O'Reilly & Associates.

O'Reilly & Associates

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www.oreilly.comAjax can be added to existing web applications without redoing everything--and ADDING AJAX by Shelley Powers (0596529368, $34.99) is the perfect web programmer's guide to doing so with ease. Chapters not only cover methods of adding Ajax, but how to use Ajax to enhance an application, how to work with Ajax libraries and interactive elements, and how to understand the effects Ajax has on Web applications. Any web programmer's collection should have ADDING AJAX: it discusses easy integration of Ajax into existing systems and operations. Andy Oram and Greg Wilson edit BEAUTIFUL CODE: LEADING PROGRAMMERS EXPLAIN HOW THEY THINK (0596510047, $44.99), a unique collection of master classes in software design which will prove perfect not just for computer libraries, but for classroom assignment and independent study. Nearly forty master coders reconstruct project creation and coding challenges, considering basic best practices and times when rules must be bent or broken to achieve results. Any programmer involved in software engineering or design will welcome this survey of how the best coders think. David Sawyer McFarland's DREAMWEAVER CS3: THE MISSING MANUAL (0596510438, $44.99) is a powerful all-inclusive reference which is simply a 'must' for any computer collection strong in Dreamweaver patronage. From building your first site and posting it on the Web to adding interactivity with forms and building database-driven web sites, over a hundred pages of step-by-step tutorials is accompanied by insider's tips to make for one of the best Dreamweaver tutorials we've seen. Gary A. Donahue's NETWORK WARRIOR (0596101511, $44.99) is for network systems administrators and libraries catering to these advanced users: it begins where certification exams stop and continues the work of real world instruction on real Cisco networks, from understanding firewall theory and selling network improvements to management to IP design basics and best practices, NETWORK WARRIOR offers many insights based on the author's own real-world experiences. ESSENTIAL ACTIONSCRIPT 3.0 by Colin Moock (0596526946, $54.99) is for advanced programming libraries and for ActionScript web developers who seek a detailed reference on the topic. ActionScript 3.0 is a major upgrade to Flash programming: it's faster and more sophisticated and requires a deeper level of understanding--offered up by ESSENTIAL ACTIONSCRIPT 3.0 alone, making for an invaluable reference. Brian Culp's WINDOWS VISTA ADMINISTRATION: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE (0596529597, $49.99) is a problem-solving reference which is a 'must' for any network administrator. From working with hardware and software and solving common installation and use issues to personalizing and customizing Vista, chapters pack in black and white screen shots and provide plenty of technical details making this a weighty 'must' for any in-depth library catering to the latest network admin needs. Kenneth C. Feldt's PROGRAMMING FIREFOX (0596102437, $59.99) is recommended for advanced computer libraries catering to programmers: it blends a tutorial and a programmer's reference under one cover, covering XUL's interface and capabilities and including a review of Firefox technology, applications management, and more. Any designer working on standards-based Internet projects needs PROGRAMMING FIREFOX: it covers all the basics and encourages a more in-depth understanding of Firefox's potential. Jennifer Niederst Robbins' LEARNING WEB DESIGN, 3RD EDITION (0596527527, $44.99) is subtitled 'A Beginner's Guide to XTML, Style Sheets, and Web Graphics', and herein lies its power. Chapters covering these professional ideas tell everything needed to know how Web pages work and builds a foundation of knowledge, adding applications savvy and advanced topics on top. The book's been completely revised to show how to blend modern design practices into web site design and includes exercises and quizzes, also making it a top classroom assignment pick. An excellent addition to any serious college-level computer library. Christopher Wells' SECURING AJAX APPLICATIONS (0596529317, $49.99) makes a startling comment: using Ajax can increase the risks of existing security flaws in a web site. That said, SECURING AJAX APPLICATIONS fixes many problems, showing how to locate dangerous gaps and cover them early on. Basic security techniques and known vulnerabilities are examined in an overview of not just Ajax but the evolving web platform as a whole. Recommended for any library catering to Ajax students and programmers. Libraries will find compact and affordable the fine 'pocket references' produced by O'Reilly. Michael Fitzgerald's RUBY (0596514816, $9.99) provides an excellent quick programmer's reference to Ruby which is organized for speedy consultation. From lists of methods to predefined variables, RUBY POCKET REFERENCE is not only a top pick for libraries, but for working Ruby programmers who want a pocket at-a-glance guide. George Reese's MY SQL POCKET REFERENCE 2ND EDITION (0596514263, $14.99) covers Version 5.1 and provides SQL statements, functions, and insights into its variations and utilities. Explanations are accompanied by tables and examples for maximum efficiency. Both are fine programmer's guides.