Computer Media

By Rachel Singer Gordon -- Library Journal, 5/15/2008 9:01:00 AM

Cisco

Cisco provides the technology underlying many networks; these guides will be useful to those studying for various Cisco certifications or seeking to gain more current knowledge of Cisco technologies.

Bhaiji, Yusuf. Network Security Technologies and Solutions: CCIE Professional Development. Cisco. 2008. c.792p. ISBN 978-1-58705-246-0. pap. $80. COMPUTER BOOKS
This thorough reference to Cisco network security will be useful to beginning through advanced network security professionals and to those studying for the CCIE Security certification exam. In five parts, it covers perimeter security (i.e., letting only legitimate users and information pass through the network), identity security and access management, data privacy, security monitoring, and security management. Its comprehensive coverage, extensive references to additional information, and clear explanations make this a recommended guide for large libraries.

Empson, Scott & Hans Roth. CCNP ISCW: Portable Command Guide. Cisco. 2008. c.174p. ISBN 978-1-58720-186-8. pap. $24.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
This guide to commands and concepts for the CCNP ISCW (Implementing Secure Converged WANs) exam (642–825) provides a concise reference for exam takers. It should prove useful for reference during hands-on work, while performing sample configurations, and in memorizing lists of commands. A supplemental purchase to more comprehensive study guides in larger libraries.

McQuerry, Steve. CCNA Preparation Library: Authorized Self-Study Guide. 7th ed. Cisco. 2008. illus. ISBN 978-1-58705-464-8. $95. COMPUTER BOOKS
Save money by buying this boxed set of two hardcover self-study guides to the CCNA 640–802 exam (as well as the 640–822 (ICND1) and 640–816 (ICND2) exams). Each covers topics associated with installing, operating, and troubleshooting a small- to medium-sized Cisco enterprise branch network. Self-study features include chapter objectives, summaries, and review questions. Exam topics are clearly explained and illustrated. Recommended for larger libraries to replace older exam guides.

eBay

Even eBay’s recent fee increases and threatened changes to the feedback system haven’t been enough to topple it from the apex of online auction sites. Continue to provide current titles (see also Computer Media, LJ 11/15/07).

Miller, Michael. Absolute Beginner's Guide to eBay. 5th ed. QUE: Pearson. 2008. c.364p. ISBN 978-0-7897-3783-0. pap. $21.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
Assuming no previous eBay experience, Miller walks readers through getting around on eBay, buying and selling, becoming a power seller, and interacting with other buyers and sellers in the eBay community. Checklists, "Secrets," time-saving tips, step-by-step instructions, and descriptions of useful eBay and third-party tools all help readers make the most of their eBay presence and transactions. Straightforward and useful; appropriate for all public libraries.

Expression Web

The new version of Microsoft Expression Web (see Computer Media, LJ 6/15/07) helps web developers easily create dynamic sites.

Cheshire, Jim. Special Edition Using Microsoft Expression Web 2. QUE: Pearson. 2008. c.756p. ISBN 978-0-7897-3784-7. pap. $39.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
For beginning through advanced users, this thorough guide stands out in its effort to place Expression Web in the context of other web design and development technologies, paying attention to using tools like CSS, JavaScript, ASP.NET, and PHP with Expression Web. Appendixes include using Expression Web 2 for e-commerce, the future of web development, and a resource guide. Bonus content at the end of each chapter gives background or directs readers to related resources; troubleshooting sections help diagnose common problems. Click here for the companion site. Recommended for its in-depth, real-world coverage.

Johnson, Steve. Microsoft Expression Web 2 On Demand. QUE: Pearson. 2008. c.429p. illus. ISBN 978-0-7897-3785-4. pap. $34.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
For beginners, this quick, full-color reference to Expression Web 2 highlights new features with in-text icons and a separate descriptive appendix; step-by-step instructions and labeled screenshots walk readers through common tasks. Real-world examples and workshops help readers get hands-on practice. Click here for example files and workshop projects. Heavy on graphics, light on text, this will appeal to visual learners and serves as a decent introduction.

Macintosh

The Macintosh market share has tripled since 2005, which makes it more important than ever for libraries to contain current guides (see also Computer Media, LJ 3/15/08; 12/07).

Knaster, Scott. Take Control of Switching to the Mac v.1.5. TidBITS Pub. 2008. c.97p. ISBN 1-933671-04-1. $10 ebook; $19.99 print. COMPUTER BOOKS
Apple is enticing more Windows users to switch to the comparative elegance of the Mac; this short guide targets "switchers," showing them how to get up and running quickly in their new environment. This updated version covers both OS X Leopard and Tiger and addresses those switching from Vista or XP, guiding users on how to move over files and how menus, windows, folders, mice, and other items work differently in the Mac environment. A final section on living as a Mac user in a Windows world will be particularly useful with its information on sharing files with Windows users and running Windows on the Mac. Click here for the companion site, which features free access to minor e-book updates. Content is helpful but less than thorough; switchers may get frustrated when they get stuck on more complicated issues, so consider as a supplement to more comprehensive guides such as the Missing Manual (below). [This review is of the ebook version, whose main advantage lies in internal links to references.—Ed.]

Pogue, David. Switching to the Mac Leopard Edition: The Missing Manual. O'Reilly. 2008. c.590p. ISBN 978-0-596-51412-9. pap. $29.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
Showing how to switch from either Vista or XP to OS X Leopard, Pogue thoroughly covers everything Windows users need to know how to get going on their new Macs. From how the Mac is different, through transferring Outlook email and contacts, through using OS X’s free programs, every common function and question is covered. Especially useful is a "Where'd It Go Dictionary" appendix that lists common Windows functions and where to find each in Mac OS X, as well as a chapter listing common Windows programs and their Mac equivalents (with ways to export data from these programs into their new homes). Click here for online "Missing CD-ROM" files. Complete, clear, and tremendously useful to those making the switch; highly recommended for public libraries.

Sande, Steve. Take Control of iWeb: iLife '08 Edition. Vol. 1.0. TidBITS Pub. 2008. c.131p. ISBN 1-933671-37-8. $10 ebook; $20.99 print. COMPUTER BOOKS
iWeb—the web design and publishing tool in Apple’s iLife suite—gets a major update to iWeb 2 in iLife ‘08, now offering new tools and features like Web widgets, a new photo editing tool, additional themes, and tighter integration with Google. This little guide ranges over the basics (e.g., installation, creating a first site) through more advanced features like adding forms and managing multiple sites. A handy appendix on web hosting (elsewhere than .Mac) will also be useful. Free access to minor e-book updates. Click here for the author site, which illustrates examples from the book. The content is straightforward and concise; public libraries where Macs are popular can consider. [This review is of the ebook version, whose main advantage lies in internal links to references.—Ed.]

Microsoft

Microsoft needs no introduction, but pundits are beginning to ponder its continued relevance and probable moves in the forthcoming post-Gates era. Expect more Microsoft-related titles to follow.

Foley, Mary Jo. Microsoft 2.0: Microsoft Plans To Stay Relevant in the Post-Gates Era. Wiley. 2008. c.271p. ISBN 978-0-470-19138-5. pap. $27.95. COMPUTER BOOKS
Foley, author of the widely-read All About Microsoft blog blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/, here posits the path of a company all but identified with its chairman, who steps down this July. Click here for online excerpts. Plentiful pull quotes and footnotes make reading this a somewhat peripatetic—almost bloglike—experience, but Foley’s encyclopedic knowledge and firm finger on the Microsoft pulse make this an essential read for anyone interested in the company’s direction. Highly recommended for public libraries.

Silverlight

Silverlight (see Computer Media, LJ 12/07)—Microsoft’s cross-platform, cross-browser development tool and plugin for Rich Internet Applications (RIAs)—will be out in v.2 later this year. Its biggest change involves the inclusion of a compact version of the .NET framework.

Moroney, Laurence. Beginning Web Development, Silverlight, and ASP.NET AJAX: From Novice to Professional. Apress. 2008. c.427p. ISBN 978-1-59059-959-4. pap. $44.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
Light on using Silverlight and heavy on using ASP.NET and ASP.NET AJAX, this guide progress from a whirlwind tour through developing with ASP.NET, to using "next-generation technologies" like WCF and Windows Presentation Foundation, to creating Ajax applications and using ASP.NET AJAX. It finally concludes with a mere two chapters on enhancing the web experience with Silverlight and programming Silverlight with XAML and JavaScript. That said, it provides a firm foundation in ASP.NET AJAX and a welcome introduction to using Silverlight within the broader Microsoft development environment to create more robust user experiences than Silverlight beginner’s guides describe. Larger libraries where guides to ASP.NET and Silverlight circulate can consider as a solid next-step title.

Wenz, Christian. Essential Silverlight 2 Up-to-Date. O'Reilly. 2008. c.212p. ISBN 978-0-596-51998-8. pap. $34.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
Be forewarned: a good half of this book is made up of "a book of blank pages in which to compose, correspond, scrawl, scribble and scribe," which makes it an iffy choice for a library environment. Its plastic-and-rivets binder construction, while allowing for easy updates (registered users can download and print free PDFs here to add), also presents problems for libraries. But updates will be welcome to individuals working with Silverlight in the rapidly changing prerelease environment. Developers working with Silverlight might appreciate this early look at upcoming changes in v.2; the title is especially useful in covering differences from Silverlight 1 and showing how to use Silverlight with Visual Studio 2008. An optional purchase for libraries serving early adopters, otherwise, wait for the final Essential Silverlight release.

Visual Basic

Microsoft’s Visual Basic (VB) remains widely used; invest in guides to the newest (2008) version.

Fouche, Guy & Trey Nash. Accelerated VB 2008. Apress. 2008. c.441p. ISBN 978-1-59059-874-0. pap. $39.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
For experienced object-oriented developers who want to move to using VB 2008 with the .NET 3.5 framework, this book covers both working with VB 2008 and implementing it with new .NET 3.5 technologies such as LINQ (Language Integrated Query). Chapters on best practices and new features such as generics will be especially useful. Click here for online source code. A useful purchase for large libraries.

Gross, Christian. Beginning VB 2008: From Novice to Professional. Apress. 2008. c.450p. ISBN 978-1-59059-938-9. pap. $39.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
For novices, this guide covers the most common features of the language. Chapter exercises are useful in assimilating concepts, as are explanations of differences from earlier VB versions, explanations of how to solve common problems, plentiful examples (which use Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition), and clearly commented code. Click here for online source code. Contact the author via Skype (christianhgross) with questions about the VB concepts he discusses. Clear and thorough, this is a recommended introduction.

Petroutsos, Evangelos. Mastering Microsoft Visual Basic 2008. Sybex: Wiley. 2008. c.1118p. ISBN 978-0-470-18742-5. pap. $59.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
For intermediate to advanced developers, this provides a thorough reference to building both Windows and web applications with Visual Studio 2008 and Visual Basic 2008 using the .NET 3.5 framework. Developers will appreciate thoughtful real-world scenarios and task-based examples, as well as challenging review questions for those using the title for self-study. The author’s real-world experience shines through in plentiful tips, clear background explanations, and suggestions for best practices. Click here for online source code. Appendixes cover exercise solutions/explanations and error handling/debugging. Comprehensive, clear, and practical; highly recommended for larger libraries.