MBR: The Computer Shelf
Midwest Book Review
No Stress Tech Guide to OpenOffice.org 3 Writer
Indera E. Murphy
Tolana Publishing
PO Box 719, Teaneck, NJ 07666
9781935208082, $39.95, www.tolanapublishing.com
Why spend hundreds on Word? "No Stress Tech Guide to OpenOffice.org 3
Writer: In-Depth Coverage of the most Popular Free Alternative to
Microsoft Word" is a guide to best understanding this open source word
processor that many have adopted and have grown to prefer over
Microsoft's famed Word program. With tips and tricks on using the many
features that have been implemented into open office including PDF
support, "No Stress Tech Guide to OpenOffice.org 3 Writer" is a must
for anyone who wants to adopt the free alternative.
Professional Excel Development, second edition
Rob Bovey, et.al.
Addison Wesley
c/o Pearson Technology Group
501 Boylston St. #900, Boston MA 02116
0321508793, $59.99 www.informit.com/aw
Any collection strong in Excel programming that seeks just one solid,
definitive and comprehensive technical survey will find this a top
pick, offering a survey of how to build the latest solutions using
Excel 2007. It's been fully updated for 2007 and covers everything
from designing better worksheets and creating cross-version
applications that work with old Excel files to developing applications
based on data in servers, automating Excel with VB.NET, and more. A
top pick for any collection strong in Excel.
Handcrafted CSS
Dan Cederholm with Ethan Marcotte
New Riders
c/o Pearson Technology Group
1249 - 8th St., Berkeley, CA 94710
0321643380, $39.99 www.newriders.com
HANDCRAFTED CSS: MORE BULLETPROOF WEB DESIGN offers connections
between artistry and web design and explores CSS3 for modern browsers.
Web designers, project managers and artists alike receive an excellent
progressive series of lessons on how to enrich designs using CSS3
properties and how to create fluid, flexible layouts. Color screen
shots throughout provide excellent examples.
The CSS Anthology, third edition
Rachel Andrew
Sitepoint
9780980576801, $39.95 www.sitepoint.com
The third updated edition of THE CSS ANTHOLOGY: 101 ESSENTIAL TIPS,
TRICKS AND HACKS packs in ready-to-use CSS solutions and 'best
practice' ideas, providing a completely revised, updated new edition
covering the latest techniques and newest browsers. Any CSS user will
find this packs in solutions to problems ranging from issues of
compatibility to using the latest CSS techniques. Highly recommended.
Foundation Blender Compositing
Roger D. Wickes
Apress
2855 Telegraph Ave #600, Berkeley, CA 94705
9781430219767, $49.99 www.apress.com
A DVD is included with this in-depth survey of how to use the Blender
program to maxim advantage. It's the world's foremost open source
computer graphics digital content authoring system and has been used
to create cartoons, shorts, TV commercials, and more. The software and
references on the companion DVD support a step-by-step approach to
animating elements and sequencing shots with audio. Any computer video
producer needs this.
CSS: The Missing Manual
David Sawyer McFarland
O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein Hwy North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
9780596802448, $34.99 www.missingmanuals.com
CSS: THE MISSING MANUAL offers all the basics for CSS design, covering
everything to know about creating cascading style sheets with quick-
loading web pages. From elegant layouts and navigation to learning
which properties work with the latest browsers, CSS: The Missing
Manual is a top pick for any computer collection catering to CSS
engineers and those who would refine their talents.
Foundations of Green IT
Marty Poniatowski
Prentice Hall
c/o Pearson Technology Group
0137043759, $44.99 www.informit.com/ph
Foundations of Green IT: Consolidation, Virtualization, Efficiency and
ROI in the Data Center is a pick for any college-level computer
collection strong in networking issues. It comes from a team of
leading Green IT consultants and provides technical information and
case studies for consolidation, better design, and reducing PC waste.
Technical specifics make this a powerful recommendation.
Addison Wesley
501 Boylston St. #900, Boston MA 02116
www.informit.com/aw
Jim Marino and Michael Rowley's UNDERSTANDING SCA (0321515080, $44.99)
is a key to service component architecture and a 'must' for any
college-level library strong in software development. It offers a
history of SCA's development, how it fits with other enterprise
technologies, and offers a host of best practices for designing SCA
applications. Highly recommended for software designers. Christian
Collberg's SURREPTITIOUS SOFTWARE (0321549252, $59.99) packs in tips
on security and tools for fighting software piracy and covers all the
latest programs that both attackers and defenders use to analyze
programs. From fingerprinting software to identify its author to
tamper-proofing software with guards, strengthening content, and
detecting code theft, this is a key acquisition for any serious
software library, unparalleled in its content and coverage.
Google SketchUp for Site Design
Daniel Tal, ASLA
Wiley-Blackwell
10475 Crosspoint Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46256
9780470345252, $49.95 www.wiley.com
Google SketchUp for Site Design offers design professionals tips on
how to use the SketchUp tools and functions to construct models of
exterior spaces and architecture. Both architecture and computer
graphics libraries will benefit from specific tips for beginners and
advanced SketchUp users, offering insights on creating models that are
easy to follow and optimized for computer performance. SketchUp
exercises, models and discussions of how the 3D modeling application
is linked with contracting and design makes for a fine survey.
Content Strategy for the Web
Kristina Halvorson
New Riders
c/o Pearson Technology Group
1249 - 8th St., Berkeley CA 94710
0321620062, $24.99 www.newriders.com
If your website is outdated and out of control, then Content Strategy
for the Web is for you. It comes from the founder of a nationally
renowned agency specializing in writing for the web and offers a
business-related content strategy that's been tested and proven in the
marketplace. From maintaining consistent and compelling content over
time to getting practical staffing advice to keep it there, here's a
book not to be missed.
The Process of Software Architecting
Peter Eeles and Peter Cripps
Addison Wesley
c/o Pearson Technology Group
501 Boylston St. #900, Boston MA 02116
0321357485, $49.99 www.informit.com/aw
The Process of Software Architecting is for any library strong in
software engineering, and provides a solid guide to architecting a
software system. From the architect's role in creating reusable assets
that fit into requirements present and future to how to architect in a
complex system, The Process of Software Architecting is a pick for any
advanced computer library.
Atlantic Publishing
1405 SW 6th Ave, Ocala, FL 34474-7014
www.atlantic-pub.com
Bruce C. Brown's GOOGLE INCOME (9781601383006, $24.95) packs in
chapters of advice on understanding how Google works and how its ad
capabilities can generate revenue. From how to best market a business
using these tools to understanding common mistakes that can hurt
selling and marketing approaches, GOOGLE INCOME is a fine addition to
both business and computer collections and general-interest libraries.
Stephen Woessner's SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION (9781601384430, $24.95)
tells how to increase Google rankings and enhance site traffic using
just 15 easy steps, from adding anchor links to content to creating
custom page titles. It's an outstanding survey for any interested in
search engine operations and how to improve business visibility
online. T. Brian Chatfield's THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO WIKIS
(9781601383198, $24.95) tells teachers, businesses and individuals how
to set up and use wikis online using the wiki format. Ordinary people
can load a Web site and start writing using these basics of writing a
wiki. Chapters offer top strategies for wiki marketing and link wikis
to search engine optimization.
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review