Online Books

As Web services are becoming one of the most popular technologies for a wide range of demanding IT applications, there is a growing need to get a thorough understanding of the foundations, principles, methodologies, technologies and protocols that under-pin them. This need, which is felt both by practitioners and the Computer Science students, is addressed superbly by the "Web services: principles and technology" book of Mike Papazoglou, one of the pioneers and world experts in the field.

Rarely will you find a book on Web Services that covers such an incredible broad range of inter-related topics with such authority and depth. The book is well organized, well written, broad, concise and comprehensive. It is an excellent coverage of the whole world of Web Services spanning principles, methodologies, engineering and technologies, which it all expertly laces together and explains with amazing clarity and sufficient details to allow a true and deep understanding of the subject.

The book covers such topics as:

* Distributed Computing Infrastructures, EAI systems and business-to-Business integration techniques
* Service Description and Publication
* Reliable Messaging and Event Notification
* Service-Oriented Architectures & the Enterprise Service Bus
* Web Services and Workflows
* Web Services Transactions
* Web Services Security
* Web Services Policies and Agreements
* Semantics and Web Services
* Business Protocols
* Web Services Development Life-cycle with emphasis on techniques for service analysis (including "as-is" and "to-be" analysis), design and service implementation options
* Web Services Management
* Grid and Mobile Services

This book is the definitive guide on Web services - excellent coverage on fundamentals, principles, operating guidelines combined with non-trivial case studies and examples which illustrate the design and engineering of Web services in a real-world setting. It provides a very precise, thorough and comprehensive treatment of Web services. Unlike other books, it goes beyond mere Web service standards, programming and implementation by placing emphasis on understanding of the concepts, principles, mechanisms and methodologies underpinning Web services.

I'm using this book in a Master's course at the University of Groningen and had a great response from the students, while I found my work as an instructor greatly facilitated by the clarity of the presentation and the available material (power point notes) for instructors. This said, I consider the book absolutely adequate also for self-study and for the novice who wants to explore the landscape of Web services.

To summarize, this book is an excellent and authoritative journey into the world of Web Services. It is an incredible read! Highly recommended!!

This book stands out from the vast array of contemporary SOA and Web services literature in many ways:

1) It presents business context and technical requirements for Web services design on an adequate level of detail.
2) It provides important historical insight without putting the reader to sleep.
3) It covers relevant related work such as e-business, EAI, and networking as needed, unlike most other Web services books.
4) It separates abstract concepts such as messaging from implementation technology such as JMS appropriately, but shows the connections when needed.
5) It builds up a non-trivial example that demonstrates how the various specifications fit together, many unique illustrations help to digest.
6) It has non-trivial exercises that will deepen your understanding.
7) The author's has a hype-free, vendor-neutral writing style and is very experienced in his field.

It always is a good sign if as a reader I want more... so I would also have been interested in the author's view on the ongoing WS-*/SOAP vs. REST debate, and about adoption of the presented concepts and technologies in the industry (tools and project usage); for example, UDDI does not seem to have much traction these days. Maybe something for the Website accompanying the book, which will also have additional material for students and lecturers?

As a practicing IT architect, I have helped many companies to transform their existing applications into Web services-based SOAs. As a book author, I have captured my own experience with the technology in writing. As a researcher, I now investigate many of the architecture design issues the author points out. Still, I find this book to be very educational and informative; I highly recommend it for practitioners, students, and researchers that want to understand the big picture as well as technical rationale and details behind the various concepts and technologies. Those of you that believe some WSDL-to-Java wizards or RESTful POX/HTTP calls are all that is required for successful enterprise development and integration, please do have a look as well - you will begin to appreciate that there is more to the picture!

Don't let the title fool you, "Essential Business Websites", the latest offering from WebPointers, isn't just for those cubicle dwelling business types. This book is crammed with useful information on how to conduct the business of your life on the internet. Always informative yet never condescending, "Essential Business Websites" will lead you to the best places to find and mail e-cards, take you through the Library of Congress, give you alternatives to bankruptcy, explore the spirituality of business, check out the latest web technology, learn how to build a Rube Goldberg machine, and many more exciting places. WebPointers has done all the legwork for you and put it all together in one fabulous resource. And just when I thought it couldn't get any cooler, I downloaded the e-book. With a minimal amount of time and effort, the entire book is there on you computer screen with active hyperlinks. Surfing with WebPointers couldn't be any easier. So if you're a CEO (not me), or a stay at home mom with an MBA (me) or somewhere in between (everyone else), there's something useful in this book for you.

Clear, concise and chock-full of useful information, this book belongs on the reference shelf of every cyber-businessperson. All websites included feature a full description and are organized into major headings such as "Communication", "Entrepreneurs," "Financial Planning," "Management," and more. The bonus e-book with active hyperlinks is like getting two books for the price of one! I recommend this book highly to everyone doing business on the web.

This book is a wake up call for those of us who do not embrace the IM lifestyle and still prefer to talk to live people. It shows the breakdown within the society that allows for both true peers and alleged peers leads to the downfall of the education, love and support that parents provide. The book does not preach at you, it does make you realize the sleazy ways that advertizers, perverts, and pornographers get into the lives of the children and the ill effects on the child. I have empathy for the family in what they endured, but am thankful that he brings to light these issues.

This book is an excellent "warning sign" for those of us who didn't grow up using electronic messaging, and don't realize the dangers our children are facing in this area. Only after reading this book did I fully understand the importance of monitoring what children do when they are online. The author's personal loss is a testimony to the dangers he describes.

If you care about your children, you will read this book.

I've received my books on time in perfect condition
Keep up the good work!

Just as Mr. Mulcare wrote the definitive resource for AD on Win2K3,
Active Directory for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Technical Reference (Pro-Technical References) he has done it again with this resource kit. His knowledge of the product and ability to pass along critical information on Active Directory is exceptional. Keep up the good work and I look forward to whatever you write for Win7!

One of the first things you will notice about the novel Windwalker is the vividly described and well-crafted world that Donna Sundblad created. The reader will be pulled into the story with its scenery of sandy shores, dark thunderous waves and strikingly beautiful landscapes.

The tale opens with the arrival of several natives of the Jonnick clan to the Stygian shores. Their appearance was foreseen by the Stygian leader Cedrick in a dream. His vision warned him that the Jonnick would bring with them sickness and a lingering menace. Despite the ominous omen, the Jonnick are welcomed, showing a side of humanity that is rarely seen.

Sundblad provides a rich adaptation of ethical issues against a backdrop of fascinating races from the ill-fated Jonnick's to the brave and noble Stygian's.

Windwalker is sure to be a hit. Its elements of romance and jeopardy will charm enthusiasts of fantasy, romance and adventure. It's an enjoyable, enticing read that will want you to pick up the next Sundblad novel.


Lost Hours
Friday House
Xiii

Let's begin with what Windwalker is not. It's not a heavy handed bludgeoning of the gospel. Like Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, Donna's symbolism of faith and monotheism whispers in its subtlety. In her own words: "You never know what you may see in this story. It is the story of the One that unites."

Windwalker begins with a people waiting for a savior who's arrival will be clouded by dark times. Times that have dropped anchor in the harbor. Then things get epic.
Prophecy's fulfilled by certain births. Hidden away from a wicked queen, this new generation comes of age. Manelin, the prophecized Arich, is the One who will unite the natives of the land with their newly arrived oppressors. Together with his Augur, thy must erase the legacy of hatred that's cursed the land.

The beauty of this story is its very human humility. Manelin, a peasant goatherd, has been raised by a man he thinks is his grandfather. The old man is the only one left who knows the boy to be the Arich. Dark times thrust greatness upon both a reluctant goatherd messiah, and his crippled Augur. Can the faith of commoners save the land, and their people?

You'll enjoy this read, and the prophetic "Tellings" of the Windwalkers.

for Frank Creed

In The Wireless Age: Its Meaning For Learning And Schools, Judy Breck (director of academics at bigchalk.com, an education portal serving the K-12 learning community) offers a jargon-free presentation of insights into the wealth of educational resources the Internet offers the classroom and students of today. Breck blends a theoretical explanation of the growth of cyberspace with a practical exploration of the tools available for its maximum utilization in the learning process. The Wireless Age is an invaluable introduction for classroom teachers, school librarians, education policy makers, and the non-specialist general reader with an interest in improving and enhancing the quality of public, parochial, and private schools.

Judy Breck's The Wireless Age is an enlightening and passionate prediction of the future role the Internet will play in education worldwide. Wires and plugs will disappear and all students may be empowered with their own handheld computer devices that will be as inexpensive as telephones. In the authors words:

"I predict that wireless handheld computers that include Internet access will make teaching in now difficult schools less frustrating and more fun. The kids will respond to having their own tools, just as ghetto kids did a century and a half ago to learning their letters by writing them on a tablet. The optimism of kids is the elixir that will restore the good health of teaching in America."

Making all that is known available to all children, through a far-reaching technological transition, raises crucial questions about the nature of teaching and learning. Will teachers understand how to apply this new, powerful global tool? To what end will it be applied? How will teachers engage students to use this wealth of knowledge? Will it change the meaning of learning? Will students know what it means to use knowledge to discover and create? What does all this mean to the standards movement engulfing American education? The author concludes:

"The Great Change will be complete when a student can hold in his or her hand everything that is known."

And our understanding of its meaning for learning and schools will just begin.

Looking for a great book to take on vacation or just an escape from day-to-day routine? This is the book for you. Fast-paced, dynamic and thoroughly engaging, the Yo-Yo Conspiracy took me through an intriguing political scenario and a beautiful mini-tour of Europe. Absolutely wonderful lead characters!

This book should come with a wine list!

It is a fun pursuit across Europe by two smart but eminently believable characters through some of the best food and drink known to man. They are pursued by a bunch of thugs who behave like real thugs (bickering and spiteful) rather than idealistic automatons of most modern fiction. Add to it a well researched treatise on the trials and tribulations of a "united" Europe and you will learn more about the politics of that continent than any dry news article can tell.

James Morton is the new Ian Fleming, St John Fleming (any relation?) could be a new, more sensitive James Bond and Ce Ce Flyte is innocent!

If you need a good laugh, and an escape from your own reality, then get this book! Once you get to know Hermskids' neighborhood, you'll never want to move again...and you'll never again think the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence...

Mike is a great writer, with a deft touch. Most enjoyable.

Anyone who loves online auctions like eBay will love this book. The author listed 50 items on eBay, and wrote about the people who owned the items, and why they were selling them. Makes fun of modern-day suburban life. Laugh-out-loud funny.

I am very happy to have this book. It is a great resource for getting a jump start on YouTube, and it is also very good to motivate one to make the most of YouTube, perhaps a must read for business owners wanting to make use of the latest and greatest on the internet.

YouTube is my favorite web site so I didn't really need to read this book. I only bought this book because it is about YouTube. The authors deserve a lot of "hater comments" because they merely describe how to use the web site. YouTube has already updated their web site, ensuring that this book will quickly become obsolete. I would have preferred a book that explored the social networking aspects of the YouTube community. They could have devoted more chapters to video production as well. There is also no mention of Stickam which is a web site you need to know about to become a YouTube insider. Also, I think potential vloggers should be strongly warned about the extremely malicious harassment that is being allowed to flourish on YouTube.

You will enjoy this book. With 101 different articles, there is bound to be something that will help you, or make you think, or expose you to a different methodology which will have a lasting effect on your life.