Norton 360 Version 4.0 1 User-3 PC Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been using Norton for 7 years and after having tried many other Anti-Virus solutions it is easy to say Norton is always the most reliable and hassle free.
A few of the product comments here make this down-loadable version of Norton 360 sound hard to use, and that is just not the case.
Getting this download version saved me $15 over having the boxed version shipped, not to mention it was instant.
I had protection going 5 minutes after my order.
Now I did already have a trial version of Norton 360 installed that I had downloaded directly from the Norton site. I just choose to purchase from Amazon after my trial version expired for 2 reasons.
#1 I love Amazon.
#2 The price at Amazon was way better than buying direct from the software vendors own website.
I just purchased 360 here and used the license key Amazon gave me to activate my expired 30 day trial version.
Even if I had not had the trial version already installed, purchasing and downloading this software from Amazon is not complicated at all, as some of the other reviewers would make you believe.
Yes you do have to install the Amazon down-loader software. So what, it was super simple, and you can always uninstall it later if you wish.
Once you install the down-loader which takes all of 30 seconds, you then download the Norton 360 software.
You can then choose to install Norton 360 right from the downloader, however a backup copy of Norton 360 is added into a folder on your PC. On my windows 7 machine this location was at:
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Amazon Games & Software
It is named N360-ESD-17-6-0-32-EN.exe so if you can not find the folder just search for that on your PC. You can then easily burn that to a CD so you can install the software on 3 separate computers.
Optionally you could also just transfer the .exe file over your network to your other 2 machines if you have a network setup in your home or office.
I added screen shots of the down-loader and the path within amazon to access your license key after your purchase in the images at the top of this products page.
After your order simply go to your Amazon account to get your product key. Just use the "Your Account" link and then under "Digital Content" select the link titled "Your Games and Software Library". Look for the orange "Your product key" button to access your license key.
Super easy, and super fast! This is a great deal compared to having the product shipped in a Box on CD that you will just end up throwing away after your install anyway!
Go Green and purchase this downloaded version of Norton 360!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Norton 360 Version 4.0 1 User-3 PC

Click here for more information about Norton 360 Version 4.0 1 User-3 PC

Read More...

The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)There really are very few software engineering books written in 1975 that are worth reading today. Brooks remains powerful stuff because large system projects are still often disastrous. We are not often bothered by the flowcharts that Brooks dislikes, but the disorganized projects, endless meetings, problems of scaling, unhelpful documentation and inflexible systems are certainly still with us.
I was struck recently by the parallels with Kent Beck's Extreme Programming: Brooks had in his way foreseen much of what this recent movement has been urging.
Brooks' classic book underlies much systems engineering thinking, and his example along with the frightening story of OS/360, enlivened with Brooks' inimitable anecdotes and illustrations, remains essential reading.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering

Click here for more information about The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering

Read More...

LPI Linux Certification in a Nutshell (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly)) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The first thing I want to say about reading this book is : I passed! Certification books serve four purposes: first, they serve as a way to prepare for computerized certification exams. Second, they provide a 'training plan' for learning the objectives in the certification. Third, can a book explain system administration concepts while limiting a reader's exposure to difficult, elusive topics until later? Fourth, can a book like this still be useful post-certification?
Part One (covering the 101 test) contained generous amounts of examples for text-processing commands and a really top notch discussion of permissions, ownership, booting and documentation. Helpfully, 'need to know' boxes are scattered throughout the book to indicate how important a topic is on the test. Frequently, the author will point out that although he explained a certain topic in depth, it won't be covered in depth on the test. I really appreciated that, although I found that the actual test covered certain topics (such as X Windows) in much more depth than Dean leads us to believe. One thing, by the way, to remember, is that often the book gives only the 5 or 6 most popular switches for each command. If you learned about these commands only from this book, you might be overlooking some important switches. I found this especially to be true when Dean discussed user management. I consider usermod 'g and usermod 'G to be really important commands, but this book didn't even mention them. On the other hand, Dean gave an explanation of regular expressions which was quite adequate for the purposes of this book. Although omitting some switches proved exasperating at times, the simplified view of the commands can be helpful for linux newbies.
Part Two (covering 102 test) covered a lot more ground: Apache, sendmail, nfs, dns, tcp-ip; heck, books have been written on each of those topics. The book covered well these topics in particular: compiling a kernel, troubleshooting tcp-ip and using rpm's. I found his discussion of Debian package management to be hard to follow, although that may be because I've never used it before in real life (but watch out! The test covers this in depth!). The book's discussion of network services (nfs, sendmail, apache, samba) was shallow at best, but I doubt anyone would rely on such a book for maintaining a web server, for example. But it provided some of the basics at least. The section on X Window was succinct and helpful. Also, some of the information presented is outdated, at least on Red Hat's latest distribution. Red Hat, for example, no longer uses inetd for startup, and some of the directory paths have since changed. These are minor quibbles, and one of the challenge of passing a certification like this is asking yourself: should I be learning things for the exam that are no longer accurate or relevant in current distributions? Certifications test the knowledge available at the time of test creation, when in reality new applications are being added and processes streamlined every day.
The book contains lots of sample multiple choice items, review questions and exercises. The multiple choice items didn't really add much to the book, but I frequently referred to the review questions. (Remember, the LPI exam has fill-in-the-blanks questions). Don't overlook the excellent 'highlighter's index' at the back of the book.
Two minor quibbles. First, the cover is not very strong and is bent, torn and curled over. The other is that the LPI exam objectives are not located at the front or back of the book. Rather, the table of objectives for 101 are in the front, and objectives for 102 are in the middle. I referred to this table constantly to see the amount of weight LPI was giving to a particular topic. Also, because the table of contents follow the LPI learning objectives (probably a smart thing), it is often difficult to find documentation about a certain command. For that I might recommend Linux in a Nutshell , 3rd Edition, which serves as a comprehensive index of commands and system utilities. It is excellent. Also, General Linux I Exam Prep (Exam: 101) by Dee Ann LeBlanc (published in 2000), is an extremely helpful book (and available for significantly reduced price used). Although it was one of the first to market and didn't address the LPI objectives explicitly, the exercises and presentation of material are every bit as good as Dean's book. Keep in mind also that LPI Linux Certification is not sufficient in and of itself. You will probably end up referring to other books such as Matt Welsh's Running Linux, Olaf Kirch's Linux Network Administrator's Guide or the unbelievably good Rute User's Tutorial and Exposition .

Click Here to see more reviews about: LPI Linux Certification in a Nutshell (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly))

Click here for more information about LPI Linux Certification in a Nutshell (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly))

Read More...

Electric Power Substations Engineering (The Electric Power Engineering Hbk, Second Edition) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Book gives a broad overview of substations, but not very detailed. If you have anything more than a passing interesting how substations work this book will not be much use to you. I started a new job as a commisioner and this book was of little benefit to me. Not enough details on the inner workings of power protection and switchgear.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Electric Power Substations Engineering (The Electric Power Engineering Hbk, Second Edition)

Electric Power Substations Engineering provides a comprehensive overview of substations, from their fundamental concepts to their design, automation, operation, and physical and cyber security. Each of its 18 sections is authored by leading members of IEEE's Substations committee and written as a self-contained tutorial, complete with industry standards and references. The book's organization and level of detail make it ideal for electric power engineering professionals looking for in-depth design information and for other engineering professionals needing general information on a particular topic.

Click here for more information about Electric Power Substations Engineering (The Electric Power Engineering Hbk, Second Edition)

Read More...

Practical Java™ Programming Language Guide Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Practical Java Programming Language Guide used the "essay" style similar to "Effective C++" to explain some issues in Java. It covers General Technique,Object and Equality, Exception Handling, Performance, Multithreading and Class & Interface with total 68 'Praxis'.
This 'essay' style is my favorite. It represents topics in each small 'essay' and you can easily pick up the topic you are interested in without getting lost, or just read the book from cover-to-cover. It is also very useful for checking up something in which you'd like to have more understanding. You won't get bored there!
I would say this book is for intermediate to advance Java programmer. It is not a book to learn how to program in Java, it is a good book to get more understanding with Java. It will help you learn more about Java, become a better Java programmer. I feel like I've learn a lot even with my 4-years professional Java programming experience. Also, if you are new to Java, this book will help you Ace your Java interview:)
Sometimes, as a programmer, we tend to forget the low-level details as to why we do things that way. For example, the difference between "==" and ".equals()", we all know we need to use .equals() to comare Object reference, use "==" for primitive data type. After reading this book, I know more about "why" we did things that way than just "what" to do. That's just a small example, I bet you'll find lots of "ah-ha" monents in reading this book.
One shortcoming I'd like to point out is there are some duplicates in explaining some topic. Maybe the author wanted to emphasis some points but I feel like it is redundant. e.g. both Praxis 11 and praxis 15 talk about how to immplement equals() method which I think only one would be enough. Also, it would be great if the broadth of the topic was expanded some more.
Overall, it is a great book. I've been enjoying reading it and find it very helpful. I am looking forward to something like "More practical Java programming Language Guide" coming...

Click Here to see more reviews about: Practical Java™ Programming Language Guide

This book does for Java what Scott Meyers' classic Effective C++ did for C++: identifies the key practices and rules that enable good developers to become great developers. IBM Java expert Peter Haggar brings together 68 rules for writing better Java 2 code, complete with insightful discussions and real-world examples. These are the "rules of thumb" expert developers have discovered: guidelines that consistently lead to clear, correct, and efficient code. Haggar focuses on the key issues virtually every Java developer faces, from general techniques (such as when to use polymorphism and when not to use method overloading); to working with objects, exception handling, performance, multithreading, classes, interfaces, and beyond. Haggar has a remarkable talent for crystallizing a problem and solution, and communicating it in words and code. The result: a book that can help any Java developer get dramatically better results -- fast.

Get 19% OFF

Click here for more information about Practical Java™ Programming Language Guide

Read More...

CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide, Deluxe Edition Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Like many workplace professionals I have long harbored the desire to obtain accreditation and certification in many of the Microsoft and A+ fields. A friend of mine slipped me the CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide shortly before the holidays with little more than a wink and a nod. As many of you can empathize with, my holiday season was filled with many hours of road and plane trips visiting various familial groups. Frankly if it weren't for said monotonous travel times I probably would have never picked up the book. Its one thing to say you want to prepare for an exam and another to pick up the 800+ page study guide. Several hours into my read, I was glad I did.
While I may be a newcomer to the certification field, I'm by no means a layman to computer-related study and preparatory guides. I have spent many an hour at the local mega book store perusing the offerings of the major companies and have, almost universally, found them to be sloppily and spasmodically written and filled with superfluous information that was more in line with A+ theory than A+ application. Not so with this guide, the authors say it best themselves "This book was written with one goal in mind: to prepare you for the challenges of the real IT world, not just pass the A+ exams."
They weren't kidding. I learned, not only how to pass the exam but application of the exam's knowledge in a common-sense fashion. Everything in the guide is streamlined information delivery, always prefaced with easily understood `Real-World Scenarios' and memory aiding `Hands-On-Exercises'. The CD, which I initially had a little trouble running, is packed with close to an hour and a half of instructional video so not only could I read about tasks but see them performed real time. The combination of these features didn't just `bring the class-room to the reader' as so many study guides claim but it brought me into the guide. It didn't just feel like I was studying it, the videos, combined with a little exploratory action in my own old pc, made it feel like I was actually doing it.
You will learn with CompTIA's latest A+ Complete Study Guide, I did.


Click Here to see more reviews about: CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide, Deluxe Edition

All-in-one guide plus videos prepares you for CompTIA's new A+ Certification
Candidates aiming for CompTIA's revised, two-exam A+ Certified Track will find what they need in this value-packed book. Prepare for the required exam, CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-601), as well as your choice of one of three additional exams focusing on specific job roles--IT Technician (220-602), Remote Support Technician (220-603), or Depot Technician (220-603). This in-depth Deluxe Edition features instructional videos, thorough coverage of all objectives for all four exams, bonus practice exams, and more. Inside, you'll find:
Comprehensive coverage of all exam objectives for all four exams in a systematic approach, so you can be confident you're getting the instruction you need
CD with over an hour of instructional videos so you see how to perform key tasks
Hand-on exercises to reinforce critical skills
Real-world scenarios that put what you've learned in the context of actual job roles
Challenging review questions in each chapter to prepare you for exam day
Exam Essentials, a key feature at the end of each chapter that identifies critical areas you must become proficient in before taking the exams
A handy fold-out that maps every official exam objective to the corresponding chapter in the book, so you can track your exam prep objective by objective
Look inside for complete coverage of all exam objectives for all four CompTIA A+ exams.

Featured on the CDs
SYBEX TEST ENGINE:Test your knowledge with advanced testing software. Includes all chapter review questions and 12 total bonus exams.
ELECTRONIC FLASHCARDS:Reinforce your understanding with flashcards that can run on your PC, Pocket PC, or Palm handheld.
PRACTICE CD:Learn how to perform key tasks with over an hour of instructional videos on a bonus CD!
Visit www.sybex.com for all of your CompTIA certification needs.
Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Click here for more information about CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide, Deluxe Edition

Read More...

Writing Information Security Policies Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Security policies are not security, and will not provide any protection. However, as the well-known formulation has it: security is a process. An organization does not "have" security, rather they participate in the process of security. Barnum explains that security policies are a component of the planning aspect of the security process, and as such can provide three advantages. The first is to insure security interoperability across an organization. The second advantage is the visibility given to the policy by management's participation in it, which provides a greater impetus for implementation. The third is to mitigate liability, presumably by the legal value of the policy, and the advantages to security that a policy-driven approach proves. Another reason mentioned is that for some organizations, policy documentation is needed for iso900x compliance. Unstated is the assumption that a security policy might result in greater security. After all, even with all the other purported advantages, a security policy is presumptively about making security better.
At 216 pages, "Writing Information Security Policies" seems just the right size to touch all the bases, but not enough for a home run in the subject area. Good worklike effort, but the diversity of subject matter, and a lack of focus and internal theoretical structure robs the work of providing insightful organizational direction, though it still pays dividends, and is ultimately very worth reading.
The book is divided into three sections. The first is titled "Starting the policy process," and includes such issues as policy needs and roles and responsibilities in the policy process. The second section is writing the security policies in the topical areas. The third is on maintaining policies, including acceptable use and compliance and enforcement. In the first section, the discussion includes such items as:
1. Identification of assets
2. Data security
3. Backups and archives
4. Intellectual property rights
5. Incident response and forensics
It is clear from these topics that though the title of the book is Information Security Policies, a more accurate one might be Information and Communication Technology Security Policies, as it is networks and software systems which are the focus throughout.
As far as real-world recommendations and a more serious framework for security policies at highly secured organizations, the reader will have to search elsewhere. However, this book amply suits the need for a series of more conversational approaches to a variety of ICT security policies and subject areas. Also of use are the distinctions between policy, procedure, and implementation, found scattered throughout this book, though unfortunately not strictly adhered to. And though the sample administrative policies found in the appendix are nowhere complete, there are helpful policy formulations throughout. In the second section, the seven major areas of discussion that offer the heart of the book are more of a topical arrangement, than any hierarchical or conceptual approach. They include security policy concerned with the following subject areas:
1. Physical
2. Authentication and network
3. Internet
4. Email
5. Viruses, worms, and Trojan horses
6. Encryption
7. Software development
There is enough that is badly worded and poorly organized in the book, but it is of real benefit--both on its own merits, and because there is little information of this kind available to practitioners and those managers who might want something that is more than a simple set of forms, but is less than a week-long course in security policy.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Writing Information Security Policies

Get 18% OFF

Click here for more information about Writing Information Security Policies

Read More...

CCNA ICND2 Official Exam Certification Guide (CCNA Exams 640-816 and 640-802) (2nd Edition) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book is the authority on all topics required to pass ICND2. Every little detail on the test is covered by this book. Here's the best part - it reads very well. Its not full of fluff or unnecessary text that the author added it just to beef up the book. Wendel is straight and to the point. After you're done reading this, do about 300-400 practice questions only on the ICND2 topics; I did, and I passed ICND2 on the first try.

Click Here to see more reviews about: CCNA ICND2 Official Exam Certification Guide (CCNA Exams 640-816 and 640-802) (2nd Edition)

CCNA ICND2 Official Exam Certification GuideSecond EditionMaster ICND2 640-816 and CCNA 640-802 exam topics with the official study guide Assess your knowledge with chapter-opening quizzes Review key concepts with Exam Preparation Tasks Practice with hundreds of exam questions on the CD-ROMWendell Odom, CCIE® No. 1624CCNA ICND2 Official Exam Certification Guide, Second Edition, is a best of breed Cisco® exam study guide that focuses specifically on the objectives for the CCNA® ICND2 exam. This fully updated edition presents complete reviews and a more challenging and realistic exam preparation experience.Senior instructor and best-selling author Wendell Odom shares preparation hints and test-taking tips, helping you identify areas of weakness and improve both your conceptual knowledge and hands-on skills. The material is presented in a concise manner, focused on increasing your understanding of exam topics and preparing you for the numerous challenges the exams present.CCNA ICND2 Official Exam Certification Guide, Second Edition, presents you with an organized test preparation routine through the use of proven series elements and techniques. "Do I Know This Already?" quizzes open each chapter and allow you to decide how much time you need to spend on each section. Chapter-ending Exam Preparation Tasks sections help you drill on key concepts you must know thoroughly and help increase your speed in answering questions, a difficult hurdle many exam candidates face on the new exams. A Final Preparation chapter guides you through tools and resources to help you craft your final study plan. Special troubleshooting sections help you master the complex scenarios you will face on the exam.The companion CD-ROM contains a powerful testing engine that allows you to focus on individual topic areas or take complete, timed exams. The assessment engine also tracks your performance and provides feedback on a chapter-by-chapter basis, presenting question-by-question remediation to the text. The bonus DVD contains more than 60 minutes of personal video mentoring from the author focused mainly on bringing difficult subnetting concepts to life.Well-regarded for its level of detail, assessment features, and challenging practice questions, this book provides you with more detailed information and more realistic practice exercises than any other CCNA study guide, enabling you to succeed on the exam the first time.CCNA ICND2 Official Exam Certification Guide, Second Edition, is part of a recommended learning path from Cisco that includes simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and self-study products from Cisco Press. To find out more about instructor-led training, e-learning, and hands-on instruction offered by authorized Cisco Learning Partners worldwide, please visit www.cisco.com/go/authorizedtraining.Wendell Odom, CCIE® No. 1624, has been in the networking industry since 1981. He currently teaches QoS, MPLS, and CCNA courses for Skyline Advanced Technology Services (www.skyline-ats.com). Wendell has worked as a network engineer, consultant, systems engineer, and instructor and course developer, and has taught authorized Cisco courses for the majority of the last 14 years.The official study guide helps you master all the topics on the CCNA ICND2 exam, includingVirtual LANs and Spanning Tree Protocol Static and connected routes VLSM and route summarization IP access control lists OSPF and EIGRP configuration Point-to-point WANs Frame Relay VPNs Network address translation IPv6 TroubleshootingCompanion CD-ROMThe CD-ROM contains an electronic copy of the book and 200 practice questions for the ICND2 and full CCNA exams, including simulation and testlet questions, all available in study mode andtest mode.BONUS DVDThe DVD contains more than 60 minutes of personal instruction from the author!This volume is part of the Exam Certification Guide Series from Cisco Press®. Books in this series provide officially developed exam preparation materials that offer assessment, review, and practice to help Cisco Career Certification candidates identify weaknesses, concentrate their study efforts, and enhance their confidence as exam day nears.Category: Cisco Press—Cisco CertificationCovers: CCNA ICND2 Exam 640-816

Get 46% OFF

Click here for more information about CCNA ICND2 Official Exam Certification Guide (CCNA Exams 640-816 and 640-802) (2nd Edition)

Read More...

Routing Protocols and Concepts, CCNA Exploration Labs and Study Guide Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)great labs, but too many review questions when the answers are not there, or online to check yourself. Typically we are adults in this class, answers would only help be sure we are not closing the book with the wrong answer written in, and not knowing.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Routing Protocols and Concepts, CCNA Exploration Labs and Study Guide

Routing Protocols and Concepts, CCNA Exploration Labs and Study Guide is designed to support your learning routing protocols and concepts in Version 4 of the Cisco Networking Academy CCNA® Exploration curriculum. Each chapter contains a Study Guide section and a Labs and Activities section. Study GuideThe dozens of exercises in this book help you learn the concepts and configurations crucial to your success as a CCNA exam candidate. Each chapter is slightly different and includes multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and open-ended questions designed to help you: Review vocabularyStrengthen troubleshooting skills Boost configuration skillsReinforce conceptsResearch topicsPacket Tracer Activities: This icon identifies exercises interspersed throughout the Study Guide section where you can practice or visualize a specific task using Packet Tracer, a powerful network simulation program developed by Cisco.Labs and Activities: The Labs and Activities sections begins with a Command Reference table and includes all the online curriculum labs to ensure that you have mastered the practical skills needed to succeed in this course.Hands-On Labs: This icon identifies the hands-on labs created for each chapter. Work through all the Basic, Challenge, and Troubleshooting labs as provided to gain a deep understanding of CCNA knowledge and skills to ultimately succeed on the CCNA Certification Exam. Packet Tracer Companion: This icon identifies the companion activities that correspond to each hands-on lab. You use Packet Tracer to complete a simulation of the hands-on lab.Packet Tracer Skills Integration Challenge: Each chapter concludes with a culminating activity called the Packet Tracer Skills Integration Challenge. These challenging activities require you to pull together several skills learned from the chapter, as well as previous chapters and courses, to successfully complete one comprehensive exercise.Allan Johnson works full time developing curriculum for Cisco Networking Academy. Allan also is a part-time instructor at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas.Use this book with:Routing Protocols and Concepts,CCNA Exploration Companion GuideISBN-10: 1-58713-206-0ISBN-13: 978-158713-206-3Companion CD-ROMThe CD-ROM provides all the Packet Tracer Activity, Packet Tracer Companion, and Packet Tracer Challenge exercise files that are referenced throughout the book as indicated by the icons. These files work with Packet Tracer software V4.1, which is available through the Academy Connection website. Ask your instructor for access to the Packet Tracer software.

Get 29% OFF

Click here for more information about Routing Protocols and Concepts, CCNA Exploration Labs and Study Guide

Read More...

Information Security Policies, Procedures, and Standards: Guidelines for Effective Information Security Management Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you want to find out the relation between Policies, Procedures and Standards buy this book. Although the flow of text is somewhat discontinuous but the author clearly explains the underlying concepts. The examples are very illustrative and have a real world feel. The author has been on the frontlines (clearly evident throughout the text) and this distinguishes the book from rest in the pack. Very few books talk about ISO 17799 and BS7799 in detail. This book goes beyond just reproducing the standard and explains the positioning of such guidelines. The tables and checklists found in the appendices alone are worth many times the cost of the book.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Information Security Policies, Procedures, and Standards: Guidelines for Effective Information Security Management

By definition, information security exists to protect your organization's valuable information resources. But too often information security efforts are viewed as thwarting business objectives. An effective information security program preserves your information assets and helps you meet business objectives. Information Security Policies, Procedures, and Standards: Guidelines for Effective Information Security Management provides the tools you need to select, develop, and apply a security program that will be seen not as a nuisance but as a means to meeting your organization's goals.Divided into three major sections, the book covers: writing policies, writing procedures, and writing standards. Each section begins with a definition of terminology and concepts and a presentation of document structures. You can apply each section separately as needed, or you can use the entire text as a whole to form a comprehensive set of documents. The book contains checklists, sample policies, procedures, standards, guidelines, and a synopsis of British Standard 7799 and ISO 17799.Peltier provides you with the tools you need to develop policies, procedures, and standards. He demonstrates the importance of a clear, concise, and well-written security program. His examination of recommended industry best practices illustrates how they can be customized to fit any organization's needs. Information Security Policies, Procedures, and Standards: Guidelines for Effective Information Security Management helps you create and implement information security procedures that will improve every aspect of your enterprise's activities.

Get 20% OFF

Click here for more information about Information Security Policies, Procedures, and Standards: Guidelines for Effective Information Security Management

Read More...

Spiritual Emergency: When Personal Transformation Becomes a Crisis (New Consciousness Readers) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)In his book "Cosmic Consciousness," published in 1901, Richard Bucke writes of "certain men who...are either exalted, by the average self conscious individual, to the rank of gods, or, adopting the other extreme, are adjudged insane." This is the earliest mention I have found of the potential problem inherent in the spiritual growth process: bouts of madness, or at least extreme dysfunction. The Grofs have put together a collection of essays by themselves and various other authors which explore the psychic/psychological dynamics of what they call "spiritual emergency." That's their term for when the growth process puts a person into psychic overload. The essays describe different aspects of such overload, as well as ways to help someone (or oneself) through it.

A repeating theme throughout the book is that too often such people are pathologized and medicated by well-meaning but materialistic-minded health care workers. This not only terminates the process so that breakthrough cannot occur, it can also drive the patient into permanent madness. Some of the contributors to this book include Roberto Assagioli, John Weir Perry, Ram Dass, Lee Sannella, Holger Kalweit, and others. There is a fascinating piece by Keith Thompson entitled "The UFO Encounter Experience as a Crisis of Transformation," which is the most profound way of looking at UFO abduction phenomenon that I've ever read. I recommend this book to anyone interested in personal growth--it is interesting, well-edited, and filled with a lot of useful information.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Spiritual Emergency: When Personal Transformation Becomes a Crisis (New Consciousness Readers)

Get 36% OFF

Click here for more information about Spiritual Emergency: When Personal Transformation Becomes a Crisis (New Consciousness Readers)

Read More...

Essentials of Health Behavior: Social and Behavorial Theory in Public Health (Essential Public Health) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I purchased this textbook for one of the courses I am currently taking. I find this book to be concise and interesting to read. The chapters are of a reasonable length and when an assignment is given to read two or three chapters it is doable.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Essentials of Health Behavior: Social and Behavorial Theory in Public Health (Essential Public Health)

Get 25% OFF

Click here for more information about Essentials of Health Behavior: Social and Behavorial Theory in Public Health (Essential Public Health)

Read More...

A New Kind of Christian: A Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)A New Kind of Christian: Thoughts on Brian McClaren's Book
Brian McClaren has written a new and fascinating book entitled A New Kind of Christian. I have a deep affinity with what Brian has both attempted and accomplished here. Brian has stood upon the ramparts, seen the battle around him and is pointing to a new way of being Christian in the 21st century. He is motivated by nothing but love for Christ and his kingdom. He understands that the old wineskins have burst, and that the long-suffering Spirit of God is now pointing out a new way forward. Yet, for all of that - Brian's work is not all of one piece. It is both a thoughtful investigation of evangelicalism's failure to recognize the transition from Modernism to Post-modernism, and also an unsatisfying solution to the problems posed by that shift.
From the very beginning of the book, Brian's observations are unassailable. Post-modernism is a new era - one that has dawned with force in Western culture. Christians aboard the cultural ship of state today watch wide-eyed as the moral machinery of their worldview is getting heaved overboard - piece by piece. They find themselves on a cruise they never imagined. Brian argues effectively that the comprehensiveness of this change is frightening. And yet, like any new era, although the transition is filled with painful changes, it is also filled with unimagined opportunities.
To best make his point, Brian casts his views in the form of a fictional narrative (the lingua franca of Post-modernism!). The protagonist of the narrative is a wizened person of color, appropriately named Neo. Neo is a "new kind of Christian", stuffed full of fresh insights in how to navigate the waters of Post-modernism. In the seminal central chapters of the book, Brian has Neo lay out his central argument to a hypothetical campus Christian audience. It is an argument from history. The sum of the argument is this: just as the transition from medieval Catholicism to the Reformation created a new kind of Christian, so now in the shift from Modernism to Post Modernism we need A New Kind of Christian.
So far so good.
But if we tease apart the analogy, how far can it go? It is the aptness of Brian's analogy that is at issue here. The very real question we must ask ourselves is whether Brian is flushing out the doctrinal baby with the cultural bathwater.
Underlying Brian's argument is an unspoken assumption, namely, that every new major epoch in history is not merely evolutionary - it is revolutionary. Each new era creates by necessity a new paradigm, and that paradigm sweeps away the preceding era. Hence, he argues that just as the Reformation and scientific Modernism swept away medievalism in the 1500's , now Post-modernism is sweeping away Modernism - along with its quaint tools of analysis and logic.

After all, nothing is quite as dated as yesterday's insights. Right?
But wait a second.
Is it really true that ALL the constructs that Modernism affirms must be superceded? When Jesus said, "I am the way the truth and the life", we can be confident that his statement was both timeless and transcultural. It was not intended to be shelved when the next intellectual purge rolled through history. Jesus' truth claims, both relational and logical, made it past the shift from Pre-modernism to Modernism, at least among orthodox Modernists in the church. Likewise, when Jesus said, "I tell you that not one jot or tittle shall pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." - He meant it. The truth of this statement is not diminished because once upon a time Christian Modernists believed it. For Brian, then, there seems to be a curious inconsistency of indebtedness to the prior era. If the content of a former era speaks to spiritual formation, it seems, Brian adopts it. If it uses analysis and logic, he drops it. Even an Hegelian view of history grants to any new era (the synthesis) more indebtedness to its prior era (thesis) than Brian does.
We are left with an unsatisfied feeling after closing the book. We want to celebrate Brian's brilliant observations and teach them to a sleeping Modernist church - but we feel we cannot - at least not in their original form.
Why?
In sum, two problems dog Brian's view of history. First, there is a naïve optimism apparent here. Historical progression, does not necessarily lead to progress. A synthesis (even an Hegelian one!) may lead downward rather than upward. Consequently, we can't agree with Brian's inference that Postmodernism is necessarily better than Modernism because it has superceded it. Postmodernism, we would argue, is doubtless a better way to live - but just as certainly - it is a poorer way to think.
Second, liberal theologies throughout history have spent their energies dichotomizing truth. That is, they separate spiritual truth from the world of verification and analysis. The well-intentioned thinking behind this, is that this kind of surgery is necessary. It saves both the text and faith itself from methods neither was designed to withstand. The end result is that two realms of truth are created. Spiritual truth dwells in the realm of the unverifiable, while physical truth lies in the realm of verification. For those that adopt this dichotomy, matters of faith live and breathe only in the heart - and there they stay. Years ago, Francis Schaeffer called this "upper story" versus "lower story" thinking. And this, unwittingly is where we are lead by Brian's treatment of history. After reading A New Kind of Christian, we are left with the impression that the spiritual truths of Scripture and the factual/logical statements of Scripture are not woven seamlessly into a single cloth.
Let's look at two examples. We waste our time, according to Brian, if we argue against evolution. Second, we worry too much, Brian says, about using the (apparently anachronistic) tools of logic and analysis. Yet, is this split between the "Modernist" tools of logic and analysis (which, incidentally, predate Modernism) and the "spiritual" truths of Scripture really necessary? The Jesus of Scripture is both the one who wept over Jerusalem and outgunned the Pharisees in brilliant logical argumentation. The One who called all men to come to Him, is also the One who made logically exclusive truth statements 25 times in the gospel of John alone. He is the One who is both above all things (transcendent) and yet by Him all things hold together (immanent). The Jesus of Scripture, then is multifaceted. He is both perfectly and completely relational and also the Lord of all rational truth, including logic and analysis. For this reason, He can speak to both the relational Post-Modern and the analytical Modern.
Our challenge is to learn to do the same.


Click Here to see more reviews about: A New Kind of Christian: A Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey

Click here for more information about A New Kind of Christian: A Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey

Read More...

Discovering Computers 2009: Complete (Shelly Cashman) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is the first review I've written on Amazon, or anywhere else for that matter, but Discovering Computers 2009 Complete is so unbelievably bad that I had to say something, hopefully helping some poor soul from using this so-called text as a source of information. I am using this as a textbook in a required course in a community college, and am only through chapter 5 so it is possible that all of the inaccuracies and just plain wrong information will suddenly no longer be manifest in later chapters, but I'm not counting on it.
I have been a PC user since the original IBM PC, and have delved into much of the technology involved over the years, so I am at the very least familiar with most of the subject matter. I don't claim to be an expert by any stretch, but I do have my strengths and it is this prior familiarity that permits me to evaluate the text's accuracy. Also consider that this is a book that is supposed to teach those with little or no experience with computers beyond perhaps some very basics, so misleading or unclear statements can be just as damaging to such readers as the outright incorrect statements.
OK, I just opened to a page... this one's not a biggie, but I'll start here. "Today, AMD is the leading manufacturer of Intel-compatible processors, which have an internal design similar to Intel processors..." I think that Intel would like to know about that! The architecture is not similar at all, and remember that we are talking about a college level text here. The very next paragraph: "Originally, Apple computers used only an IBM processor or a Motorola processor..." No, originally Apple used a MOS Technology 6502 processor; the Mac used Motorola and then IBM processors. Nothing critical here, so I'll move on.
At the end of chapter 4: The Components of the System Unit is a page entitled Keeping Your Computer Clean, in which the book suggests using "small attachments on your house vacuum" on the "wires, chips, adapter cards, and fan blades."!!! Even if the user is wearing an antistatic wristband -which the text recommends but makes no mention of how to ground- a house vacuum should NEVER be used on such electronically sensitive parts, as the static electricity generated by the dust flowing through the tube will very efficiently zap those chips and adapter cards. Additionally, they instruct the user to unplug the computer from everything, not necessarily a bad thing, but make no mention of grounding the case or at the very least placing it on a grounded anti-static mat. BAD BAD BAD!
Under the topic of Digital Cameras, a sidebar states that a "digital zoom digitally alters the pixels at the center of the CCD..." If it had said that it only uses the pixel data from the central areas of the CCD it would have been somewhat better, but as it stands the reader is led to believe that the CCD is somehow altered. The text attempts to explain image resolution and pixel density, delving into ppi(pixels per inch), which should almost never be mentioned in the same sentence as image resolution and pixel density. Again from the text: "For example, a 2304x1728 (pronounced 2304 by 1728) ppi camera has 2,304 pixels per vertical inch and 1,728 pixels per horizontal inch." This is just plain wrong in both a fundamental and conceptual way, and exemplifies how the entire book seems to have been authored by someone who does not understand much of the subject matter, and has simply performed a few Internet searches on the topic and then cut-and-pasted his way into a text. If you do not understand why the above sentence is wrong then how would you know it was when you read it in the text. It is not a particularly difficult concept but is misunderstood by the general public (Pixel density, ppi, dpi, etc.).
I have other studying to do, or I could spend the rest of the semester picking this waste of a tree apart. If you have any choice in the matter of selecting a book with which to learn about computers and the technology, please please please do not buy this one. I have nothing to gain what so ever by trashing this one, but I can tell you that it is very aggravating to have to memorize 'facts' that I know without question are wrong, simply to pass an exam.
Speaking of exams, you should see (not!) some of the 'edutainment' the publisher has on the associated 'learning' Web site; neither 'edu' nor 'taining'. I will say this though: I did learn to capitalize Web and Internet.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Discovering Computers 2009: Complete (Shelly Cashman)

Get 31% OFF

Click here for more information about Discovering Computers 2009: Complete (Shelly Cashman)

Read More...

CCENT/CCNA ICND1 Official Exam Certification Guide, 2nd Edition Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)PROS:
- This is a good book to purchase and utilize for a final prep for the ICND1 exam.
- GREAT video on how to easily SUBNET!!!
- The included practice test were much harder than the Cisco exam, so if you master it you will have NO PROBLEM passing the ICND1 exam and receiving the CCENT certification.
- Great BOSON simulation exam questions.
CONS:
- Some of the examples (figures) in the book use the wrong IP addresses vs. the actual IP addressing scheme
- Some of the test questions showed the wrong IP addresses


Click Here to see more reviews about: CCENT/CCNA ICND1 Official Exam Certification Guide, 2nd Edition

CCENT/CCNA ICND1 Official Exam Certification GuideSecond EditionMaster ICND1 640-822 exam topics with the official study guide Assess your knowledge with chapter-opening quizzes Review key concepts with Exam Preparation Tasks Practice with hundreds of exam questions on the CD-ROMWendell Odom, CCIE® No. 1624CCENT/CCNA ICND1 Official Exam Certification Guide, Second Edition, is a best of breed Cisco® exam study guide that focuses specifically on the objectives for the CCENT™ and CCNA® ICND1 exam. This fully updated edition presents complete reviews and a more challenging and realistic exam preparation experience.Senior instructor and best-selling author Wendell Odom shares preparation hints and test-taking tips, helping you identify areas of weakness and improve both your conceptual knowledge and hands-on skills. The material is presented in a concise manner, focused on increasing your understanding of exam topics and preparing you for the numerous challenges the exams present.CCENT/CCNA ICND1 Official Exam Certification Guide, Second Edition, presents you with an organized test preparation routine through the use of proven series elements and techniques. "Do I Know This Already?" quizzes open each chapter and allow you to decide how much time you need to spend on each section. Chapter-ending Exam Preparation Tasks sections help you drill on key concepts you must know thoroughly and help increase your speed in answering questions, a difficult hurdle many exam candidates face on the new exams. A Final Preparation chapter guides you through tools and resources to help you craft your final study plan. Special troubleshooting sections help you master the complex scenarios you will face on the exam.The companion CD-ROM contains a powerful testing engine that allows you to focus on individual topic areas or take complete, timed exams. The assessment engine also tracks your performance and provides feedback on a chapter-by-chapter basis, presenting question-by-question remediation to the text. The bonus DVD contains more than 60 minutes of personal video mentoring from the author focused mainly on bringing difficult subnetting concepts to life.Well-regarded for its level of detail, assessment features, and challenging practice questions, this book provides you with more detailed information and more realistic practice exercises than any other CCNA study guide, enabling you to succeed on the exam the first time.CCENT/CCNA ICND1 Official Exam Certification Guide, Second Edition, is part of a recommended learning path from Cisco that includes simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and self-study products from Cisco Press. To find out more about instructor-led training, e-learning, and hands-on instruction offered by authorized Cisco Learning Partners worldwide, please visit www.cisco.com/go/authorizedtraining.Wendell Odom, CCIE® No. 1624, has been in the networking industry since 1981. He currently teaches QoS, MPLS, and CCNA courses for Skyline Advanced Technology Services (www.skyline-ats.com). Wendell has worked as a network engineer, consultant, systems engineer, and instructor and course developer, and has taught authorized Cisco courses for the majority of the last 14 years. The official study guide helps you master all the topics on the CCENT and CCNA ICND1 exam, includingTCP/IP and OSI networking models Operating Cisco routers and LAN switches Ethernet switch configuration and troubleshootingWireless LANs IP addressing and subnetting Routing protocols Router configuration and troubleshooting Network Security WAN concepts and configurationCompanion CD-ROMThe CD-ROM contains an electronic copy of the book and 200 practice questions for the ICND1 and full CCNA exams, including simulation and testlet questions, all available in study mode and test mode.BONUS DVDThe DVD contains more than 60 minutes of personal instruction from the author.This volume is part of the Exam Certification Guide Series from Cisco Press®. Books in this series provide officially developed exam preparation materials that offer assessment, review, and practice to help Cisco Career Certification candidates identify weaknesses, concentrate their study efforts, and enhance their confidence as exam day nears.Category: Cisco Press–Cisco CertificationCovers: CCENT and CCNA ICND1 Exam 640-822

Get 45% OFF

Click here for more information about CCENT/CCNA ICND1 Official Exam Certification Guide, 2nd Edition

Read More...

Improving Web Application Security: Threats and Countermeasures Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am in the business of writing secure e-biz apps and I found the security and countermeasure strategies in this book to be very thorough.
Now, why the 4 stars? Two reasons - 1. The author(s) are very repetitive. I read the section on countermeasures to SQL injection attacks 3 times in the book.
2. The countermeasures are demonstrated adequately but the attacks are not. For instance, what to do to thwart SQL injection attacks is explained with some examples. But what really is a SQL injection attack; plain description is not enough? Some non-trivial examples of those make sense because then you know the reason for deploying the countermeasures; what are you saving yourself against? Sort of, identifying the enemy.
Nevertheless, a great, comprehensive and practical tutorial.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Improving Web Application Security: Threats and Countermeasures


Gain a solid foundation for designing, building, and configuring security-enhanced, hack-resistant Microsoft® ASP.NET Web applications. This expert guide describes a systematic, task-based approach to security that can be applied to both new and existing applications. It addresses security considerations at the network, host, and application layers for each physical tier-Web server, remote application server, and database server-detailing the security configurations and countermeasures that can help mitigate risks. The information is organized into sections that correspond to both the product life cycle and the roles involved, making it easy for architects, designers, and developers to find the answers they need. All PATTERNS & PRACTICES guides are reviewed and approved by Microsoft engineering teams, consultants, partners, and customers-delivering accurate, real-world information that's been technically validated and tested.

Click here for more information about Improving Web Application Security: Threats and Countermeasures

Read More...

CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide, Fifth Edition Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)There is no simple formula to prepare for the CISSP certification, and no single resource which can guarantee success on the certification exam since every applicant's background is unique. However, this book (fifth edition) was my only resource in preparing for the exam and I passed on my first attempt (April 24, 2010).
I spent 60+ hours in preparation for the exam... that's 60+ hours of DEDICATED individual study using this book and CD, not 60+ hours spent web surfing during lunch hours or commercial breaks. My recent background is in middle management, with 20 years experience in network architecture and data security, so I already had a firm technical foundation for the test areas dealing with protocols and encryption variations. I also have an MS in Computer Science. Nonetheless, the exam was so broad, with topics covering general principles and concepts, that I could have prepared twice as long and still left the exam with questions about the outcome.
My personal opinion is that formal classroom instruction, through one of the many organizations offering CISSP preparation courses, is a worthwhile companion to Shon Harris' book. A study group is also a good idea. You will not obtain CISSP certification if you take the exam without preparation. This book (fifth edition) was sufficient, but not 100% comprehensive, to prepare me for passing the CISSP test.
Note: Some reviewers do not appreciate Shon's frequent analogies and humor. Most of her analogies helped me internalize the complex topics, but that's my personal learning style. The efforts at humor were generally awful, but every once in a while she was subtle and brilliant enough to make me laugh out loud. Working through Shon's unique writing style was not a problem for me... I actually found it refreshing.

Click Here to see more reviews about: CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide, Fifth Edition

Get complete coverage of the latest release of the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exam inside this comprehensive, fully updated resource. Written by the leading expert in IT security certification and training, this authoritative guide covers all 10 CISSP exam domains developed by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2). You'll find learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter, exam tips, practice exam questions, and in-depth explanations. Designed to help you pass the CISSP exam with ease, this definitive volume also serves as an essential on-the-job reference.
COVERS ALL 10 CISSP DOMAINS:
Information security and risk management
Access control
Security architecture and design
Physical and environmental security
Telecommunications and network security
Cryptography
Business continuity and disaster recovery planning
Legal regulations, compliance, and investigations
Application security
Operations security

THE CD-ROM FEATURES:
Hundreds of practice exam questions
Video training excerpt from the author
E-book

Shon Harris, CISSP, is a security consultant, a former member of the Information Warfare unit in the Air Force, and a contributing writer to Information Security Magazine and Windows 2000 Magazine. She is the author of the previous editions of this book.

Get 49% OFF

Click here for more information about CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide, Fifth Edition

Read More...