Open Books

Scripture interprets itself; and this Bible highlights that through it's many cross references. The font and design of the Open Bible is fluent. It does not have unneeded fluff. Every book of the Bible has a thorough introduction, outline and chart that help you understand the structure and content of each book. If you want a Bible that will support your OWN discovery into Scripture without being distracted by superfluous study notes - get this!

I've had an Open Bible for several years, and have used it so much that I recently ordered a new one along with one as a gift for a friend of mine. It is the most comprehensive self contained Study Bible I have ever seen. Most of the pertinent information that you need is included in the various study sections as well as in the notes and descriptions on each and every page. It is simple to use and contains a wealth of information. I would highly recommend it to anyone from New Believer to the Seasoned Warrior in Christ.

I am so glad that the classic edition of the Open Bible (New KIng James Version) has been re-issued. This is also known or marketed as the Open Bible Expanded Edition. When I first became a born-again Christian in 1987, I acquired a couple of translations (the other being the New American Standard).I found the Open Bible extremely helpful as I began my
Christian walk. Such sections as sharing the gospel and Christian life and the many charts such as harmony of the gospels and Messianic Prophecies fulfilled gave me much knowledge in my early Christian walk. The Open Bible-Classic (Expanded) Edition is my favorite of all study bibles. It does not have in-text study notes, but in the long run, Scripture usually speaks for itself. Also, revisions of the Classic edition have removed what I believe are vital parts of the Classic or Expanded Edition. it is also conservative in theology from a Protestant perspective of many denominations. I recommend this to any one who wants to grow spiritually and/or to learn more about God and our faith and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I own several study Bibles including the NIV Study Bible and the Life Application Study Bible (NIV version). I originally purchased The Open Bible (Expanded Edition) in 1985. Though I greatly enjoyed the New King James text, I later moved on to the NIV version of scripture and have used it exclusively since the early 1990s.

Recently after attending a church service that used the New King James translation (NKJV) of the Bible, I pulled my 1985 copy of the Open Bible off the shelf for review. Within minutes, I was delving deep into the NKJV scripture and the supporting study aids. I was greatly enjoying the beautiful NKJV presentation of the text. Though the NIV is presented in more modern English, I was amazed at how easily understood the NKJV remained by comparison. And it reads beautifully and faithfully. I was surprised to find I prefer the NKJV text for reading scripture.

This study Bible uses scripture to reinforce other scripture which I greatly approve of. There are no lengthy notes for each individual verse, but rather cross references for how the verse is amplified and supported by other verses of scripture. Bravo!

The Open Bible is well written with theologically conservative study aids that include How to Study the Bible, A Readers Guide to Understanding the Bible, a Biblical Cyclopedic Index, Harmony of the Gospels, Teachings and Illustrations of Christ, Prophecies of the Messiah fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Parables of Christ, the Miracles of Christ, the Scarlet Thread of Redemption, a Guide to Christian Workers (suggested Evangelizing discussions and scriptural outlines to support them), and a Concordance.

The Reader's Guide to Understanding the Bible section is an impressive series of studies that outline important Biblical truths with commentary notes and scripture. They cover the following discussions about God's Word: How God's Word Came To Us; What God's Word Does; How We Benefit from God's Word; What God's Word Tells Us About God's Program; What God's Word Tells Us About God's Covenants; God The Father; The Son Of God; The Holy Spirit; Need for the New Life; Way to the New Life; Results of the New Life; Assurance of the New Life; Bible Study; Prayer; Stewardship; Worship; Participation in the Local Church; Sharing Our Faith; Walking in The Spirit; Sin; Temptation; Suffering; Knowing the Will of God; Doubt; The Family; Human Government; Israel; The Church.

I have fallen in love again with this wonderful Study Bible. It will never grow outdated and I am delighted the publisher has decided to re-release it. The NKJV reads beautifully and The Open Bible teaches the reader to support scripture with scripture. Sure, I still use other study Bibles as well, but this has quickly become my favorite again after all these years - Highly recommended.

Open Hands, Open Heart was one of the best childrens illustrated books I've read since Dr. Zeuss.

Ms. Diedra Robinson's book about Biddy Mason was inspiring to those young and old. I really enjoyed reading this book and I others will enjoy this book just as much as I did.

I found this to be a delightful book with accurate historical information and a story reflecting Biddy Mason's strong Christian values. It has a warm friendly tone and the story is anchored in the history of early Los Angeles as well as of the United States. All ages could learn of Biddy Mason from this book and find it an enjoyable experience.

I liked this book a whole lot, because I never heard of Biddy Mason. Second I liked it becasue it told of a lot of history about California also. The book was fun to read and can be unterstood by all ages. I really like this book, for myself, for my parents, and for the little children.

Belacqua Jones, the drug addled persona in the drivers seat of this endeavor makes more sense than anyone could ever imagine.

These letters will have you cringing, crying, gasping, screaming, stomping your feet and laughing out loud!

The book holds no punches. Belacqua, with a bi-partisan tongue and gale force satirical wit is a must have for any serious political junkie.

Belacqua (Case) says what the best critics of GWBushCo say -
but he does it SUCCINCTLY - DAILY and with HUMOR. It simply does not getany better!!!

Belacqua is one of very few people who can immediately see the whole story, the bigger picture, the future ramifications, the subtleties obscured by BS. I think he's possibly reached a level of intuitive evolution never before realized.

Letters to W will make you look at the world in a whole new way and you'll wonder, how could you have been so blind before?

Reviewed by Joanne Benham for Reader Views (6/06)

This book is a tongue-in-cheek satire of government and big business, told through a series of letters to President Bush from a fictional character called Belacqua Jones, described by the author as a meth-addicted psychopath, half a bubble off plumb.

Belacqua Jones is an ardent admirer of George W. Bush and possesses keen insight into the political machine. That insight is clearly evident in this book as Jones comments on every aspect of Bush's presidency and offers invaluable advice to further his political career. Some of Jones' suggestions: Enhance the value of death. If someone has an illness such as cancer, offer painkillers rather than medicine to fight the disease. Morphine is much cheaper than chemotherapy. Keep the rest of the world impoverished so that the US can maintain its standard of living. Shore up Social Security by making cigarette smoking mandatory for children. If he wishes to eliminate Social Security, he can just abolish retirement. Problem solved. The big corporations can take back all the money they put into the 401 (k)s and give enormous bonuses to the top executives as they so richly deserve.

Jones is also looking out for George's interests, such as warning him about the Ashlee Simpson debacle. It takes an astute player to recognize the potential harm Simpson could do the political machine.

At times Jones shows astonishing vision, such as urging the canonization of Judas Iscariot by the Vatican. How could anyone, except a meth-addicted psychopath, half a bubble off plumb, realize that Judas was a victim, actually a sacrifice to the greater good?

Although I don't agree with everything Case Wagenvoord writes, I found that I was in agreement with much more of what he has written than I anticipated. A brilliant, satirical book, I would urge everyone to sit down and browse through this work. Since the book is a series of letters, in no particular order, you can jump around, picking the chapter headings that intrigue you. Some of my favorites...The Iron Colon, Tree-Huggers, The Benefits of Torture, God Bless the Democrats, Stoning and Human Sacrifice.

so many distinct voices. runs the gamut of the poetic genre.

What a good mix of new poets, well known Floridian poets, young, old, a true taste of NE Florida...whether you are from Florida or not you will enjoy this delightful anthology and bios of the 54 poets. Winner of a 2004 Royal Palm Award. Internationally recognized in Poetry Now Magazine the most read poetry magazine in all of Europe. "Open Mic Jacksonville" was also placed in the archives at the Cummer Museum of Arts & Gardens as part of Jacksonville, FL history...to be enjoyed 4 ever...It's a treasure. Get one today!

This book shows the talent and versatility of the writers concentrated in just one area of the country, in this case, Jacksonville, Florida. I don't know that I've ever read such a varying degree of poetry, from stunning to soothing, in one book.

This is an outstanding collection of poetry from the Jacksonville area in Florida. The poets come from all walks of life, different age groups and both genders. This book looks very professional and much of the procedes go to the Norteast Florida Literacy Organization.

As a single mom, finding inexpensive accomodations can make the difference between taking a vacation...or not!! "America's Cheap Sleeps" has been an invaluable resource - saving me not only money..but alot of time looking for a place to stay! I found the information to be accurate and complete, and the added info on pronunciation a welcome plus! Mr. Whitcombe's added knowledge and inclusion of helpful "tid-bits" was greatly appreciated! Thank you, Mr. Whitcombe!

This book has been a great resource in my travels by car. I've been able to find affordable rooms in every city I've visited, from north to south, east to west. The book is easy to use and offers helpful tips on finding accomodations that will not break the bank. America's Cheap Sleeps has saved me a load of money!

I found this book to be a great resource for cities where I don't know anybody. It gave me a place to find affordable accomodations and allowed me to do other activities with the money it saved me by going to large chains. It will come in handy for a long time to come.

Mr. Whitcombe has put together an incredible reference tool that anyone in America, or anyone who wants to visit anywhere in America, should definitely have. After my purchase of his book I took a two day vacation and in those two days I saved myself the cost of his book twice over. I recommend this tool to anyone and everyone, whether a cross-country sight-seer or a casual overnight traveller!

The Open Road is for everyone looking to take the big cities stress away... I got a copy from my brother and read it as fast as him... Couldn't stop!! It is wonderful!! Full of exciting situations, it makes you want to go backpacking in search of your place in the world. Anyone seeking for a positive change of life, anyone bored of working in a dead-end job, any nature lover, everybody should read this book. I like very much reading about expeditions and outdoor life, and I have read a lot. But this book has taken from very deep inside of me the feeling that there is a better life waiting for me, for everybody who really wants to improve his life. It is not a book about mysthic and religion. It is a book about true and joyfull life. So, take my advice and read it... You won't be disappointed!!

In life there are farmers and explorers. The farmerscrop the fields that others have found. The explorersopen new horizons to the future, working alone and often against convention. Douglas McKinley has written about the explorers. He has written about people who are willing to turn their backs on material objects and daily routines, in order to probe the soul of life. Another bonus is that Open Road has the best surfing prose I have ever read. It is a must-read book for everyone's Christmas stocking

In life there are farmers and explorers. The farmerscrops the fields that others have found. The explorersopen new horizons to the future, working alone and often against convention. Douglas McKinley has written about the explorers. He has written about people who are willing to turn their backs on material objects and daily routines, in order to probe the soul of life. Another bonus is that Open Road has the best surfing prose I have ever read. It is a must-read book for everyone's Christmas stocking

This is a novel that comes alive as you follow the adventures of a young man backpacking around the Rocky Mountains and the midwest in search of himself. Filled with irony and surprises and subtle humor, The Open Road is one of the few books I've read that you gain something from. An excellent novel.

Using open source is profoundly exciting to everyone involved in the process. That's one of its problems. Authors Dan Woods and Gautam Guliani have done an outstanding job of writing the perfect guide that will make open source work for you.

Woods and Guliani begin by explaining the origins, evolution and life cycle of open source; and, evaluating its potential benefits for the enterprise. Next, the authors show you how to determine the quality of an open source project; and, whether it is right for your company. Then, they present an analysis of the knowledge required to effectively implement open source; and, discuss how an enterprise can build skills from within. Woods and Guliani continue by showing you how to calculate the return on investment of open source; and, make a compelling case to management. In addition, the authors next explore a low-risk plan for adopting and applying open source. They also examine where to find help in implementing open source projects; and, how to evaluate competing offers. The authors next show you how to close the productization gap; and, expand the opportunities for open source deployment. Next, the authors discuss the legal underpinnings of open source licensing, with evaluations of GPL, Copyleft, LGPL, BSD and others. Woods and Guliani continue by examining FUD, the legal challenges being mounted against open source, and how an enterprise can manage the risks involved. Finally, they cover build versus buy, the middle road less taken, and how using open source will change your IT department for the better.

With the preceding in mind, the authors have done an excellent job of designing an open source book that shows you how to get it right through prudence, patience, and a methodical search for risks and ways to remedy them. At the end of the day, open source should play some role in most IT departments, including yours.

"Open Source for the Enterprise" is a well thought out and methodical look into the realities of open source software use. This is a practical guide for navigating its introduction into an organization and the approaches for properly evaluating its fit and governance. The authors provide a set of strategies and artifacts for helping to establish and communicate whether or not open source software would be effective within an organization. Topics such as comparing and assuming risk; evaluating the costs and return; adoption and governance; indemnification and licensing are all covered very well. The last quarter of the book provides a topical look at common open source platforms for desktop solutions, email, collaboration, content management, and application development. While the coverage presented is not inclusive of the entire offerings available, the preeminent projects for each category are evaluated.

I enjoyed this book. I reveled when reading the authors' analogy of an architect approaching management about starting an open source software initiative to that of a child asking a parent for a puppy. This was presented during the subject of "Preventing an Open Source Nightmare". This section threw some reality into my fervor for evangelizing open source within my own company and drove home the authors' point that reckless enthusiasm is not the way. I believe that anyone considering the use of open source platforms, tools, or end-user applications within their organization would be well-served by reading this text cover-to-cover.

All too often, the discussion about using open source software in an organization takes on an emotional or political tone. And since most information about open source decisions tends to feed that emotion, it's nice to find a book that tries to look at the subject from a rational perspective. This book does a very good job of that... Open Source For The Enterprise by Dan Woods and Gautam Guliani.

Contents: The Nature of Open Source; Measuring the Maturity of Open Source; The Open Source Skill Set; Making the ROI Case; Designing an Open Source Strategy; Support Models for Open Source; Making Open Source Projects Easy to Adopt; A Comparison of Open Source Licenses; Open Source Under Attack; Open Source Empowerment; The Open Source Platform; End-User Computing and the Desktop; Open Source and Email; Groupware, Portals, and Collaboration; Web Publishing and Content Management; Application Development; Index

As I stated above, open source technology books (covering the topic as a whole, not individual projects) tend to be "rah-rah" in nature, pitting the plucky open source alternatives against the big evil proprietary software companies. While I may just happen to lean in that direction, it's not very helpful if you're trying to make a solid business case for adopting a corporate open source strategy. You need to concentrate on risks, financial return on investment, support issues, and all the other things that apply to *any* software used in your organization. Woods and Guliani do a very good job in aiming for, and hitting, that target. While they believe in the promise of open source, they give the reader some solid tools to judge whether a particular open source alternative is worthy to explore. For instance, some open source projects take off and soar, while others languish with no activity after a few months. By checking release levels, discussion boards, documentation quality, etc., you can mitigate the risk of committing to a project that doesn't continue to grow. Conversely, if you find a project that addresses a need but may not be overly active, they provide guidance on what type of skill base you'll need to have or acquire to take the development in house.

Open Source For The Enterprise is one of those books that you should see in a number of organizations, helping management and techies come together to make rational business decisions that benefit the company and not someone's resume. Very good material...

This is an excellent introduction to managing and developing open source project, as well as for judging the health of projects you would like to use in the enterprise. The text is well written and engaging. There is management level material here on risk analysis, project management and methods for evaluating open source projects.

See this book as a general introduction to developing games and open source software, but some definitions are often shallow and/or briefly explained. You'll have to follow its many references to gather the whole knowledge together. Recommended for those with good skills in C++ and class programming but are willing to build some board games for fun. Interestingly, it gives some insight into AI and 3D gfx, but never deep enough for someone to start any serious project. The attached CDROM contains complete projects which does help a lot (but nothing that you can't find in the Web).

This book, by Thompson Learning, is an excellent book in that it not only goes into the code aspect of game creation using QT and a C++ compiler, but gives some insight into what it takes to design a particular game program solution.

However, even though it does not take a whole lot of programming experience to program a game, one does need to have at least a working knowledge of form creation using (QT or a Visual program language) and some knowledge of a C++ compiler.

Remember, to show a form it must be called by code which includes at least one (Show form) code block.

I would say the programming level needed to use this book effectively is at least advanced beginning. And I believe some experience in the Linux version of QT and the Linux GNU C++ compliler would be very helpful.

Well written, concise, clear -- this is book is the perfect introduction for anyone who wants to code using Qt and KDE as well as for anyone who wants to get into game programming as a hobby.

This book contains everything you need to know to develop game programs on Linux and the KDE desktop, with information on how to make your games portable to Windows, Mac and PDA. It covers a wide range of topics in a very clear fashion - technicalities of various platforms, use of Qt canvas 2D graphics and OpenGL 3D graphics, sound, artificial intelligence, path finding, maths and physics of games and network play, to name just a few. The references to websites and other texts, at the end of each chapter, are alone worth their weight in gold.

If only I had had this book available when I sat down to develop a game 4 years ago. I would have saved about a year of my life, which I spent finding out things the hard way!

After interviewing Terry on radio, I am convinced that this gentle soul's strong undercurrent provides us with a rich new model of citizen involvement in this, our participatory government. Too many of us dismiss a deeper involvement in democracy with crusty cynicism - we feel ground down by the backhanded tactics used by government officials to strip us of our civil liberties and rape the earth's environment.

What Terry Tempest Williams proposes not only facilitates transformation within our democratic system, but by the simple act of learning to listen with open minds and hearts, we may receive one another's views on a very human scale. If we endeavor to connect in this manner, not only will we have a more functional democracy, we will become better human beings.

Bela Johnson, Medical Intuitive
http://www.belajohnson.com

Host, Alternative Currents
http://www.weru.org

I have not read a book in the last ten years that I would give this description to, but The Open Space of Democracy will or at least should go down as an American masterpiece, and a seminal contribution to environmental and political writing. I pre-ordered my copy direct from the publisher and so received and read, or rather devoured, it right after it was published. The triptych of essays in this volume are woven together and inseparable from each other in the way that Aldo Leopold's "Land Ethic" is inseparable from the rest of A Sand County Almanac.

This book maps a future for America and Americans that is luminous, hopeful, fierce, and prophetic all in one. Anyone who truly cares about our democracy and about the health of the natural world NEEDS to read this, be inspired by it, and take action in honor of it.

Oh my. This book actually rates 10 stars in today's world. In this slim book, Terry Tempest Williams is calling for community, discussion, breaking out of boxes and labels and working together to solve our problems in democracy's open space. Throughout the book she defines what that open space should be and what would create it. How disheartening it is to know how far in the other direction we have gone in the 3 years since it has been published.

"In the open space of democracy, we engage the qualities of inquiry, intuition, and love as we become a dynamic citizenry, unafraid to exercise our shared knowledge and power. We can dissent. We can vote. We can step forward in times of terror with a confounding calm that will shatter fear and complacency."

As was illustrated in a recent 60 Minutes piece, Terry Tempest Williams describes what a trip to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge can do to open minds and souls.

"The power of nature is the power of a life in association. Nothing stands alone. On my haunches, I see a sunburst lichen attached to limestone; algae and fungi are working together to break down rock into soil. I cannot help but recognize a radical form of democracy at play. Each organism is rooted in its own biological niche, drawing its power from its relationship to other organisms. An equality of being contributes to an ecological state of health and succession."

It is very unfortunate that this book is out of print. I wish it would be re-issued and distributed widely. The open space of democracy is waiting for us.

Terry Tempest Williams is amazingly articulate. This book while a short, easy read can be read over and over again as her messages can be applied to our everyday life. I bought five copies as this book makes a wonderful gift!

This book is great. Every night one story, gives a good night sleep and a wonderful morning. It has stories that we can relate with our life. Not philosophical, it is very practical. The same time it is written as simple stories and easy to understand and the best it has life lessons. I enjoy reading it. The book for all levels of age.

The short stories in this book are out of the world. One cup of coffee, one story, great understanding and transformation!

This was the first book I got from Nithyananda and was really blown away by "The Breeze" after I opened "The Door." I took this book along on an airplane trip and read it... then read it again in the hotel... and then reread it on the trip back !

Everytime I read it, I get something else from it - and it's really a light read: very simple and educational. And although it's not really written to be profound - it can be.

I keep the book readily available in my library (bathroom) and still pick it up on a regular basis. I am mystified at how there is always something new & different that is learned everytime I read it.

Invite the Breeze to FLOW your life: I challenge you to read this book 5 different times and not get 5 different beneficial experiences.

I am glad to see this book is now available to the public. I have heard Paramahamsa Nithyananda in various discourses in USA and found his teachings transformational. This book exemplifies his teachings -- using simple stories and examples to drive home his message of personal transformation. This is a great book to start to understand the deep truths that lie beneath the surface. Nithyananda is trying to share these truths through these simple to understand collection of articles that make up this book.