Review of Getting Started in Computer Consulting (Paperback)

I didn't buy this book through Amazon, but I loved it so much that I hadto review it.

A very practical book that was written with lots ofexamples by a very experienced person.I found it extreemly useful insetting up my own database consulting business.it contains things suchas:

How to price your time, how to choose your client, how to ensure thatyour client has confidence in you, pitfalls to avoid when building yourbusiness etc.

Excelent!

Product Description
Written by an expert who has helped thousands of people nationwide find success as computer consultants, this is your complete guide to starting and managing a thriving computer and network consulting practice. From start-up costs to contract negotiation, from taxes to pricing and marketing, you get concise, straightforward advice and guidance on all the critical issues involved. And throughout the text you'll find candid accounts from seasoned computer consultants who share invaluable insights into all aspects of the business. You'll learn how to:

• Assess your strengths and zero in on your market niche
• Use proven, affordable marketing and sales techniques
• Decide when you need a broker and find one you can work with
• Set fees and negotiate contracts to your best advantage
• Bid on government contracts--and win
• Manage your time and workload for optimum satisfaction
• Choose and win the clients you want to work with
• Use the Internet to build your success

From the Back Cover
"

Written by an expert who has helped thousands of people nationwide find success as computer consultants, this is your complete guide to starting and managing a thriving computer and network consulting practice. From start-up costs to contract negotiation, from taxes to pricing and marketing, you get concise, straightforward advice and guidance on all the critical issues involved. And throughout the text you'll find candid accounts from seasoned computer consultants who share invaluable insights into all aspects of the business. You'll learn how to: Assess your strengths and zero in on your market niche Use proven, affordable marketing and sales techniquesDecide when you need a broker and find one you can work withSet fees and negotiate contracts to your best advantageBid on government contracts--and winManage your time and workload for optimum satisfactionChoose and win the clients you want to work withUse the Internet to build your success

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Review of AppleScript Programming for the Absolute Beginner (Paperback)

I found this book to be well written and easy to use. Like most books these days, it has a few typos in it. I guess that just a sign of the time. Still, there are not many of them. All of the examples were clearly explained and easy to follow. I am about 80 percent of the way through and I have yet to run into any trouble. I recommend this book to anyone interested in a learning AppleScript.

Product Description
AppleScript is a high-level scripting language that comes free on the Mac platform. This handy scripting language adds functionality to the Mac operating system by automating tasks and adding functions to your Mac. If you are new to programming with AppleScript and are looking for a solid introduction, this is the book for you. Developed by computer science professors, books in the for the absolute beginner series teach the principles of programming through simple game creation. AppleScript Programming for the Absolute Beginner provides you with the programming skills that you need and shows you how to put these skills to use in real-world scenarios. Best of all, by the time you finish the book, you will be able to apply the basic principles you've learned to the next programming language you tackle.

About the Author
Jerry Lee Ford, Jr. is an author, educator, and an IT professional with more than 18 years of experience in information technology, including roles as an automation analyst, technical manager, technical support analyst, automation engineer, and security analyst. Jerry has a master's degree in business administration from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. He is the author of 22 other books and co-author of 2 additional books. His published works include AppleScript Studio Programming for the Absolute Beginner, Microsoft Windows Shell Scripting for the Absolute Beginner, Perl Programming for the Absolute Beginner, Beginning REALbasic, Microsoft Windows Shell Scripting and WSH Administrator's Guide, VBScript Professional Projects, and Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition Programming for the Absolute Beginner. He has more than five years of experience as an adjunct instructor teaching networking courses in information technology. Jerry lives in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife, Mary, and their children, William, Alexander,and Molly.

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Review of Productive Objects: An Applied Software Project Management Framework (Paperback)

This is an odd book.The author attempts to explain OO development management by creating an object model of the concepts within the development process.It is an intriguing idea, but it doesn't work.The object model provides no insight that I can see to the development process, and it makes it painful to read, even when he is explaining simple situations. The one valuable part is the detailed review of other process methods (e.g. SEI's).But that alone was not worth the price, at least for this reader.

Product Description
The increasing popularity of object-oriented programming languages, design methods, database managers, and other technologies has challenged software development project managers with a new set of rules. Project managers need to reexamine their standard methods for planning and controlling projects to adapt to the new rules for development. This book combines the perspectives of project management and systems theory to provide a unique look at managing object-oriented projects. Software engineers and project managers working with object technology will obtain essential tools for managing any software project and will learn how to apply those tools specifically to managing object-oriented software projects.

This guidebook provides an integrated, cohesive system of project management that aligns directly with the technology it manages. Organized into self-contained sections, this book permits you to access the project management objects you need. In addition, it provides examples of what to do and what not to do using real-life examples from the author's experience.

+ Provides the methods necessary to productively manage object-oriented software development
+ Contains real-world examples that illustrate how all of the different objects work
+ Consists of self-contained sections that can be referred to when the reader needs information regarding a specific aspect of project management

From the Back Cover

The increasing popularity of object-oriented programming languages, design methods, database managers, and other technologies has challenged software development project managers with a new set of rules. Project managers need to reexamine their standard methods for planning and controlling projects to adapt to the new rules for development. This book combines the perspectives of project management and systems theory to provide a unique look at managing object-oriented projects. Software engineers and project managers working with object technology will obtain essential tools for managing any
software project and will learn how to apply those tools specifically to managing object-oriented software projects.

This guidebook provides an integrated, cohesive system of project management that aligns directly with the technology it manages. Organized into self-contained sections, this book permits you to access the project
management objects you need. In addition, it provides examples of what to do and what not to do using real-life examples from the author's experience.

• Provides the methods necessary to productively manage object-oriented software development
  
• Contains real-world examples that illustrate how all of the different objects work
  
• Consists of self-contained sections that can be referred to when the reader needs information regarding a specific aspect of project management

*View Chapter 1 in PDF format*

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Review of Reducing Risk with Software Process Improvement (Hardcover)

I have to say that I'm impressed. It is a very well structured book, similar to the CMMI model structure. It has real life problems and solutions, which you can use to imitate or avoid. Tips and practices that you should and should not do are widely depicted throughout the whole book.

If you are on the try to improve the way software is built in your company this book is a good start that will advice you on what should be done.

It's worth the buy, believe me.

Product Description
Reducing Risk with Software Process Improvement recommends the critical practices that aid in the successful delivery of software products and services. The author describes the observations that he made over a period of ten years in IT projects and organizations. He focuses on the areas of software development and maintenance, highlighting the most frequently encountered problems that occur due to poor processes. The author derives recommendations from 40 comprehensive assessments of IT organizations.

This book details the potential or real problems each organization experienced, and offers anecdotes on how these problems resulted from deficient practices, what their impacts were, and how improving specific practices benefitted the organizations.

This volume provides valuable advice for project and application managers looking to minimize the number of crises they have to deal with, and for IT practitioners seeking the practical solutions that lead to career advancement. It benefits customers who need to know what to look for before purchasing IT products or services, and helps investors analyze the efficiency of IT companies before making investment decisions.

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