Computer Media

By Rachel Singer Gordon -- Library Journal, 6/13/2008 9:02:00 AM

C#

The C# programming language (see Computer Media, LJ 4/15/07) lets developers work with the Microsoft .NET framework to create dynamic web sites or Windows applications. Larger libraries should update their guides to the newest (2008) version.

Agarwal, Vidya Vrat. Beginning C# 2008 Databases: From Novice to Professional. Apress. 2008. c.482p. ISBN 978-1-59059-900-6. pap. $39.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
C# is used in dynamic applications that require interaction with data stored in relational databases, so programmers need to have a solid database background. This title focuses on implementing C# 2008 to interact with data in SQL Server 2005 databases, with additional coverage of LINQ and ADO.NET 3.5 (part of the newer .NET Framework 3.5). Examples use Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2005 Express Edition. Click here for the online source code. A straightforward introduction, useful for developers needing background in relational databases and database programming; appropriate for larger libraries.

Nagel, Christian. Professional C# 2008. Wrox: Wiley. 2008. c.1782p. ISBN 978-0-470-19137-8. pap. $59.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
For experienced programmers looking to get up to speed with the new C# 2008, this book moves from an introduction to the language through Visual Studio 2008, base class libraries, data, presentation, and communication. Click here for the online source code. Although there are errors (the introduction, e.g., references Visual Studio 2005 instead of 2008 and claims appendixes are online when they are actually printed in the book), the amazingly thorough coverage in this all-in-one reference more than compensates. Recommended for larger libraries.

Maya

The newest version of the well-known 3-D Maya software (see Computer Media, LJ 6/15/07; 1/07) boasts faster, more efficient tools and workflows, as well as a number of new and improved tools and features. Large public libraries and academic institutions serving design and animation programs should invest in updated guides.

Flaxman, Tereza. Maya 2008 Character Modeling and Animation: Principles and Practices. Thomson Delmar Learning. 2008. c.449p. ISBN 978-1-58450-556-3. pap. $44.99 with CD-ROM. COMPUTER BOOKS
Character modeling is one of the more popular uses of this 3-D software. For beginning to intermediate Maya users, this guide updates an earlier edition (see Computer Media, LJ 1/07) to discuss the newest version of Maya and is intended for both classroom use and independent study. Sample syllabi can be found in appendix B, and chapters begin with more theoretical introduction and background, then continue to step-by-step tutorials. While color screenshots in the text would be useful, project files, exercise files, models, and movies on the CD-ROM help illustrate concepts discussed. A solid choice.

Palamar, Todd. Maya Creature Feature Creations. 2d ed. Thomson Delmar Learning. 2008. c.309p. ISBN 978-1-58450-547-1. pap. $49.99 with CD-ROM. COMPUTER BOOKS
Updating an earlier edition to reflect features in the newest Maya version, this book assumes basic knowledge of the software. The CD-ROM includes tutorials, images, animations, scene files, and full-color chapter figures. Plentiful step-by-step tutorials help readers learn independently, and useful background information provides the knowledge necessary to create believable 3-D creatures. Straightforward explanations and useful content; a good choice for larger libraries.

Smith, Mark Jennings. Maya Plugin Power. Thomson Delmar Learning. 2008. c.354p. ISBN 978-1-58450-530-3. pap. $49.99 with DVD. COMPUTER BOOKS
Focusing on third-party plugins that help increase functionality, streamline workflow, or otherwise improve Maya users’ experience, this book covers finding and using some of the most popular and useful commercial plugins (and occasional stand-alone software). Additional plugins are listed in appendix A. The DVD contains Maya scene files, images, and animation, while sidebars include interviews and other supplementary materials (such as lists of films making use of a given plugin). While color illustrations would have been nice, the coverage is useful and straightforward; a good supplementary purchase to basic how-to guides for larger libraries.

Security

Keeping networks and machines secure is an integral part of every administrator’s job; these titles offer various ways to help them do so.

Brunner, Stefan. ScreenOS Cookbook. O'Reilly. 2008. c.814p. ISBN 978-0-596-51003-9. pap. $54.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
ScreenOS, the operating system that controls Juniper Networks’ firewalls, contains several built-in security and management applications. Working administrators of ScreenOS-based firewalls and those moving to ScreenOS-based devices from Cisco or other vendors will embrace this field guide to their use and implementation, written by members of the ScreenOS development team. The companion site will contain errata (if found). Each chapter contains "recipes" describing common problems, solutions, and discussion; this format is especially useful, as is the clear presentation of sufficient background material to clarify the problems presented. A clear, in-depth guide; recommended for large libraries.

Crimeware: Understanding New Attacks and Defenses. Addison-Wesley. 2008. c.582p. ed. by Markus Jakobsson & Zulfkar Ramzan. ISBN 978-0-321-50195-0. pap. $54.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
Targeting not only IT professionals but also policymakers, user educators, and interface designers, this book discusses the type of malicious software, or malware, that illegally (and without the user’s knowledge) performs actions (such as phishing, keylogging, or denial-of-service attacks) intended to enrich the software’s distributor. The opening chapter, which catalogs various types of crimeware, is particularly useful, as are the final chapters on technical defense techniques and the future of crimeware. The rest of the contributors provide insight into the multiple types of crimeware out there and just how these problems occur. Because of the ever-growing scope of the crimeware problem and the clear coverage provided, this title is highly recommended for larger libraries.

Kanneganti, Ramarao & Prasad Chodavarapu. SOA Security. Manning. 2008. c.483p. ISBN 978-1-932394-68-9. pap. $59.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
Stressing from the outset that security is everyone’s business, this book offers an outline of the special security requirements of Service Oriented Architecture—or SOA (see Computer Media, LJ 6/15/07)—and how these differ from traditional application security strategies in the need to secure the entire architecture rather than proceeding on an application-by-application basis. The title is divided according to SOA basics, SOA security techniques, and building real-world solutions; real-life examples are especially useful. Click here for the online source code and author forum. A helpful and straightforward overview of the most common SOA security topics, best for those with some SOA and Java experience and for larger public libraries.

Software Development

Current guides for software developers (see Computer Media, LJ 9/15/07) are always welcome, and these go beyond programming how-tos to focus on the larger picture.

Baier, Christel & Joos-Pieter Katoen. Principles of Model Checking. MIT. 2008. c.975p. ISBN 978-0-262-02649-9. $60. COMPUTER BOOKS
This textbook on model checking—a formal technique allowing developers to verify the behavior of a complex system by examining a model of that system—targets both students and researchers with real-world examples, extensive bibliographic notes, and chapter exercises. Given the potentially catastrophic consequences of even minor errors in mission-critical systems, a systematic approach to find and eliminate defects before products go to market is ever-important. This thorough introduction to model checking is a useful purchase for academic libraries serving computer science programs.

Bain, Scott L. Emergent Design: The Evolutionary Nature of Professional Software Development. Addison-Wesley. 2008. c.411p. ISBN 978-0-321-50936-9. $49.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
This book posits that software development is evolving into its own profession and outlines some of the best practices, principles, patterns, processes, and disciplines necessary for it to become that profession (rather than a job, craft, or trade). The companion site contains supplementary material, errata, and a pattern repository to supplement those provided in appendix B. Beyond the larger picture, the collection of best practices here will be immediately useful to any programmer, and a nice balance of the practical and the theoretical makes this eminently readable and thoughtful book a recommended purchase for larger public libraries and academic libraries serving computer science programs.

Berkun, Scott. Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management. O'Reilly. 2008. c.392p. ISBN 978-0-596-51771-7. pap. $39.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
This update to an earlier best-selling edition (The Art of Project Management) adds chapter exercises and a discussion guide to aid both individual and group learning. While the author has a tech background and most examples focus on software or web development, the techniques here are broadly applicable to team leaders, project managers, managers, programmers, tests, students, software developers, and others. The companion site contains errata and reviews. Divided into three broad sections, the text addresses all aspects of managing a project (from scheduling, to writing specifications, to "power and politics"). This book is chock-full of clear, real-world advice and is highly recommended for all libraries.

Smolin, Rocky. From Program to Product: Turning Your Code into a Saleable Product. Apress. 2008. c.201p. ISBN 978-1-59059-971-6. pap. $29.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
Targeting programmers with ideas for commercial products (or homegrown applications they believe have commercial potential), this book shows how to get programs into a commercially viable form, making them look as good to potential customers as they seem to you. Interviews with software developers who have created saleable products highlight real-world applications of the considerations discussed, which range from choosing a pricing option to licensing to the appearance of applications. The companion site contains color figures. This readable, practical guide is highly recommended for larger libraries.

Web Services

Web Services are software systems (often APIs) that allow machines to interact with one another over networks, most often the Internet. These underlie much of the modern Internet, enabling interactivity and dynamic content.

Murty, James. Programming Amazon Web Services: S3, EC2, SQS, FPS, and SimpleDB. O'Reilly. 2008. c.581p. ISBN 978-0-596-51581-2. pap. $49.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
Amazon.com provides its own suite of Web Services (Amazon Web Services, or AWS) that allows developers to access and build on the Amazon platform on a pay-as-you-go basis. Developers can then concentrate on the functionality of their applications rather than on their underlying platform. While AWS originally targeted developers working on Amazon-related applications, their use extends far beyond Amazon itself—developers can create any number of applications. Real-world examples and applications highlight the techniques demonstrated here; most sample code is written in Ruby, and examples are available at the companion web site (which also contains errata and a reader forum). This thorough, clear, and useful guide is recommended for all larger libraries.

Web Services Research and Practices. Idea Pub. 2008. c.346p. ed. by Liang-Jie Zhang. ISBN 978-1-59904-904-5. $99.95. COMPUTER BOOKS
This book contains ten contributed chapters from Web Services researchers in the United States, Germany, and Australia; topics range from efficient encodings for Web Service messages (which outlines a new differential SOAP compression), to model-driven semantic Web Services. Useful research-based background material to supplement how-to guides; for larger academic libraries serving computer science/IT programs only.

Writing for the Web

Writing for the web aims to entertain, inform, or make money, much as in print publication. Here, a couple of ways to do so.

Horton, Steve & Sam Romero. Webcomics 2.0: An Insider's Guide to Writing, Drawing, and Promoting Your Own Webcomics. Thomson Delmar Learning. 2008. c.236p. ISBN 978-1-59863-462-4. pap. $29.99. COMPUTER BOOKS
Creating webcomics is becoming more popular with the availability of new tools to help construct and promote them. This full-color guide provides an overview of the general types of webcomics; how to write, draw, and publish them; and ways to promote and make money off of your work. Readers will find inspiration in a wealth of interviews with both webcomic artists and representatives of comic- and promotion-related sites, as well as through plentiful examples and illustrations. Solid techniques, clear explanations, and a logical approach to the step-by-step creation of webcomics make this a fantastic choice for larger libraries.

Wuebben, Jon. Content Rich: Writing Your Way to Wealth on the Web. Encore. Sept. 2008. c.270p. ISBN 978-0-9797629-0-1. pap. $19.95. COMPUTER BOOKS
This search engine optimization, or SEO (see Computer Media, LJ 4/15/08; 11/15/07), copywriting guide shows readers how to write web copy in a way that increases their search engine rankings and conversions. Real-world examples and the author’s enthusiasm are the highlights here. The companion site contains links to additional resources and promises a blog, members-only access, supplementary video and audio material, and a complementary web site copy inspection. Unfortunately, the book suffers from a lack of editing. Proceed with caution; other SEO titles such as Jerry Lee Ford and William R. Stanek's Increase Your Web Traffic in a Weekend and Shari Thurow's Search Engine Visibility will likely prove more useful.