Internet Books

I am computer savvy, but not a programmer. I had never written any HTML when I read this book, but after I finished it, I was able to put together a Web site. I think I learned more from this book than from a lot of the $50 Web books I've purchased since.

I found this book extremely helpful in re-working my websites. The book is easily read and understood - even for those who aren't "computer geeks". It builds up from the basic to the advanced in HTML writing in easily digestable chapters. I give it a hearty thumbs-up! Gabriele Endress

As a professional web developer, I am always looking for ways to brush up on my skills and stay competitive. So of course, when I saw this book, I was eager to see if it could provide me with any new techniques for the creation of web pages, particularly "cool" ones, using the popular new Hypertext Markup Language.

Sadly, I found it very disappointing. The author advocates many methods of web page creation that are inaccessible, woefully out of date, or just plain wrong. When I suggested implementing some of the coding techniques in the book, I was literally laughed at by my colleagues.

The book does not cover even the most rudimentary basics of semantic markup, and even suggests using the FONT and TABLE tags to apply styles without even the briefest mention of CSS.

I will certainly not be recommending this book to my fellow web developers any time soon.

(In all seriousness, I read this book when it was new, and it got me started tinkering with web pages. Now I work for Yahoo. The 5 star rating is honorary.)

There are a lot of "The Web's so cool and if you just buy our book you can make a million dollars" kinds of books out there. I've gotten tired of them very quickly. For one, the Web is just new, it's not the salvation of mankind. For another, they always have some underlying motive (beyond making money), and usually its ramming their own web pages down your throat. Taylor doesn't do this. In fact, he makes you feel very welcome as he explains, in a pleasant narrative style, this big blob of networks called the Web. He's not condescending about it, he's not pushy about it, but he is excited about it, and it appears genuine. The book itself details the standard beginner stuff, with some advanced carrots that leave you drooling for more (I know how to do tables but how do I set up a counter?). Many of these books will disappear rapidly over time because of the advent of HTML editors like Netscape Gold, but this book will stick around - there's plenty in there for the advanced user too. One complaint: Dave, stop using Microsoft Internet Explorer!

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.

This was really a great book. I like science fiction books a lot and this book was better than most. I would love to see a sequel or even a movie made of this book. I liked when Max went on the run from the internet people. If Mr. Riordon has written other books, I really would like to read them. I would recommend this book to other teens.

The Dark Net weaves its story through a virtual underworld, following the saga of Max, a programmer. His project was the experimental education of two virtual penguins, Linus and Minus, by reward and punishment respectively. When a student dies mysteriously, the hero, Max, is called upon to clean out his virtual office. Amid whispers of the legendary Doomsday virus, Max's discoveries lead him into the Dark Net, a virtual underworld of villainous people dealing in black market programs. A little-known group of Luddites who shun technology offer him shelter as he is drawn into the plans of the wicked and powerful.

I thoroughly enjoyed the imagination of the novel from the epileptic protagonist and the eroticized office assistants (created by grad students, of course) to the the virtual reality vision of the Web and the religious fervor of the Luddites. And the lively presence of the penguin Linus.

James stop reading ;-)

(this is the negative portion) Any of you Galaxy Quest fans? Remember that scene where Tim Allen and Sigourney Weaver have to go through ridiculously dangerous contraptions to get to the Omega-13, and they point out that there's not a good reason for the booby-traps? Occasionally, I had that feeling about areas of the Dark Net. On the other hand, I have no idea what virus-makers get out of infecting my computer, so maybe it's completely reasonable that such dangers exist.

Other than that, I would have liked to hear more about the background of the Luddite group during the story rather than getting it all on the end. I think that the already interesting history could have been further developed and woven into earlier chapters.

James, you can read again.

But to end with something good -- the conclusion was excellent and completely blind-sided me (but then it made so much sense...).

Not many real science fiction books are written anymore. The Dark Net isn't just your romance-clothed-in-shiny-steel-with-laser-guns book, or your Klingon-speaking-gotta-read-the-series science fiction novel. This is a _good book_. Remember Ender's Game? 1984? Fahrenheit 541? The Dark Net is that kind of book, one that you can read over and over again and find something new, something meaningful.

That's not to say The Dark Net is a serious treatise on the state of the world. But it's worth reading if you like to read.

Riordon has written an adventure in the internet, a science-based story, a pulp thriller that gives the reader something to think about.

The story winds through ordinary life, the virtual world-to-come, the isolated portions of the internet, and a weird farm in the Pennsylvania hills. (Actually, I could totally dig the Freedom Club if they weren't sofa king Ayn Rand about it.)

This book may never be on the syllabus of any Lit Crit classes (though I could write "The Significance of the Color Green in Riordon's The Dark Net" or "Penguins and Boats: Lost and Found in the Void of Riordon's The Dark Net"). But heck, that's probably what they said about Dickens too. Riordon's novel, originally published on a blog, is like Dickens' serialized newspaper novels, and the format of the life-as-it-happens writing method makes the story's plot a lot like real life. Max's end isn't obvious from the beginning. Sometimes he winds up in places he never could have anticipated. But I enjoyed being there with him (well, sometimes it was really sad.)

And that's what I like to see in a book. Shogun, Clan of the Cave Bear, Harry Potter: they're not literature or anything but they sure are great to read.

I brought this book with me on a trip to visit family over the holidays and could NOT put it down (to the detriment of quality family-time). But man, that was the best trip I had in a while. I read the whole thing like I was dying of thirst and couldn't suck down fluids fast enough.

The story centers around Max, a realistic character caught in a futuristic scenario of what the internet might be like one day (virtual worlds where instead of checking your email, you step into a room, sit down and have your exquisitely-programmed virtual assistant recite email contents).

It unfolds into an enchantingly complex and imaginitive plot. Character development is fantastic and you can see the scenes in your head as they develop. Several times I found myself simultaneously breathing heavy with anxiety during the fast-paced adventure scenes and also laughing at character descriptions. For example:

"As Max watched with wide-eyed terror, the laundry pile began to seethe. The sound hadn't come from the bathroom after all. The pile rose up in a pillar of dirty socks, shirts, and towels, and took on a vaguely humanoid form."

This pile of dirty clothes abducts Max, along with some couch creature, and throws him into the dark recesses of the internet. The two monsters then pause for a hilarious and unlikely debate about Captain Kirk & Spock. It is impossible to tell what will happen next; this unpredictability makes for an incredibly engaging read.

The last time I liked a book this much, I went out and bought everything else the author wrote (Augusten Burroughs). I am only sorry that there are no other books to buy just yet and only hope the author is putting his brilliant mind hard to work on another novel for his insatiable fans.

The cover design is simplistic but don't judge the contents by that -- the story itself is rich and complex. Anyone who is into the internet (especially computer geeks) will especially find this a compelling read.

Being a parent in today's "high tech" environment is tough enough! Being aware of the potential harm your child faces out on the "information highway" is essential. DATING 911 isn't just for those "looking for love" but is a book about communication on the internet...SMART COMMUNICATION! If you or your child are not aware of the potential pitfalls of exploring the internet then this book is a MUST READ! Great information on "what to" and "what not to do" when your surfing around on the computer. Covers all communication types and pointers to avoid "identity theft" or "theft of your personal life" from today's would be "high tech criminals"!

I have personally read this book and recommend it for all singles out there in the dating scene. It really has very good info on how not to be conned on the internet.

I found this book to be very helpful with lots of great advise. It's good for anyone - parents of teens that chat online, teens themselves, adults of all ages, people just starting to get into online dating/chat and people who have been using the internet for years. I recommend this to anyone interested in dating/chatting online.

Excellent source of information for those who wander into the world of Internet Dating. After reading this book you will have a greater understanding as to the do's and don'ts and to protect yourself both physically and financially. Thje author uses his personal inside knowledge of law enforcement coupled with his own on line dating to paint an excellent picture of today's environment.

Recommended reading.

A masterpiece! It helped me find the sites to learn the English to keep up with world events!

A masterpiece! It helped me find the sites to learn the English to keep up with world events!

Dave Sperling's The Internet Guide for English Language Teachers (Prentice Hall Regents) is a veritable gem, and like any gem what it lacks in its less than formidable size (150 pages) it makes up for in its reference value. Indeed, you might consider the book an essential Internet guide for English language teachers taking their first plunge into cyberspace. Experienced users will also find much in the book to recommend it. Dave a Net veteran, well-known for his excellent ESL Café, has whipped up a feast that covers the entire range of Internet services from using e-mail and communicating on the Net through to making your first Web page. Even getting ESL jobs. His many pages of favourite sites comprises a compelling treasure map that blazes a trail for the ESL practitioner eager to use the Internet to achieve best practice and successful outcomes for students. The book lists numerous sites to visit for research purposes, classroom material, interactive learning activities, games, student projects and much more. He even visits Australia to provide some local flavour. It's a very user-friendly book that touches on everything from emoticons to MOOS. Sperling cuts through the technobabble and dishes out, in very digestible servings, what many readers have always wanted to know but were too afraid to ask. Such readers are pointed to helpful sites on the Net that continue this process of demystification. At the end of the book is a useful glossary for all beginners. The Australian price for The Internet Guide for English Language Teachers is $24.95. I recommend that ESL centres and teachers considering venturing onto the Net, and those who want to reach in deeper, dig into their budgets and buy a copy. Get it while it's hot and steamy with the latest information.

This is a complete guide for ESL and ELT teachers from all around the world. You need a little knowledge on using and surfing the web, but if you don't have that knowledge, this book gives you the possibility of a quick tutorial on how to browse the net. It was really useful for me as a Teacher of English and Language Consulant in another counrty than the U.S. (Chile)

This book is a must have for all newbies to ActiveX Control Development. Tom Armstrong shows you how to develop a robust ActiveX Control using the most efficient routes.. He leads you past all of the troublespots and guides you with the best methods. I developed my first ActiveX Control within 4 days after walking through all of the great samples he had in his book.. If asked, I would recommend this book to anyone. It's a must have.

ActiveX is by no means an easy topic to understand. However, if you are determined to wade into ActiveX anyway this is about the best introduction to the subject that you will find. The author takes you through the material with clear and concise instruction and touches upon COM, Automation, ActiveX and ATL. If you are an advanced COM programmer info dont bother with this book, but if you are looking for a introduction to ActiveX that you might actually understand, this book is absolutely the best I've ever seen.

Tom Armstrong's development of a simple class that grows up to be an automation control is very straight forward. The clear logical progression is well supported by the accompanying source code that I compiled and worked with as I traversed through the book. I was able to apply the techniques directly in creating my own activeX control for use with our product. There are a few improvements that should be incorporated into the next edition: 1. A proof- reader needs to be hired...too many typeos...Figure 6.5 on p.256 is not even readable. 2. A small "snippet" of detailed usage intructions for certain utilities like the ActiveX Control Pad presented in Chap12. Otherwise a keeper!!!

For a great resource of how to develop activex controls with MFC...this is the book.

MFC makes getting started in ActiveX controls easy... but these's a world of details that can have you pulling your hair out...don't go that route...get this book. I bought this after a year of developing many MFC controls - and I still found this book usefull.

Check out the author's ATL book also!

Privacy means radically different things to different people as it is an abstract and often elusive term that is often difficult to effectively define.

In a nutshell, privacy is the ability of an individual or organization to decide whether, when, and to whom personal or organizational information is released.

While defining privacy is difficult, ensuring on-line privacy is even more challenging. Those required to ensure that their corporate systems and web sites are secure against prying hackers will find Developing Trust: Online Privacy and Security to be an important resource.

Curtain writes in an entertaining and easy to read style; especially when he introduces topics such as attack models, privacy concepts, and threats.

The book suggests prevention mechanisms and includes a few real-world case studies. If you have anything to do with electronic privacy, Developing Trust: Online Privacy and Security is a great book to read.

This book examines the social, legal and technical issues surrounding online privacy. Not only is the consumer side of privacy examined, but the business side from a marketing point of view is also discussed to present a balanced view of the key issues from both sides of the equation.

Mr. Curtin is an expert in privacy and security issues, as well as cryptography and security technology. The approach he takes in the book is to explain both the theory and concepts of privacy in social and legal contexts, and to examine the threats and exposures.

From there he leads you through the design of a solution that starts with principles, then a thorough examination of the underlying online technologies and how they work for and against you. An obvious example of one technical element that works for and against is the 'cookie' which can provide a major convenience (it remembers you and your preferences) and an invasion of your privacy (it remembers you and your preferences - and can also 'stalk' you in a manner of speaking). How to best balance the strengths and weaknesses of not only the technology, but the business imperatives driving commercial uses of the internet are addressed.

My personal vuiew is that this book blends the best of Bruce Schneier's Secrets and Lies and Richard Hunter's World Without Secrets. Schneier's book covered the full range of security issues, social and technical. Hunter's book is more focused on social aspects of privacy. What sets this book apart from those two are the focus on privacy and the multiple contexts in which the book addresses it: social, legal and technical. If the author keeps this book up to date it is destined to become a classic. The challenge is to remain abrest of emerging legal issues and technical breakthroughs - both of which are inevitable.

Written in 2002 and with scarcely two years passing, Curtin's message is more timely this year. He warned of the perils of malware and of cracker attacks on corporate databases. Especially by social engineering.

He presents several case studies of insecure privacy applications. He analyzed the commercially deployed systems of Alexa, DoubleClick and others. Showing how cookies and server side bugs could lead to users being tracked. In some cases, as they perused many different websites that reported their activities to a central site. Other books have talked about how cookies could be misused in this way. But Curtin's analysis goes beyond a typical generic treatment and can be more instructive to you.

The malware of 2002 that he warned of has increased in sophistication and danger. No sign of abatement, so keeping the book's ideas in mind is a good idea.

Security and privacy are not "sexy" subjects and I was ready for a dry dissertation but this book was anything but.

Although the subject matter is serious and is treated seriously, Curtin has a light and deft touch that make the book a pleasure to read.

And while this book's target audience is programmers responsible for dealing with the issues of Privacy and Security, I would recommend this book to a much wider audience. Every top manager of a company that has a web site should read this book so they can understand how Online Privacy and Security could affect them and so they can ask the questions that someone needs to be asking the folks who are running and developing websites.

I would also recommend the internet savvy who are curious about these two buzzwords because this book will provide them a much better understanding of the stories that have and will appear in the news related to privacy and security. The real world examples are ones that we all can relate to.

This book is about Austin, Ashley, and a little beagle named Applet. It's exciting because you don't know what is going to happen next. While you read this you might learn about the Titanic and have a visit with the Apostle Paul. What's the mystery about that camera? Is Mr. FAQ a friend or foe? Will they be reunited and find the link back to Normal, Illinois?

HyperLinkz
By
Robert Elmer


The book I read was "HyperLinkz Digital Disaster", the first book in the series. The book was written by Robert Elmer. The main characters are Austin and Ashley Webster and their dog, Applet, who live in Normal, Illinois. Another main character is Ms. B she lives in current time.

At the beginning Austin finds an old camera. Then takes picture of his dog, Applet, and downloads it to the computer. Then applet disappears and Austin and Ashley try to find out where he has gone. When they cannot find Applet in present time, Austin takes a picture of Ashley and sends her through the computer to find their missing dog.

Ashley finds out applet was on a shipwreck computer webpage. While looking for Applet on the shipwreck site she meets Ms. B is an intranaut with a PDA, who is trying to change history by erasing past events. Wile Ashley and Applet try to find their way back home, they also work on stopping Ms. B from changing history. Read it and figure out the rest of the story.

If you like adventure this book is good for you. If I rated this book one through five, I would give it a five because it is very descriptive about the story. Another is it is interesting because it is about computers. I recommend this book.

This book speeds you from adventure to adventure as quickly as a click on a internet hyperlink. Ashley and Austin, sister and brother, chase their aunt's dog across cyberspace. Their encounters with the characters peopling the online sites are hilarious. There is a bit of learning in these encounters, but it doesn't hurt. It fact, you might not even notice the facts mixed in with the fun.

Digital Disaster, the 1st book in Robert Elmer's new "HyperLinkz" series, is sure to please kids and parents alike. When two kids, Austin and Ashley, find themselves as "internauts" zipping through hyper space, they are transported into the best history lesson available next to time travel - virtual historical reality. They learn about past shipwrecks, are thrown into the mystery of finding their way out of the internet, and get recruited into saving the world from a villainous woman who is attempting to blot out all Biblical truth from the internet. Kids will love the adventure, mystery, and modern techno style in which Robert presents this exciting voyage. Parents will appreciate the historical lessons taught with the emphasis on seeking and protecting absolute truth. Not a usual science fiction fan, I got caught up in the mystery and could not put this book down, until the cliff hanger at the end forced me to go and buy the next in the series, Fudge Factor!

The real power of Director is in Lingo, Director's programming language. I have more than 10 books covering Macromedia Director; most are designed for the beginner and intermediate level user. Warren's book is by far the best introduction to programming in Director.

I am an instructor at a small college in Colorado and find Mr. Ockrassa's text a pleasant resource for my students and myself. I have been working with Director for 5 years and have learned a great deal from his book. He has great examples of how to write effective and efficient code. This is the best example of a technical text I have ever worked with. We can only hope that he writes an intermediate and advanced text as well.

I am an instructor at a small college in Colorado and find Mr. Ockrassa's text a pleasant resource for my students and myself. I have been working with Director for 5 years and have learned a great deal from this book. This is the only text I have come across as a student or as an instructor that really teaches the fundamentals of programming in a way that can be easily followed and understood. Mr. Ockrassa did an excellent job with his examples and his explanations. I recommend this book to anybody that is new to Director and anybody who has been at it for a while. We can only hope he does an intermediate and advanced text as well.

I'm just getting into the world of Director, and this book has been my guide. It is written in an entertaining manner, (thankfully not overly cute,) and is making my learning experience an enjoyable one so far. Each lesson is laid out in an easy to read manner and features quick quizzes through out the text, designed to make sure that the important concepts are driven home. I recommend it for other readers looking to begin their Director education!

This book is a great reference book for basic science information. We also use it as a science text book for the kids when they're kindergarten through about third grade. It is well organized, has great pictures, and is easy for the kids to understand. There are many times when I ask the kids to pick out a book to read. They'll pull this book off the shelf and pick a subject that they want to read about. It's a great book for all ages. The pictures help keep the little ones interested, the information on each page is easy to understand, and they give just enough information on each subject to answer the questions my kids have.

I love this book almost as much as the original E.Encyclopedia.
It's highly educational, in my opinon. Parents and Kids will love it. I could spend hours reading this, and you may too.

This is the second joint project after the reference book e.encyclopedia was published in October 2003. Both books feature websites enhanced by Google. Keywords in this book direct children to exclusive DK/Google websites where they connect to pre-selected relevant and authoritative websites.

The DK/Google e.encyclopedia science website is free and children can access information once they have this book. Once they get to the sites they can watch videos, listen to sounds through sound buttons, take virtual tours, read real-time reports, access databases and take interactive quizzes.

There are 8 core sections to explain and explore over 220 science topics.

Matter and Materials
Forces and Energy
Electricity and Magnetism
Space
Earth
Plants
Animals
Human Body

This has to be one of the most beautiful books DK has ever created. The colors are vibrant and the section on Space is bursting with spiral galaxies and pictures of space exploration. If you are interested in Volcanoes, you can turn to the Earth section. You can read about the eruption on Mount St. Helens and see pictures before and after volcanic eruptions.

In the Health Section, children can learn about exercise, hygiene and diet. I found the information on the futuristic nanorobots in the bloodstream fascinating.

Every section has a bold heading and interesting definition. Then, there are pages and pages of full-color pictures that can keep your attention for hours at a time. I wish we had owned a book like this when I was a child because it would have given me an information base to build on in future years. Although I must say, I think adults will find this equally fascinating. Children are always asking questions and now you can find all the answers, complete with pictures.

Fascinating Pictures:

Mangrove Roots growing upwards in coastal swamps
Tigers
Monarch Butterflies
Cross-section of a Tide Pool
High-Tech Imaging
Eye of the Storm - Hurricanes
Limestone Caves

This book also answers the following questions:

Why can an opera singer shatter glass with a single note?
How do sea organisms make their own light?
How can we reduce pollution by using Renewable Energy?
What is the lightest substance on earth and why can it float on air?

I can highly recommend this beyond amazing book to parents, teachers and librarians. E-encyclopedia is a learning resource that is not limited to just the book. While the book provides a solid grounding and interesting facts, it is actually a springboard to the Internet Universe.

~The Rebecca Review

I bought this Science Encyclopedia along with their basic Encyclopedia and I truly love it. My kids are always reading it whenever they get the chance. I have a 5 minute session after lunch before my class leaves to go to "specials." During that 5 minute teaching period I have been letting them pick out one subject area from one of the encyclopedias and then we review how to read nonfiction while looking over that subject briefly. I am amazed to see the sparks that start flying and how interested in all of the subjects the students have been. The pictures are wonderful and help students to connect with the information they are reading. I will buy more sets for my classroom because they are always in use!!!!