Review of Beginning Direct3D Game Programming, Second Edition (Paperback)

I've been waiting a long time for a book like this. I'm a Unix software developer by profession, but only a hobbyist when it comes to PC game programming. Back in the good old days, before Windows and DirectX/DirectWhatever, it was possible for us casual programmers to keep up with the technology and have fun experimenting with graphics and game programming. I simply lost interest when the complexity of the operating system and video hardware started getting in the way.
I've been searching for a good book on Direct3D graphics programming for years and finally found one that delivers what it promises. Wolfgang Engel, the author, obviously understands how frustrating the learning process can be. The content of this book is masterfully structured to give the reader a solid understanding of everything you need to know. It's friendly, informal, humorous, and focused. It's a big book, but it reads fast, and keeps you interested.
The author assumes you know C and maybe a little C++. That's about the only prerequisite you'll need to understand the material

Product Description
With a detailed explanation of vertex and pixel shader programming, coverage of the new Microsoft HLSL (High Level Shader Language), and greater concentration of the fixed function pipeline, the second edition of this popular reference guide will take you farther than you ever imagined! Written by an industry expert, this book will put an end to your struggle to master the concepts. "Beginning Direct3D Game Programming, 2nd Edition" serves as a comprehensive guide for learning DirectX graphics programming. It allows you to start with the basics and ease your way into graphics and animation. As you work your way through the book, however, you'll get a chance to focus on some advanced shader effects to give your games that extra touch of realism.

About the Author
Wolfgang Engel is CEO of SoftGroup GmbH and SoftGroup Plska, which offer IT and game development services. These companies produce 3D animations for marketing and advertising activities.He is the author of "Beginning Direct3D Game Programming" (0761531912).

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Review of MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-293): Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft® Windows Server(TM) 2003 Network Infrastructure, Second Edition (Hardcover)

Generally, MS-Press Self Paced Second Edition books are good. Especially they did a great job on 290 and 291. This book, however, is an exception. This book does not cover many exam areas at all, and I am not talking nuances. There is no mentioning in this book about PKI certificate archival (new feature in Server 2003 family, well tested on 293 exam), or the GC placement, and several other areas. Those subjects that are covered in the book, are not covered in depths, in fact, they look like poor summaries and will not prep you for the exam in any way, nor will they prepare you for real life situations. Author jumps around same topics and is not able to clearly explain most of them. Practices are not worth installing a fresh copy of Server. There are no good "Exam Tips", like in other MS-Press books. I doubt that Craig actually took this exam.
I understand that no exam preparation book alone is enough to prepare for the exam, but those that I read so far, did a pretty good job on it. I was able to ACE several Microsoft exams using Self Paced guides and Testout videos.
This book tried to trick me into thinking that 293 exam was peace-of-cake. It is not! Do not be fooled. Exam is probably as hard as 291. It may seem easier after taking 291, but without that preparation 293 would be close to impossible to pass for the first time. Yes, it is in some ways similar to 291, but it covers whole bunch of different topics, and focuses on a different agenda. This book will not help you pass the exam. Book is a joke.


Product Description
Announcing an all-new MCSA/MCSE Training Kit designed to help maximize your performance on Exam 70-293, a core exam for the new Windows Server 2003 certification. This kit packs the tools and features that exam candidates want most-including in-depth, self-paced training based on final exam content; rigorous, objective-by-objective review; exam tips from expert, exam-certified authors; and a robust testing suite. It also provides real-world scenarios, case study examples, and troubleshooting labs for skills and expertise that you can apply to the job.

Focusing on network infrastructure management for Windows Server 2003, this official study guide covers topics such as implementing, managing, and maintaining IP addressing, name resolution, network security measures, routing and remote access, and monitoring and troubleshooting network infrastructure.

Ace your exam preparation and ramp up quickly on Windows Server 2003 by working at your own pace through the lessons, hands-on exercises, and practice tests. The flexible, best-of-class test engine on CD features 300 practice questions and pre-assessment and post-assessment capabilities. Choose timed or untimed testing mode, generate random tests, or focus on discrete objectives or chapters, and get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers-including pointers back to the book for further study. You also get a 120-day evaluation version of Windows Server 2003 and a 15 percent exam discount voucher-making this kit an exceptional value and a great career investment.

From the Publisher
Key Book Benefits:- NEW-Fully reengineered study guide written by exam-certified authors- NEW-Deeper, more focused coverage of exam objectives and sub-objectives-plus instructive case studies and troubleshooting scenarios to enhance your performance on the job- NEW-300 practice questions on CD, with a test engine that enables customized testing, pre-assessment and post-assessment, and automated scoring and feedback- NEW-Complete objective-by-objective review section, plus a tear-out exam-mapping grid- NEW-Exam tips based on real-world test experience- NEW-120-day evaluation version of Windows Server 2003- 15 percent exam discount voucher from a leading authorized testing center (limited time offer)- Microsoft Encyclopedia of Networking, Second Edition, eBook- Practice files on CD- Entire study guide in searchable eBook format

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Review of Firewalls for Dummies, Second Edition (Paperback)

I don't really like the Dummies title, but I have found that Dummies books are very often written for people like me, who don't consider themselves Dummies at all. I was hoping that this one would be an easy-to-read introduction to firewalls that also provided some useful information. I was not disappointed.
Like other Dummies books, this one is very easy to approach, but it went far beyond that. I started reading this book because I wanted to get a good basic background in what firewalls are. The first few chapters did accomplish this. They also got me to think about quite a few computer security issues I had not even considered before. I especially liked that it helped me with setting up a personal firewall. At the same tiem I know that I can get back to the chapters on other, more powerful firewalls in the future. What surprised me about this book was the level of detail it went into in the chapters on how to configure a firewall for complex scenarios, such as VPN solutions. I actually also learned a lot about other, related computer security issues. Right now I don't need all of this information, but it is good to have a book that has information that I will fins useful in the months or even years to come. Many Dummies books are very approachable, and this one os no exception. However, I found that this one didn't stop at the basics. Rather, it went into topics should be useful even for someone who has to set up and configure a firewall in a medium-sized organization.

Product Description
What an amazing world we live in! Almost anything you can imagine can be researched, compared, admired, studied, and in many cases, bought, with the click of a mouse. The Internet has changed our lives, putting a world of opportunity before us. Unfortunately, it has also put a world of opportunity into the hands of those whose motives are less than honorable. A firewall, a piece of software or hardware that erects a barrier between your computer and those who might like to invade it, is one solution.

If you've been using the Internet for any length of time, you've probably received some unsavory and unsolicited e-mail. If you run a business, you may be worried about the security of your data and your customers' privacy. At home, you want to protect your personal information from identity thieves and other shady characters. Firewalls For Dummies® will give you the lowdown on firewalls, then guide you through choosing, installing, and configuring one for your personal or bus iness network.

Firewalls For Dummies® helps you understand what firewalls are, how they operate on different types of networks, what they can and can't do, and how to pick a good one (it's easier than identifying that perfect melon in the supermarket.) You'll find out about

• Developing security policies
• Establishing rules for simple protocols
• Detecting and responding to system intrusions
• Setting up firewalls for SOHO or personal use
• Creating demilitarized zones
• Using Windows or Linux as a firewall
• Configuring ZoneAlarm, BlackICE, and Norton personal firewalls
• Installing and using ISA server and FireWall-1

With the handy tips and hints this book provides, you'll find that firewalls are nothing to fear-that is, unless you're a cyber-crook! You'll soon be able to keep your data safer, protect your family's privacy, and probably sleep better, too.

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