News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

Do you have a new iPad that you need help with? Well, apart from directing you towards our eLibrary to download some eBooks, I can recommend some of the manuals below. There’s also help for Photoshop and tips on keeping your kids safe online.

Turing’s cathedral : the origins of the digital universe / George Dyson.Turing’s Cathedral: The Origins of the Digital Universe
“Dyson’s (Project Orion: The True Story of the Atomic Spaceship) history of the first computer is a compelling and readable narrative. Under the leadership of John von Neumann, researchers at the Institute of Advanced Study in New Jersey built the first working computer. The book details each of the principal scientists and their part in this grand scheme…. Verdict: Recommended for readers interested in the history of computers, history of science during World War II, and modern American history.-Dawn Lowe-Wincentsen, Oregon Inst. of Technology, Portland (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.” – (adapted from Library Journal summary)

iPad 2 / Lonzell Watson.
“The iPad is a product geared directly toward visual learners. Teach Yourself VISUALLY is a perfect companion to an image and touch driven device like the iPad 2.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Is your child safe online? : a parent’s guide to the Internet, Facebook, mobile phones & other new media / Pamela Whitby.
“These days, our kids are more internet-savvy than we are – they know how to unblock privacy settings or get around simple parental controls. Yet more and more frequently there are stories in the news about children being victims of internet crime; whether through Facebook party invites, cyber-bullying or, worse, child grooming. But what can we do about it? As parents, we have a duty to understand the different media our children use and put in place boundaries and guidelines to protect them. Is Your Child Safe Online? has the practical advice you need to minimise the risk and ensure your child is protected today…whilst still letting them do their homework.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Digitized the science of computers and how it shapes our world / Peter J. Bentley.
“In this engaging introduction to the development of computer science, Bentley (Why Sh*t Happens: The Science of a Really Bad Day) brings the personalities of the field’s major players into the historical record. Each subdiscipline gets its own chapter that are then organized chronologically; theoretical computing, hardware, software and programming, networking and encryption, interfaces, and artificial intelligence are all explained in clear, accessible language. …. Verdict: Computer science has become so pervasive in modern life that it can seem invisible or be taken for granted; Bentley succeeds in bringing this hidden world to light…. -Wade Lee, Univ. of Toledo Libs. (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.” – (adapted from Library Journal summary)

PhoneGap : beginner’s guide : build cross-platform mobile applications with the PhoneGap open source development framework / Andrew Lunny.
“This is a step-by-step guide written in an informal, friendly style, for beginners to learn building cross-platform mobile applications with PhoneGap. You will find plenty of fully explained code and ample screenshots in the book to ease and speed up your understanding. This book is for developers, ideally with web development experience, who are interested in developing for the emerging mobile market, but do not want to learn a new SDK for every phone on the shelf. Readers should be comfortable with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, and interested in learning the new advances in those technologies that allow for rich, native-style experiences.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Photoshop Elements 10 for Windows and Mac OS X / Jeff Carlson.
“Learn Photoshop Elements-the quick and easy way! Easy visual approach uses color graphics to guide you through the new features in Elements 10 and show you what to do step by step. Concise steps and explanations let you get up and running in no time. Essential reference guide keeps you coming back again and again. Whether you’re an Elements newbie or an experienced veteran, this book will teach you all you need to know-from making adjustments to bring out the best in your photos, editing in five easy steps, and adjusting color and lighting, to working with raw files-and much more! Visit the companion website at peachpit.com/elements10vqs to download full-color images so you can work along with the author.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

iPad® 2 all-in-one for dummies / by Nancy Muir wth Jesse Feiler.
“Packed with the power of a MacBook, iPod touch, eReader, digital camera, portable game console, and so much more, the iPad is an awesome device. And the business world has certainly taken notice. The iPad is moving into the enterprise where power users and professionals alike are using the device to increase their productivity and work smarter at the office and on the go. Long-time For Dummies author Nancy Muir walks you through the latest functions, features, and capabilities of the iPad and iPad 2 in six easy-to-understand minibooks.” – (adapted from Amazon.co.uk summary)

Adobe Photoshop CS6 for photographers : a professional image editor’s guide to the creative use of Photoshop for the Macintosh and PC / Martin Evening.
“Renowned Photographer and Photoshop hall-of-famer, Martin Evening returns with his comprehensive guide to Photoshop. This acclaimed work covers everything from the core aspects of working in Photoshop to advanced techniques for refined workflows and professional results. Using concise advice, clear instruction and real world examples, this essential guide will give you the skills, regardless of your experience, to create professional quality results. A robust accompanying website features sample images, tutorial videos, bonus chapters and a plethora of extra resources. Quite simply, this is the essential reference for photographers of all levels using Photoshop.” – (adapted from Amazon.co.uk summary)

Kindle Fire : the missing manual / Peter Meyers.
“Using illustrations, every aspect of the Kindle Fire is explained including using it as an e-reader, watching TV and movies, listening to music, and using e-mail.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)