price：$27.99
Pogue Press
Available for download now Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (CSS: The Missing Manual 2nd Edition) 『Amazing text book, made my professional web authoring much better and much easier to maintain the pages built. Second edition is more useful than the 1st edition and the info is more current. Anyone who wants to use (and they should use) CSS needs to go through this book's tutorials. The tutorials are excellent.』
(covers all the bases) 『i bought this book for my wife and i'm sincerely impressed about the improvement she had with this book.
It covers all the basics and more, very recommended』
(Get the hardcopy, not Kindle version) 『My review is of only the Kindle version of CSS: The Missing Manual. This book is an extremenly useful resource for learning and applying CSS. However, the book does not lend itself to the Kindle because of the numerous side-boxes and syntax of example code that get mangled on the Kindle. I bought the Kindle version, gave up trying to understand it, and ordered the paperback version. I wouldn't have spent the extra dough if I didn't think it is a great book, but it is just not suitable for the Kindle environment as are novels an other similar more linear texts. Wish I could get the money back that I spent on the Kindle version. I enjoy reading most books on my Kindle but will never again buy this type of book for it.』
(Fantastic title for anyone who wants to understand CSS) 『And *understand* is the operative word here, because 'CSS The Missing Manual' explains the ins and outs of CSS to make sure you not only know what to do, but why you do it. Too many books sadly leave the important 'why' part out, luckily this isn't the case. I've built several websites in the early 00's using GoLive, using the old school hacks like transparent pixels and such. It's been years since I had to do any web development, I was too busy being a designer, but recent circumstances forced me back to web development. I started out using the old techniques I understood before until someone asked me if I was using CSS (which I wasn't) so I decided at that moment I needed to figure out what it even was. One month later and after reading this book, I'm practically an expert. Things have come so very far in the 8 years since I designed a large scale web project (hooray!). The book is really easy to comprehend, its explained so well, you do NOT have to be a programmer to understand it all. This book is likely not for casual users though, but if you are serious about understanding CSS and want to become proficient in it quickly, this the *THE* book to get, my highest recommendation.』
(Total beginner now knows CSS!) 『I was a total beginner regarding CSS. I made a few websites using GoLive, never using CSS, and never getting into any code, including html. But if you're making websites today, you need to use CSS (and basic html, which is also covered, and very easy to learn). So I bit the bullet and started reading this book from page 1, never moving on to a new section until I was sure I understood the basics of what he was covering. The thing is, McFarland explains it all very clearly. When I was done with the book, I knew the basics of CSS! That blew my mind. My friends think I'm a genius when I build web pages for them, but little do they know how simple it is in essence. I refer to this book on occasion. It really is a manual as nobody can read the book and memorize every aspect of CSS. But after reading it and gleaning the essence of it, it is easy to refer to the book and brush up on details. I very highly recommend this book. An understanding of CSS will never be handed to you on a silver platter, or by swallowing the blue pill. You must put your mind to the grind and this is the book to do it with.』 『Web site design has grown up. Unlike the old days, when designers cobbled together chunky HTML, bandwidth-hogging graphics, and a prayer to make their sites look good, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) now lets your inner designer come out and play. But CSS isn't just a tool to pretty up your site; it's a reliable method for handling all kinds of presentation--from fonts and colors to page layout.CSS: The Missing Manualclearly explains this powerful design language and how you can use it to build sparklingly new Web sites or refurbish old sites that are ready for an upgrade.
Like their counterparts in print page-layout programs, style sheets allow designers to apply typographic styles, graphic enhancements, and precise layout instructions to elements on a Web page. Unfortunately, due to CSS's complexity and the many challenges of building pages that work in all Web browsers, most Web authors treat CSS as a kind of window-dressing to spruce up the appearance of their sites. Integrating CSS with a site's underlying HTML is hard work, and often frustratingly complicated. As a result many of the most powerful features of CSS are left untapped. With this book, beginners and Web-building veterans alike can learn how to navigate the ins-and-outs of CSS and take complete control over their Web pages' appearance.
Author David McFarland (the bestselling author of O'Reilly'sDreamweaver: The Missing Manual) combines crystal-clear explanations, real-world examples, a dash of humor, and dozens of step-by-step tutorials to show you ways to design sites with CSS that work consistently across browsers. You'll learn how to:
Create HTML that's simpler, uses less code, is search-engine friendly, and works well with CSS
Style text by changing fonts, colors, font sizes, and adding borders
Turn simple HTML links into complex and attractive navigation bars-complete with CSS-only rollover effects that add interactivity to your Web pages
Style images to create effective photo galleries and special effects like CSS-based drop shadows
Make HTML forms look great without a lot of messy HTML
Overcome the most hair-pulling browser bugs so your Web pages work consistently from browser to browser
Create complex layouts using CSS, including multi-column designs that don't require using old techniques like HTML tables
Style Web pages for printing
Unlike competing books, this Missing Manual doesn't assume that everyone in the world only surfs the Web with Microsoft's Internet Explorer; our book provides support for all major Web browsers and is one of the first books to thoroughly document the newly expanded CSS support in IE7, currently in beta release.
Want to learn how to turn humdrum Web sites into destinations that will capture viewers and keep them longer? Pick upCSS: The Missing Manualand learn the real magic of this tool.
price：$35.99
Pogue Press
Available for download now Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (good book) 『I found the book very helpful. i had used a bit Dreamweaver CS3 and had the CS-bible. So i looked into the CS-4 bible as well but this book seemed much better organized.
I'm just a simple web designer, just for my private needs and our home owners association. No flash, html programming etc. this book also has some areas that go beyond my current needs, so it will be useful to a more experienced web designer.』
(Dreamweaver CS4: The Missing Manual) 『Packed full of great information which was useful. It wasn't full of jibber jabber, and funny puns. Just straight to the point.』
(Best Dreamweaver CS4 manual) 『I purchased three books to help me learn Dreamweaver:
Dreamsweaver CS4 for Dummies Dreamweaver CS4: The Missing Manual (this book) The Essential Guide to Dreamweaver CS4 with CSS, Ajax and PHP
I started with Dreamweaver CS4 for Dummies, which I found to be a pretty good book. I was able to read it cover to cover (though it's not necessary to do so to get started). In addition to a good basic overview, it had a couple of very helpful tips in a chapter called "10 Resources You Might Need."
As my design became more detailed, I felt the need for a book that went into more depth and bought the other two books listed above. I like both books, but find I rely on The Missing Manual the most. Its writing is clear and easy to follow. The numerous tutorials give step-by-step instructions for a beginner on how to accomplish various tasks, with more advanced details included in the text.
I like The Essential Guide as well, but since I'm not using PHP, I find that there are areas where the advice they give simply doesn't work for me. For example, when I wanted to learn more about using templates, The Essential Guide gave only a very basic explanation, then went into far more detail about using PHP "includes" instead. While I agree that the PHP "includes" are probably the better choice, it's not one that is available to me since I don't have a PHP testing server (and don't want to go through the complexity of setting one up on my home computer). If you are using PHP, then this is definitely the book to get.
All in all, if I had to recommend one book to get started, it would be For Dummies, particularly if your needs are very simple and/or you're completely new to web site design. For those who want to move beyond the basics, I like The Missing Manual the best. This book could also be used by beginners as long as you're not put off by its length -- with over 1,000 pages, it's not one you'll be able to read cover to cover. I think The Essential Guide is best suited for those who want to create very complex designs, especially those that use PHP. It, too, is very clearly written, but more intimidating to a beginner.』
(Thorough and interesting guide on Dreamweaver) 『This book is an excellent guide on the use of Dreamweaver. It is easy to follow and written in a style that keeps your interest. It also has great tips for more advanced users to ensure their code is optimal for search engines and browser compatibility. It talks frankly of the options in Dreamweaver to avoid if possible, particularly those that are included only for the purpose of being able to work with superceded design techniques.
I am now looking at getting other books from the same series I liked this one so much.』
(Good reference book) 『This is a great book to have for reference and beats having to use the online help menus in the Adobe programs. If you want to learn how to use these programs you would be better off on getting a how-to book.』 『When it comes to building professional websites, Dreamweaver CS4 is capable of doing more than any other web design program -- including previous versions of Dreamweaver. But the software's sophisticated features aren't simple.Dreamweaver CS4: The Missing Manualwill help you master this program quickly, so you can bring stunning, interactive websites to life.
Under the expert guidance of bestselling author and teacher David McFarland, you'll learn how to build professional-looking websites quickly and painlessly. McFarland has loaded the book with over 150 pages of hands-on tutorials to help you create database-enabled PHP pages, use Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for cutting-edge design, add XML-based news feeds, include dynamic effects with JavaScript and AJAX, and more. This witty and objective book offers jargon-free language and clear descriptions that will help you:
Learn how to control the appearance of your web pages with CSS, from the basics to advanced techniques
Design dynamic database-driven websites, from blogs to product catalogs, and from shopping carts to newsletter signup forms
Add interactivity to your website with ready-to-use JavaScript programs from Adobe's Spry Framework
Effortlessly control the many helper files that power your website and manage thousands of pages
Examine web-page components and Dreamweaver's capabilities with the book's "live examples"
Perfect for beginners who need step-by-step guidance, and for longtime Dreamweaver designers who need a handy reference to the new version, this thoroughly updated edition of our bestselling Missing Manual is your complete guide to designing, organizing, building, and deploying websites. It's the ultimate atlas for Dreamweaver CS4.』
price：$9.00
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (New Moon Movie Companion) 『After reading the Twilight Saga, and seeing the first two movies, I needed more TWILIGHT. The movie companion gave me the fix I needed. I loved reading about how the movie was created and the details that go into making the movie.』
(The Twilight Saga-New Moon The Official illustrated Movie Companion) 『LOVED IT! So many great pictures and facts I just had no idea. It let a real Twilight Fan enjoy the movie that much more.
Many Thanks!』
(Mistake?) 『I was in a hurry looking for books for my daughter. I mistakingly thought this was the 2nd chapter book "New Moon" of the Twilight Saga.』
(Excellent Seller) 『Excellent Book excellent seller my daughter just loves it. I will recommend this seller to all.』
(Awesome book.) 『This is a great book. It actually has a lot of inside stuff and interviews from the actors.』 『Explore the making of the filmNew Moonin this ultimate visual companion, lavishly illustrated with full-color photos of the cast, locations, and sets. This beautiful paperback edition celebrates the onscreen creation of Stephenie Meyer's fascinating world, brought to life by Academy Award(R)-nominated director Chris Weitz.
price：$23.99
O'Reilly Media
Available for download now Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Required reading for JavaScript developers) 『This is the first book anyone touching JavaScript must read. Learning JavaScript from any other source (book or website) will teach you bad habits that will be difficult to break. Just pretend that JavaScript is the "good" subset that's taught in this book and look up the bad parts as you encounter them in other people's code. Now I've got 1500 lines of JavaScript I have to go back and fix because I didn't read this book two months ago.
Oh, and don't be thrown by other reviewers' complaints that the book is too short. It's just the right size for what it's trying to teach.』
(The True Clues om JavaScript) 『I was reading Coders at Work and came to the chapter on Doug Crockford. I was impressed enough to put the book down and order this one. As soon as it arrived I read it from cover to cover (it's short).
This is my first encounter with JavaScript (I am an experienced C, C++, and Objective-C programmer). Crockford's approach, teaching a subset of the language and explaining clearly why you should avoid the rest of it, was exactly what I needed. There's a lot of emphasis on JavaScript's best feature, namely closures or lambda functions, and the explanation of this concept is the clearest that I've read, with plenty of well-made examples. Conversely, I feel the book has saved me a lot of time and frustration by steering me away from the bad features.
Crockford has strong opinions, which may not be to everybody's liking. But this book really does provide the True Clues. Since it is quite brief and compressed, I went looking for a bigger JavaScript book and found Object-Oriented JavaScript: Create scalable, reusable high-quality JavaScript applications and libraries. Its view of JavaScript is fully compatible with Crockford's. Another supplement I recommend is Crockford's video talks at [...]』
(Unique Approach) 『I love this book. Mr. Crockford covers a ton of very usable information in a relatively small volume. If you are the kind of developer who likes to be spoon-fed popular programming idioms, you might want to look elsewhere. If you want to master the nuts and bolts of JavaScript, this elegantly condensed and filtered version of the ECMAScript specification is probably for you. I would welcome a similar treatment of Python and Ruby. The author's no BS approach is refreshing.』
(A few gems, but too much filler) 『This book has some good parts, even some great parts. Many parts of Chapters 3, 4, and 5 are very insightful, and might revolutionize how you think about Javascript, even programming in general. (Unless you come from a Lisp or functional programming background, in which case the insights will be old hat to you).
Unfortunately, the book as a whole seems to suffer from an identity crisis, or a lack of effort by the author to craft a consistent work, or perhaps a struggle between the author and publisher. Whatever the cause, it seriously compromised the quality and integrity of what could have been an amazing book. Instead of the tome of grand enlightenment that it should have been, we are left with a few gems buried amidst mounds of useless filler material.
The introduction explains that this is not a book for beginners, which is true, because beginning programmers would find most of Chapters 3, 4, and 5 to be completely impenetrable. Even experienced programmers may find them difficult to grasp. As the introduction says, this book is "small but dense," which is a nicer way of saying that it throws advanced techniques and code samples at the reader without sufficient explanation.
The introduction also explains that this is not a reference book, which is also true, because it does not describe the DOM at all, nor even list all the standard methods and functions built into Javascript. The introduction suggests that the reader should go look on the internet to find such references, which you'll certainly need to do if you plan to actually use Javascript for anything. But despite it not claiming not to be a reference book, the author decided in Chapter 8 to present a mishmash of standard methods, without any clear reason for why some are listed and others omitted, nor even a mention of the fact that there are others you should be familiar with.
And even though it is not a reference book or a book for beginners, a significant chunk of the book is spent explaining very basic concepts that the target audience is undoubtedly already familiar with. For example, 14 pages are spent explaining the syntax for whitespace, numbers, strings, if statements, while loops, and so on, all of which will be nothing new to anyone who has used C, C++, Java, etc. The book even provides railroad diagrams to illustrate each syntax, which adds thickness but little value to the book, then repeats them in Appendix D to add another 10 pages of pure bulk.
There is a lot of other filler material, as well, such as the appendix on JSLint, which is a slightly more polished copy of the documentation [...], and the appendix on JSON, which is a slightly more polished copy of the documentation [...], both being pet projects of the author. Neither of these appendices adds value to the book, only thickness.
If Crockford and O'Reilly were interested in offering a really great book, or even a book worth the price tag, they should have cut the filler, expanded the explanations where they are needed, and offered more insights and substantial practical examples.
But I can't really recommend the book as it is now, unless you buy it used or borrow it from a library. You would be better off with a Javascript beginner's guide plus reference to learn the basics, or proper guide to functional programming (regardless of the programming language) to learn the advanced techniques. 』
(High hopes, Sad reality) 『Abstracted from the Preface:
"intended for programmers who, by happenstance or curiosity, are venturing into JavaScript for the first time" 1
"This is not a book for beginners" 2
And this is just the first page of the preface. While preparing comments on this book, I reread the preface no fewer than five times in a vain attempt to divine the meaning behind these conflicting statements. I emphasize the term "reread" since in crops up real soon:
"it takes multiple readings to get it" 3
The first page of the preface provides the key to understanding this book. The book is far too short on explanations and context. You're forced to read and reread important material to extract any return from your investment. And rereading the material is no guarantee that you get useful insight. So much is assumed that you better have the Rhino book handy.
The sad reality is that with thoughtful treatment, this book could be a blockbuster for advanced JavaScript programmers tasked with building the next jQuery or similar library. Since most programmers are library consumers, this also implies that only a small subset of programmers might benefit from a complete discussion of the advanced subject matter only hinted at in this book. As an aside, It would make the library consumers of the world, well.. better library consumers and there is value in that as well.
1. From the preface, page xi, first paragraph, first sentence. 2. From the preface, page xi, third paragraph, first sentence. 3. From the preface, page xi, fourth paragraph, fourth sentence.
』 『Most programming languages contain good and bad parts, but JavaScript has more than its share of the bad, having been developed and released in a hurry before it could be refined. This authoritative book scrapes away these bad features to reveal a subset of JavaScript that's more reliable, readable, and maintainable than the language as a whole-a subset you can use to create truly extensible and efficient code.
ConsideredtheJavaScript expert by many people in the development community, author Douglas Crockford identifies the abundance of good ideas that make JavaScript an outstanding object-oriented programming language-ideas such as functions, loose typing, dynamic objects, and an expressive object literal notation. Unfortunately, these good ideas are mixed in with bad and downright awful ideas, like a programming model based on global variables.
When Java applets failed, JavaScript became the language of the Web by default, making its popularity almost completely independent of its qualities as a programming language. InJavaScript: The Good Parts, Crockford finally digs through the steaming pile of good intentions and blunders to give you a detailed look at all the genuinely elegant parts of JavaScript, including:
Syntax
Objects
Functions
Inheritance
Arrays
Regular expressions
Methods
Style
Beautiful features
The real beauty? As you move ahead with the subset of JavaScript that this book presents, you'll also sidestep the need tounlearnall the bad parts. Of course, if you want to find out more about the bad parts and how to use them badly, simply consult any other JavaScript book.
WithJavaScript: The Good Parts, you'll discover a beautiful, elegant, lightweight and highly expressive language that lets you create effective code, whether you're managing object libraries or just trying to get Ajax to run fast. If you develop sites or applications for the Web, this book is an absolute must.』
price：$31.99
O'Reilly Media
Available for download now Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Great help !!) 『I recently received a promotion to a project manager. This book has saved my job many times.』
(Really should have been in the box) 『Brand new to Project and would have been completely lost without this book! Love the "Up to Speed" boxes for us newbies. Lookout dictionary and encyclopedia, this is my desk's reference book.』
(very informative) 『The Author explains all things but goes off on tangents at times. I wanted a book on project and for me the chapters on Project Management were not needed. I just want to know the inner workings of the software not why the software is important. Sort of like buying a book on Microsoft Word and the author took you through an English lecture first.』
(Finally, a text I can understand.....) 『The author has successfully organized the overwhelming volume of info about project management into readable, digestible chunks. It's most helpful to skip around to the parts you're interested in at the time - and this book allows you to easily do that. MS Project 2007 is a complicated program!!!! I appreciate the examples and step-by-step breakdown of concepts that the author provides.』
(Very Useful!) 『What I look for, in a book like this, is good info and a good index -- so I can use it as a reference for specific problems, rather than having to read the whole thing.
I give this book very high marks in this regard. It was useful to me in the first hours of learning my way into MS Project. As far as I'm concerned, it has already paid for itself. Good job.』 『Schedules, budgets, communications, resources. Projects big and small include them all, and Microsoft Project 2007 can help you control these variables -- not be controlled by them. But Project is complex software, and learning it is, well, a project in itself. Get up to speed fast withMicrosoft Project 2007: The Missing Manual. Written by project management expert Bonnie Biafore, this book teaches you how to do everything from setting budgets and tracking schedules to testing scenarios and recognizing trouble spots before your project breaks down.
Find out what's new in Project 2007 from previous versions, and get help choosing the right edition, whether it's Project Standard, Project Professional, or Enterprise Project Management Solution. With Microsoft Project 2007: The Missing Manual, you get more than a simple software how-to. You also get a rundown on project management basics and plenty of solid advice on how to use Project to:
Define your project and plan your approach
Estimate your project, set up a budget, define tasks, and break the work into manageable chunks
Create a schedule, define the sequence of work, and learn the right way to use date constraints and deadlines
Build a project team and assign resources to tasks: "who does what"
Refine the project to satisfy objectives by building reality into the schedule, and learn to keep project costs under control
Track progress and communicate with team members via reports, information sharing, and meetings that work
Close out your project and take away valuable lessons for the future
Microsoft Project 2007 is the flagship of all project management programs, and this Missing Manual is the book that should have been in the box. No project manager should be without it.』
price：$31.99
Pogue Press
Available for download now Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Holy Smokes Batman!!!) 『Wow. This book is hands-down the most comprehensive, entertaining, and downright useful MS Excel book I have ever owned. Don't get me wrong - there's other really great books out there (I personally love the "Bible" series) but this one just blows them all out of the park. Great job Mr. MacDonald! I am indebted to you.』
(Excel 2007) 『Good book. Lots of useful info. Better help sometimes then offered online with usoft office.』
(I can finally find what I am looking for) 『I was finally able to find functions I knew existed but didn't know how to do. Book explains difference in functions very well.』
(Made me look like a hero!) 『This book really helped me to become the Excel expert at work. Clearly written, understandable, great visuals and easy to use. The whole Missing Manual series (I now own 3) are a step up from the For Dummies books and get into the next level of using the software.
If you want to learn more than just the basics, this is a great book!』
(Good manual. Not as in-depth as I would like, but good intro.) 『Good beginning book on Excel 2007. Excellent screen shots and write up on almost all the features. I was hoping for a few more "expert" tips, but I still found the book very useful -- like all the "Missing Manual" books.』 『Microsoft Excel continues to grow in power, sophistication, and capability, but one thing that has changed very little since the early '90s is its user interface. The once-simple toolbar has been packed with so many features over the years that few users know where to find them all. Microsoft has addressed this problem in Excel 2007 by radically redesigning the user interface with a tabbed toolbar that makes every feature easy to locate and use. Unfortunately, Microsoft's documentation is as scant as ever, so even if users can find advanced features, they probably won't know what to do with them.
Excel 2007: The Missing Manualcovers the entire gamut of how to build spreadsheets, add and format information, print reports, create charts and graphics, and use basic formulas and functions. Like its siblings in the Missing Manual series, this book crackles with a fine sense of humor and refreshing objectivity about its subject, guiding readers through the new Excel with clear explanations, step-by-step instructions, lots of illustrations, and friendly, time-saving advice. It's a perfect primer for small businesses with no techie to turn to, as well as those who want to organize household and office information.
price：$49.99
Findaway World
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Get Another Narrator, Please!) 『I'm listening to the abridged audio version of this and my biggest comment so far is the narration is HORRIBLE. I have listened to earlier WMC books and hoped they would not use Carolyn McCormick again, but alas, she seems to have a deal with the publisher or something. Her delivery is hamfisted, her inflection is continually wrong, her pronunciation borders on cringe-worthy, and her differentiation of characters (with regard to voice tone) is comical when it isn't entirely lacking. So it's hard to follow who is saying what when you don't have the visual cues you get in books. I like the idea of Lindsey Boxer but this reader does not bring to life the character the authors have created. Save yourself the annoyance and read the book instead of listening to it.』
(Reading with Tequila) 『I love the interaction between the four women in the Women's Murder Club mysteries and James Patterson's short chapters always make for a fast read. The dual mysteries in the 5th Horseman are interesting but a little light on suspense. There were some surprises and some very emotional moments. No where near as thrilling as some of the previous books Women's Murder Club books, but still very enjoyable and a good addition to the series.』
(Good read, but not the best of the WMC series) 『While this was an enjoyable read, it wasn't as good as some of the other Women's Club mysteries. The character of Yuki, the lawyer, gets developed more as she's a big part of one of the cases but the resulting drama appears too staged. I also didn't enjoy the two cases in this one. They made it seem like two separate stories instead of one.』
(Not Really Patterson) 『I love Patterson, but this book left me pretty cold. I don't know if the co-author wrote most of this or what, but I was not terribly impressed with the story or the writing. Just my personal opinion; I loved books one and two. Sharon Schultz』
(Okay, but it is really two stories) 『The story is okay. But this is really two short murder mysteries. I wish the author had expanded the primary crime, as I was left wishing I knew more about that story line. But half the story is about a different murder spree that involves only two members of the Club. And that story is not very well developed, leading me to dismiss it. I did listen to the complete audio book, hoping of of the plots would share something about the killers' motivation. But there is nothing here about the killers, only the anguish of the Women's Murder Club to solve these crimes.』 『Playaway is the simplest way to listen to a book on the go. Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, it comes with the audio content already on it and a battery to make it play. No Cassettes. No CDs. No Downloads. Simply plug in the earphones and enjoy. The Women s Murder Club faces an unspeakable horror in an irresistible hospital and courtroom thriller by #1 bestselling author James Patterson. SOMEBODY DIES. A young mother is recuperating in a San Francisco hospital when she is suddenly gasping for breath. The call button fails to bring help in time. The hospital s doctors, some of the best in the nation, are completely mystified by her death. How did this happen? APOCALYPSE NEARS. This is not the first such case at the hospital. Just as patients are about to be released with a clean bill of health, their conditions take a devastating turn for the worse. Accompanied by the newest member of the Women s Murder Club, Yuki Castellano, Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer probes deeper into the incidents. Could these cases just be appalling coincidences? Or is a maniac playing God with people s lives? When someone close to the Women s Murder Club begins to exhibit the same frightening symptoms, Lindsay fears no one is safe.』
price：$39.99
O'Reilly Media
Available for download now Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Very useful... just very useful.) 『How come I did not comment on this book before? Its been some time since I got it, read it, and used it! That's what this book is... useful, very useful. We had to optimize a DB, specially a huge table with millions of numbers and managed to go from tens of seconds to milisecs. I would say it was.. well, very useful;)』
(PERFECT BOOK! JUMP INTO ACTION IN FEW PAGES) 『A good book for developers that want more. They want to optimize their scripts and really understand how MYSQL works also behind the scene.
A must have book
』
(I'll be surprised if I don't get a raise after mastering this book) 『For weeks, I'd been searching online, trying to find out what MySQL's slow queries log actually was. Eventually I found it.
And then I got this book, and there was an even better description than what I'd found in MySQL's online documentation.
I swear, after I've worked my way through this book, if I don't double my wages, I'll be a monkey's uncle.』
(A very good percpective of MySQL) 『This book helped me understand how MySQL works internally and a lot of tricks to improve the performances of both the server itself and the SQL queries I run against it. If you want to improve the performances of MySQL related work in your applications, this book is definitively for you』
(Good, but incomplete) 『I bought this book hoping to get a detailed understanding of how to best create and use indexes for my high traffic web site. While the book does a great job of covering the pros and cons of standard indexes, it devotes only a single page to the utility of index_merge (introduced in Mysql 5.0). Combined with a general dearth of information about index_merge on the web, this was a really disappointment, since index_merge seems to afford the possibility of using multiple, smaller indexes, rather than smaller number of bulky indexes (as this book recommends).
In my eyes, a thorough analysis of indexing techniques in Mysql 5+ must discuss the strategic opportunities afforded by index_merge. It would seem to me that this gives the developer the ability to simply index the fields they want indexed, without having to sweat left-precedence of combined indexes or trying to make long indexes that include all of the possibly needed indexes in an order that will satisfy all possible query combinations.
If limitations to the utility of index_merge make some of these possibilities not feasible, the book ought to at least give a rundown of the pros and cons of index_merge vs. compound indexes.
The near-total omission of a new feature that could have profound implications upon the most optimal way to query&index makes me recommend this book with a tablespoon of salt.』 『High Performance MySQLis the definitive guide to building fast, reliable systems with MySQL. Written by noted experts with years of real-world experience building very large systems, this book covers every aspect of MySQL performance in detail, and focuses on robustness, security, and data integrity.
High Performance MySQLteaches you advanced techniques in depth so you can bring out MySQL's full power. Learn how to design schemas, indexes, queries and advanced MySQL features for maximum performance, and get detailed guidance for tuning your MySQL server, operating system, and hardware to their fullest potential. You'll also learn practical, safe, high-performance ways to scale your applications with replication, load balancing, high availability, and failover.
This second edition is completely revised and greatly expanded, with deeper coverage in all areas. Major additions include:
Emphasis throughout on both performance and reliability
Thorough coverage of storage engines, including in-depth tuning and optimizations for the InnoDB storage engine
Effects of new features in MySQL 5.0 and 5.1, including stored procedures, partitioned databases, triggers, and views
A detailed discussion on how to build very large, highly scalable systems with MySQL
New options for backups and replication
Optimization of advanced querying features, such as full-text searches
Four new appendices
The book also includes chapters on benchmarking, profiling, backups, security, and tools and techniques to help you measure, monitor, and manage your MySQL installations.』
price：$54.99
Random House Audio
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (The Innocent Man) 『This was a great book as it was based on a true story. It was an eye opener to how people with mental illness need to get diagnosed without stigma. In the end there is hope.』
(it may be true, but this sure was a tedious read) 『Having read all of Grisham's books to date, I was very intrigued to see a book he had written which was based on fact. Having read some decent reviews, I was expecting a gripping and eye opening read.
Eyeopening it sure was in regard to the travesty of justice, but, wow, what a tedious and laborious read. Was this even the same writer who crafted such engaging stories as "The Testament" and "The Brethren"? Quite honestly, this read like one really, really long, dry, newspaper report. Did he forget he has the ability to even engage the reader - fiction or otherwise? Does a blues musician forget he even knows how to play guitar just because he's decided to try and do a rock number? I wanted to put the book down so many times, but decided I had already invested so much time into getting so far it would be a shame not to see it through just to read the conclusion. But I'm not sure the feeling of a marathon is what Grisham was intending to create when he wrote this thing.
...and here's my biggest dislike with this book: The sarcasm contained within. Credit goes to Grisham for tackling this and he is entitled to feel strongly about it and say what he thinks. But surely someone as gifted in writing could have come up with better language and text to try to persuade the reader to agree with his personal viewpoint. I felt I was being talked down to on many occasions - not pleasant - whether or not I agree with his viewpoint. I'll watch TV news reports if I want someone to think for me and slant it with their tone of voice. My thought is if you are doing a straight documentational work, stick to the facts and credit the reader with the ability to draw the correct conclusion. Honestly, this made me gag.
I'm not saying the book shouldn't be read, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone I know because of the way this was done. Such a shame, when the subject matter itself is so important that I think it should be shared with everyone.』
(The Best) 『The Innocent Man
This is the best of Grisham's great books; a true story, truth is stranger than fiction and it could happen to you or someone you love.』
(Review of the Innocent Man by an Oklahoma Lawyer) 『I find many of the reviews in this thread amusing. One should not compare non-fiction with fiction. John Grisham has written a masterpiece of legal non-fiction. His journey through transcripts and the history of this case is equivalent to a public service. I am confident he could have written several fiction books in the same time that this book took. His royalties would have been much greater with fiction.
I rarely read fiction because non-fiction is about real life and not about imagination. A person generally favors one over the other and to analyze them with the same standard is unfair. One should read what s/he prefers and decline to impose the same standard on works that are totally different in concept.
I note that some reviews criticize the fact that Grisham spent time detailing the personal history of Williamson and Fritz. The reason for that is Williamson and Fritz were/are real people with actual histories. Victor Hugo's description of Jean Val Jean was somewhat detailed also. :)
I am familiar with the cases referenced in the book and know some of the persons involved. An elected public official is under tremendous pressure to convict someone when there is an heinous crime. The elected official and his supporting staff can become convinced that someone committed the crime and lose his/her objectivity. The elected official often rationalizes his/her conclusion by the opinion that the defendant may not be guilty of that particular crime but is probably guilty of some other crime for which s/he has not been charged.
Is the elected offical a malicious person? Generally not. But the results can be extremely malicious. The conviction of an innocent person is reprehensible but equally disturbing is the fact that the actual perpretrator remains free and no one is looking for him/her. The saving grace in the Williamson/Fritz case is that the actual perpertrator ended up in prison for another crime before his involvement was discovered.
The use of jailhouse snitches would be comical if it was not so serious. A jailhouse snitch has no credibility but the prosecution will use them and jurors will believe them. It is incredible that their testimory is given any weight. The use of hair analysis is similar in nature. It is just one step away from letting a clairvoyant testify.
Most people think they are lawyers. They have watched television and think they understand the system. The actual practice of law is totally different. The stress of defending an innocent person with minimal financial resources is incredible. The system is geared to convict and the concept of the presumption of innocence until proven guilty is a fiction.
If any of you ever have the opportunity to sit on a jury, I pray that you will fulfill your duty with your head and not your heart.
Thank you John Grisham. If someone else had written this book, it would not have received equal publicity.
Read the Dreams of Ada as a followup to Grisham's book.
』
(Justice Railroaded) 『"If you believe that in America you are innocent until proven guilty, this book will shock you. If you believe in the death penalty, this book will disturb you. If you believe the criminal justice system is fair, this book will infuriate you."
Ron Williamson was a deadbeat. He was useless. A drain on the system. An alcoholic, and a petty criminal. But, he wasn't a murderer.
Williamson and Dennis Fritz were convicted of murdering Debra Sue Carter in 1988. Williamson was given the death penalty, and Fritz faced life in prison. Of the two, Grisham chose to focus his book on Williamson -- a local baseball hero turned mentally disturbed small-town criminal. Though, I found the story of Fritz more compelling (Fritz's wife was murdered several years before he was accused of killing Carter, and the killer was never captured), in hindsight, I understand why Grisham chose Williamson.
Williamson was everything a jury would dislike and hate. He was a burden on his family. A burden on his town. A burden on what few friends he was able to make and keep. He was loud, obnoxious, and irritating. Mentally disturbed and lacking treatment for a majority of his life - both in and out of prison. (Note: The book is also an interesting study on the problems with the mental health care system in the United States.) His behavior was awful, and at times, it was almost impossible to sympathize with him while reading the book.
He's exactly the kind of person an individual sees and thinks, "Why isn't he in prison."
But, even the town drunk deserves a fair shake. Even the town deadbeat deserves justice. Even someone you hate, loathe, and despise, doesn't deserve the death penalty for a crime he did not commit. And, in between the shock and horror you feel when reading about how badly the police and DA botched the investigation, how disturbing it is that one could be sentenced to life in prison and death on such flimsy and circumstantial evidence, that's the message Grisham is sending.
The book starts out as a slow read. I'm a very fast reader, and I found myself having to trudge through the first half of the book. The trial begins about halfway through the book, and that's when the pace really picks up. I zoomed through the second half of the book in one sitting.
The lack of evidence against Williamson will appall you, particularly when you consider the fact that he was sentenced to die for his "crime." The lack of evidence against Dennis Fritz was even more grotesque.
Throughout the book, Grisham makes no attempt to hide his bias. Then again, I think anyone that wasn't involved in the initial investigation would be biased against how it was conducted. The details paint a horrific picture - no embellishment is needed or necessary, and it shows just how wrong the justice system can be when the individuals charged with finding justice are more interested in obtaining a conviction of the person they deem guilty, despite everything the evidence is telling them.
The second half of the book details Williamson's and Fritz's life in prison, their appeals, and eventually, the involvement of The Innocence Project. It closes with details about Williamson's&Fritz's life after prison and exoneration.
Local reaction to the DNA exoneration seems to range from embarrassment, anger (at Grisham), disbelief, a continuing belief - despite DNA evidence - that Williamson and Fritz were guilty, sadness, and outrage. If you are interested in reading local reactions, you can find them by searching the Ada Evening News archives.
Overall, Grisham did a bang-up job telling Williamson's story. And, despite the early pacing problem, this is definitely a book that everyone should read.』 『In the town of Ada, Oklahoma, Ron Williamson was going to be the next Mickey Mantle. But on his way to the Big Leagues, Ron stumbled, his dreams broken by drinking, drugs, and women. Then, on a winter night in 1982, not far from Ron’s home, a young cocktail waitress named Debra Sue Carter was savagely murdered. The investigation led nowhere. Until, on the flimsiest evidence, it led to Ron Williamson. The washed-up small-town hero was charged, tried, and sentenced to death—in a trial littered with lying witnesses and tainted evidence that would shatter a man’s already broken life…and let a true killer go free. Impeccably researched, grippingly told, filled with eleventh-hour drama, John Grisham’s first work of nonfiction reads like a page-turning legal thriller. It is a book that will terrify anyone who believesin the presumption of innocence—a book no American can afford to miss.』 『John Grisham tackles nonfiction for the first time withThe Innocent Man, a true tale about murder and injustice in a small town (that reads like one of his own bestselling novels).The Innocent Manchronicles the story of Ron Williamson, how he was arrested and charged with a crime he did not commit, how his case was (mis)handled and how an innocent man was sent to death row. Grisham's first work of nonfiction is shocking, disturbing, and enthralling--a must read for fiction and nonfiction fans. We had the opportunity to talk with John Grisham about the case and the book, read his responses below.--Daphne Durham20 Second Interview: A Few Words with John Grisham
Q:After almost two decades of writing fiction, what compelled you to write non-fiction, particularly investigative journalism? A:I was never tempted to write non-fiction, primarily because it's too much work. However, obviously, I love a good legal thriller, and the story of Ron Williamson has all the elements of a great suspenseful story.
Q:Why this case? A:Ron Williamson and I are about the same age and we both grew up in small towns in the south. We both dreamed of being major league baseball players. Ron had the talent, I did not. When he left a small town in 1971 to pursue his dreams of major league glory, many thought he would be the next Mickey Mantle, the next great one from the state of Oklahoma. The story of Ron ending up on Death Row and almost being executed for a murder he did not commit was simply too good to pass up.
Q:How did you go about your research? A:I started with his family. Ron is survived by two sisters who took care of him for most of his life. They gave me complete access to the family records, photographs, Ron's mental health records, and so on. There was also a truckload of trial transcripts, depositions, appeals, etc., that took about 18 months to organize and review. Many of the characters in the story are still alive and I traveled to Oklahoma countless times to interview them.
Q:Did your training as a lawyer help you? A:Very much so. It enabled me to understand the legal issues involved in Ron's trial and his appeals. It also allowed me, as it always does, to be able to speak the language with lawyers and judges.
Q:Throughout your book you mention,The Dreams of Ada: A True Story of Murder, Obsession, and a Small Town. How did you come across that book, and how did it impact your writingThe Innocent Man? A:Several of the people in Oklahoma I met mentionedThe Dreams of Adato me, and I read it early on in the process. It is an astounding book, a great example of true crime writing, and I relied upon it heavily during my research. Robert Mayer, the author, was completely cooperative, and kept meticulous notes from his research 20 years earlier. Many of the same characters are involved in his story and mine.
Q:You take on some pretty controversial and heated topics in your book--the death penalty, prisoner’s rights, DNA analysis, police conduct, and more--were any of your own beliefs challenged by this story and its outcome? A:None were challenged, but my eyes were open to the world of wrongful convictions. Even as a former criminal defense attorney, I had never spent much time worrying about wrongful convictions. But, unfortunately, they happen all the time in this country, and with increasing frequency.
Q:So many of the key players in this case are either still in office or practicing attorneys. Many family members and friends still live in the same small town. How do you thinkThe Innocent Manwill impact this community and other small rural towns as they struggle with the realities of the justice system? A:Exonerations seem to be happening weekly. And with each one of them, the question is asked--how can an innocent man be convicted and kept in prison for 20 years? My book is the story of only one man, but it is a good example of how things can go terribly wrong with our judicial system. I have no idea how the book will be received in the small town of Ada, Oklahoma, or any other town.
Q:What do you hope your readers will take away fromThe Innocent Man? A:A better understanding of how innocent people can be convicted, and a greater concern for the need to reimburse and rehabilitate innocent men after they have been released.
price：$27.99
Pogue Press
Available for download now Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (perfect companion for soft.) 『This books is a must-have one in hand if you use office 2008 for mac.
It's easy to use and depicts in detail every features of software.』
(Only for people looking to do complex stuff) 『If you are new to Macs (as I am) or new to Office (there probably aren't many of those folks around these days), this book is not for you. The author assumes that a) you know OS X very well; and b) you know the Windows version of Office very well. I was looking for a book that would quickly get me up and running in Office 2008 for Mac after I recently bought my first iMac. This book was definitely not what I needed. He has no explanation of some of the simple stuff I need to know, such as how to create new folders. Apparently, it doesn't work the way is does with Office for Windows, where you can create a new folder as part of the process of saving a file. Or if it does work that way, it's not evident. A couple of the other reviews note other simple stuff that he doesn't bother to explain. His intended audience is apparently people who have fairly complex documents to create and who need to know how do that on a Mac after having already become familiar with OS X. If that describes you, this book may be useful. What's a bit misleading is that some of these Missing Manual books actually do lead you through the basics (I'm thinking here of the iPhone book in particular). I should probably have bought the For Dummies book, which is what I'm about to do.』
(Nice book, faster than an internet search) 『As a reasonably experienced Office 2007 user I was constantly fighting to find solutions to "quirks" with the Office 2008 suite for Mac (i.e., what's the comparable Office 2008 key stroke for F-4 in Excel? Surprise, it's CMD-T). Don't let them fool you, the PC version of Office is much more versatile than the Mac version; but the Mac has more than enough virtues to overcome these deficiencies.
After spending too much time looking for answers on the internet (too many threads ending up in dead ends) I decided to purchase the PDF version of this book. The key information is now available to me quickly in the office and on the road. Time is saved and it's much less frustrating.
This book is well suited to quickly finding answers and solutions with Office 2008. I'm not sure it is as useful as a self learning introduction to Office 2008.』
(essential reading) 『"Office 2008 for Macintosh, The Missing Manual" is just that: the manual you should have gotten with the product. They say that MS Word is the most complex program ever, and we've managed to navigate a few of its complexities thanks to this book. It's paid for itself many times over. Plus, some of the writing has a humorous edge that makes all that painful learning more palatable.』
(missing manual) 『excellent book just what a PC user needs when you start using word on a mac』 『Still the top-selling software suite for Mac users, Microsoft Office has been improved and enhanced to take advantage of the latest Mac OS X features. You'll find lots of new features in Office 2008 for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Entourage, but not a page of printed instructions to guide you through the changes.Office 2008 for Macintosh: The Missing Manualgives you the friendly, thorough introduction you need, whether you're a beginner who can't do more than point and click, or a power user who's ready to tackle a few advanced techniques.
To cover Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Entourage, this guide gives you four superb books in one -- a separate section each for program! You can manage your day and create professional-looking documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in no time. Office 2008 has been redesigned so that the windows, toolbars, and icons blend in better with your other Mac applications. But there are still plenty of oddities. That's why this Missing Manual isn't shy about pointing out which features are gems in the rough -- and which are duds. With it, you'll learn how to:
Navigate the new user interface with its bigger and more graphic toolbars
Use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Entourage separately or together
Keep track of appointments and manage daily priorities with the My Day feature
Create newsletters, flyers, brochures, and more with Word's Publishing Layout View
Build financial documents like budgets and invoices with Excel's Ledger Sheets
Get quick access to all document templates and graphics with the Elements Gallery
Organize all of your Office projects using Entourage's Project Center
Scan or import digital camera images directly into any of the programs
Customize each program with power-user techniques
WithOffice 2008 for Macintosh: The Missing Manual, you get objective and entertaining instruction to help you tap into all of the features of this powerful suite, so you can get more done in less time.
』 『Still the top-selling software suite for Mac users, Microsoft Office has been improved and enhanced to take advantage of the latest Mac OS X features. You'll find lots of new features in Office 2008 for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Entourage, but not a page of printed instructions to guide you through the changes.Office 2008 for Macintosh: The Missing Manualgives you the friendly, thorough introduction you need, whether you're a beginner who can't do more than point and click, or a power user who's ready to tackle a few advanced techniques.
To cover Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Entourage, this guide gives you four superb books in one -- a separate section each for program! You can manage your day and create professional-looking documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in no time. Office 2008 has been redesigned so that the windows, toolbars, and icons blend in better with your other Mac applications. But there are still plenty of oddities. That's why this Missing Manual isn't shy about pointing out which features are gems in the rough -- and which are duds. With it, you'll learn how to:
Navigate the new user interface with its bigger and more graphic toolbars
Use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Entourage separately or together
Keep track of appointments and manage daily priorities with the My Day feature
Create newsletters, flyers, brochures, and more with Word's Publishing Layout View
Build financial documents like budgets and invoices with Excel's Ledger Sheets
Get quick access to all document templates and graphics with the Elements Gallery
Organize all of your Office projects using Entourage's Project Center
Scan or import digital camera images directly into any of the programs
Customize each program with power-user techniques
WithOffice 2008 for Macintosh: The Missing Manual, you get objective and entertaining instruction to help you tap into all of the features of this powerful suite, so you can get more done in less time.
Why Should I Upgrade to Office 2008 for Macintosh?
AuthorJim Elferdinktalks about what’s new in Office 2008 for Macintosh. If you’re still using Office 2004, you’ll find some great reasons to upgrade. Jim also fills you in on some cool features that Office for Windows can’t match, and why you may not need to invest in iWork!
What are the best new features that will make folks want to upgrade to Office 2008? Publishing Layout view.If you use Word to create formatted documents like letters and brochures, you’ll find it so much easier to do now in the new Publishing Layout view than in the old Page Layout view. Publishing Layout view is actually quite similar to Pages; both are very usable. It’s a huge boon for Word people—if you haven’t bought Pages, now you won’t have to! MyDay.I really enjoy Entourage’s MyDay feature. Assuming you’re not working on a laptop that doesn’t have screen space to spare, I recommend keeping MyDay open in the corner of your screen. That’s what I do! It helps me keep track of my appointments and schedule. If you’ve got appointments every 20 minutes or just a lot going on in your day, it’s great to have it all at a glance. It also helps you remember to go pick up the kids. (And you can feel superior to your Windows friends. There’s nothing resembling MyDay in Office for Windows.) Project Center. Entourage’s Project Center has been streamlined and beautified for 2008, but it’s still very underutilized. It takes a little extra effort to learn, but once you’ve got it up and running, if you’re doing any kind of a project that involves Office documents or even files from other programs, it’s a great timesaver. It lets you keep shortcuts toall these documents, plus email related to the project, in one window. The Project Center makes it easy to categorize email, contacts, notes, and documents. Things don’t get lost, and you don’t have to worry about Mac OS X labels and other ways to categorize things. (Office for Windows also hasnothing like the Project Center.) Formula Builder.In Excel, one of the greatest new features is the formula builder. If you use Excel much for formulas at all, especially more complicated ones, it’s really a timesaver. It helps you get those things created and working much faster than you could do before. Elements Gallery.The Elements Gallery concept is really great because it carries over from one program to the other, gives the programs a consistent feel. If you’re using a lot of templates or AutoShapes, you’ll find it a quick way to get at all that stuff. You could do all these things before, but it was a lot harder to find what you were looking for.
So, are there any disadvantages to upgrading to Office 2008? Publishing Layout view can be frustratingly slow on G4 Macs, especially when you’re trying to move layout elements around onscreen. I would only use it on an Intel Mac. The same caveat holds true for PowerPoint; it’s hard to move things around. But the rest of the suite works great on faster G4 machines. Office 2008 uses the same new, XML-based file format as Office 2007 for Windows. It’s great not to have to worry when someone with Office 2007 on a PC sends you something. Office 2008 can open those documents right up. But now when you send documents to Mac folks who haven’t upgraded, they won’t be able to open them! Once you upgrade to Office 2008, you’ve got to be awarethat not everyone else has, and (unless you have a real need to use the XML format) set your Save options (in Preferences) to the older format so there won’t be problems with your attachments. Then there’s the macro problem. Any macros you wrote in earlier versions of Office use the Visual Basic programming language (VBA), and they won’t work in Office 2008! If you’ve written a lot of macros for yourself, you’ll have to stick with Office 2004 until you have time to rewrite them in AppleScript.
What do you like best about "Office 2008 for Macintosh: The Missing Manual?" I’m happy with the way this book turned out. I think it covers everything you need to use this really powerful suite of programs for all your work. One chapter I’m particularly fond of, and which I think is missing from every other PowerPoint book I’ve looked at, is Chapter 15—Planning GreatPresentations. It helps you prepare for your presentation and shows you how to use PowerPoint for its true purpose. PowerPoint isn’t doing the presentation—you are. You’re the star of the show! Unfortunately, too many people think it’s the other way around.』
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Q:After almost two decades of writing fiction, what compelled you to write non-fiction, particularly investigative journalism?