR and simple to follow without feeling like you're being "talked down to." It really is the perfect begining resource for the new mini-DV camcorder owner.

The accompanying CD-ROM is rather rudamentary: like a narrated slide show. The password code included in the book allows you to sign in to the Gateway website for more of the same type of thing.

Overall a great choice (and I spent a couple hours looking through all the video production books at a local bookstore). Get it. Read it. Enjoy your video camera!

As one of the authors, I know the book well, and am not so much reviewing as sharing how it has been made. Brother Jim, a freelance mechanic in Austin, TX for a quarter century and more, and I published an early version ourselves in 1992, and it is the first guide to the real spoken slang of car, truck, and motorcycle slang--not complete, but stimulating and authentic. It is finally widely available, and its word-list is a key-word guide to the car culture. Lewis J. Poteet

are you my nephew in meadville

I was laughing out loud on every page. The author is a comic wizard and the illustrations are just as funny as the written material. If you like to laugh at celebrities, this book pulls their pants down and exposes them for what some of them really are LOSERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!