Computer Media

-- Library Journal, 2/15/2007

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Certification

Given the multiple certification options available (see Computer Media, LJ 1/07), it can be difficult to decide in which titles to invest. CompTIA's A+ and Network+ certifications, though, remain quite popular, and all public libraries should contain current guides.

Pyles, James. PC Technician Street Smarts: A Real World Guide to CompTIA A+ Skills. Sybex. 2006. c.356p. ISBN 0-470-08458-8 [ISBN 978-0-470-08458-8]. pap. $29.99. COMPUTER BOOKS

The A+ certification exams for PC support technicians cover areas such as installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance, and basic networking. Each broad topic is addressed here, organized into real-world tasks that contain an overview, a scenario, scope, procedure, step-by-step details, and completion criteria. Each set of tasks corresponds to a given group of exam objectives. A clear, hands-on introduction; add as a supplement to more thorough exam guides.

Skandier, Toby. Network Administrator Street Smarts: A Real World Guide to CompTIA Network+ Skills. Sybex. 2006. c.337p. ISBN 0-470-04724-0 [ISBN 978-0-470-04724-8]. pap. $29.99. COMPUTER BOOKS

The Network+ exam tests computer technicians on the basics of PC networking. This guide breaks network administration into four major phases: designing an internetwork, implementing and configuring the design, maintaining and securing the network, and troubleshooting the network. Each phase contains multiple practical tasks, each set of which corresponds to a group of exam objectives. A useful introduction and supplement to more thorough exam guides.

Digital Photography

For many, digital photography is now the only form of photography (see Computer Media, LJ 5/1/06). Guides here range from beginner to advanced and include material on both taking better photos and manipulating digital images with popular image editing software.

Campbell, Marc & Dave Long. Digital Photography for Teens. Course Technology PTR: Thomson Gale. 2006. c.286p. ISBN 1-59863-295-7 [ISBN 978-1-59863-295-8]. pap. $34.99. COMPUTER BOOKS

This full-color guide walks beginning to intermediate users through taking and manipulating digital photos, with special attention paid to teen-specific issues (such as the need for credit cards on digital printing services, including digital photos as illustrations in writing assignments and taking pictures of friends for a "mini yearbook"). Examples often use Photoshop Elements but can be extended to any type of graphics software. It is clear and useful without talking down to its audience, although a title for teens should pay more attention to topics like using photos on social networking sites like MySpace.com. YA collections might consider; appropriate for all libraries.

Canfield, Jon. The Digital SLR Guide. Peachpit. 2006. c.206p. ISBN 0-321-49219-6 [ISBN 978-0-321-49219-7]. pap. $39.99. COMPUTER BOOKS

This one is for beginning dSLR (digital single-lens reflex) photographers looking to move beyond consumer 35mm point-and-shoot cameras and take advantage of the advanced features of digital SLRs. Beginning with information on dSLR features and buying tips, Canfield then covers topics like controls, lenses, techniques, flash, filters, working with Raw files, and editing images in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. Appendixes include a resources guide and glossary, and color photos illustrate techniques discussed. Useful tips make this a good resource for medium and larger public libraries.

Goelker, Klaus. GIMP 2 for Photographers. Rocky Nook. 2006. c.186p. ISBN 1-933952-03-2 [ISBN 978-1-933952-03-1]. pap. $29.95 with CD-ROM. COMPUTER BOOKS

The GIMP (see Computer Media, LJ 10/15/06), a free, open-source image editing program, is a popular alternative to commercial packages like Photoshop Elements. For beginners, this full-color guide walks readers through common tasks like correcting and touching up images and using filters to create lighting effects. Its CD contains the book in PDF format, master copies and finished images of all graphics used in the title, the GIMP install files for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS, and the IrfanViewer free image viewer for Windows. For all larger libraries.

Grover, Chris & Barbara Brundage. Digital Photography: The Missing Manual. Pogue Pr: O'Reilly. 2006. c.403p. ISBN 0-596-00841-4 [ISBN 978-0-596-00841-3]. pap. $29.99. COMPUTER BOOKS

For Windows-using digital photographers, this full-color manual moves from digital camera basics (including taking great photos) through organizing, editing, and sharing those photos with others. Some chapters are specific to consumer software packages like Adobe Photoshop Elements, which might frustrate readers who lack these programs, but free alternatives like Kodak's Easy-Share and Google's Picasa are also discussed. Thorough yet clear; a good purchase for all public libraries.

Kelby, Scott. The Digital Photography Book. Peachpit. 2006. c.219p. ISBN 0-321-47404-X [978-0-321-47404-9]. pap. $19.99. COMPUTER BOOKS

Targeted to those wanting to take better photos without wading through a lot of background explanation or technical details, Kelby's full-color book shines in its conversational tone and clear explanations. Tips from the pros add interest, and a chapter with step-by-step recipes on creating given types of shots is especially helpful. The "Gear Guide" is available online. Any beginning photographer will benefit from following Kelby's instructions; highly recommended for all libraries.

Kelby, Scott. The Photoshop Elements 5 Book for Digital Photographers. New Riders. 2006. c.485p. ISBN 0-321-47673-5 [ISBN 978-0-321-47673-9]. pap. $39.99. COMPUTER BOOKS

This full-color intermediate guide to the newest version of Photoshop Elements contains detailed step-by-step instructions to everything from importing and organizing photos to fixing them to watermarking and adding copyright information. Highlights here include workarounds for duplicating some of Photoshop's higher-end features from within Elements; photos from the book can be downloaded here. Thorough content and in-depth explanations, as well as the popularity of Elements itself, make this a great choice for medium and larger libraries.

King, Julie Adair. Digital Photography Before & After Makeovers. Wiley. 2006. c.213p. ISBN 0-471-76116-8 [ISBN 978-0-471-76116-7]. pap. $29.99. COMPUTER BOOKS

King blends advice on taking better photos with instructions on improving the shots you've already taken. "Makeovers" here range from exposure and lighting fixes to focus to color to digital darkroom to "extreme" makeovers; appendixes include a glossary and quick references as well as a guide to setting up color management in Photoshop Elements. Fixes for the most common digital photography problems are clearly outlined in full color and with a minimum of jargon. Examples use Photoshop Elements 4.0, but generic terms are employed for easy translation into other photo editing software. Highly recommended for all public libraries.

Milburn, Ken. Digital Photography Expert Techniques. 2d ed. O'Reilly. 2006. c.387p. ISBN 0-596-52690-3 [ISBN 978-0-596-52690-0]. pap. $44.99. COMPUTER BOOKS

For intermediate Photoshop CS2 users looking to become "serious digital photographers." Milburn focuses on a nondestructive workflow to maximize efficiency and allow readers to revert to previous stages rather than starting from scratch when they make an error. The guide moves from advice on taking the best possible pictures, through working with Adobe Bridge and Camera Raw, through repairing and beautifying images, through sharing photos in print or online. A good purchase for larger libraries.

Rea, Douglas Ford. Preventive Photoshop: Take the Best Digital Photographs Now for Better Images Later. Peachpit. 2006. c.160p. ISBN 0-321-41096-3 [ISBN 978-0-321-41096-2]. pap. $39.99. COMPUTER BOOKS

This full-color guide offers useful ideas on taking better photos and lists common problems, but in many cases it fails to provide enough detail on compensating for or overcoming these issues. It also mainly addresses intermediate to advanced photographers but sometimes goes into detail on topics better suited for beginners. The book also provides an extended discussion of working in Photoshop, which seems beyond the scope indicated in its title. While some sections offer helpful tips not found elsewhere, the work as a whole is muddled. Not recommended. Invest in Scott Kelby's The Digital Photography Book (above) or Ken Milburn's Digital Photography Expert Techniques (also above) instead.

Other Ideas:

Brin, Jeremy. Digital Lighting & Rendering. 2d ed. New Riders. 2006. 416p. ISBN 0-321-31631-2 [ISBN 978-0-321-31631-8]. pap. $50.

Busch, David D. Quick Snap Guide to Digital Photography: An Instant Start-Up Manual for New dSLR Owners. Thomson Gale. 2006. 192p. ISBN 1-59863-187-X [ISBN 978-1-59863-187-6]. pap. $29.99.

Dayton, Linnea & Cristen Gillespie. The Photoshop CS/CS2 Wow! Book. Peachpit. 2006. 792p. ISBN 0-321-21345-9 [ISBN 978-0-321-21345-7]. pap. $59.99 with DVD.

Grey, Tim. Color Confidence: The Digital Photographer's Guide to Color Management. Sybex. 2006. 256p. ISBN 0-471-78616-0 [ISBN 978-0-471-78616-0]. pap. $39.99.

Lowrie, Charlotte K. Adobe Camera Raw Studio Skills. Wiley. 2006. 348p. ISBN 0-471-78264-5 [ISBN 978-0-471-78264-3]. pap. $34.99.

Luck, Steve. Foundation Course: Digital Photography. Cassell. 2006. 144p. ISBN 1-84403-496-8 [ISBN 978-1-84403-496-3]. pap. $17.95.

Windows Vista

The newest version of Windows is out; make sure your shelves are stocked with current guides. Find a few options here, and see January's Computer Media Prepub Alert column for additional title ideas.

Johnson, Steve. Windows Vista on Demand. QUE: Pearson. 2007. c.556p. ISBN 0-7897-3645-4 [ISBN 978-0-7897-3645-1]. pap. $34.99. COMPUTER BOOKS

Here's a thorough full-color, step-by-step guide preparing readers for the MCAS (Microsoft Certified Application Specialist) exam. New Vista features are highlighted throughout and in a "New Features" guide at the end, while "Did You Know?" sidebars, See also references, FAQs, and FYIs add information, and labeled screen shots illustrate each task. Example/workshop files and bonus material available online. For medium and larger libraries.

Maran, Ruth & Kelleigh Johnson. Maran Illustrated Windows Vista. Course Technology PTR: Thomson Gale. 2006. c.313p. ISBN 1-59863-319-8 [ISBN 978-1-59863-319-1]. pap. $24.99. COMPUTER BOOKS

This full-color, heavily illustrated beginners' guide features labeled screen shots linked to step-by-step instructions. It moves from Windows basics (closing and minimizing windows), through web browsing (using tabbed browsing in IE7, printing out a web page), through very basic troubleshooting (restarting the PC, closing a misbehaving program). Bonus chapter online in PDF format: www.maran.com/vista. Highly recommended for all public libraries and especially helpful for visual learners.

McFredries, Paul. Microsoft Windows Vista Unleashed. SAMS. 2006. c.833p. ISBN 0-672-32894-1 [ISBN 978-0-672-32894-7]. pap. $49.99. COMPUTER BOOKS

For intermediate to advanced users and upgraders, this comprehensive guide to using Vista emphasizes its new features. Just enough background information is mixed with step-by-step instructions on accomplishing common tasks. The book moves from day-to-day Vista use to power tools to customization and optimization to the Internet to networking. Appendixes cover keyboard shortcuts, the command prompt, and automating Vista with batch files. Highly recommended for larger libraries.

Miller, Michael. How Microsoft Windows Vista Works. QUE: Pearson. 2006. c.273p. ISBN 0-7897-3585-7 [ISBN 978-0-7897-3585-0]. pap. $29.99. COMPUTER BOOKS

For beginning to intermediate users, this gives nice background on Vista, its new features, and how it varies from previous versions like XP. Highlights include an easy-to-read chart showing the differences among the five different Vista versions, and full-color screen shots and step-by-step explanations help build understanding. Useful for those wanting more background and explanation than in beginners' guides like Shelley O'Hara's Easy (see below) or Ruth Maran and Kelleigh Johnson's Maran (see above). A good choice for public libraries.

O'Hara, Shelley. Easy Microsoft Windows Vista. QUE: Pearson. 2006. c.333p. ISBN 0-7897-3577-6 [ISBN 978-0-7897-3577-5]. pap. $19.99. COMPUTER BOOKS

A clear beginners' guide, heavy on full-color labeled screen shots, brief on text, and great for visual learners. O'Hara begins with an overview of the Vista interface, highlighting new features, then moves on to step-by-step instructions on their use. Coverage ranges from getting started with Vista to working with files and folders to doing basic maintenances and home networking. Tips, notes, and hints add a bit more information, and chapters are color-coded for easy reference. Highly recommended for all public libraries.

Perry, Greg. SAMS Teach Yourself Microsoft Windows Vista: All in One. SAMS: Pearson. 2006. c.787p. ISBN 0-672-32889-5 [ISBN 978-0-672-32889-3]. pap. $34.99. COMPUTER BOOKS

For beginners to intermediate users and upgraders, this manual moves from an overview of Vista's features and changes through a couple of "Ten Tips" chapters on optimizing your experience and protecting yourself online. Step-by-step instructions walk readers through real-world tasks, while sidebars add information and give tips. A good choice for all libraries, although new Vista features like Aero Glass show up less well in the grey-scale illustrations here than in the full-color guides.