News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

We have a great selection of new computing and technology books for you this month – and something for everyone, whether you’re a web developer or looking for help with home computing. Have a great idea for an app, but no idea how to market your project? Appillionaires has some tips for you! Also featured this month are titles on protecting your reputation (or your business’s) reputation online, getting started with Wordpress, designing mobile interfaces, using your iPhone, and getting the most out of JavaScript and jQuery. Enjoy!

Appillionaires : secrets from developers who struck it rich on the App Store / Chris Stevens.
“More than 10 billion apps have been downloaded from Apple’s AppStore and with the right combination of original ideas, great features, solid coding, unique designs, and savvy marketing, your apps could be a part of that staggering number. This book shows you how to turn your ideas into profit-making success stories. Citing a fascinating array of real-world examples, this useful book invites you to meet the rich and famous of the app development world. You’ll look behind the scenes of these successful visionaries to learn their secrets first hand and discover how these “bedroom coders” became overnight millionaires.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Designing mobile interfaces / Steven Hoober, Eric Berkman.
“With hundreds of thousands of mobile applications available today, your app has to capture users immediately. This book provides practical techniques to help you catch-and keep-their attention. You’ll learn core principles for designing effective user interfaces, along with a set of common patterns for interaction design on all types of mobile devices.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Digital assassination : protecting your reputation, brand, or business against online attacks / Richard Torrenzano and Mark Davis.
“This book shows how anyone can be a target of online identity attacks, and readers will find witty writing and expert advice on how to guard against and respond to such attacks. Loaded with interesting anecdotes on how the Internet, media, and other technologies are used by unscrupulous people to disparage an individual’s or company’s reputation, the book demonstrates how these attacks have become more prevalent and widespread, thanks to the Internet age.” (Booklist)

Professional C++ / Marc Gregoire, Nicholas A. Solter, Scott J. Kleper.
“Essential reading for experienced developers who are determined to master the latest release of C++. Although C++ is often the language of choice from game programming to major commercial software applications, it is also one of the most difficult to master. With this no-nonsense book, you will learn to conquer the latest release of C++. The author deciphers little-known features of C++, shares detailed code examples that you can then plug into your own code, and reveals the significant changes to C++ that accompany the latest release…” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

My iphone : covers iPhone 3GS, 4, and 4S running iOS 5 / Brad Miser.
“Connect to the Internet, Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi networks, and other iPhones, iPods, and iPads.
Use Siri to get information, write texts and emails, set reminders/appointments, and more just by speaking to your iPhone 4S.
Customize your iPhone with folders, wallpaper, ringtones, and much more.
Configure and sync your information, and efficiently manage contacts, reminders, and calendars.
Communicate via FaceTime videoconferences, conference calls, text, email, and more.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Optimizing Windows 7 : pocket consultant / William R. Stanek.
“Portable and precise, this pocket-sized guide delivers ready answers for optimizing the performance of your Windows 7-based PC. Zero in on core tuning, customization, and troubleshooting tasks using quick-reference tables, instructions, and lists. Topics include system boot and startup, software and hardware, search and indexing, system health, and personalizing the interface. You’ll get the focused information you need to solve problems and get the job done.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

JavaScript & jQuery : the missing manual : the book that should have been in the box / David Sawyer McFarland.
“JavaScript lets you supercharge your HTML with animation, interactivity, and visual effects-but many web designers find the language hard to learn. This jargon-free guide covers JavaScript basics and shows you how to save time and effort with the jQuery library of prewritten JavaScript code. You’ll soon be building web pages that feel and act like desktop programs, without having to do much programming.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Google secrets : do what you never thought possible with Google / Yvette Davis.
“Tech expert Jerri Ledford reveals the ins, outs, and little-known facts about Google to show you how to sharpen your skills so you can get more done, more efficiently. You may already be familiar with Google′s most popular applications, but this indispensable guide puts your knowledge to the test with insider tips, valuable insights, and unbeatable advice on Gmail, Google Voice, Google Sketchup, Google Analytics, and dozens more.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Getting started with WordPress : design your own blog or website / Todd Kelsey.
“If you’re a beginning blogger looking for an easy-to-follow, friendly guide to help you produce an attractively designed blog or website, this is the book for you. You’ll learn the basics of WordPress, one-click installs, and customizations. There’s also coverage of SEO, categorizing blog posts, and social media promotion strategies, such as importing your blog into a Facebook page. This book’s approach starts out simple using step-by-step examples and builds from there, enabling you to gain confidence in building your blog.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

When I was a kid, I used to think how cool it would be if there was a gadget that could answer your every question or show you whatever you wanted to see: “gadget – show me what Sea Monkeys really look like” or “what is x thinking about right now”. Now at the time that seemed like the fever dream of a child with too much time on his hands (OK – it was), but unless you’re sitting in a yurt reading a print-out of this, you probably know of something eerily similar.

THE INTERNET. Ok, more accurately the World Wide Web, but let’s not split hairs. Admittedly mind-reading remains a challenge, but it’s quite easy to view Sea Monkeys remotely.

The joys of crustacean viewing aside, some commentators are exploring how the internet and associated technologies might be influencing mind and behaviour – for better or worse. Are we enhanced through our interconnection or is it dumbing us down?

Articles:

Blog post: The extended mind – how Google affects our memories
“Information has never been easier to find or record. Within seconds, the Internet lets us find answers to questions that would have remained elusive just a few decades ago. We don’t even have to remember the answers – we can just look them up again. Now, three psychologists have shown how our memories might react to this omnipresent store of information…”

Yong, E. (2011). The extended mind : how Google affects our memories. Retrieved November 2, 2011 from Discover Magazine.

Image credit: University of Maryland Press Releases.

Books:

The shallows : how the Internet is changing the way we think, read and remember / Nicholas Carr.
“Is Google making us stupid?” When Nicholas Carr posed that question, in a celebrated Atlantic Monthly cover story, he tapped into a well of anxiety about how the Internet is changing us. He also crystallized one of the most important debates of our time: As we enjoy the Net’s bounties, are we sacrificing our ability to read and think deeply?

Future minds : how the digital age is changing our minds, why this matters, and what we can do about it / Richard Watson.
“In this absorbing new book, Watson argues that despite the advances of the digital age, it has also robbed us of some of our best ideas” (Syndetics summary)?

In our picks of the new computing books this month. Also included: creating digital art, Tumblr and CSS3. Have a browse!

Digital expressions : creating digital art with Adobe Photoshop elements / Susan Tuttle.
“Digital Expressions guides the mixed-media artist through 25 stepped-out digital projects created with Adobe Photoshop Elements. Projects like manipulating single photos, collage on a digital canvas, and digital illustration will inspire you to tackle all kinds of digital mixed-media projects using stock photography, custom brushes, textured backgrounds and your own digital photos. A team of talented contributing artists further illustrates the techniques in action. Plus, a bonus CD includes more than 20 digital design elements for you to use in your own projects!” (Syndetics summary)

Getting started with the Internet of things / Cuno Pfister.
“What is the Internet of Things? It’s countless embedded computers, sensors, and actuators all connected online. If you have basic programming skills, you can use these powerful little devices to create a variety of useful systems–such as devices that react to real-world events and take action. This hands-on guide shows you how to start building your own … projects. Learn to program embedded devices using the .NET Micro Framework and the Netduino Plus board. Then connect your devices to the Internet with Pachube, a cloud platform for sharing real-time sensor data. … Develop programs with simple outputs (actuators) and inputs (sensors); learn about the Internet of Things and the Web of Things; build client programs that push sensor readings from a device to a web service; create server programs that allow you to control a device over the Web; get example programs that you can compile with Visual Studio on Windows or Mono on Mac OS X and Linux”–P. [4] of cover. (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Get ready for cloud computing : a comprehensive guide to virtualization and cloud computing / Fred van der Molen (lead author).
“The IT sector is full of hype. But once in a while there is a genuine inflection point, a moment at which the way of doing things fundamentally changes due to the introduction of new technologies. The rise of cloud computing is just such an inflection point. Cloud computing is the next stage of the Internet computing model, one in which organizations will consume services, not technologies. These services will be ready to run, available outside the office walls, and be paid for on the basis of usage, just like water or electricity.” (Amazon.com)

Programming Android / Zigurd Mednieks … [et al.].
“This authoritative guide shows experienced application developers what they need to know to program the Android operating system–the core building blocks, how to put those blocks together, and how to build compelling apps that work on a full range of Android devices.” (Syndetics summary)

The book of CSS3 : a developer’s guide to the future of web design / by Peter Gasston.
“CSS3 is the latest revision of cascading style sheets, the language used to define the look and formatting of web documents. A still-evolving standard, CSS3 presents a moving target for developers who need to stay abreast of which features are supported by particular web browsers. “The Book of CSS3″ uses real-world examples to teach developers the fundamentals of the CSS3 specification, highlighting the latest developments and future features, while paying close attention to current browser implementations. ” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Tackling Tumblr : web publishing made simple / Thord Daniel Hedengren.
The popularity of Tumblr is growing by leaps and bounds, as it continues to make a name for itself as a reliable, accessible blogging platform. Yet, there is very little documentation on Tumblr, leaving newcomers confused as to where to start. That′s where this helpful book comes in. Written by well-respected author Thord Hedengren, this step-by-step guide is an ideal starting point for Tumblr newcomers as well as web designers who want to take their Tumblblogs to the next level.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Here’s what’s new in our computing books collection this month – have a browse!

Murach’s Visual Basic 2010 : training & reference / Anne Boehm.
“Whether you’re new to Visual Basic or you’re upgrading from an earlier version of VB, this book’s unique approach lets you learn how to develop Windows Forms applications at the pace that’s right for you. Along the way, it shows you how to quickly build database applications by using RAD features like data sources and the DataGridView control; how to use object-oriented features like inheritance and interfaces; how to use LINQ to query data; and how to use Visual Studio 2010 to best advantage right from the start. In short, no other book teaches you so much, so fast, or so thoroughly.” (Syndetics summary)

Tradigital blender : a CG animator’s guide to applying the classic principles of animation / Roland Hess.
“Expand your animation toolkit with foundational animation techniques, software expertise, professional best-practices, proven and time-tested work flows. Roland Hess, a leading Blender artist and instructor, expertly navigates you through Blender’s character animation systems and controls, with a focus on each of the classical principles of animation like timing, anticipation, appeal, staging, exaggeration, squash and stretch and much more. Unique from other software titles, the Tradigital series offers a specific tool-set of practical instruction and foundational knowledge that all great animators will need to know.” (Syndetics)

The non-designer’s Photoshop book : essential imaging techniques for design / Robin Williams & John Tollett.
“Many designers and photographers own the entire suite of Adobe creative products, but they manage to learn only one or two of the applications really well. Robin Williams and John Tollett uses a series of individual exercises to teach image-editing tasks in Adobe Photoshop specifically to designers, who need to enhance their photos. Includes sections about Camera Raw and Puppet Warp features.–Publisher’s web site.” (Syndetics)

The book of Ruby : a hands-on guide for the adventurous / by Huw Collingbourne.
“The Book of Ruby is an in-depth introduction to Ruby, one of the world’s most popular programming languages and the backbone of the acclaimed Ruby on Rails web application framework. With an emphasis on writing clear and maintainable code, author Huw Collingbourne takes readers from the most basic constructs, like types, conditions, and loops, to more advanced techniques, like multithreading and metaprogramming. Rather than bog readers down with a lot of theory, The Book of Ruby takes a hands-on approach and focuses on the real-world issues that Ruby developers confront on a daily basis.” (Syndetics)

Blender foundations : the essential guide to learning Blender 2.6 / Roland Hess.
“More than just a tutorial guide, “Blender Foundations” covers the philosophy behind this ingenious software that so many 3D artists are turning to today. The book offers techniques and tools for the complete Blender workflow, demonstrating a real-world project from start to finish.” (Syndetics summary)

Build mobile websites and apps for smart devices / by Earle Castledine, Myles Eftos, Max Wheeler.
“A practical guide for front-end web designers and developers… Learn to design interfaces for modern devices; use HTML5 and CSS3 to build layouts for every device; use JavaScript to create a native feel with transitions, touch and swipe events, and animations; leverage APIs to take advantage of built-in functionality, and use PhoneGap to turn your web app into a native app for iOS, Android, BlackBerry, and other platforms”–P. [4] of cover.” (Syndetics)

Microsoft Windows security : essentials / Darril Gibson.
“IT security can be a complex topic, especially for those new to the field of IT. This full-color book, with a focus on the Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) program, offers a clear and easy-to-understand approach to Windows security risks and attacks for newcomers to the world of IT. By paring down to just the essentials, beginners gain a solid foundation of security concepts upon which more advanced topics and technologies can be built. This straightforward guide begins each chapter by laying out a list of topics to be discussed, followed by a concise discussion of the core networking skills you need to have to gain a strong handle on the subject matter.” (Syndetics)

The ‘For Dummies’ books are a great series to get started with just about any subject. This month, in our new computing picks, we’re focusing on a few of these excellent titles. Want to get started making iPhone or Android apps? Ready to delve into Twitter Application Development? Our picks this month have you in mind! Have a browse:

Incredible iPhone apps for dummies / by Bob LeVitus.
“The popularity of iPhone and iPod touch apps is exploding and this handy guide helps you sort through the tens of thousands of available apps so you can find the ones that are ideal for you. Packed with tips and tricks on how to make the most of each app, this book escorts you through a vast selection of apps and then helps you narrow down the most essential and most entertaining apps for your needs and interests.” (Syndetics)

Joomla! for dummies / by Seamus Bellamy.
“Joomla! is a free, open source PHP & MySQL-based content management system that allows you to create interactive, community-based Web sites without having to write or program code in PHP or ASP.NET. This fun and friendly introduction to Joomla! shows you how to create a rich, interactive Web site that does not require any code.” (Syndetics)

Twitter application development for dummies / by Dusty Reagan.
“With this book, author Dusty Reagan uses one of his unpublished Twitter app ideas and takes you through the API, idea creation, development, and monetization of the app. Twitter Application Development For Dummies offers advice on creating interesting applications, looks at what types of applications thrive, discusses creating unique applications, explains how to make money, examines the business aspects of the process, reviews browsing and downloading applications, addresses protecting your information, and more.” (Syndetics summary)

Photoshop Elements 9 all-in-one for dummies / by Barbara Obermeier and Ted Padova.
“This value-packed reference combines nine content-rich minibooks in one complete package. User-friendly and detailed, it covers the key features and tools that beginner and experienced users need to create high-quality images for print, e-mail, and the Web using the latest release of Photoshop Elements. Presented in full color, this resource goes beyond the basics of the application and is undoubtedly the most comprehensive Elements book on the market.” (Syndetics summary)

Amazing Android apps for dummies / by Daniel A. Begun.
“Find the Android apps that are right for you so you can have fun and get more done! The popularity of Android apps is exploding and this handy guide helps you sort through the thousands of available applications so you can find the ones that are ideal for you. You′ll explore a variety of apps in the areas of entertainment, finance, health, food, music, news, weather, photography, reference, dining out, social networking, sports, travel, and more. Author Daniel Begun helps you navigate through this enormous-and potentially overwhelming-array of Android apps.” (Syndetics)

Excel VBA programming for dummies / by John Walkenbach.
“…Open the book and find : How to work in the Visual Basic Editor ; Tips for error-handling and bug extermination ; Ways to build automatic procedures and events ; How to use Excel macro recorder ; UserForm technique and tricks ; Instructions for designing VBA macros ; Steps for accessing your macros through the user interface ; Secrets for creating Excel add-ins…”–P.[4] of cover. (Syndetics)

Wondering what computing in the cloud is, exactly? Want to dip into the complicated subject that is the Internet and authoritarian governments? Or just want to get your Powerpoint presentation working in Microsoft Office 2010? Our selection of new computer books this month will cover off all of the above and more. Have a browse – we’ve enjoyed pulling these together!

Get your photography on the Web : the fastest, easiest way to show & sell your work / Rafael “RC” Concepcion.
“Concepion…. explains how photographers can develop a website. Providing screenshots throughout, he details the steps for registering a domain name and purchasing online space, preparing images, using WordPress and social media, adding content, installing plug-ins and using menus, using HTML, creating a theme for the website, printing images online, creating a Flash-based portfolio, and adding web galleries with FTP…. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)” (Syndetics summary)

Code in the cloud : programming Google App Engine / Mark C. Chu-Carroll.
“Cloud computing refers to the use and access of multiple server-based computational resources via a digital network (WAN, Internet connection using the World Wide Web, etc.). Cloud users may access the server resources using a computer, netbook, pad computer, smart phone, or other device. In cloud computing, applications are provided and managed by the cloud server and data is also stored remotely in the cloud configuration. This volume will show readers what a cloud service is, and how it differs from traditional applications.” (Syndetics summary)

The net delusion : the dark side of Internet freedom / Evgeny Morozov.
“…for all the talk about the democratizing power of the Internet, regimes in Iran and China are as stable and repressive as ever. In fact, authoritarian governments are effectively using the Internet to suppress free speech, hone their surveillance techniques, disseminate cutting-edge propaganda, and pacify their populations with digital entertainment. Could the recent Western obsession with promoting democracy by digital means backfire?” (Syndetics summary)

The Facebook guide for people over 50 / by Paul McFedries.
“This one-of-a-kind guide addresses issues of specific interest to older generations, helping them create a profile, connect with old friends and relatives, communicate with others, and maintain their safety online. If you’re among this group, you’ll find these tips and instructions will give you confidence and help you enjoy all that Facebook has to offer. Facebook insiders contribute plenty of tips and ideas to make the Facebook experience more fulfilling.” (Syndetics)

Problogger : secrets for blogging your way to a six-figure income / Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett.
“Written by two leading authorities on creating and monetizing blogs, ProBlogger carefully lays out the steps you need to follow to create a revenue-generating blog. From choosing a topic and publishing your first post to promoting your site using social media and receiving your first check, you’ll find out what really works. Packed with practical, tried and tested advice, this guide shows you how to: Choose the right blog tools and platforms. Find your niche so you can excel. Start writing in a way that attracts visitors. Follow winning strategies on how to earn income with your blog…. Drive readers to your blog through Twitter“, Facebook“, and DiggÖ. Select the best advertising services. Uncover the secrets of successful blogs. Book jacket.” (Syndetics summary)

Microsoft Office 2010 and 2007 for seniors : practical applications for every day usage / [edited by Jolanda Ligthart, Rilana Groot and Mara Kok ; translated by Chris Hollingsworth and Irene Venditti].
“With a focus on Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, this manual is written for older adults who wish to become proficient in using the latest versions of these applications. The instructions on each program are user-friendly, written in a step-by-step format, and are shown in individual screenshots that accompany each step. Projects include creating a club magazine, designing a travelogue, organizing a spreadsheet to track finances, and putting together a slide show of pictures.” (Syndetics summary)

New books on computing

Communicating design : developing web site documentation for design and planning / Dan M. Brown.
“… author Dan Brown shows you how to make the documentation you’re required to provide into the most efficient communications tool possible. From usability reports to project plans, content maps, flow charts, wireframes, site maps, and more, each chapter includes a contents checklist, presentation strategy, maintenance strategy, a description of the development process and the deliverable’s impact on the project.” (Syndetics)

Building the perfect PC / Robert Bruce Thompson, Barbara Fritchman Thompson.
“This up-to-date guide has precisely what users need to know to build a PC that perfectly meets their needs. It teaches PC fundamentals, where and how to buy the needed parts, and how to assemble everything with step-by-step instructions and clear, easy-to-follow images.” (Syndetics summary)

Content strategy for the Web / Kristina Halvorson.
“Companies and agencies spend months and millions of dollars on how they’ll deliver content online, yet allocate very few resources toward planning for, creating, and governing the content itself. Content Strategy for the Web can help in delivering useful, usable content to online audiences, when and where they need it most. Focusing on the user experience as it relates to content strategy, this book defines content strategy, its business value, and why so many web projects implode in the content development phase. It provides simple ways to introduce content strategy into the user experience design process.” (Syndetics summary)

Android apps for absolute beginners / Wallace Jackson.
“Anybody can start building simple apps for the Android platform, and this book will show you how. This book takes you through the process of getting your first Android applications up and running using plain English and practical examples. It cuts through the fog of jargon and mystery that surrounds Android application development, and gives you simple, step-by-step instructions to get you started.” (Syndetics)

Creating a website / Matthew MacDonald.
“Provides information on creating a Web site, covering such topics as text elements, style sheets, graphics, attracting visitors, JavaScript, and blogs.” “Think you need an army of skilled programmers to build a web site? Think again. With nothing more than an ordinary PC, some raw ambition, and this book, you’ll learn how to create and maintain a professional-looking and visitor-friendly site that features components such as audio, video, and e-commerce capability. This Missing Manual gives you all the tools, techniques, and expert advice you need — including when and how to adopt HTML5.” (Syndetics)

iPad fully loaded / Alan Hess.
“iPad Fully Loaded …will show iPad users how to download almost anything onto their new iPad – from old LPs, radio / television shows and movies, to spreadsheets, presentations and PC rescue files. Going beyond just downloads, the book will enable to modify their iPad to their own specifications and teach them unknown tricks …. Written by wildly popular technology expert and Chicago Sun Times columnist Andy Ihnatko, this book will be updated with the latest iPad technology developments. Appropriate for both for both Mac OS X and Windows users…” (Syndetics summary)

Check out our new computing books:

The filter bubble : what the Internet is hiding from you / Eli Pariser.
“In 2009, Google began customizing its search results. Instead of giving you the most broadly popular result, Google now tries to predict what you are most likely to click on. According to MoveOn.org board president Eli Pariser, this change is symptomatic of the most significant shift to take place on the Web in recent years–the rise of personalization. Though the phenomenon has gone largely undetected until now, personalized filters are sweeping the Web, creating individual universes of information for each of us. –From publisher description.” (Syndetics)

Eloquent Javascript : a modern introduction to programming / Marijn Haverbeke.
“Intended as a beginner’s tutorial grounded in best practices, this guide to the JavaScript programming language presents clear instructions for learning to write web applications. The work begins with basic syntax and processes including explanations of variables, controls, and functions and moves on through more advanced topics such as data structures, error handling, object oriented programming and regular expressions. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)” (Syndetics summary)

Sams teach yourself Tumblr in 10 minutes / Bud E. Smith.
“Tumblr is a free site that serves as a connecting point between tweets, blog posts, and multimedia presentations. This portable (5.5×8.25″) tutorial provides 10-minute lessons for getting around in Tumblr and making the most of it, for anyone with a computer, a web browser, and an Internet connection. Step-by-step directions, b&w screenshots, and tips and cautions show how to set up a Tumblr account, create and manage a simple tumblog, find other tumblogs, and post text, links, photos, audio, and video to Tumblr. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)” (Syndetics summary)

Learning Flex 4 : getting up to speed with rich Internet application design and development / Alaric Cole and Elijah Robison.
“Since Adobe released Flex 3, Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) have become so popular that the market for RIA developers has grown considerably. Now, Flex 4 makes it easy for designers and developers unfamiliar with RIAs to become a part of the process, and “Learning Flex 4″ provides step-by-step lessons to help beginners create apps with Flex immediately. Written by Yahoo!’s resident Flex guru, Alaric Cole, this book offers you a hands-on approach to discovering exactly how Flex works.” (Syndetics summary)

Head first Python / Paul Barry.
“Intended for computer programmers with an interest in adding Python to their coding skill set, this guide presents a set of lessons designed to hold the reader’s interest and quickly bring them up to speed with some of the unique and useful features of this powerful scripting language. Topics covered include functions, errors and exceptions, data management, data objects, web development, mobile applications and scaling complex programs. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)” (Syndetics summary)

Teach yourself visually Photoshop Elements 9 / Mike Wooldridge.
“Are you a visual learner? Do you prefer instructions that show you how to do something — and skip the long-winded explanations? If so, then this book is for you. Open it up and you’ll find clear, step-by-step screen shots that show you how to tackle more than 160 Photoshop Elements 9 tasks. You’ll learn to: Use the various selection tools. Apply styles and effects. Improve colors and sharpen images. Organize your photo collection. Create a smart album. Two-page lessons break big topics into bite-sized modules. Succinct explanations walk you through step by step.” (Syndetics summary)

Check out our recent ‘for Dummies’ computer books:

Moodle for Dummies / by Radana Dvorak.
“You’ve heard about the learning content management system with the funny name, and wondered if it’s right for your students. This book explains Moodle and what you can do with it. Modular Object Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment, also known as Moodle, is an online learning management system that creates opportunities for rich interaction between educators and their audience. However, the market has been lacking a simple, easy-to-understand guide that covers all the essentials of Moodle until now.” (Syndetics)

Upgrading & fixing computers for dummies : do-it-yourself / by Andy Rathbone.
“An illustrated, step-by-step guide to repairs and upgrades. Whether you want to prepare your computer for Windows 7, avoid investing in a new one, or just “go green,” this fully illustrated guide has what you need. You’ll learn how to add printers and new keyboards, boost your PC’s performance and increase memory, improve power consumption, rev up your multimedia capacity, and much more. Step-by-step instructions are accompanied by photos that show you exactly what you should see at every stage.” (Syndetics summary)

VSTO for dummies / by Bill Sempf and Peter Jausovec.
“Learn to build custom Office applications with this new Microsoft development tool Designed to attract both VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) and Visual Studio developers, VSTO (Visual Studio Tools for Office) is a Visual Studio add-in that makes it easy to create custom Office applications. This book shows developers step by step how to work with VSTO tools to create real-world applications for Word, Outlook, and Excel. VSTO enables developers to easily create custom applications for Microsoft Office.” (Syndetics summary)

iPhone & iPad game development for dummies / by Neal Goldstein, Paris Buttfield-Addison, and Jon Manning.
“”Build an actual game from start to finish; recognize what makes a good game for Apple’s mobile devices; use Objective-C, Cocoa, OpenGL ES 2.0, and other iOS programming tools; connect your app to Facebook, get it into the App Store, and market it”–Cover.” (Syndetics summary)

Visual Studio 2010 all-in-one for dummies / by Andrew Moore. “A comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide to Visual Studio 2010
Visual Studio is Microsoft’s comprehensive development environment that encompasses the .NET Framework, various programming languages, and ASP.NET. Programmers love it for developing applications for mobile devices and the Web. Because Visual Studio can be complex, the All-in-One For Dummies format makes it easy for beginners to grasp its different parts and get up to speed.” (Syndetics)

Creating web pages all-in-one for dummies / by Richard Wagner.“Businesses, special-interest groups, families, and individuals are all relying on Web sites to communicate. This all-in-one guide offers one-stop shopping for all the information you need to put together powerful Web pages to get your point across and keep visitors coming back. Nine individual minibooks cover best design practices, online tools, Microsoft Expression Web, Dreamweaver, cascading style sheets, HTML and XHTML, graphics and multimedia, scripting, and Flash, arming you to create professional-looking pages. ” (Syndetics)

Here are our latest books on computing:

Practical Android projects / Lucas Jordan, Pieter Greyling.
“Take a practical approach to becoming a leading-edge Android developer, learning by example while combining the many technologies needed to create a successful, up-to-date web app. Practical Android Projects introduces the Android SDK and development tools of the trade, and then dives into building cool-looking and fun apps that put Android’s amazing capabilities to work. Android is the powerful, full-featured, open source mobile platform that powers phones like Google Nexus, Motorola Droid, Samsung Galaxy S, and a variety of HTC phones and tablet computers.” (Syndetics)

Simply laptops / by Kate Shoup.
“If you are serious about getting the most of your laptop, this clear, concise guide is the ideal companion for fast and efficient learning. With full-colour screen shots and numbered, step-by-step instructions, Simply Laptops teaches you not only all you need to know about working with a laptop, but also how to make real-world use of it with pages upon pages of examples in plain, jargon-free English.” (Syndetics)

Designing for the iPad : building applications that sell / Chris Stevens.
“”You’ll also learn how to use the latest coding tech, with insider advice on making your app a hit”–” “iPadDesigning for the iPad presents unique challenges for developers and requires an entirely different mindset of elements to consider when creating apps. Written by a highly successful iPad software developer, this book teaches you how to think about the creation process differently when designing iPad apps and escorts you through the process of building applications that have the best chance for success.”(Syndetics summary)

From idea to app : creating iOS UI, animations, and gestures / Shawn Welch.
“Because iPhone development is so young, right now apps are typically designed, developed and deployed by a single person (or very small development team.) The designers are the developers and vice versa. This book will leverage this distinction by teaching designers how to design on top of native iOS metaphors, tools and UI, while teaching native developers appropriate application design and asset preparation.” (Syndetics summary)

The Photoshop elements 9 book : for digital photographers / Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski.
“This book breaks new ground by doing something for digital photographers that’s never been done before – it cuts through the bull and shows you exactly how to do it. It’s not a bunch of theory; it doesn’t challenge you to come up with your own settings or figure things out on your own. Instead, it does something that virtually no other Elements book has ever done – it tells you flat – out which settings to use, when to use them, and why.” (Syndetics)

Social networking for seniors in easy steps : for the over 50s / Anne Sparrowhawk.
“”Social Networking for Seniors in Easy Steps” starts with a simple explanation of the concept of social networking and what one can do with their computer to take advantage of this phenomenon. This straighforward book guides users though the maze of online social networks, allowing seniors to reap their benefits while avoiding the pitfalls. Here, readers will learn how to choose right network(s) for their purposes, set up an account, connect with other users (and block people they want to avoid), share photos with the family, keep in touch with grandchildren around the world, make the most of business networks, and manage and control privacy.” (Syndetics summary)