Computing Recent Picks

October 2008

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.

Mac computing for seniors in easy steps, by Nick Vandome.
"The days of Apple Mac computers being used solely by designers and hard-core Apple fans are long gone: due to their ease-of-use, stability and security, Mac computers are becoming firmly established as genuine alternatives to Windows PCs. What's more, their intuitive interface and versatility makes them ideal machines for the seniors market. Mac Computing for Seniors in easy steps begins with an overview of Mac computers, covering the different types of desktops and laptops that are available and gives a tour around them so that you quickly feel confident about using them. There is then an extensive look at customizing the desktop so that you can set up your Mac exactly as you want it. The Mac operating system, OS X, is renowned for being easy to use and also very efficient in terms of performance and security. The book takes an in-depth look at the latest version of OS X, Leopard, covering everything from working with programs to organising folders and files. It also shows how to effortlessly share files with Windows PC machines." (Amazon)

How to do everything : Mac, by Dwight Spivey. (2008)
"Take your Mac to the limit. This hands-on guide explains how to get the most out of an Apple Mac, iMac, MacBook, or Mac mini. Step-by-step tutorials cover Mac OS X Leopard, Safari, iLife, iTunes, iWork, and the other bundled tools. Along with coverage of the operating system and applications, the book includes chapters on running Windows on a Mac, networking in a mixed PC environment, troubleshooting, and repairs." (Amazon)

Linux bible : boot up to Ubuntu, Fedora, KNOPPIX, Debian, openSUSE, and 11 other distributions, by Christopher Negus. (2008)
"The Linux Bible 2008 Edition is the best first Linux book for new or migrating users. By focusing on the building-block nature of Linux, and offering true up-to-date descriptions of Linux technology, the Bible helps the reader learn how to jump headlong into Linux, regardless of the Linux distribution they choose. Descriptions of different Linux distributions helps users choose the Linux distribution that's right for them. Detailed installation instructions, step-by-step descriptions of key desktop and server components, and the actual distributions on CD and DVD, let readers get started using Linux immediately. The Bible will serve a broad range of readers, from those starting with Linux to anyone looking to evaluate different Linux distributions." (Amazon)

Microsoft Windows Home Server unleashed, by Paul McFedries.
"Windows Home Server is a brand new server operating system from Microsoft designed to be used in home settings. Windows Home Server is designed to reduce or eliminate the complexity of a typical network server and instead present home users with a simple, straightforward interface that focuses on four core areas: storage, sharing, backup, and remote access. Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Home Server Unleashed is the first book on the market that takes a deep look at what makes this new server operating system tick. Inside you'll learn how the Windows Home Server storage system combines multiple hard disks (both internal and external) into a single storage space that expands and contracts automatically as you add and remove hard disks, making it easy for home users to share folders, files, and digital media of all kinds." (Amazon)

Ubuntu Linux toolbox : 1000+ commands for Ubuntu and Debian power users, by Christopher Negus, François Caen.
"Aimed squarely at aspiring Linux power users and professional administrators, the "Ubuntu Linux Toolbox" offers more than 1000 examples of useful Linux command lines. This compact, handy reference is made to carry with you, whether you are maintaining hundreds of Linux systems or just want to dig beneath the surface of your Ubuntu desktop system. This is the Linux reference book you need to step up to the next level." (Amazon)

Linux kernel development, by Robert Love.
"Linux Kernel Development details the design and implementation of the Linux kernel, presenting the content in a manner that is beneficial to those writing and developing kernel code. While the book discusses topics that are theoretical, it does so with the goal of assisting programmers so they better understand the topics and become more efficient and productive in their coding." (Amazon)

Fedora 7 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux bible, by Christopher Negus.

Big book of Windows hacks, by Preston Gralla.

Windows administration at the command line : for Windows Vista, Windows 2003, Windows XP, and Windows 2000, by John Paul Mueller.

Ubuntu unleashed, by Andrew Hudson, Paul Hudson.

Read the latest computer magazine issues online for free!

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

PC Magazine "Ask the Experts." PC Magazine; Oct2008, Vol. 27 Issue 11, p105-107.

Previous Computer Books edition