Communications Books

This book provides a well-written, easy to understand description of L2TP.

Although the book seems to be small in size, it covers L2TP protocol very well. This book gives a good discussion of L2TP protocol and deployment in different scenarios and good refernce for developers.

Clearly explains the tunnel and session negotiations with state machines and examples.
The implementation tips provides guidelines for implementing L2TP stack. Also explains the interaction of L2TP with PPP and IPSec and covers the security aspects of L2TP.

This book is more focussed on the L2TP client running in the ISP side(Compulsory L2TP tunneling).May be author can provide more details on the deployment where L2TP client running at the Remote User PC.

This book is clear, concise and helps the reader understand the details of implementation, and issues surrounding L2TP. Areas that were rough spots (including authentication, hiding and unhiding AVPs, and sequencing) during the bakeoffs are described clearly, which goes a long way to help reduce the development cycle of anyone implementing L2TP. If someone is developing, deploying, supporting, or marketing L2TP, they should read this book. The book is small enough that it is not overwhelming, and even managers could find the time to read it.

This book is very well written, the text flows well, making it easy to glance over a topic and still understand it. It is not only a good book for a L2TP beginner, but also a good reference guide for people who are interested in topics that are L2TP-related (VJ compression, Radius, etc.). Another plus, the size and soft binding of the book make it easy to handle.

This is the definitive book on L2TP, and probably one of the most useful VPN books overall.

The book provides a detailed discussion of the L2TP protocol which will be useful to implementors as well as customers. It includes a discussion of how L2TP can be secured using IPSEC, as well as chapters on management issues, including SNMP MIBs, and interactions with RADIUS authentication, authorization and accounting.

Throughout the book, Rick Shea demonstrates his mastery of the subject as well as authority as a writer. Unlike many other VPN books, Rick Shea has been there and knows what he is talking about.

I found the book very informative but it did not list vendors that had the products they were referring to hence value of material was lessen.

Answered virtually all of my questions on LAN wiring and it didn't even put me to sleep in the process! Excellent book to start learning about LAN construction and as an ongoing reference. Looking forward to the next edition.

Si Ud. esta pensando en el montaje de cableado de redes en forma profesional, entonces Ud. debe comprar este libro. En verdad explica todo acerca del cableado, desde las normas hasta estrategias a segir. Siempre lo ocupo como referencia para tomar decisiones acerca de la mejor opción a seguir!

The information in "Lan Wiring" is easy to understand and very useful.

This is the best (and only) book that I have found about network cabling. It explains everything!

The Language Of Parenting: Building Great Family Relationships At All Ages is a guide designed to help parents better understand and apply proven communication techniques to aid their children's growth, learning, and development. From the importance of avoiding confusion, to the need to hold one's ground firm with younger children especially, the power that lies in humor, and much more, The Language Of Parenting is a superb resource to bridge the seemingly incomprehensible and insurmountable gender gap. Highly recommended.

I initially read "The Language of Parenting: Building Great Family Relationships at all Ages" by David Frees to gain some insight and leverage in my communication with my young children. I was blown away with how abundantly practical this book was in assisting me to improve my communication in all of my relationships (kids, spouse, work, etc.) The book was very easy to follow and was filled with analogies, stories and concepts for immediate application.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with children or grandchildren. At the same time, there is tremendous value for anyone who has any dealings with people. This is an all around winner as a "how to have great communication leading to great relationships book".

David Frees's book reminds the reader that learning is a process that should be established and continued throughout life. This book focuses on the importance of communication as a two way street and provides ways for the reader to examine the quality and efficiency of their own skills. Frees concentrates on the ability to be a listener as highly important when it comes to communication and values guidance over instruction when it comes to parenting. This book inspires you to cast assumptions aside and let your children surprise you with how capably they apply creativity to solve their own dilemmas.

I've read quite a number of 'self help' books over the last few years and I find this book a unique learning experience because:

Prior to discussing the topic of the title, Mr. Frees gives a
perspective on learning. He is clear on the different types of learning (some people do not know that there are different ways of learning) and I appreciated the focus on peak learning environments. We all have them and if you read this book you will begin to know how to identify yours.

In addition, a strategy is established for the reader ... defining a strategy is not a unique concept but Mr. Frees' reminder gets the reader to establish goals and strategies in reading the book... result .... more learning.

Mr. Frees reviews effective communication .... . His discussion on congruency is one that all people can take and use each day in both their business and personal lives.

The writing in this book is clear and the concepts are powerful for everyday living.

Mr. Frees understands the concepts that are the foundation of a peaceful life ...a good example is his discussion on 'beliefs'.

I am very grateful for the teachers that have passed along their knowledge. Communicating is Mr. Frees' wisdom and passion.

"The quality of my communication is the quality of the response I get." ~David Frees

David Frees is a communication consultant and the creator of Quantum Communication programs. He also lectures internationally and is considered to be a master communicator. In "The Language of Parenting," he presents solutions for the highly complex issues that can develop in a parent/child relationship.

His book is divided into four main sections:

1. Building a Foundation: Quantum Learning and Enhanced Communication.

2. The Strategies of Great Communicators: Desired Results, The Beauty of Silence, Listening, Limits of Language and Building Rapport.

3. Tactics, Tools and Skills of Effective Communication: Avoiding Negation, Models of Creativity, Embedded Suggestions and the Power of Humor.

4. Frequently Asked Questions & Parent Resources: Questions about school age children, teenagers, adult children and teenagers. There is also a section for expectant and new parents.

I immediately appreciated the larger font size and the text was especially easy to read. This book is really a summary of all the lessons David Frees has learned throughout his life. He includes scientific research, action plans, wise and funny quotes and bold text to emphasize important points. Many chapters contain a Reminder and Action section so you can put the ideas to work almost immediately. You might find one or two of the ideas helpful and then you can write them in your journal.

While this book is a somewhat serious study of communication, there are some moments of interest when you will enjoy David's humor. I especially like when he puts text all in CAPS to really get your attention. Especially as he says: "you should consider the following belief" and then he really makes his point.

The section on how we process words in different ways was interesting. Do you see words as pictures, as the words themselves or do they produce feelings? He also gives reasons to why e-mail should not be used for complex emotional issues.

David also answers these questions:

How do you eliminate fights and foster positive communication?

What is the best way to approach my child about premarital sex, drinking, and drugs?

Is there really a list of proven communication techniques that encourage children to live happier, healthier and more confident lives?

The Language of Parenting is a highly organized collection of parenting wisdom and communications techniques. David teaches you so many excellent life skills. You can really use most of these skills in everyday communication.

~The Rebecca Review

This is an amazingly useful book for anyone who wants to learn how to motivate people. I love the stories from best practice companies -- Jim has been there, and it's easy for the reader to learn from his vast experience and thoughtful observations. This book should be required reading for M.B.A. and Executive Education programs. The practical tools and techniques are invaluable for leaders who want to mazimize productivity. Five stars on my list -- I've already recommended it to several hundred people.

Just when you thought you couldn't handle one more piece of Information Age data, Jim Shaffer mercifully reveals the secrets to managing message bombardment, recognizing and maximizing all forms of communication, and connecting people with purpose to run any business better. With insights from many of the world's top CEOs, two "case studies," plain old good writing and a spot-on sailing metaphor to top it off, Shaffer proves what the best leaders have known (or at least have sensed) for some time: "informed people outperform uninformed people..." Better still, Shaffer steers a clear course -- with plenty of helpful examples -- through the sea of ambiguity that is business today, mapping the route for leaders who need to connect their employees to their business strategies. He calls it "connecting the dots." Business schools everywhere should use it and call it "Leadership 101." This is a terrific book for great leaders seeking to gain further marketplace advantage, leaders in training seeking instruction for "putting it all together" and the managers who serve them. The chapter on "earthshaking" events would be especially helpful for any one managing through a merger, acquisition, turnaround and the like.

Jim Shaffer, in this work, really connected the dots for me! His premise, that it all starts with effective communications, is dead on! As a former CEO and whose time is now spent as an outside director for a number of companies and as counselor to large company CEOs, this work is both relevant for today's leaders in today's warp speed economy and timeless in its approach.

Shaffer has crafted a very readable, yet content rich handbook for anyone either presently running a company or with dreams to someday run one! (In fact, this work is an excellent handbook for CEOs wanting to develop "bench strength" on the management team. Simply use Leadership Solutions as the textbook for a company-run academy for those up and comers selected for bigger jobs in the company's future. So many books are long on theory, short on application. Shaffer's approach is exceptionally practical...and applicable. It can be reread time and again.

Jim Shaffer's book, The Leadership Solution, is a MUST READING both for all corporate communications executives and staff and CEOs. Nobody does a better job in the age of "High Tech" to remind us to use the "High Touch." If we take the points that Jim cites, then we will find that attrition will be decreased.

Jim reminds us throughout that employee communications and touch will make the difference in performance and thus, stock price and a competitive and "best in class" company.

Shaffer lays out clearly the VISION aand STRATEGY. We all need to follow his course of what he states. "A vision is a target, a picture of the future. A strategy is a roadmap, how you're going to achieve the vision."

Tools are excellent. Follow the Readiness questionnaire to improving performance. See if we can all master the 6 course process to connect people or employees or associates to the business strategy. Shaffer identifies the 20 things to generate commitment. He cites the "3 people principles" that guide Best Practices and the Best Performance.

With all the focus on Mergers and Acquisitions, we find that Shaffer's 9 Guildelines for negotiating through the M&A are excellent.

Shaffer's examples of CEOs help build the case. His messages will help any communications chief help your CEO.

Shaffer demonstrates vividly how and why the communication function is being reinvented. The last chapter embodies the message strongly. It means what we all learn that communications much be align to assist the company's strategic goals. Shaffer does it.

Read and underline; share with your colleagues.

For over twenty years, I have been an advisor to management in the field of rewards and compensation. Traditionally, discussions of rewards at work focus on cash compensation, benefits, and, more recently, stock deals. These monetary and wealth-building vehicles help one have great experiences in life outside of work. But what about the experiences at work, where a dedicated employee might spend more than half of waking time? What makes the day-to-day work experience itself rewarding? In an age where the war for talent demands that every organization address this question successfully, Jim Shaffer provides powerful, practical answers for CEO's, executive teams, general managers, and heads of human resources.

At the heart of the day-to-day work experience is the process of communication. As Mr. Shaffer writes, "You can't not communicate. Everything you say and do communicates." Forget about bringing dogs to work and on-site concierge services. These are fluff, not substance. Mr. Shaffer gets to the substance. He demonstrates that the quality of organization communication is, by far, the greatest governor of the quality of the work experience for all employees.

Mr. Shaffer shows leaders how to develop a communication environment that shapes a highly rewarding day-to-day work experience for everyone in the organization. He shows how to build and lead ongoing organization communication processes and disciplines that align people to a common purpose and motivate them to pursue it with vigor. In the war for talent, he shows how to span the generations and ensure that one and all agree: "Our company is a great place to work! "

Do you face unprecedented challenges in attracting, retaining, aligning, motivating and rewarding top-notch staff at all levels? "The Leadership Solution" delivers distinctive know-how for building a huge advantage in getting, keeping and deploying the people you need. And, it's an enjoyable read, sprinkled with metaphors, quotes and anecdotes that produce many rewarding "Aha!" experiences.

If a lawyer can go this far to prove life after death and communicating with those who have passed over, then the jury would be in total agreement with him and believe! Case Closed.

This book is terrific! It says what I've been thinking for years and removes any fears I might have anticipated.

i always felt there was something beyond death.but when i read this spectacular book, with pages full of documented evidence, i was absolutely convinced.l loved reading it. this is a must read for anyone on the fence.

I had always questioned life after the death and the presence of spirits in the world. I now know that the answer is that they all do exist. I could not put this book down, which is funny because I usually hate reading. There were many great stories and things in it that really make you beleive in life after death. If you want to know anything in this area, then Life After Death is the book to read. This book is definately on my top 10 ten list of best books ever read. Enjoy!

I finally got to read your book during my vacation last week. No, "read" isn't the right word. How about "feast upon", "devour", or "celebrate"? Yes, that more like it! Your book is wonderful; it will certainly earn you your angel wings on the other side. I was like a kid in a candy store. I was thoroughly entertained and couldn't put it down. My book, Toward Heaven On Earth, covers alot of afterlife proofs but there was much in your book that was new to me. Mr. Freeman, you're the Sidney Sheldon of the afterlife evidence genre! Thank you and God bless you.

Barbara Crooker's poem are easy to like. She has a flair for words and images that touch the heart. It helps to read this book from beginning to end becuase she has organized the poems so beautifully around the central poem, "Line Dance."

In this, her second collection of poems, Barbara Crooker explores the territory of what brings us joy, of what breaks our hearts. Grief and love. "Grief and heart could be the same word," she suggests. "Both have / five letters; both rhyme / with blood." It's not sadness that occupies these poem, rather the idea that in spite of grief, there is joy in the simple things life offers: the swelling bud of a pink peony, grey juncos at her bird feeder, the autistic son who surprises her, the dead who dance at a wedding. Crooker has the ability to bring light into the darkest spaces; her poems burst with color: lemons and the lavish light of yellow, red hearts in windows facing a snowy landscape, brown-eyed sunflowers. There is music in these poems, in her deft use of language, in the surprising and oh-so satisfying way Crooker can bring in that last image, like a bow at the end of a performance. You will leave these poems dancing and satisfied, too, that you were allowed a few moments in the world of her extraordinary poetic ear and eye.

I'm riffing on the warm air, the wing beats of my lungs
that can take this all in, flush the heart's red peony,
then send it back without effort or thought.
And the trees breathe in what we exhale,
clap their green hands in gratitude, bend to the sky.

What Crooker has done with "dance" is splendid, so much so I will never see the word in the same manner for the rest of my life. Every poem is excellent, and all of them seamlessly unified with "la danse de vivre." Bravo to her!

Larry D. Thomas
2008 Texas Poet Laureate

I've been a Crooker fan from the moment I read one of her autism poems in MINDPRINTS. While I agree with everything said in the previous review, it is the autism poems that touched my heart most in this collection. I also have a son with autism, and I appreciate Barbara's ability to convey what it is like for both the parents and the child. There is another type of "line dance" we who live with autism must endure everyday. In "The Knot Garden," Crooker writes:

". . . Our road is more circuitous:
two steps forward, one step back, a knot garden
where the possiblities diminish and the years
branch on. Too soon, we'll arrive at the alpine
altitudes where the vegetation's scarce, the flowers
tiny but exquisite, the foilage barely visible."

Close to twenty years ago, I read a Crooker poem, "Raspberries," in the collection, The Lost Children. Until then, I had never found such erotic beauty in a fruit ... and beauty/redemption in what scars our lives, as in "Christ Comes to Centralia," from the same collection.

With Line Dance the simple beauty remains, but each seems filled with particulars, e.g., in describing the Pennsylvania mountains, Crooker reveals: "... Blue, Allegheny, Kittatinny / Tuscarora, this big-muscled, broad-backed / hunk of a state." Or in listing the winters of impressionist artists: "Caillebotte's chimneys exhale like glamorous / women in a cafe."

Crooker's strong metaphorical language inhabits the lines, but the poems seem airy and natural. Each word is perfectly placed; the line endings are natural--not straining toward the jarring/illogical effect of much contemporary poetry; and the final lines are lessons for anyone who has ever wondered how to end a poem.

Other reviewers have mentioned the "autism poems," and anyone who reads such poems as "45s, LPs" will understand how, as in other fields of endeavour, less is more! The "less" in this and other poems that deal with the autism of her son, breaks our hearts--less is more.

And, perhaps, in this amateur review, I should end with less: Buy and Read this Book.

The 'Linux Networking Cookbook' is a wonderful addition for any admin or developer that is using exactly what the title of this book states: Linux Networking. With over 600 pages of content spread over 250-300 pages of helpful recipes, this is a welcome addition to a Linux admin's bookshelf.

Easy to recommend, hard to live without for this niche audience.

***** RECOMMENDED

I have gone through the entire book and I feel ready to transition from the familiar MS world of Server 2003/8 to Linux. The tips and tricks contained in the book will enable me to do all the things I want to do with my servers and desktops.

Fantastic book.

If you want to leverage your existing Linux admin and configuration skill, you should have one of this. Even if you don't dirty your hand with it, it gives you the scope of work and resources require when you are proposing to your boss or your customers. It will make you boss happy.

I bought this book because I enjoyed the Linux Cookbook book that Carla also wrote. This book is formatted much the same. I don't have to read pages and pages of discussion just to find what I need. It's a handy reference.

Network stuff can be complicated. Thanks to this book, I'm better at it.

I only hope that Carla is working on the next "cookbook"!! 8-)

This cookbook gets quickly down to business with an amazing breadth of useful networking information. I've found it to be an excellent guide for hands on learning of networking with Linux

The book only asks that you have a basic understanding of working from the command line. Where applicable the instructions for various solutions are given for Fedora and Debian.

The most valuable parts for me thus far are how to access machines remotely and this applies to working on your linux box remotely and working with windows machines remotely from a linux machine. As networks become increasingly mixed with unix/linux and windows - this book is going to be more and more relevant and useful in that area.

The amazon price makes this useful collection of knowledge a really great deal.

This book is filled with GREAT information for anyone interested in working with various 'toys' for Linux. I was privileged in being part of a class presented by Tom Weeks in regards to MythTV (he assisted with the chapter in the book) and it is great information!

If you are interested in getting the latest information for various additions to your Linux box, then this is a must-have. If you are even interested in any extra features you can configure on your Linux box then you will not be disappointed!

WARNING: Your pocket book might suffer after reading this book from all the new hardware you want to buy!

You can make really useful things based on the Linux OS, and this book makes it easy! Highly recommended!

Readers of this book will find it VERY well written. It appeals to everyone, from those more proficient in Linux, to those (like myself) who are still learning. I'd highly recommend this book!

This book clearly explains the details needed to accomplish all projects.

I recently saw Tom Weeks do a Myth TV presentation where you can build your own Linux based PVR, which is covered in his chapter written in this book. This is a great resource for the computer hobbyist, amateur or enthusiast of gadget-lover! Easy to follow and fun to read!

An unapologetic biography of a controversial figure in Jewish/Israeli history. Mr. Katz's book is painstakingly well documented. It is more than the history of a single person; it provides a detailed look at competing Jewish ideologies and their role in the formation of Israel. Though biased, it is on the whole, well balanced.

Zeev (meaning wolf, in hebrew) Jabotinsky was one of the greatest leaders ever, and the greatest liberal Zionist leader. His works can not be denied. Because of his many deeds, he was admired by many - and hated by the rest. And he is the subject of this book, like many other books and articles. But this one is special - the auther spent 7 years of his life reserching and writing it, and those seven years have beared fruit. The writing is of a very high quality, and the contence is extensive. Itws like no other book about Jabotinsky I know. After reading, you will enrich not only your mind - but also your spirit, by knowing this great man. Highly recomended, for all people - Zionists, students, and anyone seeking pure knolage and feeding.

Reading this book is a great intelectual adventure. There are a lot of information and the author has a very clear and envolving writing, always creating expectative over what's coming next. The author also mixes narrative with a lot of opinions and analysis about the facts. There are, as well, many quottings from other works about Jobotinsky, along with several transcriptions of classified official documents that shed light into controversial facts. The author is not afraid of polemics and gives new perspectives over matters treated as tabu, like Ben Gurion, Weizman, The Zionist Organization and the Histadrut. Much enfasis is given to Jabotinsky's unstopabble fight for the jewish rights in palestine and abroad, as well as his unfearing steadfastness against anyone who denied the goal of creating a jewish state. The book will give a complete understanding of the Revisionist movement, the British Rule in Israel, the internal Zionist Organization politics and its blunders, the arab behavior, among others. By reading this book you will also be able to better understand contemporary israeli politics and the relationship with the arab countries. The book, although very pleasant, takes quite a bit to be read, but it is a must for anyone who wants to know one of the greatest zionist and jewish leaders ever and get into the politics of the pre-state period.

This book is a real eye opener. It completly changed my perspective on the history of the Middle East and how the British, who so often have come accross as the "white knight" was in fact the dirty thief.

The book is a monster in size and in the amount of information it presents. It documented and footnoted to a degree that one would expect from a work of this nature.

I highly suggest it to anyone who wants to find out about the history of modern Israel and how the wolrd powers did what they do best, exploit. I truly learned much!

Shmuel Katz has managed to collect so much useful, important and fascinating information in this biography of Ze'ev Jabotinsky that it could stand on its own as a first class historical review of early 20th century Zionist and Palestinian history. Through obsessive documentation of his topic, Katz demolishes a number of historical myths surrounding both the roots of Zionism and the founding of the state of Israel. He does this all in a highly compelling and readable style, which is certainly helpful, given its 1800-page size. It is an extraordinary read and essential to fully understanding the origins of Israel and its conflict vis a vis the Arabs, as well as the life of this unique and gifted individual.

But it really is high fidelity eroticism. Not the sexuality of a four color monthly read only for the articles but the sensuality of a mahogany table top with four generations of hand rubbed polish. Dick's blend of prose and music creates a level of anticipation that becomes it's own reward, a wistful recollection of romantic synergy that, if you're incredibly lucky, repeats itself for the rest of your life.

Dick Summer is a legendary broadcaster who elevated his craft to new creative levels during his on-air career. Today, with projects like "Lovin Touch" he is able to touch so many lives with his words of emotion and passion, so finely crafted and delivered. Dick has done so much for the spoken word and "Lovin Touch" represents some of his best work. Most of all, it's his smooth, silky voice that will draw in the listener. He's a frequent guest on my late night radio show and the lines always light up with people wanting to get in touch with the "poet of the airwaves."

Dick's timeless velvet voice has once again spoken the words that take us back to our early days of new love. Both sensuous and childlike, he reminds us of when our love was new and full of joy and intrigue. He guides us through a small crowded world in an escape of love and intimacy.

Have we taken for granted how important our lovers are to us? Dick asks us to cozy up together for Just a Minute with wine and candle wax. Making love in the rain is far better than going to formal balls; sharing pizza and wine with our lover is more fun than the material things many of us desire.

I first heard Dick Summer on WBZ in my youth of the 60's, and was delighted to find him again on CD. Put a fire in the hearth, pour your lover a glass of wine and cozy up with the romantic words of Lovin Touch, and think about why you are lovers. It will be magic.

I have heard of Dick Summer before. I believe he was a New York DJ on 66 WNBC Radio.
I think this book is just wonderful! I have listened to it many times. Over and Over again. I gan't get enough of it. Or his voice. He knows how to tell a story,poem and just makes you feel so good.
I wish more people could get a little taste of his work. Then they will be hooked as am I.
Looking forward to more of Dick Summer's work.

Dick Summer has caught the essence of love in these short verses. The metaphors used allows us to use all of the senses as we listen. Although written many years ago the touch of love does not change. Relax and be drawn into the emotion that being in love evokes.