Computing Recent Picks

November 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.

Amazon book jacket Software testing : a craftsman's approach, by Paul C. Jorgensen.
"The third edition of the widely adopted text and reference book is comprised of six parts. It begins by providing the mathematical background in discrete mathematics and linear graph theory that is used in subsequent sections. The book continues to describe specification-based (functional) and code-based (structural) test development techniques, while extending this theoretical approach to less understood levels of integration and system testing. The author further develops this discussion to include object-oriented software. A completely new section relates all of the previously discussed concepts to the agile software development movement and highlights issues such as how agile and XP development environments are radically changing the role of software testers by making testing integral at every phase of the development process." (Amazon)

Amazon book jacket Designing a digital portfolio, by Cynthia L. Baron.
"Portfolios have always been artists' most valuable tools for communicating their talents to the outside world, whether to potential employers or galleries or clients. But the days of sketches and slides have given way to arrangements of digital assets that are both simpler and more complex than their traditional analog counterparts. Instructor and design professional Cynthia Baron covers all the facets that artists need to know, from choosing the best work for a particular audience to using various file formats to organizing, designing, and presenting the portfolio. Beautiful full-color illustrations demonstrate her instructions, and case studies throughout portray examples of attractive and effective portfolio design. This book gives artists at any level a creative edge, ensuring that their portfolios get noticed and help them stand out from the crowd." (Amazon)

Amazon book jacket Secrets of digital animation : a master class in innovative tools and techniques, by Steven Withrow. (2009)
"Secrets of Digital Animation sets out to demonstrate and showcase a range of cutting-edge work, new techniques, and influential practitioners within all forms of contemporary animation, from anime to flashware, and from animated shorts to machinima, offering creative hints and tips from the genre masters. This book offers young practitioners, and those interested in broadening their skills, an insiders view of the fast evolving work of animation; showcasing professionals and their creations, working methods, and inspiration, along with jargon-busting explanations and easy to follow demonstrations. Stunning examples of finished work are shown alongside conceptual drawings and works in progress. The book contains practical advice and case studies that explore the professional techniques behind designing innovative characters and fantastical worlds, and bringing them to life." (Amazon)

Amazon book jacketThe little Mac book, by Robin Williams.
"Adopting a back-to-the-basics approach, this bestselling little Mac classic has been revised and overhauled to introduce users to Snow Leopard, Apple's newest version of its operating system. In the gentle, friendly, funny style that generations of computer users have come to know and love, author Robin Williams shows readers how to dive in and start working with the Mac and OS X Snow Leopard. This full-color little book walks readers through all of the key new features in Snow Leopard. Using straightforward, jargon-free explanations delivered in logical, easy-to-follow sections, Robin is a new user's personal guide, coaching and encouraging readers as they learn their way around the magic of the Mac." (Amazon)

Amazon book jacketUbuntu certified professional study guide (Exam LPI 199), by Michael Jang.
"Based on the Linux Professional Institute (LPI) level 1 certification, the Ubuntu Certified Professional is the new credential for this increasingly popular global Linux distribution. This fully integrated study system offers complete coverage of all the exam objectives through step-by-step exercises, exam watch notes, on-the-job elements, and chapter self-tests which include knowledge-, scenario-, and lab-based questions. Ubuntu Certified Professional Study Guide covers installation, configuration, administration, user and group management, networking, and more. You can test your knowledge with more than 400 realistic practice exam questions." (Amazon)

Amazon book jacketHacking exposed 6 : network security secrets & solutions, by Stuart McClure, Joel Scambray, George Kurtz. (2009)
"The tenth anniversary edition of the world's bestselling computer security book!
The original Hacking Exposed authors rejoin forces on this new edition to offer completely up-to-date coverage of today's most devastating hacks and how to prevent them. Using their proven methodology, the authors reveal how to locate and patch system vulnerabilities. The book includes new coverage of ISO images, wireless and RFID attacks, Web 2.0 vulnerabilities, anonymous hacking tools, Ubuntu, Windows Server 2008, mobile devices, and more. Hacking Exposed 6 applies the authors' internationally renowned computer security methodologies, technical rigor, and "from-the-trenches" experience to make computer technology usage and deployments safer and more secure for businesses and consumers." (Amazon)

Photoshop CS4 for Windows and Macintosh, by Elaine Weinmann, Peter Lourekas.

Adobe CS4 Web workflows : building Web sites with Adobe Creative Suite 4, by Joseph W. Lowery.

Green home computing for dummies, by Woody Leonhard and Katherine Murray.

The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 book : the complete guide for photographers, by Martin Evening.

Build a website for free, by Mark Bell.

Joomla!, Marni Derr and Tanya Symes.

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