Internet Books

Working in the IT field, I found this book to be very helpful-- especially from a historical perspective--explaining the various highspeed options available. I read this, although I have been trouble-shooting highspeed issues on a helpdesk, for a long time. When studying for Network +, I read references about T1 lines, and other methods of highspeed access that I have never used, personally, or only used in a corporate office invironment, as a User.

This book explains all the (mostly out-dated, in heavily populated areas) technologies, and helps to grasp the basics when studying for the Network+ certification.

I have read some of Mark Soper's works in the past (Upgrading and Repairing PCs Technician's Portable Reference, his articles in SmartComputing, etc.) and have always found them informative and relevent to my purposes. This book is no different. Soper presents broadband technology in a way that is both extremly detailed and easy to understand. It is humorous and very readable, qualities not often found in computer books. Yet it covers the topics (ISDN, DirectPC/Duo, DSL, Cable, etc) throughly and doesn't skimp on any vital detail. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who is considering broadband service, anyone who has it already, or just anyone who enjoys learning about emerging technologies.

With all of the recent information floating around about "High-Speed" internet connections, one can literally go insane trying to decipher fact from fiction, not to mention attempting to figure out which service is right for YOU. When I came across this book, which I did here on amazon, I was very excited, but still unsure of what I would be getting my hands on. I thought that perhaps it would assist me a little here or there, and help out with the most basic information possible.

To my surprise, and delight, this book was truly AWESOME. So much so that I just received it a couple of weeks ago, and I'm now on my second reading. The book is packed with information. It not only delves into the aspects of Cable Modems and DSL(which is does so very intensely), but also tells you how you can optimize your standard dial-up modem connection to the internet. You can't lose with this book--if you already have an internet connection, the knowledge on getting the most out of THAT hook-up is worth the price of the book. In addition, the author definitely has a sense of humor, and that REALLY helps when you sit down to read a book, and along with educating you, you're also given a dose of humor that's JUST ENOUGH to make the education FUN.

The book also gives the reader information on what to do in order to have your computer completely in order BEFORE the installation of a broadband hook-up takes place, whether you do it yourself, or somebody's going to be installing it for you. This book even delves into how computers work, and the processes of computers connecting to one another to put the wheels of the internet into motion. The reader won't be BOGGED down with this, however, as the book is written in a very clear, concise manner. You'll also learn little tricks here and there throughout the book on how to maintain your computer for overall optimal performace. What a great book--I couldn't recommend it more highly!

DSL? Cable Modem? Satellite? Wireless? These are among the choices you will have to make if you decide to "upgrade" to high speed Internet access. It's difficult to know which one will work best for you. This book helps to explain the differences between each of them. The introductory part explains ways to get higher speeds from your current analog modem before diving into the different kinds of high speed Internet options you have.

The second part of the book is divided into chapters explaining ISDN, DSL, satellite, and wireless Internet and how each one works. It also gives you an idea of which specific type might work best for your individual needs. The next part of the book is divided into chapters explaining how to install whichever service you've decided on, complete with "installation checklists" at the end of these chapters.

There are also a couple chapters devoted to keeping your PC secure from "hacker attacks," which is always a problem, but even more so if you have this kind of Internet connection. Finally, there's a section devoted to troubleshooting problems, even a glossary at the book's end so you can familiarize yourself with related terms, and if nothing else amaze your friends with your knowledge of this technology!

This book provides an excellent overview of the high speed Internt technology available today.

I have read some of Mark Soper's work before (Upgrading and Repairing PCs, SmartComputing, etc.) and have always found it to informative and relevant to what I needed. This book is no exception. Incredibly readable and humorous for a computer book, it provides an excellent balance between technical detail and practical knowledge. Easy to understand and yet packed with information, this is a must have book for anyone even slightly interested in high-speed Internet access. I recommend this book to anyone who is considering broadband, anyone who already has it, or just anyone who enjoys emerging technologies.

If you practice law and are finding that clients are increasingly demanding you to be more tech-savvy, you'll want a copy of Jerry's book on your shelf. Sharing the same high-quality information that Jerry has put into his presentations for years, he makes this book a superb collection of lessons that will keep you flipping pages through to the end. This book is not one that you'll read once and put away - you'll find it answers just about any question you'll have about using the Internet on a day-to-day basis. Unlike most books about the Internet, this is one whose value will remain for quite some time.

Jerry Lawson's The Complete Internet Handbook for Lawyers (1999), is the standard reference for attorneys who use the Internet or who don't yet but should. Besides providing his own substantial guidance for using the Internet, Mr. Lawson surveys, organizes, and synthesizes data and resources from and about the Internet. If there is one book for attorneys about using the Internet, The Complete Internet Handbook for Lawyers is it. The book is a bargain at $50 given the time it will save and revenue it will help generate.

You could run all over the Web just identifying the opportunies and issues presented by the Internet for your law firm. Then you'd need to evaluate a slough of disparate information to arrive at answers to those questions. Or, you could buy this book and have an astoundingly comprehensive and qualified treatment in one convenient and easy-to-ready package. I had a copy that somehow walked out of my office. I know why it's not coming back. Whoever has it is using it. I bought another copy, which I am now guarding.

T. R. Halvorson, author of Law of the Super Searchers: the Online Secrets of Top Legal Researchers.

The Complete Internet Handbook For Lawyers is comprehensive, definitive, and exceptionally well organized survey and explanation of the Internet specifically designed for law students, practicing attorneys, legal paraprofessionals, and law firm staffers. From the essentials for getting started on utilizing the Internet, to doing legal research on the Internet, to marketing legal services on the Internet, to ethic and security issues involving the Internet, to philosophical and practical considerations for the present and future practice of law and the influences of Internet, Jerry Lawson's The Complete Internet Handbook For Lawyers is a highly recommended, essential, practical reference and guide.

Rarely, law books are published which teach a complex and essential subject effortlessly. This is such a book for Lawyers about the Internet. The author's explanations of relatively new and still arcane subjects are excellent. His section discussing Public Key Encryption is a good example of the style and ease of learning thoughout the book. Other lawyers have tried and generally failed to explain this type of encryption in a way which is comprehended by the average lawyer who barely passed or may have even flunked algebra. Using a 250 word analogy, author Lawson teaches it in a manner that lawyer and layman alike can easily understand. Realizing that the Internet is new and changing in ways no single person can fully comprehend, the author also includes a unique chapter by a number of knowledgeable lawyers and support personnel who contribute their own observations and conclusions. No lawyer who has to practice for the next decade can ignore the Internet. For those who haven't started, or those who haven't yet incorporated the Internet and Email into their practice, there is no better place to begin than with this handbook.

This normally is not the type of book I would read, however found it to be rather enjoyable. The characters were very believable. Almost as if you were truely reading someone else's private email. A good quick read.

The sequel to Chat starts in an extremely one-sided manner, but continues in the same strain as Chat, both in content and in style. Brilliant stuff

This is the first time I found an author who based her stories on a chat line story. An it was so well written that the minute you start reading it, you simply can not put it down!!! It doesn't matter the age, or sex, this serie will appeal to everybody.

I found the whole series of these books to fantastic and well written. They are short but they make great books to read while you are in line at the bank or whatever.

The characters are believable and I could relate with their feelings and emotions very well. I recommend this whole little series.

The second novel of her cyberseries "connect" develops Bev's and Max's relationship, redifining the boundries of their romance. I loved this book but it must be read in sequence. McCarthy uses words and emoticons to express the feelings of each character without the need of introspection, inner monologues or descriptions. The ease with which the characters "speak" to each other is wonderful and natural. Could not put it down. Couldn't wait to pick up the next one and find out what happens to them.

Connecting Online is a fascinating text that explores two worlds--the Internet with its many tentacles and the public relations industry--and how to merge them with powerful results. Sherwin and Avila start off with a well-written explanation of the Internet-not just the World Wide Web, but also ftp, e-mail, Usenet, Internet etiquette. In short, all the various pieces that fit under the umbrella of the Internet. They also explore the public relations world if briefer than they did with the Internet--releases, media relations, crisis communication. Having accomplished the groundwork, they set out on their main objective--explaining how to have effective public relations online.

They demonstrate a variety of interesting, if not necessarily the most innovative techniques. Examples abound, including finding the right consultants, costs, hardware, software, and utilizing websites for maximum advantage. In this, Connecting Online is none too dissimilar to Michael Levine's Guerrilla PR: Wired, which also covers using the Internet as the means to attain public relations objectives.

Drawing upon their experiences in both the Web and in the public relations industry, Sherwin and Avila provide several valuable pieces of advice. What makes this text even further stand out is the style in which it is written. Deft uses of humor in the technical explanations assure that even those with a layman's grasp of the terminology and technology will have little difficulty in understanding, grasping, and using Sherwin's and Avila's methods and advice.

In Connecting Online: Creating A Successful Image On The Internet, Gregory Sherwin and Emily Avila draw upon their extensive expertise and experience in clearly and definitively explaining the history, demographics, features and benefits of the Internet; show how to utilize email, the World Wide Web, Usenet, FTP, and other Internet tools; explain Internet etiquette, press release, crisis communications, security, and other public relations essentials, reveal how Web pages work and provide some strategies to research, build, maintain, and keep websites current. Connecting Online also covers issues such as costs, hardware, software, hiring consultants, and obtaining proper technical support for establishing and maintaining a website or an Internet presence. Connecting Online is an ideal, informative, comprehensive "user friendly", and highly recommended guide for learning all of the aspects of establishing a an effective online public relations strategy.

This book was exactly what I was looking for. Although, I am not sure I agree that my business isn't ready to jump into online sales... the significance of applying public relations techniques and solid, thought-out strategies online is certainly important to me at this point in my business' life. Connecting Online provided the answers I was looking for on the relationship between the Web and maintaining my company's overall image. The book also offers some great information, data, and step-by-step procedures. Although I wasn't looking for a site management book, this book covered new territory that will certainly help my communications with our Web team...all on terms I understood. In fact, the humor in this book made the most technical areas quite fun!!! What can I say, I just got done reading it and I highly recommend it! What a great read!

Connecting Online: Creating A Successful Image On The Internet explains why it is essential to establish a solid image and a communicative environment with specific Internet audiences. Authors Gregory Sherwin and Emily Avila have collaborated to created a guidebook that will help the most novice of computer users to get up and running with image building strategies, even when they have had no prior experience with, or training in, public relations. Connecting Online covers the history, demographics, features and benefits of the Internet; how to effectively use email, the Web, Usenet, FTP, and other Internet tools; Internet etiquette, press releases, crisis communications, security, and public relations essentials; how Web pages work including strategies to research, build, maintain, and keep them current; costs, hardware, software, the hiring of consultants; the technical support required to establish and maintain a website or an Internet presence; and much, much more. Connecting Online is "must" reading for those new to Internet communications and public relations and a handy reference for anyone needing a refresher in the art and craft of building a successful and profitable Internet presence.

The authors of Connecting Online have chosen to supplement the book with a companion Web site of the same name, which includes a wealth of information for PR people who want to use the Internet to its full advantage. This site contains updated links, organized by chapter, to all of the Web sites mentioned in the book. Connecting Online is the best resource I have seen for online PR professionals.

I liked reading it. Was simple to understand. I got a lot of info. on starting a web page. The only thing is it shows you how to use a program to get a web page going but its only 2 programs so if you don't have the programs that it helps you with than don't buy this book.
The programs are Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004 and Microsoft FrontPage. It also helps you learn about some basics about photo editing and some graphics. I got some good use out of it. I just wish that it had the info. on my program I have. Other than that its a great book very informative about the basics of running your own web page.

i generally have found the for dummies series to be helpful, and this book is no exception -- you can sit down, thumb through it, and create a photo album online quickly without having to wade through any technical jargon or fluff. i'm no slouch in the web development department and even i found lots to like about this book -- it has helped me explain certain concepts and steps to my less technical family members. i'm including it with my standard baby shower package from now on (which also includes an aromatherapy relaxation candle, lip moisturizer, charmin-to-go, dove facial cleansing wipes, hand sanitizer, and other small items that new moms appreciate).

What a lot of helpful information, and it's written so average folks like me can understand it! My family is having fun sharing photos from our family reunion, and this book made it so much easier. Other books I've seen assume I know things I don't know. If you want to create a Web site but aren't sure how, I recommend this book.

If you've ever been bugged for photos from the family reunion, or wanted to show off your new kid/cat/car, this book actually makes it seem easy. I know, I know, putting up your own website has a reputation like dragging all your neighbors in and making them sit through your vacation slides used to. But this book shows you how you can still show off a little, without boring everyone to tears. Actually, you can do some pretty neat stuff, which can be really fun when your family is scattered all over, and you don't feel like running up the long-distance bills just so you can keep up on current events.

Very highly recommended.

As with the other For Dummies books, this book is intended for beginners and absolutely minimizes the jargon. At the most basic level the book provides a series of templates that can be used with a fill in the blank approach to get a site up and running quickly. Then it branches out to increasing the creativity by designing your own pages. At this level there is almost no mention of dynamic database driven sites. This is building a static web site with pictures and text. This is a book to get you started.

Most of the book is on showing you how to do things using Microsoft's Front Page. But on the CD is a trial version (30 Day limit) of Dreamweaver MX 2004. In addition, the CD includes:

Family Tree Maker
Contribute
Fetch, and
WS_FTP.

If you're a complete beginner to web design and programming, here's a good way to get started.

Creative Destruction presents a fascinating revival of an old concept in the context of recent technological developments and innovation. It offers a brilliant account of how information technologies accelerate the process of creative destruction today and helps understand how information society articulates with in a wider framework of economic history. Those interested in Latin America will appreciate, in particluar, the recent developments in the telecommunications industry in the region.

It is a thorough analysis of the technological advances of our era and the depth of the internet industry. I was particularly interested in the implications for Latin America and the technological transfer from liberalization. It is a useful book for practictioners and for more academic minds.

This is an outstanding collection of articles. These papers combine scholarly depth with usefulness for practitioners. They will help you understand where we've been and forecast where we are going with the Internet. I teach courses on Internet Business Strategy and will use this collection next year. My favorites are Baumol's "Innovation and Creative Destruction; McKnight's "Internet Business Models: Creative Destruction as Usual" and Lehr's "A New Theory of the Internet Firm." They provide a solid conceptual basis for understanding the implications of the Internet economy. One thing truly unique about this book is the thoughtful and detailed discussions of the implications of the Internet on international business. There are six papers that focus on these issues. I have not seen this anywhere else. In a world where people publish books peddling derivative nostrums about the network economy, it's a pleasure to finally find one that deals with these issues in a serious, thoughtful and, most of all, useful way.

Rather than focusing on a single angle and building a long argument in its favor, this compendium's treatment of diverse dimensions of creative destruction lets the reader paint his or her own picture of the net effects of Schumpeter's famous concept. The book's 11 articles touch on topics as diverse as the future of telecommunications firms in a Net-centric world, the impact of regulatory reform on the Internet in Europe, the institutional barriers to Internet-driven creative destruction in Japan, and the impact of open-source software business models.

Creative Destruction is a Lego-box of interesting ideas that managers and academics can recombine into constructs valuable to their work, teaching, or research. I found it very rich reading.

There are three recent publications with the same title (Creative Destruction) whose authors correlate Joseph Schumpeter's concept of "creative destruction" with the contemporary business world. Foster and Kaplan explain "why companies that are built to last underperform the market -- and how to successfully transform them" whereas in their work, Nolan and Croson offer "a six-stage process for transforming the organization." In the third volume co-edited by McKnight, Vaaler, and Katz, various authors and co-authors of 13 anthologized essays examine various "business survival strategies for the global Internet economy." I highly recommend all three volumes as well as two of Schumpeter's works: Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, and, Essays: On Entrepreneurs, Innovations, Business Cycles, and the Evolution of Capitalism.

This book grew out of a symposium held at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the spring of 1999. The topic was "Creative Destruction -- or Just Destruction?" Those who presented papers were asked to address "the key technological, regulatory, organizational, and competitive dynamics compelling change in the way firms and stakeholders do business in an increasingly global and Internet-centric society." At the symposium there were (and in this volume there are) four points which are consistent with the theme of "creative destruction":

The Destruction of Traditional Industry Structures

The Destruction of Traditional Regulatory Structures

The Destruction of Traditional Competitive Positioning Strategies

The Destruction of Traditional Technological Assumptions

It is important to keep in mind that this is not a manual. Although there are numerous suggestions, checklists, points of emphasis, graphic illustrations, and examples offered, the volume's primary purpose is to stimulate continued discussion and debate on the major challenges now facing firms, governments, and other players -- while suggesting "how to exploit the new opportunities created by creative dynamics."

The material is organized within five Parts: Introduction, Theory and Practice of Creative Destruction, The Global Context for Creative Destruction, Business Destruction Strategies in the Global Internet Economy, and Creative Business Survival Strategies. For the reader's convenience, the editors offer brief comments about each subject and about each of those who address it. After reading the excellent Introduction, you may decide not to read the everything that follows from beginning to end. In that event, select what is directly relevant to your and your organization's most immediate and urgent needs and interests. (In all probability, some of those needs and interests will soon change.) The editors provide three supplementary sections (Contributors, Notes, and References) which assist and encourage further study as well as "continued discussion and debate."

I am curious to know what Schumpeter would say about the material in this book if he were discussing it as I am now. My guess (only a guess) is that he would observe that his basic concept of "creative destruction" remains relevant but the process is occurring at an ever-increasing velocity and in ways and to an extent he could not have envisioned 50-60 years ago. Another guess (only a guess) is that, based on what is now happening (and not happening) in the global community, he would suggest that process of "creative destruction" in all organizations (regardless of their size or nature) has only begun. The Chinese character for the word "crisis" has two meanings: "peril" and "opportunity." For many (perhaps most) organizations, the process of creative destruction means death; for others, it offers the opportunity for at least survival and perhaps regeneration. The authors represented in this superb volume help us to understand the differences between the two groups....also, the probable consequences of those differences.

This book is a great guide for parents moving kids through the "web" of the internet. She gives specific suggestions for young kids (e.g., Have all of their kid-safe sites bookmarked. They can only go to bookmarked pages w/o mom or dad.) through late teens (Let them make mistakes on the 'net while still at home w/our support!). Perfect resource for me. Quick read. Reminds me not to blow up when a kid comes to me with some issue- or they won't come to me again! Nice parenting advice and cyber-guide. Recommend.

I read Nancy's latest book, Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens, on a flight this past week, partly because it's been sitting on my shelf for way too long, and partly because I knew I would be speaking a few days later to youth at a regional church meeting about technology in their lives. It is a great book on the Internet for parents, and don't miss the good material that she provides at her related website, www.cskcst.com, that you can download and distribute for teaching.

My audio interview with Nancy last year is here: http://audio.edtechlive.com/NancyWillard.mp3.

I've worked with kids and computers since 1979. Nancy Willard is my go-to authority for encouraging children's safe and responsible Internet use. Her latest book is theoretically sound, well-researched and comprehensive (including the very latest technologies) and offers a practical approach to this serious issue. It's also well-organized, with recommendations for specific age groups. Nancy knows all about the dangers and benefits of going online, and CYBER-SAFE KIDS will help parents act as guides and mentors, not cyber-watchdogs.

Most folks are aware of such internet dangers as free-flowing pornography reachable by kids, but how many are aware of all the other dangers facing young ones such as identify theft, addictive gaming schemes (as time wasters and replacement for real world activities), the ability to down load term papers and other works so as to avoid homework, or, again, the rights of sites to do whatever they want with up-loaded materials, a condition which can cause extreme embarassment and even financial loss? Willard's excellent text deals with each potential danger accoding to type and age group. Each chapter begins with an incident demonstrating the danger (an excellent awareness-building tool, especially for those of us who had no idea this particular danger existed)followed by an analysis of what is involved in the danger, and then positive and usable advice for parents on how to prevent their children from falling prey to the danger. But make no misake, Willard is a strong advocate of the benefits of internet participation for children when they are properly supervised, and that does not mean peeking over their shoulder all the time. This positive attitude towards the internet, the while recommending non-invasive supervision is a remarkably well-developed strength of her book. She is not whining about the dangers or urging censorship as so many gloom and doom critics do; she is providing a positive means for parents to help their children make the most of their web experience, an experience critical to every youngster in this age of the cyper-reality of communication. (A prototype parent-child agreement is included, and should be a valuable tool for developing cooperation among family members). As an educator, I find this book an essential tool for all teachers and school administrators, and, of course all librarians, who need this background to appreciate the pitfalls which may occur in classrooms and reading areas and how to be aware and prevent them. And a school board will find this study an excellent reference for developing appropriate policies for the district.

I wish there had been a book like this when my two boys were exploring the internet in the 90's. Things have gotten even more troubling for parents today and this book will help guide them through the difficult job of parenting in our new online world.

It is filled with great suggestions and a lot of information---and to be honest, some of it is very frightening from a parent's point of view. But if knowledge is power, this is a book that all parents should have when trying to navigate the very difficult job of parenting in this new and rapidly changing online world. There are sections for parents of younger children, 8-10 year olds, 11-13 year old, and 14-18 year olds. There are suggestions for "teachable moments" and how to guide your children to ethical and safe uses of this technology.

In my opinion this is a "must buy" book for parents and educators. Thank you, Dr. Willard.

Having read many a "hacking" book and attended the odd course too, I was very interesting in looking at this product as it is an adoption of Security Associates actual Defensive Hacking course.

This self study guide does a good job of replicating the actual course environment. The DVD video has all the labs which are clearly narrated by the instructor.

I would rate the contents of this book better than the genre of Hacking Exposed and so on...this study guide is really aimed at the proffesional pen tester (or hacker) but not a script kiddie level of person.

On the down side whilst the contents are good they are really deep. The DVD alone in 4 hours + so in effect this product attempts to be "Jack of all trades"...perhaps a focus on a smaller content base would have made it more managable to digest.

But on the whole good stuff.

I have bought self study guides from Security Associates for all of there current three primary course (Hacking, Forensics and Deployment).

This hacking study guide is good stuff, well presented, neat DVD (2 DVD's actually), easy to read contents. I really like the way the instructor clearly explains each and every single point.

The price may seem a bit high, but to be fair there is a lot of content covered, the DVD alone is around 3 hours plus, the written content is 300 pages + and you get 3 months support.

Well worth a look for the newbie and the experienced pro.

This is great stuff, not good but really GREAT. By far the best thing on the market with respect to how to really hack, and hack from a security proffesionals perpective, not a script kiddie.

This study guide does not teach you how to do port scans or use NMAP but talks (more than talks actually, rather shows live on the DVD video) about advanced techniques such as fragmentation attacks, advanced DNS hijacking attacks and so on...its the kind of thing which every security admin needs on his/her desk as the essentail reference guide.

This is really a good Self Study Guide full of material for those who really want to see how it is done and how to do it.

The live DVD of the labs and narration of the presentation is absolutely great as they provide numerous opportunities to re-read and review the material.

I've also attended the DefensiveHacking course and rate this book on par with attending the actual course.

For one (like me) who is fed-up with all the poor script kiddie hacking books on the market which teach nothing new...then I really recommend you try DefensiveHacking.

This self study guide taken from Security Associates globally taught course goes beyond the repeated stuff books like Hacking Exposed talk about again and again...what Hacking Exposed talks about in 300 pages DefensiveHacking completes in 30 pages and then in the rest of the 200+ pages gets stuck into advanced hacking and penetration techniques which are really an eye-opener, even for someone like me, who has been in the security industry for 6 years.

I recommend you take a look at this self study guide which comes with a super DVD to give one the impression who have actually attended the course, but at a fraction of the price!

I personally cannot wait for the other Security Associates courses such as Defensive Forensics and Defensive Deployment to released in self study formats.

I have been reading this book for the last 30 minutes and it's one wow after another. I just turned to my dog and said "This book is amazing!" hehe.

Seriously. The dive in and "look what you can do with ps" style of this book is very impressive. I bought it as an alternative to the more advanced wow book. This is the one I was looking for. 4 thumbs up!

you can start learning photoshop fast and easy. This book is suitable for beginners. It's full of illustrations and pictures, and to the point. In addition, you don't have to read a lot. it's a quick start. it's so informative and you can use it as manual too. even filters are covered, what are they and how you can use them step by step. good work Deke.

Photoshop is a deep and complex program and this book makes it (almost) simple. The book has several strengths -- first is McClelland's astonishing knowldge, next is his ability to explain complex things in terms even a beginner can understand, third is the brilliant way the information is organized. Face it, no matter how much knowlege a book contains, if you can't find the knowledge it's useless to you. The publisher and book designer make McClelland's information always easy to find, even if you are looking for some obscure feature like using the Color Range command to make a mask. No matter what your skill level, this book will open the Photoshop world further to you. I'm a graphics professional and I have a dozen Photoshop books on my shelf -- and this is the one I always pull out.

I love this book! I wish all software books were written this well. If you took 20 Photoshop books at random and put them through some magic process that took all the good stuff out and condensed them into 1 easy to read, well-organized, no fluff, no 1500 pages and 4 pounds of paper book, this would be what comes out.

When I picked this book off them shelf and started reading it, it was immediately obvious that the layout and organization were very good. The more I've used the book, the more I appreciate what it has to offer. Simply, a superior reference to Photoshop 6! It's really a "textbook" example of how to present information in a logical and easy to use fashion.

I didn't find having the images in black and white a problem at all. In the context of this book, color images would not add much information at all, although I'm sure they would add a lot to the price.

A superb reference book, well-written and organized. The Adobe user guide and Classroom in a book are now relegated to the back of the bookshelf.

Please please please...software book writers, use this book as a model of how to create your future books. This book shows well that less is often more. People are not buying software books by the pound, they are really more interested in quality information, not quantity!!

I'd like to give this book 10 stars, but 5 will have to suffice.

I **LOVE** this book! I've been using Photoshop since version 4 and i'm self-taught. I am not an expert yet but then i don't consider myself a novice either.

This book is for everyone. What i most like about this book is the easy style and sample pages, The quick shortcuts to just about doing everything, and the explanation of why one tool works better than another.

I just attended a 2-day Photoshop class and the instructor highly recommended this book. at first, i thought that it was for the very beginner, but it's some much more. It's like a dictionary... you keep it for reference.

as i glanced at the instructor's book, i noticed that it was truly worn. she said that she's had to buy a second copy because she's used it so much. you can't possibly memorize everything about photoshop.. so why not have the best resource in town?? This BOOK!

Eric Eaton's "Designing Web Site Interface Elements" is perhaps the most comprehensive book on the design of web site interactive elements (links, buttons, forms, windows, etc.). This relatively narrow focus-most "web books" have to widen "the lens" to fill their pages with enough useful insight-allows for very in-depth treatments of interface design topics. For example, in the section on links, Eric talks in great detail about links styles (text vs. graphical), arrangement, density, grouping, placement, description, color, etc. The sections on button and form element design are similarly comprehensive.

Topics covered:
- links;
- buttons;
- form elements;
- control elements (window controls mostly; important if you're using DHTML or Flash to create your own windows, sliders, etc.);
- metaphors (physical world, paging, tabs, etc.);
- custom and experimental interface elements (again, good resource for those using Flash or DHTML to create their own interface elements).
- a good selection of case studies with discussions of what works and doesn't work, and why.

Overall, this book will make a worthy addition to any web designer's library. Also recommended: Paul Gokin's "Interface Design for Ecommerce Applications" (search for this one on the web), and Bob Baxley's "Making the Web Work."

It has tons of ideas for how to go beyond the same-old same-old in Web
design, Eaton gives scores of examples and techniques for designing
interactive interface elements, but without the pedantic, how-to
language that people like me hate. Before you know it, you've learned more about usability and site design than you would expect. A few too many pages are spent on the basics, from site architecture to how links work; but half the book is relevant to advanced interactive Web design. Not quite as edgy as the stuff he wrote for Webmonkey, it's as humorous as a useful guide can be. A useful tool for a wide range of designers.

It has tons of ideas for how to go beyond the same-old same-old in Web
design, Eaton gives scores of examples and techniques for designing
interactive interface elements, but without the pedantic, how-to
language that people like me hate. Before you know it, you've learned more
about usability and site design than you would expect. A few too many
pages are spent on the basics, from site architecture to how links work;
but half the book is relevant to advanced interactive Web design. Not

quite as edgy as the stuff he wrote for Webmonkey, it's as humorous as a
useful guide can be. A useful tool for a wide range of designers.

Web pages are truly a functional art form. The best are a combination of complex functionality, have a small digital footprint for quick downloading, can easily be deciphered, and are pleasing to the eye. This is a tall order and although design principles have been studied and refined for years, most do not satisfy all of these high requirements. Eaton has written a book that shows you many of the simple features that can make the difference between a site that blocks and a site that rocks.
One very striking feature of the book is the high quality of the pages and the images. The paper is slick, and nearly all pages are in full color. From this, you can see exactly how the pages would appear on the screen. In fact, very few screens would render them in this vivid a form. The advice, sensible, but also artistic in nature, shows you how to appeal to the facets of art appreciation that nearly everyone possesses. As humans, we share a common heritage for forms, some of which attract, others which repel and those which can do both, depending on the context. Eaton understand this very well and does a good job in describing and demonstrating this knowledge. Not all mouse clicks or buttons are created equal, and it is essential that the web interface designers understand the circumstances that make them different.
Packed with essential knowledge, not all of which is obvious, this is a book that should be read by all people who code the parts of a web site that will be seen.

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The aim of the DesignWhys series is to focus on the Why of interface design, not the How. A lot of work and creativity went into this book but it fails embarrassingly every time the author ventures into the How.

The author has much to teach and he does it well with vivid illustrations. His contention that Web widgets often imply assumptions and behaviors with surprising implications is something every Web application designer should pick up on and learn from.

Unfortunately, the author veers from his plan to be agnostic on technology and from beginning to end makes implementation recommendations that defy modern practice. It is as if his coding experience ended with Netscape 4 on the Macintosh, a particularly unfortunate combination.

He defines "traditional HTML" in a way that strips it of its current power and dynamism -- and then unfavorably compares it with Flash, naturally enough. Cascading style sheets (CSS) are introduced more as a complication rather than a systematic solution. The first positive mention of CSS is to point out that it can be used to get rid of those horrid link underlines -- a recommendation certain not to please the usability people.

The W3C-deprecated and destructive FONT tag is used throughout the book. On page 124, he warns that a drawback to using JavaScript to change form elements is that it forces an entire page refresh. This was true of Netscape 4 but not of any other browser released since 1997. His references to "Netscape 5," a version never released to the public, indicates that some of the book is refurbished from old material.

Whenever the author gets into implementation, beware. For instance, his suggestion that a 50-item dropdown be divided into two 25-item dropdowns. There are more elegant and usable ways to handle that situation nowadays.

Following the author too literally would result in sites and Web applications very expensive to develop, even more expensive to maintain, and with a severely restricted usability.

The book ends with illustrations of sites the author considered ennobling. People who make Web interfaces for real people, not for other designers, will find them tediously irritating. The book would have been more valuable if it had covered the widgets of our daily bread a tad more seriously.

When it comes to Web design Why's, do as the author says, not as he does.
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