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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)

New Books on Computing

Flash mobile : developing Android and iOS applications / Matthew David.
“Build rich media applications for the iOS and Android platforms with this primer to Flash mobile development. You get all of the essentials-from setting up your development environment to publishing your apps to the Google Market Place/Apple iTunes App Store.
Develop elementary applications without coding; then realize the power of ActionScript 3 to add rich complexity to your applications.” (Courtesy of Syndetics).

Smashing jQuery / Jake Rutter.
“”The book caps off by discussing popular ways of extending the core jQuery library with plugins and building web interfaces using jQuery UI”–” (Syndetics summary)

Plug-in CSS : 100 power solutions / Robin Nixon.
“”This practical resource contains 100 ready-to-run CSS plug-ins you can use to create dynamic Web content. All of the plug-ins include HTML examples and screen shots showing specific end results you can achieve right away. Methods for using CSS with JavaScript and HTML5 to make Web pages even more interactive and dynamic are also included. Using these plug-ins, you’ll be able to build CSS projects more quickly and easily than ever, as many complex tasks are reduced to a single function call”–” (Syndetics summary)

Pro Android web apps : develop for Android using HTML5, CSS3 & JavaScript / Damon Oehlman and Sébastien Blanc.
“Web standards-based apps or Web apps on mobile devices continues to grow; nbsp; fornbsp; iPhone and now Android.nbsp; Web apps and cloud-based web apps appeal to many developers who may not have the native language requirements, but do have the web standards skills and knowledge like HTML 5, JavaScript, CSS, and more. As HTML5 evolves, so does the power and flexibility of web apps as they start to rival many of the features that were once only available to native-language-based Apps in Java, Objective-C, etc.”(Courtesy of Syndetics)

Arduino cookbook / Michael Margolis.
“The recipes in this book provide solutions for most common problems and questions Arduino users have, including everything from programming fundamentals to working with sensors, motors, lights, and sound to communicating over wired and wireless networks.” (Syndetics summary)

Designing with the mind in mind : simple guide to understanding user interface design rules / Jeff Johnson.
“The author of “GUI Bloopers” presents the first practical, all-in-one source for practitioners on user interface design rules and why, when, and how to apply them.” (Syndetics summary)

Covering Drupal, iPad apps, using Wordpress and more – have a look!

Teach yourself visually PCs / Elaine Marmel.
“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 150 common PC tasks. Each task-based spread covers a single technique, sure to help you get up and running on your computer in no time. You’ll learn to: Work with Windows®; 7 Manage files and folders; Install and use common software; Access music, photos, and video; Use the Internet and e-mail. Two-page lessons break big topics into bite-sized modules. Succinct explanations walk you through step by step. Full-color screen shots demonstrate each task. Helpful sidebars offer practical tips and tricks. Step-by-step instructions. Hundreds of color photos.” (Syndetics summary)

Foundation Drupal 7 / Robert J. Townsend with Stephanie Pakrul.
“The open source Drupal Web site builder/content management system is one of the hottest open source Web development/design software out there. Foundation Drupal 7 by R.J. Townsend aims to be the first or one of the first books on Drupal 7 and continues Apress successful coverage of Drupal, including the best selling Pro Drupal and its update by John K. VanDyk. Foundation Drupal 7 is an introductory book for those who want a friendlier and easier way into learning and using Drupal.” (Syndetics summary)

The Web designer’s guide to iOS apps : create iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad apps with Web standards : HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript / [Kristofer Layon].
“Build native iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad applications using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This handbook allows Web designers to focus on interface and content design and to bypass the need to learn a great amount of Objective-C programming.” (Syndetics summary)

My iPod touch / Brad Miser.
“Full-color, step-by-step tasks walk you through getting and keeping your iPod touch working just the way you want. Learn how to:Make the most of Apple’s new iOS 4 software. Connect to Wi-Fi networks, the Web, and other devices. Move music, movies, books, and other content onto your iPod touch. Use iBooks to enjoy a library of ebooks wherever you go. Play games and share info with other iPod touches, iPhones, and iPads. Sync Mac or Windows computers and MobileMe or Exchange accounts with your iPod touch. Listen to music, podcasts, and other audio. Watch movies, TV shows, music videos, and video podcasts. Surf the Web and send email. Create, manage, display, and edit contacts and calenders. Take, view, and share photos and video. Download, install, and maintain apps, and manage them with the new App Toolbar. Customize, maintain, and troubleshoot your iPod touch Book jacket.” (Syndetics summary)

Best iPad apps : the guide for discriminating downloaders / Peter Meyers.
“Full of colorful and helpful illustrations, this one-of-a-kind catalog gives iPad users the quick lowdown on more than 200 gee-whiz apps, with brief tips on how to use them.” (Syndetics summary)

Using WordPress / Tris Hussey.
“Blogger and WordPress guru Hussey takes a comprehensive look at this powerful, open source blogging platform used by millions of people worldwide. The book takes readers through the entire process of making a WordPress blog, from registering a domain and installing the software to using plug-ins and incorporating multimedia content into a blog. Registration of the book provides access to extensive online material, including video tutorials and podcasts. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)” (Syndetics summary)

iOS 4 programming cookbook / Vandad Nahavandipoor.
“Solutions and examples for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch apps”–Cover.

Facebook me! : a guide to socializing, sharing, and promoting on Facebook / Dave Awl.

Google SketchUp 8 for dummies / by Aidan Chopra.

Sams teach yourself Google SketchUp 8 in 10 minutes / Steven Holzner.

Programming the mobile web / Maximiliano Firtman.

Sams teach yourself Adobe Dreamweaver CS5 in 24 hours / Betsy Bruce, John Ray, Robyn Ness.

Adobe InDesign CS5 digital classroom / Christopher Smith and AGI Creative Team.

This month’s computing recent picks include reviews of the best iPhone and iPad apps, how to track down your CSS errors, and the elements of user experience. Have a look!

Five star APPS : the best iPhone and iPad apps for work and play / Glenn Fleishman.
“A Useful Directory to the Best iPhone and iPad Apps offers reviews and recommendations for over 200 apps for the iPhone and iPad. Apple’s handheld devices have many strengths, but the App Store is unfortunately not one of them. Sorting through and making sense of the more than 225,000 apps is bewildering, and this book takes on the task of finding the best. App categories will range from games to productivity, photography to utilities, health to finance. Each app will get its own page, with a image or two highlighting the app’s cool features and a write-up explaining why the app is an essential addition.” (Syndetics summary)

The CSS detective guide : tricks for solving tough CSS mysteries! / Denise R. Jacobs.
“One of the toughest challenges novice CSS developers face is when seemingly perfect code doesn’t translate into a perfectly rendered browser page-and with all the di” (Syndetics summary)

Adobe Photoshop cs5 on demand / Steve Johnson.
“Johnson, who has written many books on Adobe and other computer software, provides a quick reference that uses illustrations and step-by-step instructions to explain basic to advanced Adobe Photoshop CS5 skills for use in graphic design and image enhancement. Tasks are presented in one to two pages and range from installation, to navigation and measurement, to working with other Adobe programs, as well as customization; selection; the history panel; adjustment layers, filters, and tools; colors and channels; paint, shape drawing, and eraser tools; masks; paths; type; image output; automation; designing for the web and devices; and extensions. This edition incorporates many new tasks, such as working with raw images from a digital camera, 3D models, merging images, and applying a color overlay. The book also serves as preparation for the Adobe Certified Expert exam. Access to an online edition is included, and example files, photos, and keyboard shortcuts are also online. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)” (Syndetics summary)

Making software : what really works, and why we believe it / edited by Andy Oram and Greg Wilson.
“In this book, leading thinkers such as Steve McConnell, Barry Boehm, and Barbara Kitchenham offer essays that uncover the truth and unmask myths commonly held among the software development community.” (Syndetics summary)

The elements of user experience : user-centered design for the Web and beyond / written and illustrated by Jesse James Garrett.
“Web design is more than just creating clean code and sharp graphics. A site that really works fulfills strategic objectives while meeting users needs. Even the best content and the most sophisticated technology won’t help you balance those goals without a cohesive, consistent user experience to support it. The Elements of User Experience cuts through the complexity of user-centered design for the Web with clear explanations and vivid illustrations that focus on ideas rather than tools or techniques. Jesse James Garrett gives readers the big picture of Web user experience development, from strategy and requirements to information architecture and visual design. This accessible introduction helps any Web development team, large or small, to create a successful user experience.” (Syndetics summary)

Check out our new computing books’ selection this month! Learn how to protect Windows XP and Vista against viruses, and get all the help you can with Windows Vista. If you are a Senior, computers won’t have any secrets for you with Computing for the older and wiser. Other areas of interest are covered with a usability manual, a guide on how to make it on YouTube, and a book about Joomla! If you want to know about How to cheat in Photoshop CS4, SQL, Mobile internet for dummies and ASP.NET 3.5, go to this month’s Computing Recent Picks‘ page.

The internet is a wonderful invention and it has become part of our daily life, but how can we protect ourselves against people who use it to harm? The dotCrime manifesto presents efficient ways to counter web crimes and how to build a safer internet. In the same vein, Googling security shows how Google collects private information about its users and how to keep safe from privacy intrusion. Social networking is well represented in our selection this month as Wikipedia, online forums, and the three Web 2.0 giants: Facebook, YouTube and MySpace are featured. And if you want to know more about DIY website building, iPhones, Photoshop, MySQL server and Maya 2009, check out this month’s Computing Recent Picks.

Some of us might feel like a defenseless kitten when confronted to the complexities of the Ubuntu operating system based on Linux. Ubuntu kung fu gives you the tools to overcome any difficulties and be a confident user of this award-winning system software. If you feel your website is lacking this ‘je ne sais quoi’, get hold of Killer Web Content and provide your visitors with a memorable online experience. You can also learn to make wikis work for you and your organization with Wikipatterns, and you can decipher the meaning of our internet usage with Click. If you want to be a star on YouTube, borrow 15 minutes of fame and get to know how. Finally, if you are interested in the Ruby program language, Web 2.0 security issues, and Adobe Air with Ajax, check out this month’s Computing Recent Picks.

New computing books this month cover home internet security, Linux toys, Illustrator CS2, Photoshop CS2, Mozilla’s open source browser Firefox, and more.