Computing Recent Picks

February 2009

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.

Geekonomics : the real cost of insecure software, by David Rice. (2008)
• In 1996, software defects in a Boeing 757 caused a crash that killed 70 people:
• In 2003, a software vulnerability helped cause the largest U.S. power outage in decades:
• In 2004, known software weaknesses let a hacker invade T-Mobile, capturing everything from passwords to Paris Hilton's photos:
• In 2005, 23,900 Toyota Priuses were recalled for software errors that could cause the cars to shut down at highway speeds:
• In 2006 dubbed "The Year of Cybercrime" 7,000 software vulnerabilities were discovered that hackers could use to access private information:
• In 2007, operatives in two nations brazenly exploited software vulnerabilities to cripple the infrastructure and steal trade secrets from other sovereign nations.
Software has become crucial to the very survival of civilization. But badly written, insecure software is hurting people - and costing businesses and individuals billions of dollars every year. This must change. In Geekonomics, David Rice shows how we can change it." (Amazon)

Your first notebook PC, by Michael Miller. (2008)
"Using a notebook PC is different from using a desktop PC. Not only are the keyboard and screen smaller, you have to deal with battery life, notebook security, connecting to the Internet at Wi-Fi hot spots, and figuring out how to enter numbers without a numeric keypad. How do you do what you need to do on your new notebook PC? Your First Notebook PC is the solution to your problems. This book focuses on how to shop for, set up, and use a new notebook PC. You'll learn all about different types of notebooks, unique notebook features, and useful notebook accessories. You'll also discover how to get the most out of your notebook at home, at the office, and on the road - and how to troubleshoot any problems you might encounter!" (Amazon)

Managing online forums : everything you need to know to create and run successful community discussion boards, by Patrick O'Keefe. (2008)
"Every day, millions of users log into their favorite online forums to keep up on the latest trends in music, politics, entertainment, and current events. Each of these communities is led by administrators who must make tough decisions, deal with difficult users and manage the staff. Legal constraints, trolls, and technical issues can all turn the excitement of running an online community into chaos. With the right guidance, however, running forums can be a pleasure, not a chore. Patrick O'Keefe has spent years developing and managing his own online communities. Now, he shows readers how they can make their lives easier by making the right decisions about every aspect of their forums. From developing their site to choosing the right employees, Managing Online Forums is the one book that shows site administrators how to create a safe, entertaining, and informative community that users will return to again and again." (Amazon)

Handbook of usability testing : how to plan, design, and conduct effective tests, by Jeff Rubin, Dana Chisnell. (2008)
"Whether it's software, a cell phone, or a refrigerator, your customer wants no, expects your product to be easy to use. This fully revised handbook provides clear, step-by-step guidelines to help you test your product for usability. Completely updated with current industry best practices, it can give you that all-important marketplace advantage: products that perform the way users expect. You'll learn to recognize factors that limit usability, decide where testing should occur, set up a test plan to assess goals for your product's usability, and more." (Amazon)

Joomla! : a user's guide : building a successful Joomla! powered Website, by Barrie M. North. (2008)
"If you want to build sophisticated websites that can be easily edited and updated, you need to master Joomla! - the world's #1 open source content management system. Now there's an easy-to-read, easy-to-use guide to Joomla! for every site manager, administrator, and developer. Leading Joomla! consultant Barrie North covers all you need to get results: installation, administration, site organization, template development, content updates, and a whole lot more. You'll find never-before-published tips, tricks, and troubleshooting solutions, as well as three start-to-finish case studies. New to Joomla? No problem! This book starts with the simplest design and system concepts, and builds your expertise step-by-step. You'll rapidly master Joomla!'s power, even if you have no content management, scripting, or CSS expertise. Experienced with Joomla!? You'll turn to this book constantly for its authoritative, plain-English, example-rich Joomla! 1.0 and 1.5 reference content." (Amazon)

Agile project management with Scrum, by Ken Schwaber.
"The rules and practices for Scrum - a simple process for managing complex projects - are few, straightforward and easy to learn." (Book jacket)

Everything you know about CSS is wrong!, by Rachel Andrew & Kevin Yank.

Pro Drupal development, by John K. VanDyk and Matt Westgate.

How to do everything with YouTube, by Chad Fahs.

Read the latest computer articles online for free!

Extreme Gaming Desktops: Fast Parts, Exotic Good Looks : PC World. Jan2009, Vol. 27 Issue 1, p56-56, 1p, 1 chart, 1 color.

Digital Traffic Jam Ahead: New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)). New York, N.Y.: Jan 19, 2009. pg. B.1

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