Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Computer Graphics    4. Computer Graphics - Design    5. Computers - Other Applications    6. Management - General    7. Marketing - General    8. Product Management    9. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    10. Image processing: graphics (static images)    11. Sales & marketing   

Reviews (8)

A Little Something for Everyone From the Novice to the Professional
This book by Scott Kelby and Felix Nelson has a little something for everyone from the novice to the professional. Especially for the novice, each tip is fully illustrated with complete and easy to follow instructions. Also, I especially liked that there was no CD or image downloads. Because the authors did not rely on any sample images, the instructions are general enough to be used in many situations.
Good for Reference
I loved this book but it took a lot of effort to read it.That may sound funny but the format of this book is nothing but tip after tip after tip and that can get old pretty quick.If you can stand it, read through the whole thing.Then you'll find yourself either using the tips you've learned, or like me stopping and saying to yourself, "Uh, wasn't there a tip about how to do this faster?" at which point you refer back to the book and find the quicker way to do what you were doing.
Just the tips
Some Photoshop books purport to teach you how to use Adobe's flagship image editor. Others help you sharpen your skills.This one simply presents an array of useful and unusual tips, and it's hard to argue with that.The techniquews are clearly presented, and should appeal to any level of expertise.Whether you are stillattempting to scrabble up the learning curve, or are already a Photoshop veteran, you'll find something to use within the pages of this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adobe Photoshop    2. Adobe Photoshop (Computer software)    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer Graphics - General    5. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    6. Computer graphics    7. Computers    8. Computers - Other Applications    9. Microcomputer Graphics    10. Techniques - Digital    11. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    12. Photoshop   

Editorial Review

Read more

Reviews (17)

If you only buy one book on sound.. This is it
Where do I start?In a nutshell, this book *IS* the only book to have on sound if your only buying one.No lie.My background... 20 years ago I used to be the "The Amp Dr" fixing commercial PA systems, amps, etc. I have a much better background on sound than most, I was an electrical engineer after that, designing power supplies,and other analog interfaces to digital equipment.Most of that has been dormant for the last 20 years, but I recently decided to make documentaries, and as two of my first projects deal with music, sound seemed pretty important.I got several books on sound, I figure buy six, one has to be good.You can save your money,this book was the one in six.
A rare 'how to' book that delivers actual content!
I've often been taken in by large reference books that promise to be a comprehensive guide to a subject, but turn out to be a lot of filler(screen shots of PC applications, or an excuse for the author to give lots of less-than-useful anectodal stories, etc.)
A Top Resource for Anyone who does Serious DV Recording
This book is a top shelf resource. It is useful to both novices and those with more experience. Starting with the very basics, and that does involve some physics, it works its way through virtually all aspects of sound production for digital video.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustics & Sound    2. Computer Animation    3. Computer Books And Software    4. Digital Audio Technology    5. Digital techniques    6. Digital video    7. Electronics - Digital    8. Film & Video - General    9. Recording and reproducing    10. Sound    11. Technology    12. Technology & Industrial Arts    13. Television & Video    14. Television soundtracks    15. Audio processing: music & sound effects    16. Electronics & Communications Engineering   

Reviews (3)

Step by Step: Microsoft Office Visio 2003
I really enjoyed going through this book.It is laid out well and has lessons you can do to help you learn.

Just what the title says.
Well organized and easy to study. Suits multiple learning styles. The CD has some excellent additional information.

Good tutorial for non-database functionality
This is a well-written and easily understood intro to Visio, which does a good job of covering diagrams, flowcharts, Gantt charts, floorplans, and the like.But, it has absolutely no information on building database diagrams with Visio, for which I deducted a star. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business    2. Business Software - MSOffice    3. CAD-CAM - General    4. Cad/Cam    5. Computer Books: General    6. Computer Graphics    7. Computer Graphics - General    8. Computers    9. Computers - Integrated Software    10. Data processing    11. Microsoft Visio    12. Computers / General    13. Home Computing   

Reviews (11)

Beautiful to look at
This is a beautiful book, with lovely pictures of Talyor's work. My only complaint is that "Master Class" is a bit misleading. Although I learned a lot about Ms Taylor, I hoped to learn a bit more of technique. I am still very glad that I purchased it, though. Her pictures are fascinating.

Whata Master Class Is
Ifind the same criticism onmany of the "Master Class" photoshop books. You need to remember what a Master Class is. It is not a technique class. There are other classes/books for this.
Essential for Photoshop Artists
This book is essential for Photoshop artists looking for an illustrative compendium of surrealistic color imagery one may achieve in Photoshop. The color reproductions are impeccable and each picture has background information by the artist herself. If you like Max Ernst's 100 Headless Woman you'll love this book. Her color sense and use of texture will make you really be hypnotised by her narrative creations. It can stand on its own as a picture book- as a manual you can apply yourself and delve into it even more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - General    3. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    4. Computers    5. Computers - Other Applications    6. Desktop Publishing    7. Microcomputer Graphics    8. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    9. Photoshop   

Reviews (4)

Lives up to its title
It's easy to come up with seductive titles for image editing books, purporting to help you "Master" the topic or offer a "missing" manual.But when you get right down to it, most of the books just offer the same old basic information. Top of the bill !!
As a "collectionner" of the best Photoshop books on the market I must recommend this excellent book from Richard Lynch to all the digital photographers among us.Other reviewers explained the content of the book in detail so I won't do the same,I can only agree their comments! Power at a bargain price
If you are already comfortable with Elements 4, but feel a little frustrated by the lack of a number of tools of its bigger brother, this is for you. I bought it for the tools: I discovered the book is full of invaluable advice. Workflow, separations, masking... The combination of Elements 4 with the book and tools covers all my expectations for a dedicated amateur. And yes, I like shooting raw, taking advantage of 16 bits,black and white... and I have still much too learn from the book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adobe Photoshop elements    2. Adobe Photoshop elements (Computer software)    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer Graphics - Design    5. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    6. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    7. Computers    8. Computers - Desktop Publishing    9. Computers - Other Applications    10. Digital techniques    11. Microcomputer Graphics    12. Photography    13. Techniques - Digital    14. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    15. Photoshop   

Reviews (9)

frames per second
When a god of anything tells you to do something, you do it. I'm an animator, or rather i hope to be one day, and as such I read everything I can in the hopes of becoming better at animation. So the moment I saw that John Lasseter recommended this book my first job was to get it.
Good book to have, but WAY OVERPRICED...
I'm downgrading this book partly because it's overpriced and frankly I wish the drawing style in it were different.
good old "Timing for Animation"
I think it's a very good book for the beginner, because it explainssome basic concepts very very well. (Best explanation of overlapping I've ever seen.) But there's not much to it beyond explaining these basics. The language is very clear though and it's an easy&fast reading. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Graphics - General    2. Computers - Other Applications    3. General    4. Interactive & Multimedia    5. Performing Arts    6. Performing Arts/Dance    7. Animation    8. Computers / Computer Graphics / General   

Reviews (12)

nice collection
Very nice collection of programming challenges and very well presented.
Recommended to practical people
I must say that I bought this book together with "The Algorithm Design Manual" and I'm very satisfied. The problems presented here are challenging for a large category of people interested in algorithm designs and are really well selected from thousands of possible problems.
Mostly Helpfull
This book provides programming challenges from UVa in a topical manner which is a nice way to study certain topics, it provides some helpfull hints on the challenges. The only shortcommings come in the preparation to the programming challenges, I felt they were rushed and not very complete, true you could easily write a couple thousand pages on the topics covered, but I thought there should at least be a complete algorithm breakdowns to the problems presented, I'm not talking about code, but at least some approaches. Example, in chapter 2 there is a 5 page (plus or minus) introduction to containers (mainly stacks) and then several challenging problems that didn't neccesarily require the review the book just presented. For the most part this is a very helpfull book when I was preparing for the ICPC, but could have been a little better.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Science    3. Computer programming    4. Computers    5. Computers - Languages / Programming    6. Logic Design    7. Programming - General    8. Virtual Reality    9. Computers / Programming / General   

Reviews (11)

It's about communication not design
This book does not cover design of the interface well at all. Excellent Practicle tips
This book was the best out of several others that I have read realted to usability engineering or UCD. It had several practical examples and stories attached to each topic. Its excellent for starter as well as proffesionals who are working at companies and have to justify several things. Several formates for reports and other resources are available for conducting a good Users and Task Analysis. More so its really easy and interesting to read with all the stories and the diagrams.

Read it before you need it.
If there is one strong message in this book, it is: Go talk to the people who will use your product. It's an important message. Software designers and writers spend too much time with each other developing clever tricks, while the poor user, often left to self-train with a poorly written manual, gives up in frustration. The authors follow their own advice--in addition to telling you how to conduct a site visit to the end users, there are clear instructions (based on experience) on planning a visit, structuring questions, how to make the site visit useful for both the analyzers and the users, and figuring out what the user said and what it means about the product.There are reminders about release forms and examples of the forms themselves.Case studies help make the points clear and undestandable. A thoroughly readable book in clear and simple language that can be started anywhere for quick help, or read cover to cover for a complete course. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computers    3. Computers - Languages / Programming    4. Programming - Software Development    5. Programming - Systems Analysis & Design    6. Programming Languages - General    7. User Interface    8. User interfaces (Computer syst    9. User interfaces (Computer systems)    10. Virtual Reality    11. Calculus & mathematical analysis    12. Computers / User Interfaces    13. Human-computer interaction   

Reviews (10)

Very pleased
This was my first experience with a help-authoring tool and found this workbook guided me through the options very well. The conventions used throughout the book were easy to follow; repetition was built into the activities; the example projects supplied with the workbook were flawless (I did not find one error); Mr. Siegel's writing style is easy, I felt like I was in a casual conversation with him.I feel the level of depth covered was just right, it allowed me to dig in without getting overwhelmed and I feel I have a good foundation to build upon.
Good introduction
Very clear and direct.The spiral binding makes it very usable as a training manual (that is, you don't have to struggle to keep the book open).
A Workbook That Works
This workbook really teaches you how to use RoboHelp HTML X5. It is a super learning tool. Before you spend lots of money on a class or lots of time searching a user's guide, buy this book. You can learn at your own pace, and you will be able to use RoboHTML X5 like a pro.--in no time. I really like how the workbook makes you look back on previous, learned lessons. It enhances learning. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The entire "For Dummies" series is no insult -- these are consistently some of the best introductions to their topics available. For beginners, even using an HTML editor is daunting. In clear language and with a dose of humor at every turn, the authors lead you through creating a web page, making it shine and taming some of the trickier aspects of web pages like CGI programming. The cartoons sprinkled throughout the book are marvelous. Don't miss the "Top Ten HTML Dos and Don'ts" or "Ten Design Desiderata." ... Read more

Reviews (25)

HTML for Dummies NOT for Dummies
I ordered this book along with Web Design for Dummies expecting to get started writing simple web pages.These books are not for dummies.It offers very little explanation of html tags; it doesn't offer pros or cons of the tag usage vs. another tag; examples are not near the explanation-you need to open the cd to view the eample in question.It spent too much time promoting tools and services outside of the "Dummy" concept.
I learned basic HTML
A few years ago I wanted to learn basic HTML.I figured the best way to do this was to buy "HTML For Dummies" and use it to set up a basic Web site for my church.That way I got both theory and hands on practice.This is exactly what I did, and the book came through for me.I learned enough HTML to set up a basic, but working, Web site for my church.
Good Basic HTML
This book is great if you need to know the basics of HTML. I refer over to it if there is something I am looking to do for my webpage. It is easy to understand, especially if you aren't a technical person. If you want to learn basic HTML, this is a great book to get you started building webpages. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Internet    2. Computer Books: Languages    3. Computer Networks    4. Computer Programming Languages    5. Computers    6. HTML (Document markup language    7. HTML (Document markup language)    8. Hypertext systems    9. Internet - General    10. Internet - Web Site Design    11. Programming - General    12. Programming Languages - General    13. Programming Languages - HTML    14. World Wide Web    15. Computers / Programming Languages / HTML, SGML, VRML, XML    16. HTML   

Reviews (9)

Easily implementable advice!
We recently staged a persona open house in strict accordance with John and Tamara's guidelines.Buzz posters, large graphical depictions of six personas, a collage of locations visited to gather user data, and an audio-video presentation of our persona development process came together and delivered the sought-after message to hundreds of Boeing workers and managers. We couldn't have pulled this media event off without this book.

The one book you must read when developing and implementingpersonas
"The Persona Lifecycle" is an extremely thorough documentation of creating and implementing personas. I was particularly impressed with the care taken to document ways and means of implementing personas so they are adopted as part of the ongoing design process, and to prevent them from fizzling out.
Very thorough and useful
Covers both conceptual background and is full of practical hands-on advice as well. We have been using the design maps and found them very effective at speeding good design. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computers    3. Computers - Other Applications    4. Industrial research    5. Miscellaneous Software    6. New products    7. Product management    8. User Interfaces    9. Applications of Computing    10. Computers / Programming / Software Development   

Reviews (5)

An excellent technical overview of online video
This book goes into the high level technical details of creating an online video service.As an absolute newcomer to the field, I found it an invaluable tool for dealing with the knowledgeable professionals that I rely on to do such things as analog to digital conversion and the set-up and maintenance of media servers.This book will not give you the expertise to do any of these jobs - for that you have to get your hands dirty and actually perform some of the tasks yourself.But it will give you a grasp of the concepts and terminology you'll need to manage the issues that come up.
For the beginner...
...This is the best book I've come across on the subject.There are a lot of articles and other books that just throw these terms at you without them really being understood.This book shows you how other media (TV, film, dvd) are put together and how they can be converted to become internet content.
Truly understand streaming technology in plain language
The author does a great job of explaining streaming in great detail for the layman ormore advanced user in plain easy to understand language. This book is good for web master, video engineer, student, or just about anyone who has an interest in a detailed guide about Internet video.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Internet General    2. Computers    3. Computers - Communications / Networking    4. Digital techniques    5. Digital video    6. Film & Video - General    7. Internet - General    8. Recording and reproducing    9. Sound    10. Streaming technology (Telecommunications)    11. Computers / Internet / General    12. Multimedia    13. World Wide Web (WWW)   

Reviews (6)

An Essential Source for Robust 3D Graphics Engine Design
I have not yet been able to purchase the second edition of this book.However, since it is a refinement of the first edition, I feel that I am somewhat competent to review this later version of Lengyel's text on this knowledge of the fundamental chapters which are included in both editions.
Even better than the first edition
I gave the first edition of this book a 5 star rating, so considering that the second edition provides updates to the original as well as four new chapters, it's no surprise that the second edition earns a 5 star rating as well.
This book is fantastic
This book is great. Its material is well explained, the topics covered are complete (for the most part), and the examples make sense. It is a fantastic reference that should be on the shelf of any professional game programmer or aspiring game programmer. However, this book isn't a hand holding guide to making "cool" games, as some reviewers expected it to be. There is no single book for that. There are so many topics to cover, it would be impossible to put them all into one text. Please don't be fooled by reviews from non-professionals, as this book is a must have. For a list of beginner books to give yourself an introduction to game programming, feel free to send me an email. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Operating Systems    2. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computer games    5. Computer graphics    6. Computers    7. Computers - Languages / Programming    8. General    9. Mathematics    10. Programming    11. Programming - General    12. Three-dimensional display syst    13. Three-dimensional display systems    14. Video & Electronic - General    15. Art / Graphic Arts    16. Computer Programming    17. Image processing: graphics (static images)    18. Mathematical theory of computation    19. Mathematics for scientists & engineers   

Reviews (7)

Not just a successful start up story
Philosophy, international labor, high tech, economics, globalization, the internet and virtual universes are all neatly wrapped together in this book.It is a very successful telling by Mr. Dibbell of what is going on right now...not just in the MMO world but in many aspects of society.It was so fascinating for me to read.He did not hype up the metaverse phenomenon.But, he did make it a bit less complicated.You really get the message that what is currently undergoing is not trivial and has serious implications to how we all live our lives.Play versus work, the lines are getting more blurry.But, it might not necessarily be a bad thing.If "Liar's Poker" is the must read for the financial markets, "Play Money" should definitely be the counterpart for virtual economies.

Patchy
This book is well-written (mostly) and a good look at an interesting subject.However, the author seems not to trust his own subject, since he constantly moves away from the interesting part of the book (the story of how the strange market in imaginary goods works) in order to pad the book out with boring digressions on watching his daughter play, or even more boring half-baked essays on What It All Means (no surprise that the author is a contributor to Wired magazine.)Still, if you read the reporting parts, which are good,and skip over the self-indulgent, meandering attempts at philosophy, which are not, you'll learn a lot and enjoy yourself.

Making Hay
Play money is a fantastic read.It pulls you into its tale of Internet adventure and doesn't let go until the final word.I loved its refusal to separate the author's exploration of internet games, and his meditation on the economies they've generated, from the events of his off-line life -- child care, depresssion, marital break-up.Like a teenager, he starts out killing lizardmen in the fabulous realm of Ultima Online and ends up selling enchanted swords, pieces of gold, and miraculous suits of armor for a living.A real living, not a virtual one. (Is this play or is it work is the question.) The race to see if he can meet a deadline proving that he can earn more selling magic weapons and gold pieces than he can at his day job keeps the pages turning, and the painful -- and sometimes joyful -- unfolding of events in his actual life is riveting.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Business    3. Business & Economics    4. Business/Economics    5. E-Commerce - General    6. Economic aspects    7. Electronic commerce    8. Fantasy games    9. History - General History    10. Modern - General    11. Sales    12. Video & Electronic - General    13. Virtual Reality    14. Investment & securities   

Reviews (29)

My Schema Reference Book
Walmsley's book is the one I go to as the reference for W3C Schema. It is clear and very accurate and reliable. I find the examples relevant and helpful.
Awful as reference
Since all other reviews are very positive, I'm here to offer a different opinion.
Clear and comprehensive--the only book you'll need
I first read through this book about four years ago. I remember thinking how nice it was to just plug into a book, read through it effortlessly (and quickly), and come out the other end with a pretty complete understanding of the subject. Kind of the Holy Grail of technical writing :-)
Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Languages / Programming    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Networks    4. Computer Programming Languages    5. Computers    6. Computers - Languages / Programming    7. Database management    8. Programming - General    9. Programming Languages - HTML    10. Programming Languages - XML    11. XML (Document markup language)    12. Computers / Programming Languages / HTML, SGML, VRML, XML    13. XML   

Reviews (2)

ActionScript Components: One of the best tech books I have seen
I don't know Antonio De Donatis, but I wish I did.
Well worth it!!
As a java coder who has recently been writing Flash/Flex for rich database-driven UI products, this book has been a huge help. My understanding of the best way to use inheritance and the component architecture has improved a ton with this book. And the section on skinning has helped alot since the UI guys just give me pretty mockups, and then i need to actually make them look and work that way.
Read more

Subjects:  1. ActionScript (Computer program language)    2. Computer Books: Web Programming    3. Computer Graphics - Flash    4. Computer animation    5. Computers    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Design    8. Internet - Web Site Design    9. Web sites    10. Image processing    11. Multimedia   

Reviews (5)

Dear Bill,
Bill,
This book should have been under 200 pages ..
There is useful information in this book but it Required for anyone who is serious about interface design
The field of interface and interaction design is formally known as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). It is significant that a large amount of HCI deals with non-programming issues such as psychological approaches to end-user experience, social manners of the audience, and more. The Essential Guide to User Interface Design provide a comprehensive overview of the essentials of interface design. Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - General    3. Computers    4. Computers - Languages / Programming    5. Graphical user interfaces (Com    6. Graphical user interfaces (Computer systems)    7. Microcomputer Graphics    8. Programming - General    9. Social Aspects - Human-Computer Interaction    10. User Interface    11. User Interfaces    12. Computers / User Interfaces    13. Operating systems & graphical user interfaces (GUIs)    14. Systems analysis & design   

Reviews (16)

AWESOME BOOK!!!!!!!!!
This book is fabulous. I have a lot of books regarding photoshop, this one is at the top of the list. It's simply laid out, has exact description of what to put in the various dialogues, and covers a range of amazing effects which are beyond useful. If you are looking to extend your quiver of tricks & kicks - don't hesitate, you will not be dissappointed....

Wonderful Book
Great book if you want to know how to create the effects that pros use everyday. There are basic turorials and there are advanced tutorials. Each and every tutorial is very easy to read, easy to follow, and easy to understand. Once you go over the tuturial a few times, you will never forget it. Kelby does a great job with the illustrations and the step-by-step process to accomplish the final result. I recommend this book to both beginners professionals.

Nice how-to
Nice how-to for photography types how need to put together some occasional promotional material.The author has a nice informative style, and certainly helps the reader work with putting together some classic design elements. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adobe Photoshop    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    5. Computer graphics    6. Computers    7. Computers - Desktop Publishing    8. Desktop Publishing - General    9. Microcomputer Graphics    10. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    11. Photoshop