Computing Recent Picks

March 2007

The underlined title links will take you directly to our catalogue.
Some featured items are linked via a book cover to enable you to read more reviews.

Just say no to Microsoft : how to ditch Microsoft and why it's not as hard as you think by Tony Bove. (2005)
"The author first catalogs the many reasons why one should shed their reliance on Microsoft products. These include operating systems prone to failure which require a continuous flow of Windows updates. Also the MS office software--Word, Excel, Office, etc.--are virus/hacker prone and defy industry standard formats making information sharing difficult." (Synopsis Amazon.uk)

Maya 7 for Windows and Macintosh, by Danny Riddell, Morgan Robinson, and Nathaniel Stein. (2007)
"Adding tools that allow users to realize the 2D Toon look of comic books, cartoons, manga and anime; create spectacular clothing, fur or long hair for characters; and move data quickly back and forth between Maya and Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, an already cool program just got even cooler. Here to take budding animators and modelers from 0 to 60 fast in Maya 7 is the eagerly anticipated update to everybody's favorite Maya tome: Maya 7: Visual QuickStart Guide!" (Book description, Amazon.com)

Excel for starters : the missing manual, by Matthew MacDonald. (2006)
"The dominant spreadsheet program and one of the most widely used software applications in the world, Microsoft Excel is unbelievably powerful - and can be downright intimidating. If you're new to Excel or among the many existing Excel users who are dazed and confused by all that the program can do (and by how little it has actually done for you), "Excel for Starters: The Missing Manual" is your ideal resource." (Synopsis, amazon.uk)

The official Ubuntu book by Benjamin Mako Hill ... [et al.]. (2006)
"Ubuntu is a complete, free operating system that emphasizes community, support, and ease of use while refusing to compromise on speed, power, and flexibility. It's Linux for human beings - designed for everyone from computer novices to experts. Ubuntu is the most in-demand Linux distribution, and this official guide will get you up and running quickly. Learn how to seamlessly install and customize Ubuntu for your home or small businesses. Its open source power can be used in schools, government, or by corporations, and is suitable for both desktop and server use. The Ubuntu community is built on the premise that software should be available free of charge, and that people should have the freedom to customize and alter their software in whatever way they see fit. " (Synopsis, Amazon.uk)

UML : a beginner's guide by Jason T. Roff.
"This is the essential hands-on tutorial for users seeking to understand, read, draw, and use UML effectively. Readers can learn the fundamentals of UML using hands-on projects, drills and mastery checks. It illustrates how to read, draw, and use this visual modelling language to create clear and effective blueprints for software development projects. It also teaches core object-oriented concepts and how they relate to software design and analysis. It also features key coverage on Object Constraint Language (OCL), which allows users to refine their UML diagrams." (Synopsis, Amazon.uk)

Python essential reference, by David Beazley. (2006)
"Python is a general purpose programming language used in nearly all application domains. This book is a comprehensive reference to the Python programming language. The focus of the 3rd edition is to add coverage of significant new features and new library modules added to the language over the past five years. These features include new style classes, unification of types and classes, xmlrpclip, intertools, bz2 and optparse, making it the most up-to-date Python book on the market. Python is a stable language used in the real world by companies such as Yahoo and Industrial Light and Magic." (Book description, Amazon.co.uk)

PC upgrade guide, writer, Anthony Fordham. (2006)
"Make your own computer! : your complete guide to putting together a computer from a box of parts." (Book jacket)

Paint shop Pro 9 and Studio in easy steps, by Stephen Copestake. (2005)

Stylin' with CSS : a designer's guide, Charles Wyke-Smith. (2005)

Absolute beginner's guide to WordPerfect X3, by Laura Acklen. (2006)

Wi-Fi home networking : just the steps for dummies by Keith Underdahl. (2006)

C++ : how to program by H.M. Deitel, P.J. Deitel. (2003)

Ajax for dummies by Steve Holzner. (2006)

Design to sell : use Microsoft Publisher to plan, write and design great marketing pieces by Roger C. Parker. (2006)

Ambient findability by Peter Morville. (2005)

Excel 2003 in easy steps by Stephen Copestake. (2004)

Read the latest PC World issues online for free!

Here is a link to an article from the US edition of PC World - from the EBSCO database, part of mygateway.info. The link will take you to the full-text of the article, once you have entered your library card details.

PC World For Browsers, the Best of Times Is Now. PC World; Mar2007, Vol. 25 Issue 3, p15-15, 3/4p.

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