Internet Books

used this book with the CWSP book and passed the CWSP with flying colors. This book is very detailed and must be read slow to retain and more important implement the solutions.

OK, the title does indeed tell a great deal about this particular book: However, the "Cisco" tag may be misleading. Cisco WLAN Equipment and even some terminology is used throughout this text. With a Vendor's badge on the cover and name in the title it prepared me for an extremely biased volume of configurations and presentations on Cisco specific technology. This text greatly exceeded a book with that good but narrower approach. A great plus of this particular text is the detail it provides on technology and design criteria which is applicable to WLAN security regardless of technology vendor. It has taken the place of my best vendor agnostic text as the first reference I grab.

Kirshna, Sri, Andrew, and Darrin have delivered the subtitle "Expert guidance for securing your 802.11 networks" in 13 chapters. Vast majority of their 395 pages of text and diagrams are not only applicable but extremely valuable to anyone charged with designing, implementing, and administrating WLANs in today's security conscious environment.

Guidance on secure WLAN design is far more than delivery of some cookie cutter equipment configs. The authors obviously recognized this and exceeded this reader's expectation. Their guidance was achieved by delivering sufficient detail on all the technologies and interdependencies that are required to deliver WLAN Security. They did not pave a single configuration which would have had too narrow an audience. They provided the foundation which enables, even seasoned WLAN engineers, to deliver for a wide variety of business requirements.

My copy has loads of dog-eared pages. Those pages mark specific paragraphs which have been very valuable in customer and support organization presentations.

If you're interested in designing secure WLAN which fits your customer's needs and performs well.
Then, you should pick up a copy of this text.

I'm looking for an update from these guys which includes some of the additional features and functions available in the latest "Cisco" WLAN technologies from both Aironet and Airespace teams.

Great book for a WLAN designer, implementor, operator, or manager of any of those resources.

The title is definitely in alignment with the content. A basic-to-intermediate discussion of security, as it applies to wireless LANs, is presented in this book. When I completed the book, I certainly had a much better understanding of wireless LAN security fundamentals - both generically and with a Cisco slant. The book has contributions from 4 persons, which may explain the healthy perspective given to the subject of wireless LAN security.

I know the number of chapters of a book can't always tell much of the story, but in the case of the 13 chapters contained in this book - spread out over almost 400 pages - I immediately felt that no single chapter would contain an amount of information that may be overwhelming as far as being able to retain my focus. The 2 final chapters comprised the greatest number of pages for any single chapter, and rightfully so. It would have been a compromise of the completion of the overall material to have limited the number of pages involving configuration examples and deployment scenarios.

I really appreciated chapter 2. This chapter was titled "Basic Security Mechanics and Mechanisms", and the content was just as the title suggested. The subject matter discussed security without any connection to wireless LANs. With "Security" being a complete topic all by itself, it was beneficial to have a little introduction to some generic security fundamentals before blending this topic with wireless networking. If the subject of computer/network security is not your forte, then you'll be served well with this brief exposure.

Chapters 3 and 4 were a welcomed addition because they provided a "warm-up" to wireless networking. The authors, in my opinion, did a very good job in not assuming that the reader would be a seasoned veteran of wireless networking. With chapters 2, 3 and 4 leading the way, the groundwork was set for a solid comprehension for the remainder of the book.

So, it is in chapter 5 -- "WLAN Basic Authentication and Privacy Methods" -- where the discussion of security for wireless LANs really begins. Once again, the title of the chapter is in sync with the content. What's provided is some light exposure to security methods. The information in the previous chapters really help to digest this chapter's material. This chapter is one of the "key" chapters in the book's presentation of wireless LAN security; the foundation to the discussion of wireless LAN security begins here.

The remaining chapters up to chapter 11 contained more in-depth discussion of security in the wireless LAN. I was pleased to see a discussion on the Wireless Domain Services (WDS), Wireless LAN Solution Engine, and Cisco Structured Wireless Aware Network (SWAN). While there's plenty of information at Cisco's website regarding these mechanisms, including the information in the context of the book content enhanced my understanding.

I don't believe this is a book that is intended to prepare for any Cisco-related certification; not that that was suggested anywhere to begin with. However, the reason for my comment is because there are none of the traditional questions at the end of each chapter to test chapter comprehension. So, if you want to test your understanding or memory, you'll have to create your own questions as your read through each chapter.

There will be a number of terms that may be unfamiliar to some readers, so I'll encourage you to note those as you read each chapter. The book contains no glossary for you to reference terms -- all nice and neat, in alphabetical order.

The book is for someone with at least a Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCCNA)-level of knowledge. Certainly if the reader has a fair understanding of wireless networking, the focus can be exclusively placed on wireless LAN security. I would not recommend this book as a first-read to someone who doesn't have an understanding of wireless networking -- unless they're going to read only chapters 3 and 4. Again, chapters 3 and 4 are very good for a first exposure to wireless LAN theory.

Using a rating scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being the worst, and 5 being the best) I'd give the book a rating of 5. Even with the fast evolution of wireless networking technology, and wireless standards being in almost a constant state of flux, I can see how I'd still be able to refer to this book for many months to come.

The title explicitly says Cisco, and indeed there is a lot of material enclosed that is specific to how Cisco implements its wireless routers. But you could plausibly also use this book as a good guideline to general purpose wireless security.

The authors have gone to some length to explain the general principles of 802.11*. In and of itself, this will be useful to some readers, for 802.11 is now a huge set of complex standards. With the official documentation being quite turgid prose, though necessary of course. For clarity, this book is a good and far more understandable alternative.

The text also goes into associated topics, like the encryption protocols associated with 802.11. Plus, and this is important, it describes third party, often open source, tools that can be used to sniff for insecure networks. Tools like Kismet or Wellenreiter, where the latter is meant for wardriving. One of the first things you should do is download and use one of these tools [or even several of them] against your wireless net, if it is already running. Better that you discover any weaknesses in it, than others do so.

The four authors of Cisco Wireless LAN Security do an excellent job of striking a balance between writing concise enough that the book is not overwhelming, but detailed enough for the reader to truly understand the subject matter. Not an easy task.

The book is titled Cisco Wireless LAN Security, which might actually make some people shy away from it, but the Cisco part is a bit of a misnomer. Some of the information and examples are Cisco-centric, but the majority of the information in the book is vendor-neutral and should be understood and applied on just about any wireless network.

The beginning chapters provide an excellent framework for those new to wireless LAN technology, but it quickly moves beyond that to much deeper and more complex subjects within wireless LAN security.

The discussion of wireless vulnerabilities and on wireless security techniques helps you gain an understanding that you can take away from the book and apply to your unique situation. The configuration samples and examples throughout the book are excellent.

I don't recommend that someone new to wireless networks pick this up, but anyone tasked with protecting or securing a wireless LAN should definitely use this book as a resource.

I found this book to be a great read with a significant amount of insightful material on e-commerce development. Anyone contracting for software development should read this book before they start. Even though this book was written several years ago, it remains relevant in 2004.

A good read, and a great addition to anyone's business book library.

If you are looking for a book that will actually provide you with know-how and help in the management and operation of your company, this is the book for you.

There are a handful of books out there that actually make sense for "real" companies trying to move online. This is one of them.

Unlike books full of goofy theories and breathless hype, this book is a clear, methodical exposition and explanation of the legal and structural issues related to becoming an eBusiness.

The author is an attorney, however, unlike the typical "legal department" issues that slow things down, his practical experience with the law will help you speed things up - all the while avoiding pitfalls that could trip you up down the line.

This one is staying in my "must-read" collection.

If you have a business and if that business is on the Internet(or going to be), then you'd better get your hands on this book--pronto!

In the lawsuit-happy world we live in, ignorance has never been more deadly.

"Clicking Through" is packed with legal information relating to cyberspace, but it doesn't bog you down in either legalese or techie language.

Here's some of what's covered:

=> ownership of creative materials => copyrights & trademarks => games, give-aways, contests, promotions, & more => pros & cons of linking => multinational marketing => risk/reward of unsolicited email => privacy => marketing to & hearing from children on the Internet => the downside of downloads

I suppose most of us think, and the operant word here is * think *, that we already know this. I found I didn't know nearly as much as I thought.

It's inconceivable that a contest or the wrong link could cost us our business. Sadly, the truth is it happens. Why take the risk?

Did you know that:

=> there are 4 myths about copyrights? And a lot of people on the web break those laws every day? (p. 44)

=> for a promotion to be called a contest, it must include some level of skill? (p. 120)

=> depending on the intellectual property laws of the jurisdiction where the copying (of your site content) takes place, it may in fact * not be illegal, * even if you explicitly prohibit copying of your content in the text of your site? (p. 136)

=> if you collect email addresses from business cards dropped off at a trade show, email sent to these people might be considered spam? (p. 143-144)

=> it's a good idea to provide a link to your site's privacy policy from each of the main pages on the site? (p. 160)

=> the online equivalent of the 'fake i. d." is easier, more serious, and far more prevalent, then in real life? (p. 177)

=> in most cases, an email is considered 'in writing,' and email is often stored long after it has been read and may exist on backup tapes months or years after both sender and recipient delete the note (as Oliver North found to his dismay)? (p. 201

Interesting, isn't it? This is an incredible book written by an Internet-savvy attorney; useful, content rich, timely, & priced right.

Ezor's book is easy to read and I can't think of any topic that's missing. Don't worry about it being out of date. It's newly published & the legal issues, though changing in some areas, don't negate the basics -- and this information is basic.

Are you sick of the condescending tone of most Internet instruction books? Well, Jonathan Ezor has written the book for you. It focuses specifically on managing the risks involved in bringing your company online. Ezor uses Internet jargon, but he defines terms quickly and clearly. He doesn't sugarcoat the risks of the journey into cyberspace. Despite the risks, he shows that the effort is worthwhile because of the Internet's incredible potential for your company. We at getAbstract recommend this book to those who are bringing their companies online, and to those considering this step.

As a business owner, I found this book to be an eye-opener. In a clear and concise manner, the author pinpointed the both the areas to watch out for, and the areas of opportunity when venturing onto the Internet. My partner is now reading it!

This book is a must have for anybody working in the broadcasting industry. I keep mine by my bedside and read snippets of it everyday and as a result my work is sooooooooo much better and my figures are up cos Valerie gives you all the tricks and tools of the trade you will ever need. If you are new to the industry or even if you have been in the industry for a while, this book is a must have cos it will show you ways of finding new ideas, staying on top of the game and it will stop you from going stale. it's a powerful radio bible that all educational & broadcasting institutions should encourage students & staff to read.

Eno Eruotor
Broadcast Journalist
BBC Radio Manchester

Creating Powerful Radio is a must-read/must-live-by for anyone who wants to succeed in art of talk radio. I live and breathe the spirit and direction of Valerie Geller's dead-on insight every day with my own show, and in programming each of the stations and networks I have directed. When I interview job candidates, I *always* ask if they have read Creating Powerful Radio, AND the companion producer's workbook. If the answer is 'no,' I will kindly ask them to come back and have a chat when they have. What Valerie shares between the covers of these books is a critical road map to understanding how to build a relationship with listeners and avoid the pitfalls that so many talk show hosts suffer from. Do you want to be a WINNER in talk radio? You're taking an important step in that direction when you not only read Creating Powerful Radio, but when you live, eat, drink, sleep and personify the concepts Ms. Geller has so generously shared for creative, entertaining people to be at the top of their game!

John McMullen
Chief Programming Officer
GAYBC Radio Network

Valerie Geller has a gift for breaking down the basics of broadcasting. While being on the radio seems like it is an easy task, Valerie Geller explains very important techniques for helping the beginner all the way up to the most seasoned pro. It is a way to think about radio as a larger medium, how to use the airways as a canvas, as an art. I highly recommend this and all of Valerie's books to anyone interested in radio broadcasting. These books should be in all broadcast schools and radio stations, no matter how large the radio station is. We all need reminding of how to create powerful radio.

"Creating Powerful Radio" is the most comprehensive work I have read on how to win in radio, and a potent weapon in any radio broadcaster's arsenal. It is well written and brimming with practical, real-world ideas that are easy to understand and implement. Its wisdom spans the nut-and-bolts to profound critical thinking rarely encountered in business today. For anyone who works, or aspires to work, in today's competitive radio landscape, Geller's essential intellingence should be required reading; if I had known in the late-1960s what I know now from reading "Creating Powerful Radio," KFRC in San Francisco would probably still be a top 40 station with a 30-share.

Not only have I heard Valerie speak, I'd follow her around with a tape recorder if I were you!!! This book and the workbook are the best! I would recommend this to the beginner as well as the seasoned radio personality!! Way to go Valerie!
Denise Pagano
WXXQ-Rockford's Country Q98.5
Morning show/Music Director

Am sending a review as a word file as an attachment to an e-mail. When I tried to save my review, it locked up my computer. Jiten Ruparel

Roger Blackwell's Customers Rule! tells why the e-commerce business thrill is over, and how adaptable business structures may take advantage of these changes in customer buying habits. The Internet has proven to be not a revolutionary retail changer but an adjunct to traditional retail marketing approaches, and this explains how companies may profit from changes, using case history analyses to pinpoint blended strategies which work.

The title is appropriate. The bottom line: Customers ( continue to ) Rule! It is no surprise that the arguments and conclusions in the book are academically sound, intuitively resonant and empirically valid. It is also no co-incidence that the style is personal, engaging and authoritative without being authoritarian.Authors Blackwell and Stephan are unashamed and acclaimed champions of the art and science of consumer behavior. This is not a recipe book- it is about attitudes and approaches and digs deep into why some strategies will succed and why some will fail. Neither business nor technology exists apart from society. E-business has to blend into the brick and mortar legacy that still provide true value and we are not about to throw the baby out with the bath water. The book is technology savvy without being mesmerized by it. The authors remind us that the majority of the world's citizens are below the digital divide; that human needs, wants and values have not changed fundamentally; that e-business should grasp opportunities , but not shirk its responsibilities as the newest engine of globalization. I feel the book is required reading for MBA students everywhere, businesses affected by e-business ( and which one is not?).It is recommended to all strategists who have been pushed by trendy Wall Street analysts, who, lured by the siren song of e-commerce and have insisted that businesses jump on the next train leaving the platform, regardless of the destination. The authors convince us that there is still no substitute for knowing what you are doing and why.

Jiten Ruparel P.Eng., MBA, Ph.D.

Blackwell and Stephan apply their considerable experience in buying behavior to the reality of the last several years and find most e-commerce endeavors wanting. Their message is simple: focus on providing a smooth, trouble free experience end to end and you will be far ahead of the pack. Sounds simple, and it isn't. Implementing this concept takes serious capital and serious experience.

This book is a good read for B2C companies online and offline. Its treatment of B2B is thin, and not really worth digging out. It already feels a bit dated, but it is still an absolute "must read" for retailers.

The title, though provocative and tantalizing, is accurate.Authors Blackwell and Stephan are unabashed celebrities of the art and science of consumer behavior. It is no surprise whatsoever that the arguments and conclusions in the book are academically sound, intuitively resonant and empirically valid. It is no coincidence, either, that the style is personal, engaging and authoritative without being authoritarian. The resarch shows; practical current examples are used to cut through media hype and Wall Street analysts' obsession with trendy, flashy technology. Jump on the train, they say: the next e-business train leaving the station- all of them will take you to profits and increased market caps. WRONG! The book asks the difficult questions: Does the e-business integrate with the bricks and mortar reality of creating value for the customer? Does it make for a delightful experience? Does it make the customer want to keep coming back again and again? All this is necessary, but not sufficient. Does your e-business strategy create profit? Can this profit stream be sustained? Does it complement your current channels of supply chain management and does it lead you towards trhe new world of demand chain management? Does your strategy differentiate you from your competition? Can you sustain your advantage? The authors are technology savvy, but not mesmerized by it. The book offers insights into what strategies will work and which ones will fail and why. I recommend this book to MBA students everywhere. It is a survival handbook. Business persons will find the book practical and relevant.It will save them a lot of grief. The authors have their feet planted firmly in reality. They remind us: " e-business is no substitute for knowing what works in business and why." I learnt from this book and am giving copies to my colleague business profesors.

Trout has provided the best desk top reference on an increasingly crucial topic. Don't engage in online business without it.

Okay, I am the publisher; but look, I've read every page of this book, holding a microscope the entire time over the pages. I see a lot of manuscripts pass over my desk, and frankly, most go in the garbage can. This book is thorough and valuable -- what else could you want? It went straight to press!

Brett Trout's concise work is a must for online businesses. Read it once before you launch and keep it as a reference for the myriad issues that arise in online business. With this second work, Brett Trout has established himself as the authority on cyber law.

Trout is an excellent source for information an your rights when dealing with the internet- and let's face it - today we are almost all dealing with the internet. This book is not just for businesses. This book is a must read if you are dealing with a sticky situation/transaction over the internet. I first started reading Trout's advice on his blog - useful, everyday, legal advice - and he even makes it interesting and FUNNY. I had to check out his book. This book covers all the bases. It is a great help to anyone doing business over the internet.

If you're opening a business online, have a business online or want to get online, this is a must read. Very complex legal issues are explained in a simple easy to read fashion. Its evident that the author knows what he's talking about. Definately should be on your shelf.

The first half of this book is written by the listed authors, followed by six essays by thought leaders on peer-to-peer commerce, collaborative commerce, portals, adaptive strategies for B2B marketplaces, B2B integration, and visibility in the extended supply chain. Fingar and Aronica have done a commendable job of examining and explaining the changes to business models brought by information technology. The authors tell the reader what they think was wrong with the dot-com economy and what needs to be done to succeed in the high-tech economy in which the major risk is not getting Amazoned so much as getting "GE'ed". The book straightforwardly delves into the business model implications of electronic marketplaces, peer-to-peer commerce, B2B exchanges, e-hubs, e-services, component-based architectures, m-commerce, collaborative commerce, value chain optimization, and more. The authors agree with a growing number of others, including re-engineering gurus Hammer and Champy, that the key to success now lies in extended business relationships. The book does an excellent job of looking at the new generation of Internet technologies need to enable new business models and processes. You do not need to be highly technically inclined to follow this discussion which helps business leaders understand what they need to do to power ahead in the real innovation economy. One strength of the book is reflected in the subtitle which shows that the authors are concerned not with technology alone but with how it fits together with new technologies and new business models.

Doing business on the Internet is now a mainstream phenomena ranging from novice online entrepreneurs to established multinational conglomerates. In The Death Of "e" And the Birth Of The Real New Economy, Peter Fingar and Ronald Aronic effectively collaborate to survey and explain the rapid and fundamental changes affecting how individuals and companies are doing business in this age of the computer whether the transactions are across town or on the other side of the world. The authors explain the emerging business models of the electronic marketplace, peer-to-peer commerce, e-hubs, B2B exchanges, auctions, wireless applications, m-commerce, intelligent agent technology, collaborative commerce, digital strategies, and more. The Death Of "e" And the Birth Of The Real New Economy is very highly recommended, essential reading for corporate executives, economists, business managers, and anyone with an interest in how the Internet is impacting upon local, regional, national, and international economies and business practices.

This book covers what assumptions were wrong in the dot-com economy and refocuses on the realities of business in the technological, digital-savy economy. It covers all of the P2Ps: Powerpoint-to-Production, Path-to-Profitability, and finally, Peer-to-Peer technologies among others.

Explained are the educational takeaways from historical, leading edge developments of e-commerce, e-procurement and electronic marketplaces and how they can be applied based on the realized importance of extended business relationships. This book then addresses the appication of the newest developments, including peer-to-peer, collaborative commerce, and B2B integration within the supply chain in the currently developing (Real New) digital economy.

This book is recommended reading as it clearly details the digital past and provokes thought on how to continue to execute using new technologies within business today.

During the dot.com craze, companies worried about being "amazoned," asaulted by young zealots who threw out all the rules of the old economy. But now after the crash of the dot.coms, the pendulum has swung back too far and many companies are tempted to think, "I told you so, the Internet was just a fad."

Not so. The true Internet business revolution is just beginning, and no company will be spared its impact.

Companies shouldn't worry about being amazoned, they should worry about being "GE'ed," where under the leadership of CEO, Jack Welch, the single most impotant business tool of our time is being used to gain operational hyperefficiency, and strategically position GE's many companies to dominate their industries. No overnight magic. No quick fixes. But deep and structural changes in what it means to be in business and and what it takes to dominate industries are altered by the anywhere, anytime, anyone connections of the Internet. This is the focus of this book.

I thoroughly agree with Xerox's John Seely Brown and his conclusion that "The Death of e is unquestionably the birth of a new understanding of where the real new economy is headed." The book explains the business models for Value Chain Innovation and Collaborative Commerce. But it doesn't stop there. It goes on to clarify the need for a new generation of Internet technologies to enable these new business models.

Web-services, peer-to-peer computing, intelligent agents and integrated commerce resource platforms are clearly described so that even not-technical readers can grasp the next generation Internet technologies needed to conduct business at the network's edge. In addition to this solid introduction to the new business technologies, in-depth chapters written by industry thought leaders are devoted to the critical concepts: Peer-to-Peer Commerce, Enterprise Portals for Conducting Business on the Network Edge, Collaborative Commerce, Adaptive Strategies for B2B Marketplaces, Dynamic B2B Integration, Bringing Visibility to the Extended Supply Chain, and Understanding ebXML, UDDI and XML/edi. The result is a book with both vision and substance. The downside of this breakthrough book is that I wish it was 800 pages instead of 360, as it triggers the need to learn more and more about the new way of competing. It does, however, provide a pointer to its accompaning Web site at mkpress for further reading and investigation.

Because business and technology cannot be treated as separate issues in today's extremely competitive markets, the book's subtitle indicates the balance provided in its pages: business models, technologies and strategies for the 21st century. The Death of 'e' does not restate the "conventional wisdom of e-business" found in the many other books on the subject. Instead it breaks new ground to show business leaders what they should be thinking and doing to dominate in the real new economy.

Timing is perfect - this is a book for all to read.

This book was excellent and very informative. At first there was so many to chose from but I am positive I made the right choice. It is not expensive and worth every penny. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in either buying or selling on ebay.

Michael Banks' The eBay Survival Guide is another fine guide to selling and buying on eBay - and avoiding common pitfalls - which covers just about everything including discerning the 'real prices' of items and learning more effective bidding strategies. From using HTML in listings and handling templates to considering private auctions and handling problem buyers or sellers, all the basics of the interactive auction forum that is eBay are covered.

This book is great whether you are new to eBay or you have been using it for years. I have done some buying and selling on eBay and while I don't consider myself an expert I felt pretty confident in my abilities. There are a great many books out there about mastering eBay, but this one stands out amongst the crowd. This book opened my eyes to a whole lot more that eBay can do, for me, for you. The first chapter is the basics of what eBay is. After that it is a plethora of information. It covers topics from how to search to how to bid and how to post and item for the best results and how to attract bidders. This should be called the eBay bible because it is all you need. It can save you money, time, and effort. This book is packed with information that is easy to read and understand. Space is not wasted on excessive graphics; only the most appropriate and useful graphics are included. It is a fast read especially when you start getting excited about what you will learn and how soon you can use this knowledge. For those who are interested in eBay it is a page-turner. I am recommending this book to any one who uses eBay, from beginners to seasoned eBayers. The author participated in some of the original auctions in 1983 aimed at trading computer parts on college campuses, and now is a regular on eBay. He has written over 40 books on various topics, such as technology, writing and eBay.

Are you a frequent buyer or seller on eBay. If you are, this book is for you. Author Michael Banks, has written an outstanding book that is a nonconformist, irreverent, and realistic handbook for both buyers and sellers.

Banks, begins by presenting an overview of the organization and structure of eBay, along with what it offers and the basics of how it works. Then, he covers the basics of participating in eBay auctions. The author continues by introducing you to the basics of searching on eBay. In addition, he also shows you how to combine basic search techniques with Search commands and unconventional techniques to conduct truly high-powered searches. The author also considers the relationship between value, price, and demand, and looks at some methods for calculating prices. Then, the author takes a look at how you can fit the profile of the ideal seller, and how to handle those less-than-ideal buyers you may consider. Next, he shows you how to decide what you are going to sell.
Next, the author suggests how you might go about finding items to sell on eBay. Then, he explains how to go about creating a successful auction. The author continues by showing you how to write copy on eBay. In addition, he covers how to relist an item and how to improve your chances of selling it. The author also presents an overview of things you should know before you bid and buy on eBay, focusing on dealing with sellers. Then, he answers questions about bidding and tracking auctions, along with information about techniques and tools you can use to win consistently. Next, he presents some approaches to getting those auction items you've lost. Then, the author covers the steps and options involved in paying for and getting your items. The author continues by looking at some common scams and downright illegal activities that take place on eBay. In addition, he looks at several types of products that aren't what they appear to be. Finally, the authors shows you how you might go about getting information about an eBay member, through eBay and other channels.

This excellent book shows you how eBay works; how to find things on eBay; how to bid effectively and win; the best times for buying and selling; how to draw bidders without spending a bunch on eBay auction features; how to spot shills, fraudulent sellers and deadbeat buyers; and, a lot more. In addition, you'll find information about how to handle the offline aspects of online buying and selling, and some useful information about using the Internet in general.

If you've never used eBay before you'd be silly to do so without first picking up 'The eBay Survival Guide' by Michael Banks. Even if you've been using the auction site for years you will also benefit from the information found in this book.

'The eBay Survival Guide' starts out, not surprisingly, with an overview and history of online auctions and of eBay itself. It then moves on to how the site works and also provides some great tips and techniques for finding items you want. Even though I've been using eBay since 1999 I found it interesting to go back to the beginning and get an overall sense of what's really happening on one of the biggest sites on the internet.

The next major section of the book is geared toward those people who are using the site to sell things. That brings up a point worth mentioning. This book is for both sellers and buyers on eBay. It's a 'survival guide' for all users, not just a "how to make lots of money on eBay" book. I'll look at the section for buyers in a minute. The section for sellers includes suggestions for creating better listings, when to relist items, how to deal with problems that may arise and so on. It's loaded with screenshots, so you're not just reading about eBay you're seeing what things will look like when you use the real site. I think a great many sellers would benefit from reading Chapter 10 called, "How To Create Listings That Sell". Banks points out the many pluses that come with writing effective descriptions and titles for your auction items.

Next comes the section for buyers. Again there are lots of screenshots that really help bring the examples to life. And there are more than just a few examples. The book is obviously written from a great deal of personal experience not just clinical research. Banks' anecdote about the historic airplane photograph and negative (page 186) is proof of this. In presenting it he helps illustrate best practices for bidding, outbidding and sniping. Here's an area where I had some experience but again felt that the book either reinforced some of the things I already knew (making me feel more confident in bidding) or suggested things I should be doing but wasn't (like spending more time researching other bidders).

Near the end of the book he discusses how not to get ripped off using eBay and in doing so exposes some of the uglier sides of the site. This is important information though and helps buyers and sellers better understand what can go wrong and how to avoid it.

Throughout the book Banks writes in a clear easy-to-understand style that feels like a friend sitting down to explain eBay to you. Despite the fact that the guide is about an internet website it feels not at all like a computer textbook. Its short concise sections make finding the information easy and learning from it even easier. You should find it easy to pick up the book and skip to whatever section is currently most relevant to your eBay activities. The well-written index also helps you to find the help you need quickly.

Whether you're new to eBay or not and no matter whether you're buying or selling it's a sure bet that "The eBay Survival Guide: How to Make Money and Avoid Losing Your Shirt" will help you get the most out of online auctions. Highly recommended.

This was a great book to use with eighth graders! A classic piece of literature was a great way to end the year!

I received this book and think it's great! Thanks loads!!
Congratulations on a product that's certain to help a lot of government employees succeed where otherwise they might not. Having served on numerous selection panels in the past, I often wondered why so many employees "missed the boat" on putting together a "sellable" application. Now, that shouldn't happen anymore. R, Don

Book offers resume-writing tips for Defense civilians

By Kellie Lunney

Federal employees and those aspiring to work in the government need to master the art of electronic resume writing, according to a new book from a federal resume expert.

Kathy Kraemer Troutman's Electronic Federal Resume Guidebook provides readers seeking civilian jobs in the Defense Department with advice on navigating Resumix, the department's electronic database for managing resumes.

The Defense Department uses Resumix software to manage resumes and search for qualified candidates. The transition from a paper-based system to an electronic system means that Defense employees and potential applicants have had to brush up on their computer and resume writing skills, according to Troutman. Under the electronic resume system, applicants submit their resumes for specific positions, and hiring officials search the resume database to find an applicant with the right mix of qualifications.

"I believe the electronic system is here to stay and that it will be better in the long run. If you can write a good resume and understand the application process, you can master this," writes Troutman.

Troutman, a former columnist on careers for GovExec.com, includes advice on writing and editing resumes, a brief history of the Resumix system, and a soup- to-nuts description of how automated human resources systems work. A CD-ROM that contains electronic resume samples and official job kits accompanies the book.

Special tips ("One resume is the best for today's electronic job search") and inside information ("Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force agencies require self-nominations for announcements") are sprinkled throughout the book, and Troutman provides a review summarizing the section's main ideas at the end of each chapter.

Most of the book is devoted to crafting the perfect electronic resume with tips ranging from how to incorporate keywords that will yield successful job matches through Resumix to avoiding bureaucratic jargon.

A list of dos and don'ts in the electronic resume process includes:

*Do research keywords, skills and industry language.

*Do limit experience to recent jobs and jobs that directly support your qualifications

*Do keep acronyms to a minimum.

*Do write with nouns and verbs in the active voice.

*Don't submit extra documentation unless requested. *Don't use phrases like "responsible for," or "worked with." *Don't fax your resume.

*Don't repeat yourself.

The Electronic Federal Resume Guidebook is Troutman's second book. The Federal Resume Guidebook was published in 1995.

As a former federal personnelist and now a professional job searcher and writer/editor of electronic resumes and KSAs, I can tell you that this book is an excellent resource. I believe that soon all federal vacancies will be filled via the online application process (rather than the traditional paper application process), which makes this a very timely book for the federal job seeker. There are numerous sample plaintext resumes, KSAs, skills sets, and templates in the book and on the accompanying CD-ROM. Also provided are numerous relevant "buzzwords," "keywords," and "noun phrases" essential to ensuring that applicants will get "hits" in an agency's searchable resume database. With all the samples and templates provided, your RESUMIX resume is practically already written for you. All the reader has to do is fill in information relevant to their own experience.

Bought the book. Landed a GS-9 job.

How's that for a book review?

The math: The book is on the expensive side, but you have to think of the cover price as an investment. Put another way: now I'm making more money than I made when I was on active military duty (I'm a retired grunt; retired Sgt. First Class pay plus GS-9 pay equals more than active duty Sgt. First Class pay).

Federal Resumix Guidebook how-to in short: It teaches you how to organize your past employment experiences into a consolidated nonstandard resume that contains the actual words GS managers may be using to search for employees.

The book causes you to think of the Resumix system as a search engine looking for you. Does that make sense? :-)

I taught a course in computer security and a course in advanced networking during the spring semester of 2008. Both of those classes contained some coverage of the role of computer firewalls and the techniques they use to protect computers from malicious entities. This was the primary resource I used in my presentations of firewalls and in that context, I found it invaluable.
There are three main sections:

*) Introduction to firewalls
*) How firewalls work
*) Managing and maintaining firewalls

For the computer security course, the second section was the most valuable, for in that course we discussed the mechanics of how security is provided on the border of the network with the exterior world. Specifically, chapter 8 "Application Proxy Firewalls" and chapter 9, "Where Firewalls Fit in a Network" were useful.
The last section was of major importance in the advanced networking course since the emphasis in the course was on network management. I required the students to write a major document on network management policy and the ruleset for managing the firewall(s) was a major section of it. Specifically, chapter 10 "Firewall Security Policies" and chapter 11 "Firewall Policies/Rulesets" were useful.
This book is an excellent introduction to firewalls and contains enough advanced material for it to be useful for the training of networking professionals.

Don't let the title fool you into thinking the book is only of value to novices. Instead the book goes into unexpected levels of detail while still staying easy to read. I was surprised at how much detail there was. There was a lot more information that I would have expected. I think a wide range of skill levels can still find value in the book as an everyday reference, or to study up on the topic. I would highly recommend this as a vendor-neutral book for your networking collection.

Firewall Fundamentals provides what I see as the first clear book in many years on the oldest known protection for the Information Technology field. Authors Wes Noonan and Ido Dubrawsky take the concepts of protection at the basic level and slowly walk the reader through protection and defense from the introduction of threats to the details of advanced firewalls like the Cisco PIX and ASA appliances to Microsoft's ISA application. While this book may to be advanced in nature, it explains in detail the simple items that make the understanding of Firewalls and their technology important. Even from the goal of the book "...personal and desktop..." where the authors clear state that no level will be untouched does this book make one feel comfortable and unafraid.

Considering that this is a Cisco Press, book it surprised me that the amount of non-Cisco detail the authors' included, from Checkpoint and Microsoft ISA in the larger areas to Trend-Micro in the smaller areas. These guys ensured in this book a level of detail and understanding that will guarantee a complete read; even a Security Engineer, like myself who has learned the advanced concepts and deployment methods/reasons for security, gained new insight into the world I work in. For both Noonan and Dubrawsky present the items I sometimes miss, the obvious and clear issues that the regular individuals encounter and need to help them.

Noonan and Dubrawsky start with the simple items and basic concepts slowly and adding to them while not forgetting the assumed reader. This book is divided into four sections including the Appendixes: The first of the major section as always the Introduction which covers the basics from what a threat is to the difference between a personal (computer) based firewall to a network firewall.

After the basics are covered the authors' begin moving into the how of firewall technology from the personal computer to the common home-office like Linksys and finally into the realm of small office and hardware that include the Cisco platforms. While these chapters may appear to focus more on the Cisco Products they do include important other chapters that deal with items like where a firewalls belongs within the network. Within this section of the book we see items as mentioned like the Linksys and Cisco products, but we also see NetFilter and other freeware and pay products including Microsoft's ISA and Checkpoint mentioned, configured and discussed in detail. Within Chapter 7 the Linux products that are slowly advancing in the industry due to their cost and availability are detailed with the NetFilter product. Flow-charts and diagrams again help to explain not only this product, but the key concepts behind firewall technologies and examples of scripting help individuals learn and understanding what should be occurring with the product.

Finally the last key section deals with the importance of Managing and Maintenance any Firewall. From policy management to troubleshooting they do not leave anything out. I personally found the chapter entitled "What is My Firewall Telling Me?" very different from what I would expect in a simple how to read the logs chapter. The authors took time to explain the concepts of logging, the importance and different methods to read the log. Again they showed that this is not a book that is Cisco centric on Cisco heavy by using products and screen shots of non-Cisco items like Microsoft and NetIQ.

What this book is missing is a disclaimer that while published by Cisco Press it is not entirely Cisco Centric and this is a good thing. Yes as many people know Cisco is a large player in the field of networking and information security these author's do everything to ensure a fair and equal play of the others I have mentioned before. I feel that if you where looking for a book to help anyone with a small or home office environment protect it, this is the book you need. While I found adding it to my collection a positive and enjoyable experience, I can only hope that you will too.

As an IT professional, I know and understand that firewalls are a requirement in today's computing environment. But as a developer, the details of firewalls are pretty much a black box to me. I was pleasantly surprised with the book Firewall Fundamentals - An introduction to network and computer firewall security by Wes Noonan & Ido Dubrawsky. I actually understood most of it! :)

Contents:
Part 1 - Introduction to Firewalls: Introduction to Firewalls; Firewall Basics; TCP/IP for Firewalls
Part 2 - How Firewalls Work: Personal Firewalls - Windows Firewall and Trend Micro's PC-cillin; Broadband Routers and Firewalls; Cisco PIX Firewall and ASA Security Appliance; Linux-Based Firewalls; Application Proxy Firewalls; Where Firewalls Fit in a Network
Part 3 - Managing and Maintaining Firewalls: Firewall Security Policies; Managing Firewalls; What Is My Firewall Telling Me?; Troubleshooting Firewalls; Going Beyond Basic Firewall Features
Part 4 - Appendixes: Firewall and Security Tools; Firewall and Security Resources; Index

There were actually a number of surprising aspects to this book (all good). The first thing that surprised me is that this is a Cisco Press book. As such, I would have expected a huge bias towards Cisco technology at the expense of everything else. Yes, most of the options and solutions covered include the Cisco offering in that category. But the overall focus is on the underlying technology instead of the vendor offering. That means that you are getting great information on firewalls, not just how Cisco does it. Another surprising aspect for me was the range of experience that is targeted in the book (and successfully at that). Part 1 was perfect for someone like me who isn't intimately acquainted with the inner workings of a firewall. Part 2 covers the range of solutions, both hardware and software, personal and enterprise. And Part 3 is one of those sections that you'd likely use on a regular basis at work if you're responsible for the care and feeding of network security. The information is extremely practical, and having checklists for troubleshooting may just be something that bails you out of some ugly situations...

There's not too many books that can pull off the difficult task of reaching all experience levels on a subject. The fact that this book does it while being published under a vendor imprint is even more impressive. Definitely a book I'd recommend on the topic of firewalls...

Firewalls have gone from a luxury to a necessity in the computer world, and today a thorough understanding of their function and setup is required reading for any serious networker, programmer, or computer operator. Firewall Fundamentals: An Introduction To Network And Computer Firewall Security addresses all issues, providing a through introduction to firewalls, how they protect, up to more advanced TCP/IP protocols and firewall configuration for Linux and other systems. From application proxy firewalls to security policies and rules, Firewall Fundamentals holds it all.

Timely! Fundraising on the internet is the next level of fundraising for non-profits, and this is an excellent way to get started!

I found practical suggestions in each chapter -- a useful resource to help us round out our fund raising program. With uncertainties in the Washington, DC mail due to anthrax, we are especially interested in increasing visits and gifts through our Web site. This book will help us move towards that goal.

A fantastic collection of resources! Warwick, Hart, and Allen brought together an amazing array of experts to assemble a practical, hands-on book full of interesting case examples. As an application service provider working almost exclusively with non-profits, we found the book particularly useful as a source book for guidelines and best practices. Our clients who have read the book were enthusiastic about everything from the specific strategies to the fundraising tips.

This is an all-encompassing, basic guide that makes fundraising on the Internet accessible to the most inexperienced nonprofits but gives insightful advice to veterans. I wholeheartedly recommend the book and plan to make this required reading for our customers and employees.

This collaborative effort is well-written, fast-paced, and extremely up-to-date. Each chapter is on a different aspect of Internet fundraising, written by a different author. Speaking from personal experience, this book has been extremely possible in our own business of helping nonprofits raise funds online. We recommend it to any nonprofit who wants to take advantage of the net.

Very useful for organizations working with an interactive agency to imporve their efforts on the web...