Computer and Science Books

Most books on Multimedia either deal with specific applications of multimedia or offer an analysis of just one Multimedia standard, but this book establishes the fundamentals of multimedia signal processing, introducing generic concepts and then offering a more detailed analysis of the underlying mathematical concepts.

The language is simple and the author does not try to confuse the reader with technical jargon. The material on audio and video compression and various standards is especially intensive. The example programs in the MATLAB CD are well written and give the user a clear understanding of the practical aspects of digital filtering, compression algorithms and the basics of multimedia signal processing. I would strongly recommend this book to someone who wants to know the `whys' as well as the `hows'.

Most books on Multimedia either deal with specific applications of multimedia or offer an analysis of just one Multimedia standard, but this book establishes the fundamentals of multimedia signal processing, introducing generic concepts and then offering a more detailed analysis of the underlying mathematical concepts.

The language is simple and the author does not try to confuse the reader with technical jargon- a very good read. The material on audio and video compression and various standards is especially intensive. The example programs in the MATLAB CD are well written and give a clear understanding of the practical aspects of digital filtering, compression algorithms and the basics of multimedia signal processing. I would strongly recommend this book to someone who wants to know the `whys' as well as the `hows'.

It is not easy to find a textbook on multimedia for upper level undergraduate and graduate computer engineering students. This book has filled the need, and has presented an excellent and interesting introduction to multimedia in fifteen chapters. Although, it has been assumed that the readers have knowledge about discrete-time signals and systems, a chapter has been included to review basic transforms and filter theory, as well as to present advanced theories such as discrete cosine transform and wavelets. The signal processing theories have been explained and demonstrated with simple examples. A strong point of the book is the accompanying CD that contains MATLAB codes for all relevant examples. The readers can easily run these codes and verify the results of the audio/image/video experiments presented in the book. For those who are not familiar with MATLAB, the processed audio/image/videos for several examples are provided in the CD. These readers can just play the audio file or display the image to verify the subjective quality. Instructors should also find the Power Point figures and tables provided by the author useful.

The authors with rich academic and industrial experience, give a very through navigation of the most recent optical network layer by layer. It is very good reference book for anyone who is interested in the optical communication area.

A well written book in the area of multi-wavelength optical networks. The overview of the network gives reader a clear big picture. The detailed description in the aspects of multi-wavelength network analysis, design, control and fault management etc. allows reader to have a close look and a deeper understanding of the related technoloy, of the existing problems, of their near term solutions and of the long term development trend. A very helpful book in a time of rapid change in telecommunication industry pushed by the increasingly heavy data traffic demand.

A real eye opener into the world of Networks and Network Management.

This book provides an important perspective for educators implementing technology into their curriculum. The "Big Twelve" categories provide a rich context to connect subject content & skills to developmentally appropriate learning (Chapter 2). The categories also limit the infinite ways to think about connecting web and classroom and this is critical when Technology is used as a teaching tool. The content examples are extensive and span science, social studies, art, music, language arts, and mathematics.

A must read when thinking about Standards and the Technology.

The first three or so chapters of this book contain great step by step information on all of the basics that a teacher needs to use the Internet for Project Based Learning. The following chapters are a collection of 100 or more tried and true online projects. Some of them are ongoing and can be joined, but most of them serve as an example for someone wanting to integrated this kind of instruction. I haven't seen a more helpful book.

In my work, I try to help teachers imagine how
they might use the Internet in their classes.
This is the first resource that I believe
will make that possible. It is inviting
and easy to use. I'm buying copies for
my favorite clients.

Anthony Zaknich wrote a book that provides the reader with a very broad knowledge about neural networks especially for signal processing. Fundamental facts are extracted and presented in a form that is very easy to read, such as listings, keywords, main formulas, diagrams and results from experiments. Zaknich avoided going into too much theoretical details which might only confuse beginners. But also for advanced and professionals his book is a good source of well-structured basic knowledge. This is the difference compared to other books about neural networks since the reader finds the essence that is crucial to understanding the basics. A huge selection of literature references enables the reader to quickly continue deeper studies about interesting topics. Furthermore, Zacknich' provides examples and results from experiments and simulations which he has done by himself for the most parts. He compares different neural network types and configurations for various real-world examples. These comparisons and results were a very valuable help for me in order to understand the differences and characteristics among the vast number of various network types.
Finally, Zaknich's book helps me very much in my job for that it is very important to have application results and "benchmark-like" comparisons. His explanations are often with reference to his own developed Modified Probabilistic Neural Network (MPNN) and Advanced MPNN that animated me to carry out some tests based on his MPNN. Another idea in his book is the Integrated Sensory Intelligent System (ISIS) that he introduces. I would highly appreciate if Zaknich releases new books especially on the field of signal processing and his idea of the ISIS.
Zaknich knows how to guide the reader through the different topics and not to bore him by long theoretical sequences and formulas. There is already a wide range of available literature that explains topics, such as classifications, control systems, robots etc. in more detail. Interesting quotations from different sources of literature attached to each chapter makes the book even more than merely a scientific book.

Claas Richter
Silicann Technologies (Japan/Germany)

Zaknich's book provided me with the necessary theory and detail to enable me to develop a neural network application as part of my phd. I thoroughly recommend this text for anyone wishing to develop and use neural networks, particularly for engineering applications. I found that while most books focussed on either the theory of neural networks or selected applications, Zaknich's text provided a comprehensive coverage of both theory and application providing a sound basis for understanding and applying neural networks. Topics ranged from the applicability of neural networks through to data collection, data conditioning and the final implementation.

***** Stanley McGibney, Consultant Mechanical Engineer

I found this book to be significantly different in its treatment of neural networks for signal processing and pattern recognition. It deals very ably not only with essential theory but also with basic practical issues, often missing from other books on the subject, that significantly enhance understanding and application. Zaknich has included a nice guide and design approach to successful application of neural networks, which is supplemented by frequent tips and a variety of worked application examples.

The book is much more than a good introduction to neural networks. It also includes a class of neural networks that Zaknich has developed and worked on over a decade that he refers to as common bandwidth spherical basis function neural networks. This is based on a generalization called the Modified Probabilistic Neural Network (MPNN) that encompasses Donald Specht's Probabilistic and General Regression Neural Networks. He has continued to develop the MPNN in a number of very practical directions that allows it to used for a wide range of engineering problems. He seems to favour applications related to underwater acoustic signal processing but the methods and approaches that he offers are suited to many other non-linear problems found in engineering and other disciplines.

The book includes a very interesting discussion on intelligent signal processing. Zaknich talks about what he calls hyperspace signal processing in the context of the MPNN and other classical filtering structures that gives an interesting view of some of the basic issues involved. He suggests at least one possible generic approach to non-linear signal processing based on Vapnik's Support Vector Machine that has a structural similarity to the MPNN.

This book is a gem that shines in its clarity beyond many other books on neural networks that I have struggled with in an attempt to understand the subject well enough to apply it.

I bought this book for my son who works in the Telecom business. He was very happy to get it and has told me almost every week how much he has used it. He carries it in his work truck and has even had other employees ask to use it.

As a telecom professional with 30 years of experience, this book is always at my desk. There are just too many acronyms and terms to keep them all in your head. Harry Newton also provides great tips, history and insight which would span many other reference books in his concide disctionary.

A must have for someone in the telecommunications industry.

Once again we see technology advancements after technology advancements...

OPEN is the answer to many of the industry's problems. Sure it isn't panacea, but it is the next best thing we currently have.

This is a book that provides a comprehensive discussion of the entire object oriented process. It really provides first rate support in terms of the design of a software engineering process. Well done.

This book provides what has been missing in Object Technology: a process. The book is not yet another methodology but is a properly put together full lifecycle process that can be tailored for small, medium, large to super large projects of all types. It provides the much needed Software Engineering process framework lacking in all other OO methods.

This book contains lots of interesting techniques, many of which are essential to the business of software development. Excellent value for money.

This book is one of a series on OPEN (Object-oriented Process Environment and Notation). Unlike the other books in the OPEN series, this book is independent of any methodology and can also be used in non object-oriented environments.

The title is appropriate: this 426 page book and accompanying CD ROM is a toolbox of techniques that can be applied in any environment or within the context of any methodology. It is, literally, an encyclopedia of techniques that consultants and business analysts can use to perform a variety of tasks or produce associated deliverables.

If you are using this book as a generic compendium of tools and techniques, or you are not interested in OPEN, you can safely skip the first chapter that is an overview of OPEN. If you work within an object-oriented environment you may find chapters 2 through 4 useful. These chapters describe OPEN and how it relates to other O-O approaches. If not, you can also skip these and jump to Appendix A, which is the heart of the book.

Appendix A is a collection of core techniques in alphabetical order ranging from abstract class identification to workshops. There are over one hundred core techniques, each of which is presented using the following format: Technique Name and Star rating - 1 star = well tried, 2 stars = reasonably well validated, 3 stars = experimental. Focus, typical tasks for which the technique is used, related techniques, entry criteria and underpinning concepts. This header information is followed by: Technique description Technique useage Deliverables and output

The CD ROM contains additional techniques that make this one of the most comprehensive resources available to a consultant. The content on the CD ROM is in PDF format and is divided into three additional appendices. Additional techniques are in two of these appendices, with the third covering supporting reference material.

What I like about this book is the wide coverage of techniques. All of the standard fare is covered, and a lot of esoteric ones are also included. I use it as a memory jogger or idea book when I an trying to find that "perfect" approach to performing a task or creating a deliverable. Some minor irritations include the star ratings - I found them to be somewhat ambiguous, and the fact that the techniques are presented in alphabetical order instead of grouped by class. A cross-reference in the front of the book would remedy that complaint.

However, this book deserves a solid five stars because it is comprehensive and packs a lot of information into 426 pages and a CD ROM. If you are a consultant or analyst this book is money well spent, and will make a great addition to your short list of everyday tools and references.

If you are serious about the actual business of developing OO software, don't go past this book. Have one on your shelf, although mine doesn't stay there very long.

Don't let the low sales rank fool you. This is one of the most important books in recent years.

Robertson presents an important new perspective on the history of science in this book. We all know that computers have vastly increased our ability to study the universe around us, as well as the universe of mathematics, but Robertson puts this revolution into a wider context, as part of an ongoing process that occurs whenever our ability to observe the universe increases significantly. The invention of the telescope, for example, brought about a large quantitative change in our ability to see. However, the result in astronomy is more than just quantitative, more than just the ability to see more things in the sky, but a fundamental change in the insights that are available to us in that field.

Robertson's great insight in this book is that the telescope is only one example of this phenomenon in the history of science.

The author generalizes the meaning of "phase
change" to describe any event for which it is nearly
impossible to forecast the behavior of a system after
the event from a knowledge of the behavior of a system
before the event. He points out that such events in
science and mathematics frequently involve the
invention of a technology that allows us to observe
something that could not be observed before. He
further argues that "phase changes" cause paradigm
shifts. Examples of inventions that have caused phase
changes are the telescope in astronomy, the microscope
in biology, and the computer in every field. His
arguments are very good, and although I was skeptical,
I was convinced.

Even if you are not convinced by his
arguments, the book is enormously interesting for the
history and overview it gives of mathematics,
astronomy, physics, biology, and other sciences. I
was very impressed that one person could grasp the
essential features of so many different fields. In
addition, he expresses the ideas and history so well
that I found it enormously interesting, even in the
fields I am already familiar with.

Chapter 8 is more controversial, and although
I did not agree with everything he says, I was
fascinated to read his views. I found my mind being
stretched in enjoyable ways.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has
even the slightest interest in science, and also to
anyone who is interested in learning more about the
computer revolution.

Becky is going through a period of insecurity about her looks and is finding life hard enough...but when her teacher gives her an F in history though she's the best in the class, Becky thinks his threat to fail the whole class wasn't a joke after all. However, with some coaching from her international friends, the Cyber.kdz, Becky decides that someone tampered with the grades database. With a bit of detective work, can Becky and her friends catch a hacker? This is well-detailed, with really fun computer transcripts too. I wish these were available more than they are - I really enjoyed them!

I thought this book was very interesting. It talks about how Becky is embarassed about being fat so she sends the picture of her best friend, Kim to the other kdzs because Kim is better looking than her. The Kdzs are making a yearbook. But Becky gets an *F* on her report card for history even though history is her best subject. I think it's stupid that Jenny and Brad Sloat got away with changing the grades. I personally thinks she should have called Jenny a clueless blond and then punch her in the face.

Commander X (aka Paul) just about blows Becky's cover as his finger jabs at the SEND button. In a split second, he shifts to DELETE and saves Becky from humiliation. You see Becky doesn't like the way she looks and doesn't want the other cyber kids to see the real her. She has posted the picture of Kim - her bestfriend - to Loren's cyber kids annual. But the deception could cost Becky more than embarrassment ... Becky's lack of self-confidence at her new school has made her easy prey for some nasty kids who've broken into the school's computer system. They have changed Becky's grades. And the cyber kids -who don't care about the outside but the inside especially the inside of computers - help Becky to capture the little creeps. The story really moves ... read this all in one night!

Extremely helpful even to a complete phobe like me. I had never found a book that I could actually sit down and read until this one.

Omigod. Someone finally wrote a computer book that isn't 8000 pages long. It's like the first 100 pages missing from every other computer book. Highly recommended for everyone that really wants to start at the very very beginning. I loved it, and I have to guard my copy with my life. Get your own!

This book explains everything in language we can understand. It starts with taking the computer out of the box and even shows you where the plugs go. It's a great tool for people who have a phobia against computers. It is so simple even my grandaughter could understand it.