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Essential Windows Workflow Foundation (Microsoft .NET Development Series)
Dharma Shukla , and Bob Schmidt Manufacturer: Addison-Wesley Professional ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 0321399838 |
Book Description
âSomething big is about to happenâ¦.â
–From the Foreword by Don Box, Architect, Microsoft Corporation
âIf I were writing a Workflow book, this is what I would have written. The material is very well presented with code examples and explanations. Also, I love how the authors discuss the underlying architecture, enabling me to get a really deep understanding of the technology to efficiently design and build my own projects.â
–Jeffrey Richter (http://Wintellect.com)
âExplicit support for workflows in a lightweight framework is a major contribution. Many tough problems traditionally faced by application authors, such as state management in the presence of long-running activities (think weeks or months!), can be addressed systematically by adopting
a workflow approach. Dharma Shukla and Bob Schmidt present the workflow technology under and made accessible by the new workflow foundation in the .NET 3.0 framework, and they do so in an approachable and yet authoritative way that is truly enjoyable.â
–Clemens Szyperski, software architect, Microsoft Corporation
âThe Windows Workflow technology combines declarative programming and state machines in a very rich and powerful way, one that is bound to have a profound influence on the way we program in the coming years. In the style of the classic Essential COM by Don Box, Dharma and Bob have done a great job making this technology accessible to any developer already versed in C#, VB, and the .NET Framework, and who wants to achieve declarative enlightenment. Don’t miss out.â
–Joe Duffy, program manager, Common Language Runtime (CLR) team, Microsoft Corporation
âI think WF should and will be used as the main application model for web service applications. Developers working on web services will want to learn about this technology from this book; it comes straight from the source and explains the technology well and in depth.â
–Krzysztof Cwalina, program manager, Microsoft Corporation
âThis book provides an enlightening exploration of Windows Workflow Foundation for both the novice and the veteran alike.â
–Nate Talbert, software design engineer, Microsoft Corporation
Windows Workflow Foundation (WF) is a groundbreaking approach to writing and executing programs. WF programs are assembled out of resumable program statements called activities, which provide encapsulation of both domainspecific logic and control flow patterns reflective of real-world processes.
In Essential Windows Workflow Foundation, two WF lead architects–Dharma Shukla and Bob Schmidt–offer an under-the-hood look at the technology, explaining the why and not just the how of WF’s key concepts and architecture. Serious WF developers seeking details about how to effectively utilize and extend the framework by writing activities will find cogent explanations and answers here. With simple and illustrative examples, the authors demonstrate exactly how to leverage WF’s extensible programming model to craft domain-specific programs. Drawing on their unique vantage point in designing and developing WF, Shukla and Schmidt deliver authoritative coverage of
Essential Windows Workflow Foundation is the definitive resource for developers seeking an in-depth understanding of this novel technology.
Dharma Shukla is an architect at Microsoft working on next-generation programming models. A founding member of the Windows Workflow Foundation (WF) team, Dharma played a key role in defining the architecture of WF. Bob Schmidt is a senior program manager at Microsoft working on next-generation programming models. Since 2003, his primary focus has been on the design of WF. Both authors have been involved with the WF project since its inception, and have been responsible for specifying, designing, and developing large portions of the technology.
Contents
About the Authors xiii
Foreword xv
Preface xvii
Acknowledgments xxi
1 Deconstructing WF 1
2 WF Programs 33
3 Activity Execution 53
4 Advanced Activity Execution 111
5 Applications 179
6 Transactions 241
7 Advanced Authoring 259
8 Miscellanea 325
Appendix A Activity Automaton 395
Appendix B Control Flow Patterns 397
Index 435
Customer Reviews:
Spare me the vocabulary.......2007-09-24
Simply the best insider book.......2007-04-29
Indeed the MOST ESSENTIAL book on WF.......2007-04-27
If you want to more than just use activities to build workflows..........2007-04-10
Excellent discussion of WF architecture.......2007-03-23
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The Essential Guide to Flex 2 with ActionScript 3.0
Charles E Brown Manufacturer: friends of ED ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
Accessories:
ASIN: 1590597338 |
Book Description
Customer Reviews:
only a "quick start" guide.......2007-10-02
Great Book!.......2007-08-24
This is the book to get.......2007-08-12
Good book - watch out for the errors........2007-07-30
A great walk-through.......2007-07-22
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About Face 2.0: The Essentials of Interaction Design
Alan Cooper , and Robert M. Reimann Manufacturer: Wiley ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 0764526413 |
Book Description
"The following description is for the second edition of About Face. The 3rd Edtion, About Face 3 (ISBN 0470084111), is now available." First published seven years ago-just before the World Wide Web exploded into dominance in the software world-About Face rapidly became a bestseller. While the ideas and principles in the original book remain as relevant as ever, the examples in About Face 2.0 are updated to reflect the evolution of the Web.
Interaction Design professionals are constantly seeking to ensure that software and software-enabled products are developed with the end-user's goals in mind, that is, to make them more powerful and enjoyable for people who use them. About Face 2.0 ensures that these objectives are met with the utmost ease and efficiency.
Alan Cooper (Palo Alto, CA) has spent a decade making high-tech products easier to use and less expensive to build-a practice known as "Interaction Design." Cooper is now the leader in this growing field. Mr. Cooper is also the author of two bestselling books that are widely considered indispensable texts. About Face: The Essentials of User Interface Design, intro-duced the first comprehensive set of practical design principles. The Inmates Are Running the Asylum explains how talented people and companies continually create aggravating high-tech products that fail to meet customer expectations.
Robert Reimann has spent the past 15 years pushing the boundaries of digital products as a designer, writer, lecturer, and consultant. He has led dozens of interaction design projects in domains including e-commerce, portals, desktop productivity, authoring environments, medical and scientific instrumentation, wireless, and handheld devices for startups and Fortune 500 clients alike. Joining Cooper in 1996, Reimann led the development and refinement of many goal-directed design methods described in About Face 2.0. He has lectured on these methods at major universities and to international industry audiences. He is a member of the advisory board of the UC Berkeley Institute of Design.
Customer Reviews:
Alan Cooper is a genius.......2007-04-07
Designing of application.......2006-11-10
Needs more examples!.......2006-05-16
Not for experienced developers.......2006-03-05
Good on concepts, weaker on examples.......2006-02-21
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Essentials of Adobe Captivate 2: Skills and Drills Workbook
Kevin A. Siegel Manufacturer: IconLogic, Inc. ProductGroup: Book Binding: Spiral-bound Similar Items:
ASIN: 1932733124 Release Date: 2006-10-23 |
Book Description
Using this fast-paced, step-by-step workbook, you will master the essential Adobe Captivate skills. You'll learn how to capture screen shots of just about anything on your computer, and quickly create quality CBTs. You will learn how to make your movies visually appealing and interactive by adding such things as images, captions, rollovers, clickable areas, typing areas, narrative, and sound effects. You will also learn to create quizzes that can be integrated into a Learning Management System.Here's a sample of what you'll learn:
Record Projects in all of the Capture Modes | Insert and Edit Text Captions | Insert Images | Change the Pointer Path | Change the Pointer Type | Insert a Text Button | Insert and Format a Highlight Box | Insert a Click Box | Shrink an Object | Insert a Text Entry Box | Insert a Rollover Caption | Insert a Rollover Image | Insert a Zoom Area | Add a Slide Label | Add a Slide Note | Add a Sound Effect to an Object | Add Background Music to a Project | Calibrate a Microphone | Record Audio | Edit an Audio File | Change a Project's Frame Rate | Add Animation to a Slide | Change an Animation's Slide Position | Insert Text Animation | Insert Flash Video | Create Quiz Slides | Link Projects to Web Sites | Link Projects Together | Work with an LMS | Create, Apply and Edit Skins | Add a Loading Screen | Create a Project Template | Record a New Project Based on a Template | Edit a Template | Add Closed Captioning | Import a PowerPoint Presentation | Resize a Project | Import Project Slides and Objects | Use Buttons to Create a Branch
Customer Reviews:
The best way to learn Captivate (short of instructor-led training).......2007-08-23
Buy this book when you order your software.......2007-07-19
What a wonderful book!.......2007-06-15
A truly fine software learning experience!.......2007-06-13
Superb Quick Start Quide!.......2007-05-30
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Essential SNMP, Second Edition
Douglas Mauro , and Kevin Schmidt Manufacturer: O'Reilly Media, Inc. ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 0596008406 |
Amazon.com
Without Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), network administrators might have to actually get out of their chairs and go see what's up with all of the network-connected equipment under their authority. Perish the thought. Essential SNMP explains how the management protocol works and how it's implemented by several operating systems and pieces of equipment. More importantly, this book shows its reader--who should be a network administrator who's familiar with the problems of running a distributed network--how SNMP can earn its place as a network administration tool. In other words, this book examines SNMP as a strategic resource as well as a technical phenomenon.Because it's oriented toward SNMP as a tool, much of the coverage in this book has to do with software that uses SNMP to provide network monitoring and control services. After a strengths-and-weaknesses overview of a number of SNMP packages, the authors use mainly HP OpenView, Castle Rock SNMPc, and Net-SNMP (the last in combination with Perl scripting) to demonstrate how SNMP works and how to take advantage of it. It's the scripting that really distinguishes this book from other SNMP books, by the way. It's integral to the authors' presentation, and the latter half of this book is packed with shell and Perl listings. --David Wall
Topics covered: Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and its applicability as a network management tool. Details like object identifiers (OIDs), management information bases (MIBs), traps, and community strings are defined and explained. The configuration of SNMP agents is detailed for several software packages and operating systems, and the integration of SNMP and scripts (in shell languages and in Perl) is covered nicely.
Book Description
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) provides a "simple" set of operations that allows you to more easily monitor and manage network devices like routers, switches, servers, printers, and more. The information you can monitor with SNMP is wide-ranging--from standard items, like the amount of traffic flowing into an interface, to far more esoteric items, like the air temperature inside a router. In spite of its name, though, SNMP is not especially simple to learn.O'Reilly has answered the call for help with a practical introduction that shows how to install, configure, and manage SNMP. Written for network and system administrators, the book introduces the basics of SNMP and then offers a technical background on how to use it effectively. Essential SNMP explores both commercial and open source packages, and elements like OIDs, MIBs, community strings, and traps are covered in depth. The book contains five new chapters and various updates throughout. Other new topics include:
The bulk of the book is devoted to discussing, with real examples, how to use SNMP for system and network administration tasks. Administrators will come away with ideas for writing scripts to help them manage their networks, create managed objects, and extend the operation of SNMP agents.
Once demystified, SNMP is much more accessible. If you're looking for a way to more easily manage your network, look no further than Essential SNMP, 2nd Edition.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointing.......2007-05-25
1/4 good.......2007-05-03
Great book on SNMP starts from the beginning.......2007-02-21
Essential SNMP, Second Edition, Review.......2007-01-17
Good book, but where is there one for idiots?.......2007-01-11
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Essential ActionScript 3.0 (Essential)
Colin Moock Manufacturer: Adobe Dev Library ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 0596526946 |
Book Description
ActionScript 3.0 is a huge upgrade to Flash's programming language. The enhancements to ActionScript's performance, feature set, ease of use, cleanliness, and sophistication are considerable. Essential ActionScript 3.0 focuses on the core language and object-oriented programming, along with the Flash Player API. Essential ActionScript has become the #1 resource for the Flash and ActionScript development community, and the reason is the author, Colin Moock. Many people even refer to it simply as "The Colin Moock book."
And for good reason: No one is better at turning ActionScript inside out, learning its nuances and capabilities, and then explaining everything in such an accessible way. Colin Moock is not just a talented programmer and technologist; he's also a gifted teacher.
Essential ActionScript 3.0 is a radically overhauled update to Essential ActionScript 2.0. True to its roots, the book once again focuses on the core language and object-oriented programming, but also adds a deep look at the centerpiece of Flash Player's new API: display programming. Enjoy hundreds of brand new pages covering exciting new language features, such as the DOM-based event architecture, E4X, and namespaces--all brimming with real-world sample code.
The ActionScript 3.0 revolution is here, and Essential ActionScript 3.0's steady hand is waiting to guide you through it.
Adobe Developer Library is a co-publishing partnership between O'Reilly Media and Adobe Systems, Inc. and is designed to produce the number one information resources for developers who use Adobe technologies. Created in 2006, the Adobe Developer Library is the official source for comprehensive learning solutions to help developers create expressive and interactive web applications that can reach virtually anyone on any platform. With top-notch books and innovative online resources covering the latest in rich Internet application development, the Adobe Developer Library offers expert training and in-depth resources, straight from the source.
Customer Reviews:
Well beyond the essentials.......2007-09-18
Great primer!.......2007-09-17
Not for the young at heart.......2007-09-11
Anyone Seeking Clarity Beware..........2007-09-06
An invaluable reference........2007-09-06
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IPv6 Essentials
Silvia Hagen Manufacturer: O'Reilly Media, Inc. ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 0596100582 |
Book Description
IPv6 Essentials, Second Edition provides a succinct, in-depth tour of all the new features and functions in IPv6, guiding you through everything you need to know to get started, including how to configure IPv6 on hosts and routers and which applications currently support IPv6. The new protocol offers extended address space, scalability, improved support for security, real-time traffic support, and auto-configuration so that even a novice user can connect a machine to the Internet. Aimed at system and network administrators, engineers, network designers, and IT managers, this book will help you understand, plan for, design, and integrate IPv6 into your current IPv4 infrastructure.
Beginning with a short history of IPv6, author Silvia Hagen provides an overview of new functionality and discusses why we need IPv6. Hagen also shares exhaustive discussions of the new IPv6 header format and Extension Headers, IPv6 address and ICMPv6 message format, Security, QoS, Mobility and, last but not least, offers a Quick Start Guide for different operating systems. IPv6 Essentials, Second Edition also covers:
Whether you're ready to start implementing IPv6 today or are planning your strategy for the future, IPv6 Essentials, Second Edition will provide the solid foundation you need to get started.
"Silvia's look at IPv6 is always refreshing as she translates complex technology features into business drivers and genuine end-user benefits to enable building new business concepts based on end to end models." Latif Ladid, President IPv6 Forum, Chair EU IPv6 Task Force
Customer Reviews:
VERY VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!.......2006-10-06
Excellent discussion of IPv6 protocols.......2006-09-20
Excellent 2nd edition contains lots of practical information.......2006-06-10
Ipv6 essentials.......2006-02-28
Best IPv6 Book to Date.......2004-12-28
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Essential ASP.NET With Examples in C#
Fritz Onion Manufacturer: Addison-Wesley Professional ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 0201760401 |
Amazon.com
The Microsoft .NET Framework is exactly what its name implies: A general system onto which a lot of application-specific technologies are stuck. Essential ASP.NET With Examples in C# assumes you know something about the .NET way of doing things, and want to know more about how you can use its ASP.NET facet to implement robust and stylish Web applications. Fritz Onion, in a manner typical of this series, introduces key ASP.NET concepts logically, and with lots of code listings that make it clear how the concepts should be translated into reality. The truth be told, Onion excels at combining conceptual information with practical examples. This is unusual among writers of technical books, who tend to be good at (at best) one or the other.Typically, the author approaches a capability of ASP.NET--validation of submitted form data, say--by presenting a quick summary of the problem and then attacking it (or components of it) with code. The code segments (which tend not to be too long, and so relatively easy to trace and comprehend) are then dissected, and special attention called to details of particular interest to the local problem. It's a great way to learn if you already have a grasp of the basics, as you can either go hands-on with your own system or absorb the author's wisdom through the book alone. --David Wall
Topics covered: How ASP.NET works, and how to write effective software with it. Detailed coverage goes to HtmlControls, WebControls, the web.config file, form-data validation, custom controls, and state management. There's also excellent coverage of the often confusing HTTP Pipeline.
Customer Reviews:
Great book.......2006-02-25
A great text type book for ASP.NET.......2005-09-10
An absolute must-read for ASP.NET developers!.......2005-09-04
The best ASP.NET book!.......2005-08-29
Very disorganized - strongly dislike it.......2005-07-29
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Telecommunications Essentials, Second Edition: The Complete Global Source (2nd Edition)
Lillian Goleniewski , and Kitty Wilson Jarrett Manufacturer: Addison-Wesley Professional ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 0321427610 |
Book Description
“In this updated and expanded edition of her excellent telecommunications primer, Lili explains in just the right detail everything you need to know to become fluent in this most important and fascinating industry. Besides including a satisfying amount of expert technical detail, the book also discusses equally crucial aspects of how communications technology affects society, culture, and politics. Electronic communications is changing the world for the better; learn from Lili’s expertise how you, too, can participate in the revolution.”
—Steve Riley, senior security strategist, Microsoft Corporation
“The book you hold in your hand is a rarity. In more than thirty years of teaching, administration, and research in telecommunications, I have never found a single book that could serve these diverse areas. The search is over. Telecommunications Essentials is best-of-breed in telecommunications publishing and represents the most thorough, comprehensive, and forward-looking resource to date. Both student and practitioner alike will find the unique blend of introductory and advanced material a ‘one-stop-shop.’ If it was a movie, this book would receive two thumbs up!”
—Dr. Art St. George, manager of advanced technologies, University of New Mexico
“Telecommunications Essentials should be on the shelf of every professional working in voice and data networking. It is the first place I go when I need to look up something that I am unsure of or when I encounter a new or unfamiliar term. I have been using Telecommunications Essentials now for two years as the course text for business technology students taking Introduction to Telecommunications. My course covers the entire book and the students end up with a practical knowledge base of the components, technologies, and connectivity that make today’s networks work. This new edition is most welcome since it includes new advances in the areas of fiber optics, wireless, Voice over IP, and broadband technologies that have emerged since the publication of the first edition. This new edition will replace my well-worn copy of my first edition of Telecommunications Essentials, which has served me well so far.”
—Robert Hudyma, professor of business, Ryerson University
“This is an excellent reference book on telecommunications. It’s up-to-date on the latest technology, it’s comprehensive, and most of all, it’s easy to read and understand. Lili has the rare ability to explain very complex subjects well. If you need a good reference book on telecommunications, I would start with this.”
—To Chee Eng, research director, communications, Gartner
“Lillian makes telecoms fun.”
—Ni Quiaque Lai, CFO, Hong Kong Broadband Network Ltd.
“Goleniewski’s Telecommunications Essentials sets the stage by discussing forward-looking applications that are made possible by advances in telecommunications technology, including embedded devices, intelligent wearables, intelligent robot squads, and many others. This initial discussion is quite motivating for students and makes them eager to learn about various networking technologies, which are covered quite well in the rest of the book. The first edition (published in 2003) was already a great book for teaching telecommunications essentials, and it is clear that the second edition brings us up to the present and is a remarkable treatment of the topic.”
—Dr. Lundy Lewis, chair of the Department of Information Technology, Southern New Hampshire University
“The book covers not just the fundamentals of telecommunications, but it easily guides the readers through the wide variety of technical details of next-generation network services, converged network architectures, and technologies. Lillian’s elegant and clear style of presentation makes the book an excellent reference for system developers as well as telecommunications system designers to understand the current and emerging technologies that support business applications.”
—Dr. Tibro Gyires, professor, Illinois State University, School of Information Technology
“When Lili published her first edition of Telecommunications Essentials, I was a consultant in the communications field. Her guide was the only one I used to keep current. Now I’m in different field altogether but I need to understand this highly extensive field. Telecommunications Essentials is comprehensive, user-friendly, insightful, and fun. It’s the only resource to have if you want to know telecom.”
—Dave Feldman, consul, trade and investment, British Embassy
“After four decades of working in the computer and telecommunications fields, and more than twenty years of teaching graduate-level courses in telecommunications and network management at four universities, I finally have a book that meets the needs of students who are working to gain an in-depth and comprehensive grasp of an ever-changing field. Lili Goleniewski wrote that book. Her second edition is an outstanding contribution to the field and will be the best teaching aid I have ever had. If you teach you should use this book. If you want to really learn about telecommunications and data networks you should insist that your school adopt the book as a text.”
—Michael Erbschloe, consultant, author, and educator
“Telecommunications is not just about the legacy telephone network or the evolving wireless networks or the rapidly expanding Internet. It is about all of these and much more. It requires years of expertise in this fascinating field, combined with skillful writing ability, to develop a book that presents in an interesting and insightful manner the multifaceted disciplines of telecommunications. Lillian Goleniewski has accomplished this immense task with great skill in her book Telecommunications Essentials. Beginning students and professionals alike will benefit from this book. It can serve as an excellent reference book for telecommunications executives and business professionals who need to understand the basics of telecommunications and the workings of next-generation networks. Congratulations to the author on a task well done!”
—Dr. Seshadri Mohan, chair and professor, Systems Engineering Department, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
“Telecommunications Essentials is a brilliant book for a broad and in-depth picture of the nitty-gritty aspects of telecommunications. Lili has a way of explaining complicated topics very well. It is a must-have book for any person who works in the IT world.”
—Lino Alberts, department manager technology operations, RBTT Bank Aruba N.V.
“A truly amazing book. A ‘must-have’ for anyone who wants to know the basics of telecommunication, how it works, and where the industry is heading. This book is excellent for all audiences—from novice to expert. Lili has successfully broken down the complexity of telecommunication so it can be easily understood.”
—Mohd Radzi b. Mohd Yusoff, senior manager, MSC Technology Centre, Sdn Bhd, Malaysia
“Telecommication Essentials describes the most technical elements of the subject in layperson’s terms, while remaining engaging for those with greater understanding. In providing the link between the most complex of telecommunications technology and its most simple applications, both now and in the future, Telecommunication Essentials is the most readable book on the subject both for newcomers and for ‘old hands.’ Lili exudes enthusiasm throughout, providing a vision for the future that draws the reader in.”
—Neil Juggins, head of research, Evolution Securities China
“One of the great challenges facing those responsible for setting public policy or regulation associated with the converging technologies of telecommunications, IT, and media is that before the ‘ink is dry’ on their pronouncements, advancements in the underlying science and technology has often made the ‘new’ policy, laws, and regulation out-of-date or irrelevant. While Lili does not claim to predict the future in her second edition of Telecommunications Essentials, she takes what is to many ‘Rocket Science’ and delivers it up in ways that those responsible for protecting the ‘public good’ and maintaining more competitive communications marketplaces can easily understand. Lili is one of the few telecommunications educators out there, catering to a diverse a reader base, who has been keeping up with Moore’s Law and what it really means in the real world of telecommunications. She continues to maintain her technological neutrality, never attempting to ‘sell’ a particular flavor-of-the-year with regard to who is the ‘best’ at delivering ‘what’ to ‘whom,’ nor falling into a mumbo-jumbo mantra of which national regulatory authority has invented the best-of-the-best new legal regime, something sorely needed by those needing a bias free technology primer.”
—Thom Ramsey, partner, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey (Brussels & Washington, D.C) and former Deputy United States Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy, U.S. Department of State
“As a journalist who writes about the Defense Department’s most complicated space programs, I need to have a very clear and current handle on the technology and the operational aspects of the equipment and platforms. I a...Customer Reviews:
As an electronic engineer and graduate student, I found the book to be very comprehensive in discussing various emerging and present telecommunication technologies. The book would describe quite accurately the technology without bogging you down with unnecessary details. It manages to be brief while still providing valuable data for the telecommunications professional, and broad enough to cover a wide spectrum (no pun intended) of material. And most importantly, it isn't a bore to read.
It is what it says it is.......2007-03-20
I recommend this to anyone seeking a basic to intermediate knowledge of a broad array of telecommunciations concepts and applications.I have to hand it to the authors, Lillian Goleniewski and Kitty Jarrett, for producing hands-down the most readable and comprehensive book out there on Telecom. I have had to slog through some of the worst writing to study this subject, and it was a breath of fresh air to crack this one open and start reading.
The Best and Most Readable Book on Telecom.......2007-03-16
The authors cover every aspect of the field in great depth, and in such clear language that both the expert and the novice can benefit from this book. This will be required reading for all of my students, and I highly recommend other professors in the Telecom field to follow suit.
Well done!Firstly, I am a strong fan of Ms. Lili. I have personally met the author during a 3-day seminar during my PETRONAS days back in 1994. At that time, I was attending what the best telecomm training course the market can offer as well worth its price.
Balanced explanation on telecomm technology and industry (business) trends.......2006-12-12
WHY WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND TELECOMM PROPERLY:
Compared to other training courses, Ms Lili was about 2x-3x times more expensive but what is that to an oil-and-gas company where network downtime to a gas-compressing subsidiary can cost around RM100,000 an hour (1994 exchange of RM2.50@US$1) equivalent to US$40,000.
At that time, IT Support has to figure out how to support a heterogeneous mix of one IBM 3745 mainframe, few UNIX boxes, tens of Novell 2.x servers. Several network protocols ran inside the various pipes/lines such as SNA, TCP-IP and MS Netbeui, and my pet project OS/2 NetBIOS, and Novell SPX. Most network segments are on Ethernet, and a couple are on Token-Ring.
Needless to say, troubleshooting network traffic particularly eliminating "jabbers chipping echoes etc" was to put it mildly a "challenge." One of the fire-fighting effort required bringing in a US consultant with a pony-tail using Data-General "Sniffer" equipment!
For IT Support to figure out how to support the big project at that time, mainly getting SAP gateways remaining up, we need to understand what it was we were having, as well as understand how the newer telecomm technologies are going to do to the overall picture.
At that time, we have the whole possible mix of telecomm devices such fixed leased lines, dial-up backup, and few sprinklings of VSAT and wireless. Of course you cannot learn all that in a 3-day class. And I don't think I learn that at school too. What I learned became obsolete after I graduated !
WHY WE NEED THIS BOOK:
This is where this book comes in. To provide good IT support, so that users would not pester Helpdesk folks, we need really good technical references. Of course, we need that initial mind-enlightening class to understand the "big-picture." The details you can get that free easily off the web nowadays; understand how the big picture works is will make it easier for us to understand the complex details.
WHAT THIS BOOK COVER:
Covered the whole range of Telecom technologies ranging from basic stuff such as circuits and channels to transmission type such as analog vs digital. The book then cover the traditional media such as twisted-pair, coax, fibre and telecomm devices such as microwave and satellite.
The depth of technical details amazes me to have everything in one book covering IP protocols, ports, and Quality of Service. Main trends are covered such as optical networking, broadband and wireless for both LAN, and WANs..
I really like Lily's supplementary notes on the various indicators on industry adaption of specific technologies as well as their technological history. Basically if you need to know something on Telecomms, there will be some pages on that topic here. .
COMPARED TO 1sT EDITION:
Compared to the 1st edition, this is thicker by a double! We have a whopping 865 pages, although still much less than Yellow Pages
In the 2nd edition, I realized the author has diligently tracked the technology updates which is what most people wanted.
WISH LIST FOR NEWER EDITION OR NEW BOOK ALTOGETHER:
Since I am now into management consulting for E-Government and E-Commerce, some discussion on cost structure for would be VERY ATTRACTIVE especially to decision-makers in developing countries with low phone/network penetration.
I believe if I am all powerful African president wanting to have my own mobile telecoms company, I would want to have a reference that will give some estimates on trenching cost, and base-station costs. That will surely help my nephew who is going to be the CEO of that company some idea of what sort of loan and spending that has to be incurred. Farfetched ? Well this is a wish-list!
TELECOMMS MUST BE A PART OF YOUR COMPANY IT STRATEGIC PLAN:
Overall for techies out there, recognizing important trends in the telco industry is VERY VERY important for your corporate management. Having a feel of where everybody is going is critical to their Telecommunications Infra roadmap. This is where this book come into value.
The Telecomms Infrastructure road map will determine what decisions are required for infrastructure procurement, leasing or investment. Thus, the Telecomm chapter is an important part of a company IT Strategic Plan (ISP).
Subsequently, this ISP will exist if senior management is really serious to get their brilliant and precious Business Strategic Plan up and running. Unless if the company is just SOHO with only 1-2 computers and they pass files using flash-disks! Otherwise the senior management is just talking.
The book does what it sets out to do - cover the basic underpinnings of modern telecom. Its' age (a scant three years) shows a bit here and there (some of the material obviously predating the book), but for the most part it is accurate and relevant. It is not a technical document, as 600 pages would not be enough to cover the component technology. It mentions occasionally the regulatory issues in telecom, but only in passing; its' primary focus is on business. It makes a good book for the student or someone interested in a telecom career. I might also recommend it to someone whose future plans include sitting through a telecom sales pitch or taking a meeting with telecom lobbyists (at least the part where they might drag in an engineer to talk about some cool new technology).
A Cost-effective Path to Basic Telecom Knowledge.......2006-08-11
When I say it has a business focus, I mean that it tries to explain the pros and cons of a particular technology in terms of cost, complexity, and ability to satisfy customer needs. Applying the same criteria, I would say the author has provided a moderately costly (that is, not free), easy to understand, and given the constraints of the business focus, does so rather well.
But the book has a few flaws. Here's what I found -
p.254 - "binary form" should read "dotted decimal form" - which the author uses correctly on the following page.
p.255 - no mention of NAT (Network Address Translation) as a means of saving IPv4 address space. Like the author, I'd like to see IPv6 deployed before I'm too old to care.
p.298 - the phrase "going forward" should be extirpated before the next edition. Also appears on p.312.
p.310 - the author briefly mentions an imminent "talent dearth" as driving the next wave of technical innovation, then trots out some ITAA blurb about half the job vacancies going unfilled each year. Of course, training might also help the problem, if global business can be bothered with such trifles.
p.340 - ANX was purchased by SAIC in 1999 I think, and its' URL as published has been deprecated. On the bright side, I did see a picture of a cute puppy when I went there.
p.354 - in discussing voice chat in games, author uses Sega Dreamcast as example. Only the good die young...
p.429 - author mentions Amsterdam. Sounds like reasonable grounds for a drug test to me! Of course, there's always the excuse of visiting the Van Gogh museum...
p.459 merits a special mention as both the best and worst way to sell a wireless future. Not only will the world be at your fingertips, but it will be trying to gnaw them off. While the author sees a benevolent infrastructure where knowledge of your whereabouts and tastes will be used to respond to your needs quickly and thoroughly, I see a world where your convenience comes at the price of empowering spammers, stalkers, and government goons.
Some of the parts I really enjoyed either because of their novelty or thoughtfulness were as follows:
p.274-6 - talking about the notion of backhauling data, the author touches on a problem analogous to Net Neutrality.
The Internet primer on p.259-80 was maybe the best I've read. Sadly it was too short.
Also enjoyed the circuit-switching chapters 4 and 5.
p.331 - author makes a case for tiered Internet. I'm hopeful we can keep "best effort" Internet service at a quality level sufficient for playing Battlefield 2 for the foreseeable future.
This book is better than three stars, but not quite four. Were its' material a little fresher, it would merit four. I'll check out the website and update this review accordingly.
The author is a great writer! This was an easy read and I'm glad it's in my personal library. Just what I needed to know about telecom and a nice addition to my other telecom books such as Taking Charge of your VoIP Project. That's another good one. Thank you Lillian! The first time tonight I haven't had to lament the plethora of bad writers and non-existent content editors!!
Great book, easy read for a tough subject.......2005-08-17
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Average customer rating:![]()
- Where are the WHY's?
- Makes WPF easy to understand
- Essential is a good word
- Not as 'fantastic' as I was expecting
- The Why of WPF with Real World Examples
Essential Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) (Microsoft .NET Development Series)
Chris Anderson
Manufacturer: Addison-Wesley Professional
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Similar Items:
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Programming WCF Services (Programming)
Applications = Code + Markup: A Guide to the Microsoft Windows Presentation Foundation (Pro - Developer)
Pro WPF: Windows Presentation Foundation in .NET 3.0
ASIN: 0321374479Book Description
âChris Anderson was one of the chief architects of the next-generation GUI stack, the Windows Presentation Framework (WPF), which is the subject of this book. Chris’s insights shine a light from the internals of WPF to those standing at the entrance, guiding you through the concepts that form the foundation of his creation.â
–From the foreword by Chris SellsâAs one of the architects behind WPF, Chris Anderson skillfully explains not only the âhow,’ but also the âwhy.’ This book is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to understand the design principles and best practices of WPF.â
–Anders Hejlsberg, technical fellow, Microsoft CorporationâIf WPF stands as the user interface technology for the next generation of Windows, then Chris Anderson stands as the Charles Petzold for the next generation of Windows user interface developers.â
–Ted Neward, founding editor, TheServerSide.NETâThis is an excellent book that does a really great job of introducing you to WPF, and explaining how to unlock the tremendous potential it provides.â
–Scott Guthrie, general manager, Developer Division, MicrosoftâWPF is a whole new animal when it comes to creating UI applications, drawing on design principles originating from both Windows Forms and the Web. Chris does a great job of not only explaining how to use the new features and capabilities of WPF (with associated code and XAML based syntax), but also explains why things work the way they do. As one of the architects of WPF, Chris gives great insight into the plumbing and design principles of WPF, as well as the mechanics of writing code using it. This is truly essential if you plan to be a serious WPF developer.â
–Brian Noyes, chief architect, IDesign Inc.; Microsoft Regional Director; Microsoft MVPâI was given the opportunity to take a look at Chris Anderson’s book and found it to be an exceedingly valuable resource, one I can comfortably recommend to others. I can only speak for myself, but when faced with a new technology I like to have an understanding of how it relates to and works in relation to the technology it is supplanting. Chris starts his book by tying the WPF directly into the world of Windows 32-bit UI in C++. Chris demonstrates both a keen understanding of the underlying logic that drives the WPF and how it works and also a skill in helping the reader build on their own knowledge through examples that mimic how you would build your cutting edge applications.â
–Bill Sheldon, principal engineer, InterKnowlogyWindows Presentation Foundation (WPF) replaces Microsoft’s diverse presentation technologies with a unified, state-of-the-art platform for building rich applications. WPF combines the best of Windows and the Web; fully integrates user interfaces, documents, and media; and leverages the full power of XML-based declarative programming.
In Essential Windows Presentation Foundation, former WPF architect Chris Anderson systematically introduces this breakthrough platform, focusing on the concepts and techniques working developers need in order to build robust applications for real users. Drawing on his unique experience as an architect on the team, Anderson thoroughly illuminates the crucial new concepts underlying WPF and reveals how its APIs work together to offer developers unprecedented value.
Through working sample code, you’ll discover how WPF draws on the Web’s simple models for markup and deployment, common frame for applications, and rich server connectivity, and on Windows’ rich client model, simple programming model, strong control over look-and-feel, and rich networking. Topics explored in depth include
- WPF components and architecture
- Key WPF design decisions–and why they matter
- XAML markup language
- Controls
- Layouts
- Visuals and media, including 2D, 3D, video, and animation
- Data integration
- Actions
- Styles
- WPF Base Services
Essential Windows Presentation Foundation is the definitive, authoritative, code-centric WPF reference: everything Windows developers need to create a whole new generation of rich, graphical applications.
Figures
Foreword by Don Box
Foreword by Chris Sells
Preface
About the Author
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Applications
Chapter 3: Controls
Chapter 4: Layout
Chapter 5: Visuals
Chapter 6: Data
Chapter 7: Actions
Chapter 8: Styles
Appendix: Base Services
Index
Customer Reviews:
Chris has always impressed me with his talent to explain even the hardest bits of WPF in an approachable fashion - I guess many Channel 9 and other dev-related sites visitors would agree with me. Therefore, I started reading Essential WPF with high expectations...
Where are the WHY's?.......2007-09-05
There is nothing wrong with the book itself, but the marketing is completely and utterly false. Chris himself emphasizes that he would like to talk about the "why-s" of the platform and this is the very reason why I bought his book - only to find out that nothing like that happens. Quite honestly, any technical author could write this book after reading Windows 3.0 SDK documentation thoroughly - there is very little added value or insight. There are moments when Chris writes "this may be confusing..." and in this very moment, you would expect "... but it was necessary because of this and that" but that almost never happens. You are left with doubts about the quality of WPF which is probably the worst thing an author can do.
Don't be confused as I was: this book is not about "why-s", it is not about reasoning, it is not about in-depth discussion of some decisions made. It is an extensive walkthrough through the WPF features, it is a description of the framework but nothing more. Of course you will find some insights in this book but they are definitely not in proportion to Chris's role in the WPF team and his otherwise great skills.
I, personally, started reading this book as a big fan of WPF and was left with doubts if all the complexity is really necessary (and some things are pretty complex compared to Flex which is my current development environment). Actually, I think that I enjoyed reading the WPF introductory articles in the Windows SDK 3.0 documentation more and honestly, I thought that this could never happen when comparing docs and a book.
Anyway, if you really need great WPF book, don't waste money on this one - go buy Adam Nathan's WPF Unleashed. I'm on page 130 now and my enthusiasm for WPF is back. That book provides exactly what I wanted - deep discussion, great insight, practical tips, well thought-out structure and trust that the sub-optimal things in the current version are known issues likely to be fixed in WPF vNext.The author clearly presents the reasoning behind the design, making a huge platform much more approachable.
Makes WPF easy to understand.......2007-07-07
Overall, I was not impressed with this book. I kept getting the sense that I was about to learn something interesting when - poof! - the book moved on to another topic.
Essential is a good word.......2007-06-29
So, if you're looking for an introduction to the concepts of WPF, this might be for you but do not expect any in depth coverage of any topic. I was hoping for (consider the author's background) a lot more detail.
To put this review in perspective: I have been working with WPF for quite some time and have already been through other books on WPF (including Petzold's and Adam Nathan's - the later being my personal favorite to date).
My intention is not to criticise this book but to provide a bit of balance to the other "superlative" filled reviews. I had already read Adam Nathan's book before this and had high expectations of this one after reading the other reviews. After finishing the book I can't really understand why the reviews were so glowing. There are definitely some design insights and Chapter 7 (Actions) covered the important Command pattern in good detail, but I'm struggling to think of any advantages over the WPF Unleashed book.
Not as 'fantastic' as I was expecting.......2007-06-15
I would definitely recommend WPF unleashed over this and the bottom line is I'll be looking to sell my copy of Essential WPF as I don't see the value of having both.
This book is great if you want to understand the why behind WPF.
The Why of WPF with Real World Examples.......2007-05-25
I have found that a lot of people are turned off by some the abstract teaching found in some of the Essential Series from Addison-Wesley. They feel the level of learning is too deep and doesn't show or relate to real world examples. That is not true with this book. Chris does an excellent job of digging deep while at the same time keeping the content in the real world.
This book is a definite complement of Adam Nathan's WPF book. No there is no color, but I didn't really think about it until I was writing this review.
The structure of the book's content is great, very well organized, and very thorough.
This is definitely a book you want at your side if you are programming WPF.
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