Computer Media

By Rachel Singer Gordon -- Library Journal, 3/15/2008 12:00:00 PM

Game Programming and Design

Programmers who want to move into creating games and gamers who want to know how to program and design will appreciate current guides. These will be most appropriate for large public libraries and academic libraries serving design and CS programs.

Dille, Flint & John Zuur Platten. The Ultimate Guide to Video Game Writing and Design. Lone Eagle. 2008. c.260p. ISBN 978-1-58065-066-3. pap. $19.95. COMPUTER BOOKS
Focusing on story-driven game titles, The Ultimate Guide targets writers, designers, and creative executives wanting to move into writing and designing (rather than developing and programming) effective video games. An emphasis on how storytelling differs in the digital environment and the authors' real-world experience and advice make this a useful guide; chapters on business and career considerations will especially aid those serious about breaking into the field. Larger libraries can add to other how-to game programming titles.

Harbour, Jonathan S. Beginning Java Game Programming. 2d ed. Course Technology PTR: Thomson Gale. 2007. c.346p. ISBN 978-1-59863-476-1. pap. $29.99 with CD. COMPUTER BOOKS
Beginning with Java programming essentials, then moving through creating a first Java game, Java game programming specifics, and a real-world game ("The Galactic War Project"), this advanced beginner’s self-study guide teaches readers how to create online Java games to run as applets in web browsers. The CD contains Java SE 6, source code and media files, and some free/trial software. Review questions, exercises, and tutorials help readers become conversant with creating 2D Java games. A good choice for larger libraries or where game programming titles are popular.

Lecky-Thompson, Guy W. Video Game Design Revealed. Charles River. 2007. c.322p. ISBN 978-1-58450-562-4. $39.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
What makes a successful video game? This book aims to answer that question by looking at everything from why certain games have historically taken off, to how to develop ideas into games, to creating a difficulty curve, levels, and missions for optimum play experience. While the author talks about object-oriented game design and technologies, he does so in a general rather than a how-to-program sense. A final chapter on finding funding for game development might be particularly interesting to would-be designers. (Although the book cites a companion web site, nothing comes up online as of this review.) For large public and academic libraries.

Prayaga, Lakshmi & Hamsa Suri. Beginning Game Programming with Flash. Course Technology PTR: Thomson Gale. 2007. ISBN 978-1-59863-398-6. pap. $29.99 with CD. COMPUTER BOOKS
For introductory game-programming students and hobbyists, this book teaches readers how to create 2D games through exercises, step-by-step activities, projects, and review questions. Just enough background information mixed with hands-on activities renders this a useful self-study guide. The CD contains source code, image files, and sample games. Given the ongoing popularity of Flash, purchase where Flash and game-programming guides circulate. (For more on Flash gaming, see Computer Media, LJ 1/07).

iPods

Apple continues releasing new iPods (see Computer Media, LJ 1/07), and people keep buying them in droves; be sure to stock current guides.

Jones, Brandon & Paul Hudson. iPOD Repair QuickSteps. Osborne/McGraw-Hill. 2007. c.161p. ISBN 978-0-07-149866-1. pap. $19.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
iPods remain hot, but when they break, they’re not much more than decorative. This full-color guide to iPod repair cowritten by the founder of iKaput.com, a popular iPod repair company, features large, step-by-step photos and instructions showing how to diagnose problems, open the case, replace components, and use third-party firmware and software. Useful notes tell readers where to go for replacement parts, tools needed, and the difficulty level of each task. Clear, handy, and unique, this guide belongs in medium and larger public libraries.

Linux

Linux (see Computer Media, LJ 4/15/07) is an ever-more popular and viable alternative to Windows. The following guides cover different distributions and focuses; purchase to fill out your collection and remain au courrant.

Hudson, Andrew & Paul Hudson. Fedora 7 Unleashed. SAMS. 2007. c.902p. ISBN 978-0-672-32942-5. pap. $49.99 with DVD. COMPUTER BOOKS
Updating older editions with new chapters, new material, and new organization, this guide to the popular Fedora distribution is appropriate for beginning through advanced users, although some topics, such as working with Python, PHP, and C++, will most benefit more advanced readers. Topics include installation and configuration, Fedora on the desktop, system administration, Fedora as a server, programming and housekeeping, and reference. Appendixes cover the history of Red Hat and Fedora, installation, and Internet resources; the DVD contains Fedora 7. A useful and thorough guide for larger libraries.

Linux StarterKit. SAMS. 2007. c.124p. ISBN 978-0-672-32962-3. pap. $39.99 with DVD. COMPUTER BOOKS
This book/DVD bundle contains a print Quick Start Guide to getting SLUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 (SLED) up and running, plus a DVD with a full-featured evaluation version of SLED, a reference manual, and video lessons. SUSE is Novell’s Linux distribution; Enterprise Desktop is designed for businesses and large organizations. Book topics encompass installation, working with GNOME and KDE, booting and shutdown, tweaking the system with YaST, working with files and filesystems, getting help, and common commands, while the video shows step by step how to accomplish common tasks. A good choice for visual learners and large libraries; most public libraries would be better off with guides to other Linux versions such as Fedora, Ubuntu (see Computer Media, LJ 9/15/07), and openSUSE.

Love, Robert. Linux System Programming. O'Reilly. 2007. c.368p. ISBN 978-0-596-00958-8. pap. $49.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
Best for intermediate programmers familiar with both C programming and the Linux programming environment, this book covers writing system software—low-level code that talks directly to the kernel and core system—to run on all distributions and types of hardware. A useful and unique background resource; appropriate for large public libraries and college libraries serving computer science programs. The book, though, could benefit from more thorough examples, and code is inexplicably unavailable at the companion site.

McCallister, Michael. openSUSE Linux Unleashed. SAMS. 2007. c.708p. ISBN 978-0-672-32945-6. pap. $49.99 with DVD. COMPUTER BOOKS
openSUSE is the community version of the SUSE Linux distribution, and this guide for intermediate to advanced users covers installation and configuration, using openSUSE, Internet access, system administration, and programming. Its DVD contains openSUSE 10.3 (which is bundled with hundreds of open-source applications to provide a tool for any business or personal needs). Comprehensive coverage, clear explanations, extensive references, and a nice blend of background information with step-by-step instruction make this a good, thorough reference for academic and large public libraries.

Peterson, Richard. Linux: The Complete Reference. 6th ed. Osborne/McGraw-Hill. 2008. c.830p. ISBN 978-0-07-149247-8. pap. $49.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
For beginning through advanced users, this distribution-independent and comprehensive book updates older editions, covering everything from getting up and running to using shell environments, desktops, applications, security, servers, systems administration, and network administration. Pointers to additional resources will help those wanting to expand their knowledge, while notes and tables add information, and step-by-step instructions help get users up and running quickly. Thorough, clear, and highly recommended for medium and larger libraries.

Rankin, Kyle. Knoppix Hacks. 2d ed. O'Reilly. 2007. c.391p. ISBN 978-0-596-51493-8. pap. $34.99 with DVD. COMPUTER BOOKS
A CD-bootable Linux distribution, Knoppix allows the use of Linux and associated open-source tools on any PC to rescue data from defective filesystems by booting to a different OS and to learn Linux without having to reconfigure your own system. These "hacks" outline how to boot to Knoppix, explore the desktop, and then delve much more deeply into its functionality. Each hack talks about how to do one thing, from making a Knoppix kiosk to downloading Windows patches securely (by booting to Knoppix instead of Windows and getting these while your PC is less vulnerable). Its DVD contains Knoppix 5.1.1. A useful collection of tools and suggestions for larger libraries.

Schroder, Carla. Linux Networking Cookbook. O'Reilly. 2007. c.612p. ISBN 978-0-596-10248-7. pap. $44.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
For intermediate Linux users, this book provides "recipes" (problem, solution, discussion, See Also) for common networking tasks and problems, covering both Fedora and Debian. Topics range from building a Linux firewall, to building secure cross-platform virtual private networks with OpenVPN, to troubleshooting. Suggestions for best practices are interspersed throughout. Click here for online code. A useful guide to an important topic, this is a good choice for larger libraries.

Shingledecker, Robert & others. The Official Damn Small Linux Book. Prentice-Hall PTR. 2007. c.426p. ISBN 978-0-13-233869-1. pap. $39.99 with CD. COMPUTER BOOKS
Damn Small Linux (DSL) grew out of an exercise by John Andrews to fit an entire desktop operating system into a compressed 50MB image—and has continued on target. This makes it useful for running on older hardware, carrying around on a live CD or Flash drive, and building projects. This guide talks about how to do each and more. An appendix describes and links to a number of useful DSL extension, and the CD contains several versions of DSL, MyDSL extensions, and tools. Useful for beginners, this clear, enthusiastic guide is recommended for all larger libraries.

Mac OS X

Apple’s newest OS, Mac OS X Leopard (see Computer Media, LJ 12/07) introduces various improvements and changes; be sure to collect both current guides, such as those below, and those to older versions of the OS.

Boles, David W. Picture Yourself Learning Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. Course Technology PTR: Thomson Gale. 2007. c.208p. ISBN 978-1-59863-514-0. pap. $24.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
For beginners and those moving from Windows, this full-color guide pays particular attention to Leopard’s new features, such as Spaces, Time Machine, and the new Dock. It gets users up and running with Leopard’s most common features and applications, from using the Finder, to web browsing with Safari, to setting up parental controls. Lots of white space, concise text, and plentiful, bright screen shots make this a great choice for visual learners and public libraries; supplement with more thorough guides.

Johnson, Steve. Mac OS X Leopard On Demand. QUE. 2007. c.554p. ISBN 978-0-7897-3654-3. pap. $39.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
This full-color book features labeled screen shots and step-by-step instructions to show beginners exactly how to accomplish common tasks. See also's lead to related information, while "Timesaver," "Did You Know?" "Trouble?" and "Important" tips help avoid frustration and optimize workflow. A nice reference for visual learners and more thorough (yet a bit more overwhelming) than Picture Yourself (above). Appropriate for public libraries.

Pogue, David. Mac OS X Leopard Edition: The Missing Manual. Pogue Pr: O'Reilly. 2007. c.893p. ISBN 978-0-596-52952-9. pap. $34.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
You really can’t go wrong with a Missing Manual guide to Mac OS X, and the thorough and enthusiastic Leopard Edition delivers nicely. New features in Leopard (and in OS X in general) are highlighted throughout, plentiful screen shots illustrate techniques, sidebars and tips add useful information, and files are online. While providing thorough coverage of the basics (e.g., the desktop, using applications), this book also acts as a crash course in more advanced topics like Unix, troubleshooting, and hacking. Best for beginners (be sure to read the "Up to Speed" sidebars), upgraders, and intermediate users seeking tips and tricks (read the "Power Users’ Clinics"), and a fantastic choice for public libraries.

Toporek, Chuck. Mac OS X Leopard Pocket Guide. O'Reilly. 2007. c.211p. ISBN 978-0-596-52981-9. pap. $14.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
They do mean "pocket" guide, so consider this volume’s small size and whether it might get lost on your shelves before purchasing. Otherwise, this is a handy little reference that concisely covers everything from new Leopard features, through OS X basics, through configuring your Mac. Most useful for upgraders needing a refresher or quick lookup; appropriate for public libraries as a supplement to basic how-to guides.