Computer Media
Rachel Singer Gordon -- Library Journal, 10/15/2006
Editor's Note: This month marks Computer Media's migration from the print magazine to the web. Check back here the 15th of every month for Rachel Singer Gordon's always astute coverage of how-to books. See also the launch of our Computer Book Prepub Alert, a new column that will run four times a year.
—Heather McCormack
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JavaScript
Libraries holding older JavaScript titles should be sure to invest in newer guides, particularly for their Ajax coverage (see also Computer Media, LJ 7/06).
Edwards, James & Cameron Adams. The JavaScript Anthology: 101 Essential Tips, Tricks & Hacks. SitePoint. 2006. 588p. ISBN 0-9752402-6-9. pap. $39.95.
For beginning to intermediate users, The JavaScript Anthology is more than just a list of hacks; the title moves from getting started with JavaScript to navigating the DOM to building web applications. A helpful problem, discussion, solution format offers just enough background and explanation in addition to the how-tos. Its companion web site (www.sitepoint.com/books/jsant1/) contains code, errata, and additional information. Recommended.
Heilmann, Christian. Beginning JavaScript with DOM Scripting and Ajax: From Novice to Professional. Apress. 2006. 485p. ISBN 1-59059-680-3. pap. $39.99.
For advanced beginners to intermediate users, Beginning JavaScript with DOM Scripting and Ajax is slightly more thorough than SAMS Teach Yourself JavaScript and has good Ajax coverage. It includes a useful chapter on using third-party JavaScript, such as when working with the Google Maps API or the Yahoo! User Interface Library; its companion web site (www.beginningjavascript.com) provides sample code as either one long download or chapter-by-chapter. Nice background explanations place JavaScript coding into a larger development context, candid discussions highlight best practices as well as the language's advantages and drawbacks, and examples are plentiful. Highly recommended for medium to larger libraries.
Moncur, Michael. SAMS Teach Yourself JavaScript in 24 Hours. 4th ed. SAMS. 2006. 442p. ISBN 0-672-32879-8. pap. $24.99.
As in JavaScript & Ajax, SAMS Teach Yourself JavaScript updates an older edition with coverage of Ajax and JavaScript v.1.5. A good self-study guide for beginners, including Q&As, quizzes, and exercises. Files are available online as one large download after completing a lengthy and annoying registration process at www.samspublishing.com/register; exercise answers are unfortunately missing from both the book and the site, which may frustrate some readers. A nice introduction, but a supplemental purchase; choose the Peachpit title (below) if you only need one beginner's guide.
Negrino, Tom & Dori Smith. JavaScript & Ajax: Visual QuickStart Guide. 6th ed. Peachpit. 2006. 498p. ISBN 0-321-43032-8. pap. $24.99.
For beginners, JavaScript & Ajax offers a nonthreatening introduction to the language; files are available at a companion web site (www.javascriptworld.com), with note and updates to come soon. Lots of illustrations, step-by-step instructions, and useful tips make this a fantastic guide for JavaScript novices. Libraries holding older editions should update for coverage of Ajax—including acknowledgement of some issues with the technology—and other recent topics. Recommended.
Macromedia Flash 8
Flash skills remain in demand among design and Web companies; expect demand for Flash-related titles to also remain high (see Computer Media, LJ 2/06).
Kerman, Phillip. Macromedia Flash 8 @Work. SAMS. 2006. 416p. ISBN 0-672-32828-3. pap. $34.99 with CD-ROM.
For advanced beginners to intermediate users, Macromedia Flash 8 @Work gives step-by-step instructions for using Flash for practical, real-world applications such as synchronizing captions to video, creating an assessment quiz, and creating a CD-ROM front end. Its CD contains project files; there are additional templates and errata online (www.phillipkerman.com/at-work/). Useful and clear; recommended, but supplement with more thorough how-to guides.
Lott, Joey & others. Flash 8 Cookbook. O'Reilly. 2006. 510p. ISBN 0-596-10240-2. pap. $44.99.
Best for intermediate users and more along the lines of what How To Wow! should cover, Flash 8 Cookbook contains "recipes," or step-by-step answers to how-tos and problems, for using the Flash IDE to build animations and applications. (ActionScript is covered in a separate forthcoming Cookbook, ISBN 0-596-52695-4.) Each recipe, from creating mirror images, to creating custom cursors, to creating accessible buttons, contains a problem, solution, and discussion of the steps involved. Highly recommended for medium to larger libraries to supplement how-to guides.
Reinhardt, Robert & Snow Dowd. Macromedia Flash 8 Bible. Wiley. 2006. 1274p. ISBN 0-471-74676-2. pap. $44.99 with CD-ROM.
The most comprehensive of this lot, Flash 8 Bible is a reference for beginning to advanced users; new Flash 8 features are highlighted throughout. It moves from an introduction to Flash project development and using the interface, through integrating media and adding basic interactivity, to working with ActionScript and data-binding. Its CD provides sample files and ActionScript, bonus content (including extra PDF chapters on more advanced topics and appendixes on digital sound and video basics), trial software, and a links file for easy access to online download. A good, thorough addition to all libraries.
Sahlin, Doug. Building Flash Web Sites For Dummies. Wiley. 2006. 316p. ISBN 0-471-79220-9. pap. $24.99.
For beginners, Building Flash Web Sites For Dummies is very basic, many screen shots are overly dark and hard to make out, and the cutesy writing style—over-the-top even for a Dummies book—grates. While its step-by-step directions are useful for beginners, a plethora of other Flash titles cover the same ground more thoroughly. Not recommended.
Smith, Colin with Brie Gyncild. How To Wow with Flash. Peachpit. 2006. 230p. ISBN 0-321-42649-5. pap. $39.99 with CD-ROM.
For beginning to intermediate users, the full-color How To Wow with Flash includes project files, widgets, and trial software on CD. Although there are useful step-by-step instructions on accomplishing many tasks in Flash (from doing animated page transitions to invisible buttons to adding background music to a site), nothing here really "wows"—many similar projects are discussed in other, more in-depth guides; a supplemental purchase.
Watrall, Ethan & Norbert Herber with Sham Bhangal. Flash 8 Savvy. Sybex. 2006. 530p. ISBN 0-7821-4444-6. pap. $39.99 with CD-ROM.
For beginning to intermediate users, the clear and useful Flash 8 Savvy includes trial software, tutorials, sample files, and an ActionScript reference on CD-ROM. Particularly useful are chapters on newer topics such as designing Flash content for Windows Mobile and icons denoting features only available in Flash 8 Professional. Recommended for all libraries, although, since it doesn't include advanced topics like data binding, supplement with more advanced guides.
Firewalls
Firewalls are an important enough piece of the network security puzzle to warrant their own guides, and medium-to-larger libraries and those serving computer science programs should invest.
Lathem, Chris & others. Configuring SonicWALL Firewalls. Syngress. 2006. 500p. ISBN 1-59749-250-7. pap. $49.95.
Configuring SonicWALL Firewalls covers the product line of one of the most-used brands, from SOHO firewalls for home and small office use, to more robust enterprise appliances; so it moves from network and firewall basics through large-scale enterprise and VPN management. Unfortunately, this makes the book's audience and focus somewhat muddled, although libraries might appreciate the cost-effectiveness of one-volume coverage. Discussions are also somewhat basic, especially of the more advanced topics. An optional purchase, best for new users.
Noonan, Wes & Ido Dubrawsky. Firewall Fundamentals. Cisco. 2006. 375p. ISBN 1-58705-221-0. pap. $50.
Aimed at beginning to advanced users, Firewall Fundamentals stands out for its thorough background explanations, product comparisons, and coverage of both Cisco and non-Cisco products (including personal firewalls such as Windows Firewall and Trend Micro's PC-cillin and open-source firewall software like Firewall Builder and Firestarter). While it also moves through a variety of products, its clear organization and explanations keep discussions from degenerating; its content is also much more thorough. Appendixes contain pointers to tools and resources. Highly recommended for all libraries.
GIMP
Peck, Akkana. Beginning GIMP: From Novice to Professional. Apress. 2006. 528p. ISBN 1-59059-587-4. pap. $49.99.
The GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program; www.gimp.org), a free, open-source graphics editor, is becoming more popular as digital cameras continue dropping in price and photo sharing sites continue gaining attention. The timely, full-color Beginning GIMP covers the upcoming 2.4 release, although most content also applies to earlier versions. Clear and well-illustrated chapters address topics from improving digital photos, to working with filters and effects, to advanced compositing; appendixes cover installing the software on various OS. Recommended for all libraries. Its thorough coverage demonstrates the true power of this open-source alternative to expensive commercial programs.
PSP
Are you in a public or academic library? You serve gamers. That being said, why not serve them better with titles on making the most of their game systems—including the popular PSP (Sony PlayStation Portable; www.us.playstation.com/PSP/).
Prochnow, Dave. PSP Hacks, Mods, and Expansions. Osborne/McGraw-Hill. 2006. 223p. ISBN 0-07-146908-7. pap. $24.95.
Prochnow's PSP Hacks contains tear-out rebates and coupons in the back, which you may wish to remove before circulating; it also includes templates with suggestions to "cut this out of the book." Prochnow uses a Q&A, step-by-step format, again with illustrations and screen shots where appropriate. Some of his hacks mirror Sample's (see below), although less well; its content is also more basic and less "hackish" overall. If you can purchase only one, go with the O'Reilly title.
Sample, C.K. III. PSP Hacks: Tips & Tools for Your Mobile Gaming and Entertainment Handheld. O'Reilly. 2006. 298p. ISBN 0-596-10143-0. pap. $29.99.
Sample's PSP Hacks focuses on extending the PSP's capabilities by hacking and repurposing the system, from customizing, to reading e-books, to listening to podcasts, to using the PSP to control your home. Useful features include difficulty levels for each hack, illustrations where necessary, and "Hacking the Hack" suggestions for extending the projects further. An easy, engaging read with useful suggestions for getting the most out of your PSP, this is highly recommended.
Rachel Singer Gordon is Consulting Editor, Information Today Inc., Book Publishing Division; webmaster, LISjobs.com; and author of The NextGen Librarian's Survival Guide (ITI, 2006).
