The Tech Static

Welcome back to the 8th, and last, issue of The Tech Static. (Yes, we didn’t even make it a year, and I feel terrible about that.)

Why?

Well, here’s the thing. I started The Tech Static because I thought someone needed to step in and fill the gap left by LJ’s decision to scrap its computer media column. My goal was to make the publication self-sustaining within a year through sponsorship or subscriptions. I conceived the project in Sept. 2008 and launched in November, right around the time the economy imploded. Now, sponsorship dollars are less available, and the survey from last month’s issue made it pretty clear that libraries don’t see this as enough of a necessity to subscribe.

I’ve been doing this since November out of my own pocket — hard costs, basically the postage and materials to send items to reviewers; soft costs, a heck of a lot of time. Given the effects of the economy on my own livelihood as well as the time the publication takes away from both my family and paying projects, I’m no longer able to justify either the direct expenses or the opportunity cost.

What happens now?

I’ll leave existing content up for the forseeable future — at least until the domain registration runs out. Given the time-sensitive nature of technology-related reviews, I won’t leave it up forever, because the existing reviews will cease being relevant at some point.

What if a sponsor comes along out of the blue?

Never say never, eh? If someone wants to fund, resurrect, or take over the publication, let’s talk.

- Rachel (rachel@thetechstatic.com)

Safari Books Online. ProQuest. Database.

Technology is changing as quickly as your mother refills your plate at dinner, making a database like Safari Books Online especially valuable. Safari lets users read the latest and greatest technology manuals via a user-friendly platform — in some cases, before they are even available in print. O’Reilly Media, Inc. and Pearson Technology Group are the main publishers of database content; also included are Addison-Wesley, Prentice Hall, John Wiley & Sons, Cisco Press, and many other important technology publishers.

A yellow tab with the words “START READING ONLINE” stands out to let you know where to get started. On the left side , readers will find a breakdown of the book by table of contents; other navigation aids include an interactive index, hyperlinked text, and side navigation bars. Arrowed tabs along the sides of the text allow moving backward and forward page by page. The search and retrieval options in Safari Books Online allow search within a specific book, the contents of all books at once, or by code fragments. Editorial reviews from ProQuest and reader reviews from Amazon are available to help readers evaluate each title.

Safari Books Online is recommended for everyone due to its breadth; it includes basic to advanced computer manuals and covers the most essential technology topics. Its content, however, is primarily targeted to corporations and academic libraries.

Jennifer McClain has a graduate degree from Simmons College, Boston in Information and Library Science.

Marmanis, Haralambos and Dmitry Babenko. Algorithms of the Intelligent Web. Manning. 2009. 368p. ISBN: 1933988665 $27.50 PDF; $44.99 pap.

Don’t let your eyes glaze over at the mention of “algorithims;” there are minimal equations in this book. Algorithms of the Intelligent Web successfully delivers on the complex topics of machine learning, data mining, statistics, and discovery in knowledge bases, requiring minimal mathematical knowledge. Code (almost 100% Java) used in the book is hosted on Google Code. As with the book itself, the code has been written so it can easily be followed by those with basic web development knowledge. Examples use public APIs to show interesting applications (like spam filtering, recommendation systems, click-tracking networks, and financial analysis). I would recommend this book to academic libraries associated with IT departments and to those professionals (using Java) who wish to learn how to empower web apps with the ability to “learn” from their interaction with the people that use them, or the systems that integrate with them.

Philip Roberts (Ph.D.) is a Business Innovations Executive at CABI, a not for profit information and international development organisation, at their HQ based in Wallingford, UK.

Deitel, Harvey M., and Paul J. Deitel. JavaScript for Programmers. Prentice Hall, 2009. 408p. ISBN 978-013-700131-6. pap. $39.99.

This title from the Deitel Developer Series is written for readers with very little or no experience working with JavaScript who need to start from square one. The first 75 pages explore XHTML and CSS, while the last hundred pages cover XML and AJAX. The book reprints the second part from the fourth edition of the authors’ Internet and World Wide Web How to Program; eight chapters are dedicated to teaching JavaScript through example while providing hints on common errors and best practices. The book provides the gentle push some readers need, but overall seems a little unfocused in trying to cover markup languages and AJAX as well as JavaScript. While beginning readers may find it useful, those looking for a book dedicated to intermediate to professional techniques will have better luck with other titles on JavaScript from O’Reilly.

John Rodzvilla is an Adjunct Professor for Electronic Publishing at Emerson College and a Library Assistant at the Simmons College Library in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sams Teach Yourself PHP and MySQL: Video Learning Starter Kit. Sams Publishing.  2009. 75 p. ISBN 978-0-672-33027-8. pap. $39.99. Book+DVD.

Sams Teach Yourself PHP and MySQL is for web designers with little or no knowledge of programming; HTML experience is not required, though some fundamental knowledge of web development is expected.  This kit consists of a DVD  with 25 short lessons including quizzes; PHP, MySQL, and Apache software; and the text of the lessons in PDF format, as well as a book with detailed instruction on installing the software.  Lessons are easy to follow and well organized, and this kit would fit in well with a library with a specific collection emphasis in web development, particularly online database applications.

Ross Teller is the Technology Coordinator at Socorro High School in El Paso, TX. He has a M.S. in library science and a M.S. in computer information systems.

Paul A. Boag. Website owner’s manual: the secret to a successful website. Manning. 2009. 300p. ISBN: 1933988452. (early release e-book $22.50, print version, Aug. 2009 release, $34.99)

I must admit upfront to readers that I am a bit of a fan of Paul Boag, I read his blog, listen to his podcast, follow him on Twitter, and have been in the audience at a recent animated conference talk. The Website Owner’s Manual is an extremely well-written 12 chapter text covering all topics associated with being a website owner (creating killer content, user-centric design, ensuring best practices, choosing a CMS, website jargon, promoting your website, engaging your users, and planning for the future). The use of cartoons, illustrations, and colored pages throughout the manual highlights the key take home messages, allowing both the novice and expert to enjoy the explanation of complex topics. Since reading this book I have streamlined and properly goal oriented my workflow regarding content development and prototyping website design and user interfaces. This book is bursting with invaluable information, and I highly recommend it to anyone who runs, designs, or is planning to become involved in online activities. In addition it would be an asset to all library catalogs as well as the bookshelf of students serious about a career related to the online environment.

Philip Roberts (Ph.D.) is a Business Innovations Executive at CABI, a not for profit information and international development organisation, at their HQ based in Wallingford, UK.

Holzner, Steven. Small Business Web Sites Made Easy. McGraw-Hill Professional. Feb. 2009. 272p. ISBN 978-0071614818. pap. $21.99.

This guide is a hybrid of business and web design books, bringing together the nuts and bolts of building a website with the mechanics of running a business. While it provides a brief overview of HTML, CSS, and Java, it is not a complete design book — for example, there are only two pages dedicated to website design and no information on usability. Holzner does cover marketing (and marketing on Facebook), search engine optimization, and processing online payments, and this basic introduction might help familiarize business owners with terms or concepts. Chapters are very brief, serving as more of an introduction to the topics than a comprehensive treatment. Small Business Web Sites Made Easy is an optional purchase for libraries with healthy entrepreneurial or small business collections and computer technology sections. Libraries would be better served by buying full coverage guides on e-commerce and website design.

Maura Deedy is an Information Services Librarian at the Ferguson Library in Stamford, CT where she teaches basic computer skills and Web 2.0 classes, empowering the public through technology training. In her free time she enjoys bike rides and flea markets.

Ruest, Danielle, and Nelson Ruest. Virtualization: A Beginner’s Guide. McGraw-Hill. 2009. 442p. ISBN 978-0071614016. pap. $39.99.

Virtualization: A Beginner’s Guide is written for anyone interested in virtual infrastructure. The first part of this book provides an overview of virtualization and its benefits. It then discusses the five-step process of discovery, virtualization, hardware maximization, architecture, and management, and how this process aids in completing a virtualization project. The second part of the book provides an in-depth discussion of each of the seven aspects of virtualization: server, storage, network, management, desktop, presentation, and application virtualization. The last part provides information on how to secure, protect, and update the virtual infrastructure. This book is easy to follow if readers have a basic knowledge of computer terminology, and comparisons between different products highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each. Recommended for academic and large public libraries.

Vincci Kwong is the Head of Web Services at Franklin D. Schurz Library, Indiana University South Bend, South Bend, IN.

Susan M. Thompson, ed. LITA Guide #15: Core Technology Competencies for Librarians and Library Staff: A LITA Guide. Neal-Schuman. 2009. 248p. ISBN: 978-1555706609. pap. $65.00.

Core Technology Competencies for Librarians and Library Staff is the 15th in a series of guides developed by the Library Information Technology Association (LITA), a division of the American Library Association. This concise, yet detailed approach to identifying relevant skill sets for librarians and library staff includes technology-based competencies as well as soft skills such as flexibility and communication. The first section provides a useful review of the evolution of technology within libraries and discusses relevant skills, as well as technologies to watch. The second section concentrates on systems librarians, talking about the evolution of the position, the pros and cons of an MLS in library technology departments, and strategies for lone systems librarians. The last section consists of a series of three case studies for developing core technology competencies in libraries: one public and two academic. Each chapter contains appendices of sample documents developed by the authors in their institutions, as well as extensive bibliographies for further reading. This book is highly recommended for libraries of any size that are interested in maximizing staff development and training or improving customer service. It is especially relevant given the present economic realities in libraries of reduced operating budgets and increased user needs.

Anne Graham is a Digital Collections Archivist at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia, and a member of LITA.

Deitel, Paul J. & Harvey M. Deitel. Java for Programmers. Prentice Hall. Feb. 2009. 1200p. ISBN 978-0137001293. pap. $59.99.

This thick guide is a goldmine for practicing programmers looking to learn Java. Java is a programming language that allows people to do everything from using interest calculators to viewing 3D pictures to playing games. The father-son Deitel team have co-authored many books on programming and bring their live-code approach to this title. All code is presented in the context of a working Java application, so readers will learn by example and see how pieces of code fit into a larger application. Many charts, tables, line drawings, and case studies will help readers learn how to successfully program Java. Chapters are presented with objectives, tips for good code and error prevention, as well as review exercises and recommended reading. Readers may sign up for a weekly email at www.Deitel.com, and the authors provide an email address for follow up questions. Although it’s a bit on the pricey side, medium to large public libraries may consider adding this comprehensive title.

Maura Deedy is an Information Services Librarian at the Ferguson Library in Stamford, CT where she teaches basic computer skills and Web 2.0 classes, empowering the public through technology training. In her free time she enjoys bike rides and flea markets.

Neale, Eriq Oliver, et al. Windows Small Business Server 2008 Unleashed. Sams. Dec.3, 2008. 816 p. ISBN 9780672329579. pap. $53.99.

This is a comprehensive guide to the new Windows Small Business Server (SBS) Microsoft released last year, which is a targeted subset of Microsoft’s larger Windows Server. Topics include not just setup and configuration of the different parts of SBS (such as IIS, Sharepoint, RAS, Exchange, Group Policy, and Macintosh integration), but planning for deployment, changes from earlier SBS servers, reports and management, and backup and disaster recovery. Each topic contains discussions of troubleshooting and security issues. Screenshots are not particularly helpful; the depth of knowledge within the text, however, is invaluable. Also notable are the Best Practices included in each topic and summarized at the end of each chapter. Although the book was published as SBS 2008 was being released (the authors acknowledge a few instances when information may be incomplete), it is a solid reference, incorporating clear instructions with sound advice. Recommended for large public libraries.

Carol Bean is a Computer Center Manager in the Palm Beach County Library System. She maintains a blog at http://beanworks.clbean.com.

Jamae, Javid  and Peter Johnson. JBoss in Action. Manning Publication. Jan. 2009. 496p. ISBN 978-1933988023. Pap. + PDF $49.99; PDF $29.99.

This book covers the installation, configuration, and deployment of the JBoss application server. The intended audience for this book includes developers as well as system administrators. The authors begin with a high level explanation of the server architecture and configuration details along with managing the application server using the JMX console. Configuration and application deployment are covered in detail, including common problems and solutions. The authors do an excellent job of  explaining security, clustering, portals, and JBoss messaging, using snippets of configuration files, screenshots, log files, and diagrams to explain each topic clearly. System administrators will be happy to know that Chapter 15 focuses on issues to consider when deploying JBoss to production. A detailed listing of the table of contents can be found at http://www.manning.com/jamae/excerpt_contents.html. This book is recommended for libraries at universities, corporations, and research institutions.

Shobana Jayaraman is  a Digital Infrastructure Analyst at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Library. She is primarily involved with the development of an integrated, digital infrastructure necessary to support the Library’s expanding collection of electronic resources and services, responsible for the support of emerging technologies in the library and plays a part in developing web applications.

Holzner, Steve and Nancy Holzner. Google Docs 4 Everyone. Que. Feb. 2009. 251p. ISBN 978-0-7897-3936-0. pap. $19.99.

As a longtime user of Google Docs, I was curious to read what this text had to say about these powerful web applications and to see if they were given the credit they deserve. Google Docs 4 Everyone met, if not exceeded, my expectations. It covers the gamut of potential uses of all Google Docs applications: document creation, document sharing, document organization, formatting, and an especially solid section on using spreadsheets with formulas and graphs. I was further impressed with the discussion on using Google Gears for offline document creation — some might see Google Gears as an advanced topic, but the authors treat it as a must-be-known part of the Google Docs suite. This text is especially recommended for academic libraries who are seeing their institution adopt Gmail and Google Docs for campus-wide use; however, it is generally recommended for all types of libraries. A free online edition of the text is available for 45 days after purchase.

Kyle Jones is the library technology assistant at Elmhurst College’s A.C. Buehler Library and a graduate of Dominican University’s Graduate School of Library and Information Science; he can be reached at http://kylejones.thecorkboard.org.

Royce, Walker, et al. The Economics of Iterative Software Development; Steering Toward Better Business Results. Addison-Wesley. 2009. 192p. ISBN 978-0-321-50935-2. hc $34.99.
Testa, Louis. Growing Software; Proven Strategies for Managing Software Engineers. No Starch. 2009. 424p. ISBN 978-1-59327-183-1. pap. $39.95.

Walker Royce’s The Economics of Iterative Software Development and Louis Testa’s Growing Software form a valuable toolkit with little overlap. They would work well together to give a new software manager, especially one in a smaller company with wide and varied tasks, an all-around compendium of ideas and issues in software development. Testa looks at the full slate of tasks development managers have, ranging from managing staff, to hiring, planning, interacting with other units in the company, working with customers, and doing project management and reporting. Each of these sections is discussed with practical examples of how to carry them out.

On the other hand, Royce et al focus more precisely on models of software development, making a solid case for the iterative model and showing why it wins out. The iterative process sees the overall development of software as a series of stages which progressively refine and enhance the product and do full system testing at the end of each stage; it is contrasted with the “waterfall” process (= One-Time Define, Design, Implement, Test, And Deliver) as a series of smaller “waterfalls” culminating in the finished product. Considerable experience guides the work of these authors. The authors look at how the traditional practices of the past relied mostly on the “waterfall” model, and how many of the software projects of the past ran into difficulties staying on time or keeping within budget. Many of these older strategies have been with us since the60s, while the iterative approach allows developers to break those negative patterns and allows stakeholders to become more involved with the software system — since they are brought in multiple times to view the various iterations of the software and its growth. This addresses the common problem of stakeholders so often not knowing what they really want from a system until they can see it in action. Summaries in the book serve to tie the details covered in each chapter together, and provide convenient reference when reviewing a topic introduced by the authors. The authors note that other factors are involved to achieve success, such as reducing the project size or its complexity. Several chapters discuss developing and using metrics to measure factors relating to risk and stability of systems developed.

Testa comes to the software development process in the second half of his volume, after laying the groundwork in talking about staffing, working relations within the development teams, and connections with the marketing team, along with issues such as versioning, backup and offsite storage, and developing documentation for software products. He looks at a variety of available models and talks about how the new development manger may make choices from among them. Additional readings in many of the chapters, which note the classics in this area, let the reader springboard into more detailed information or go onto a completely different course.

Both titles are highly recommended for college libraries and large public libraries.

Jim Brewer is a librarian at Texas Tech University Libraries, teaches a short course in 3D animation, and works with digital initiatives. He is concerned with assessment and how libraries know that they are doing the right thing.

Welcome back to the lucky seventh issue of The Tech Static. Since seven is a powerful number, it’s time to turn our thoughts to the future. So, please, indulge me and…

Take a short survey

Please take a couple of minutes to fill out this short survey on the future of The Tech Static. If it hits its max number of respondents or you would like to elaborate further, you can also drop me a line at rachel@thetechstatic.com.

Have something to contribute?

If you’re interested in contributing a short article on any technology-related collection development topic, email rachel@thetechstatic.com — let’s talk.

- Rachel

McNulty, Scott. Building a WordPress Blog People Want to Read. Peachpit. Dec. 1, 2008. 263p. ISBN 978-0-321-59193-7. pap. $29.99.

Since I run several WordPress blogs, I picked up Scott McNulty’s Building a WordPress Blog People Want to Read with great interest. While the first few chapters cover the very basics (hosting your blog on WordPress.com or installing WordPress, managing user accounts, and the Dashboard), he then moves into optimizing your blog — with helpful step-by-step instructions. A chapter on “futureproofing” covers topics from separating WordPress and content files to formatting permalinks, while later chapters cover everything from creating page templates, to using Akismet to control spam, to finding themes, to useing plugins. Sidebars provide tips and extra info — sometimes on best practices such as saying no to hotlinking — while a final troubleshooting chapter helps readers deal with potential problems. While this book doesn’t quite live up to its title, being more a collection of how-tos and best practices, it serves as a solid introduction to creating and running a WordPress blog. Recommended for all public libraries.

Rachel Singer Gordon is editor, The Tech Static, and webmaster LISjobs.com.

Steinhoff, Sascha. Scanning Negatives and Slides: Digitizing your Photographic Archive, 2e. Rocky Nook.  2009. 240p. ISBN 978-1-933952-30-7. pap. $44.95

This book is a valuable addition to the field of digitizing negatives and slides. It covers a wide range of topics, including hardware considerations (from scanners and digital SLR cameras to flatbed and specialized film scanners); readers will also find a nice overview, with workflows, of image capture and editing software. The author goes beyond standard fare such as bit depth and dynamic ranges to explain various types of RAW formats, and includes a useful section on the recovery of images damaged by scratches and dust. Scanning Negatives and Slides is not intended as a stand-alone title for inexperienced readers, or for those without at least some familiarity with digitization issues; it will be most appropriate for photographers, professional archivists, and digital librarians. Recommended for medium to large libraries, museums, and archives with an active digitization program, as well as for special libraries that collect for photographers and/or art galleries.

Steve McCann is the Digital Projects Librarian at The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana.

Lloyd, Ian. Build Your Own Web Site the Right Way Using HTML & CSS. SitePoint. Nov. 2008. 470 p. ISBN 978-0980455274. pap. $29.95.

Learning the necessary skills to create a successful website, from understanding the XHTML and CSS, to blogging, to choosing a hosting service, may seem overwhelming for beginners. Author Ian Lloyd makes the task less daunting as he guides users step-by-step through the process. Targeting beginners with no previous web development knowledge, this instructional text covers the fundamentals, including XHTML, CSS, creating web graphics, incorporating interactive elements such as forms and blogs, and choosing a hosting service. Lloyd focuses on the importance of best practices, teaching his audience how to make pages that comply with accessibility standards for disabled users, and the proper way to lay out a site with CSS rather than tables. Screenshots and instructions are available for both Windows/PC and Mac OS where appropriate, and an accompanying website archives the example markup that appears throughout the book. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries.

Jackie Sipes is the Instructional Design Librarian for George Mason University Libraries in Fairfax, Virginia.

Prosser, Susan and Geoff Coffey. FileMaker Pro 10: The Missing Manual. O’Reilly. Feb. 3, 2009. 831p. ISBN 978-0596154233. pap. $39.99.

This companion guide to the database software FileMaker Pro 10 is suitable for anyone wanting to create or use a relational database. The introduction explains what the new version of the software has to offer, notes that the software’s manual is not for novices — and claims that this book is. Indeed, Missing Manual caters to readers who have never used Filemaker Pro, but will also be helpful to those upgrading from an earlire version. The guide covers the basics of starting a database, then progresses to advanced uses such as creating calculations and scripts, enabling the database to go online, security features, and more. The book has a potentially wide audience, but works best as a reference guide rather than a cover-to-cover read. Therefore, it is recommended for purchase for medium to large public and academic libraries

Amanda Piegza is the Institutional Repository and Digital Collections Librarian at Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Allen, Christopher and Shannon Appelcline. iPhone in Action: Introduction to Web and SDK Development. Manning. 2009. 448p. ISBN 978-1933988863. pap. $39.99

Christopher Allen and Shannon Appelcline’s iPhone in Action is a gem for any web developer’s library. While the text gives excellent novice-level overviews of the iPhone’s more flashy technologies (Dashcode, XCode, Objective-C, and programming for the accelerometer), its first few chapters on web development for iPhone optimization are rare finds in texts like these. iPhone in Action is suggested for purchase to any libraries looking to optimize their own websites for iPhone use, but not for general collection development, while some libraries might be turned off of this text knowing that Apple is preparing to release the 3.0 version of their software development kit (SDK). With this caveat in mind, the authors are preparing additional articles and chapters to address the new SDK and will make them available at their site. With purchase and registration of this text comes a free PDF version for unlimited use and downloadable source code used within chapters as examples.

Kyle Jones is the library technology assistant at Elmhurst College’s A.C. Buehler Library and a graduate of Dominican University’s Graduate School of Library and Information Science; he can be reached at http://kylejones.thecorkboard.org.

Goodman, Andrew. Winning Results with Google AdWords. McGraw-Hill Professional. Dec. 2008. 376p. ISBN 9780071496568. pap. $24.99.

AdWords is a very simple concept: write a small ad and choose keywords related to a business or product. When a user searches for those keywords, the ad appears; advertisers only pay when the ad is clicked. Goodman, president of a marketing agency, helps readers go beyond the basics to develop sophisticated ad campaigns. Although this occasionally-wordy title is not really a how-to-guide, experienced and novice users will find strategies to increase their visibility in search results to generate more revenue. Organized into four sections, the first few chapters provide an extensive overview of AdWords and the history of ads on the internet, helpful for novices, while the subsequent three sections are tiered on experience. For quick strategy assistance, power users will reference the latter chapters. Corporate libraries interested in developing keyword ad programs should consider adding this guide. Academic libraries that support business, marketing, and advertising programs may also consider.

Maura Deedy is an Information Services Librarian at the Ferguson Library in Stamford, CT where she teaches basic computer skills and Web 2.0 classes, empowering the public through technology training. In her free time she enjoys bike rides and flea markets.

Ableson, Frank, Charlie Collins, and Robi Sen. Unlocking Android. Manning. April 2009. 416p. ISBN 1933988673. pap. $39.99 (includes ebook); PDF ebook $24.99.
Burnette, Ed. Hello Android. Pragmatic. Dec. 2008. 218p. ISBN 978-1-934356-17-3. pap. $32.95.

These two very different books are both designed for experienced software developers who would like to start developing tools and applications for Android, the mobile software application platform created by Google and the Open Handset Alliance. Hello Android guides developers step-by-step through creating a simple application, using each incremental piece of the puzzle as an opportunity to explain more about the Android environment. It has a friendly “isn’t this simple” tone, and dives right in to code samples illustrated by grayscale diagrams and screenshots. Unlocking Android (which I read as a PDF ebook) is twice as long; it includes more backgrounder information and full-color screenshots, but isn’t as project focused. As a non-developer, I got more of a feel for Android from reading Hello Android, but much more information from reading Unlocking Android. Both books give many pointers to companion websites and further code samples and downloads from Google; both are must-reads for anyone considering Android development. Recommended for any library with a substantial software development section.

Jessamyn West is a technologist and a librarian living in Central Vermont. Her blog is at librarian.net.

Daly, Tim. Digital Print Styles Recipe Book: Getting Professional Results with Photoshop Elements and Your Inkjet Printer. Peachpit, 2009. 224p. ISBN 978-0321-56936-3. Pap. $39.99

Digital Print Styles Recipe Book is a solid introduction to creating professional-quality prints from digital photos. The basic premise of the book is that anyone can edit and print artistic photos using only a digital camera, Adobe Photoshop Elements, and an inkjet printer. Exercises use full-color screenshots as part of the step-by-step instructions, which gives the book a feel similar to a painting technique book. This format works extremely well for the sections on editing color levels and creating monochromatic prints. Tim Daly writes in a straightforward style about how to use the different filters and effects within Photoshop Elements to alter the color, key, and focus within a digital photo. This is a useful introduction for the novice photographer, breaking down the equipment needed as well as the variety of papers and techniques that can be used for different results. It will be less useful for experienced digital photographers already comfortable using DSLR cameras and Photoshop CS4. Recommended for all public and academic libraries.

John Rodzvilla is an Adjunct Professor for Electronic Publishing at Emerson College and a Library Assistant at the Simmons College Library in Boston, Massachusetts.

St. Laurent, Simon & Edd Dumbill. Learning Rails. O’Reilly. Nov. 2008. 442p. ISBN 978-0596518776. pap. $34.99.
Griffiths, David. Head First Rails. O’Reilly. Jan 2009. 462p. ISBN 978-0596515775. pap. $49.99.

Ruby on Rails (RoR) is without a doubt one of the most powerful rapid application development platforms available — with almost a mythical reputation. Both Learning Rails and Head First Rails are aimed squarely at the beginning Ruby and RoR user; however, Head First Rails seems to obliquely sidestep the initial configuration of a Ruby environment — possibly leaving the first-time user struggling. Both guides walk readers through the various concepts of development through example and exception, with illustrations. Learning Rails seems slightly better organized throughout, while Head First Rails will appeal more to those who prefer to learn visually. Both would be excellent guides for the aspiring developer, and stand strong among their peers. Ruby on Rails is a relatively young and developing framework, and while both books are extremely relevant, portions of both have already become slightly depreciated (though all examples are still accurate and work). These books would be best suited to those who can immediately use them, and may have a more limited (than is standard with technology resources) shelf life as the RoR landscape continues to rapidly change. For large public and academic libraries.

Stan Brinkerhoff is an IT Consultant, software developer and project manager working with non-profits, libraries and businesses in Vermont.

Gunelius, Susan. Google Blogger for Dummies. Wiley. Feb. 2009. 362p. ISBN 978-0470407424. pap. $24.99.

This new entry in the wildly successful and wide-ranging For Dummies series is useful, not only as an introduction to Google Blogger, but also to blogging in general — as well as to why one might want to do such a thing. Designed for the complete neophyte who might find the plethora of websites, articles, and yes, blogs about blogging bewildering, Google Blogger for Dummies spends a relatively small portion of its page count on the nuts and bolts of the platform. Substantial portions of the book are given over to choosing a focus or subject area, finding and growing an audience, monetizing a blog, and additional tips and tricks. This additional content is also valuable for experienced Google Blogger users, expanding the book’s usefulness. Recommended for public libraries.

Genevieve Williams is Undergraduate Research Librarian at Pacific Lutheran University.