Technology and the Real-Time Web

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PHP 5 MySQL Programming for the Absolute Beginner

PHP 5 MySQL Programming for the Absolute Beginner

Are you ready to begin programming with PHP and MySQL? Then get ready to jump right in. You’ll get an introduction to programming with a specific focus on programming web servers with the PHP programming language. Much of the original content from the first edition (1931841322) is retained, but you’ll also cover updates relating to the upcoming PHP 5.0 release. Following the same format as the popular first edition, this book provides easy-to-follow instruction. You will use the concepts presented in the book to create games using PHP and MySQL. As each concept is put to the test, you’ll acquire programming skills that will easily transition to real-world projects. A true beginner’s guide, this book enables you to acquire programming skills that you can use in the next language that you tackle.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars For the absolute beginner A+
This is an excellent book for the beginner. It steps you through the functions and has good sample code. I really recommend this book.

5 Stars It is the best for me
This book is the best. As I read it I clearly understood all I had in my head for my new web site. It is simple and there is a lot of useful examples. Thank you!

3 Stars If you read it 2 or 3 times you’ll get the idea
The authors writing style leaves a lot to be desired. He’s hard to understand sometimes. He uses a game to illustrate the concepts of PHP & understanding the game was more difficult than the code. It’s not bad - it’s just OK. I’d recommend Charles Wyke-Smith “Codin for the Web” for a clear explanation of rudimentary PHP MySQL concepts with real world examples - not stupid games.

4 Stars Good for PHP basics
My son was looking for an introduction to web development, and I couldn’t think of a better place than PHP with which to start.

I found the author’s writing style very enjoyable - and was particularly impressed by his choice of example programs. For instance, the chapter on databases introduces concepts using an adventure game!

The only problem I had was the lightweight treatment of Content Management Systems (in particular the discussion of PHP-Nuke), which ended up being much too generic to be of use.

However, that doesn’t really detract from the quality of the rest of the book, which is highly recommended.

1 Star Outdated and useless.
Unfortunately this book, despite its best efforts, falls flat on its face when it comes to teaching php. I am a beginner to the language and I ordered the book recently to begin teaching myself. The code in the book did not work at all, even when I uploaded the pages stored on the CD rom directly to my site they didn’t work properly, which let me know that even though I’m new to the language the errors weren’t my fault. The script is incomplete and poorly written, as told to me by professional web site authors I know. It lacks the most important parts of the script to make them work and if you’re on your own you won’t be able to figure out why it isn’t working, unless you find the answer in a forum or something. I recommend this book instead, PHP 6 and MySQL 5 for Dynamic Web Sites: Visual QuickPro Guide. The code in this book actually works and any errors are insignificant plus have corrections online at the author’s site. Don’t make the same mistake I did in buying this book. It will just disappoint you and waste your money.

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reStart: The First US Internet Detox Center

Today, in Fall City WA, 2-6 people will be admitted into Re-Start - a 45-day addiction recovery program that treats obsessive Internet and video game habits. The program employs a combination of mindfulness training and meetings based upon the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program, as well as nutritional education and adventure expeditions in a “family-style” setting that lends itself to social interaction- with the end goal being to help the patient re-establish connections to the real world.

Semantic Web Programming

Semantic Web Programming

The next major advance in the WebWeb 3.0will be built on semantic Web technologies, which will allow data to be shared and reused across application, enterprise, and community boundaries. Written by a team of highly experienced Web developers, this book explains examines how this powerful new technology can unify and fully leverage the ever-growing data, information, and services that are available on the Internet. Helpful examples demonstrate how to use the semantic Web to solve practical, real-world problems while you take a look at the set of design principles, collaborative working groups, and technologies that form the semantic Web. The companion Web site features full code, as well as a reference section, a FAQ section, a discussion forum, and a semantic blog.

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Twitter API Up and Running Learn How to Build Applications with the Twitter API

Twitter API Up and Running Learn How to Build Applications with the Twitter API

This groundbreaking book provides you with the skills and resources necessary to build web applications for Twitter. Perfect for new and casual programmers intrigued by the world of microblogging, “Twitter API: Up and Running” carefully explains how each part of Twitter’s API works, with detailed examples that show you how to assemble those building blocks into practical and fun web applications. You’ll also get a complete look at Twitter culture and learn how it has inspired programmers to build hundreds of tools and applications. With this book, you will:

Explore every component of a Twitter application and learn how the API responds Get the PHP and MySQL code necessary to build your own applications, with explanations of how these ingredients work Learn from real-world Twitter applications created just for this book Discover the most interesting and useful Twitter programs–and get ideas for creating your own–with the book’s Twitter application directory

Twitter offers a new way to connect with people on the Internet, and “Twitter API: Up and Running” takes you right to the heart of this technology. “Twitter API: Up and Running is a friendly, accessible introduction to the Twitter API. Even beginning web developers can have a working Twitter project before they know it. Sit down with this for a weekend and you’re on your way to Twitter API mastery.” –Alex Payne, Twitter API Lead “Twitter API: Up and Running is a very comprehensive and useful resource–any developer will feel the urge to code a Twitter-related application right after finishing the book!” –The Lollicode team, creators of Twitscoop

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40+ Helpful Resources On User Interface Design Patterns

Advertisements If there is a commonly reoccurring need for a particular solution, there is a great probability that someone has - by now - solved that need and has finished the legwork involved in researching and constructing something that resolves it. At the very least, you will find documentation on general solutions to related problems that will enable you to gain insight on best practices, effective techniques, and real-world examples on the thing you are creating

40+ Helpful Resources On User Interface Design Patterns

Advertisements If there is a commonly reoccurring need for a particular solution, there is a great probability that someone has - by now - solved that need and has finished the legwork involved in researching and constructing something that resolves it. At the very least, you will find documentation on general solutions to related problems that will enable you to gain insight on best practices, effective techniques, and real-world examples on the thing you are creating. A

twitter means business how microblogging can help or hurt your company

twitter means business how microblogging can help or hurt your company

Millions of Internet users have fallen in love with the Twitter “microblogging” service, which lets them swap brief text “tweets.” Now companies are embracing the service to engage customers, promote products and monitor what is being said about their brands.

Given the passion and high profiles of “Twitterverse” denizens, the service has evolved into a vital early-warning system for businesses seeking to stave off criticism, and as a way to build better relationships with customers. That is why companies need to know Twitter. Embracing it can help a business thrive; ignoring the service could well hurt it.

For companies unfamiliar with Twitter, this book serves as a field guide. They will get a Twitterverse tour, and learn about the dozens of firms big and small that have harnessed Twitter as a powerful, flexible business tool. The bottom line: Twitter means business.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Introduction to Twitter
If you have little experience with Twitter, then this book will help you understand the impact that social media is having on business. having real-world examples of businesses using Twitter is an excellent method for teaching the reader about Twitter. The book is conversational (a quick read) and not written like a novel. I was going to lend this book to a friend, but I decided to keep it as a reference tool next to my computer. Well done!

4 Stars Twitter + Business—Why? This Book Gives You Answers
****

This is a completely business-oriented book about Twitter, ideal for those companies and small business owners wondering, “Why” and “How can something so simple as a 140 character status update be useful to my business?” This book answers this question and provides many helpful examples of companies large and small who use Twitter, describing exactly how they have benefited. It gives you many ideas about how Twitter can be used to help you in business, no matter what type of work you do.

The book includes a nice resource section called “Twitter Tips, Tricks and Tools”. The book is a quick read, and quite short (135 pages), but to the point and well worth the expense. I just read another Twitter book called “Twitter Revolution” and found that there was not a huge amount of overlap; both books helped me to understand what the Twitter phenomenon is all about and how to use it for myself. If you’re serious about using Twitter for business, get both.

Recommended.

****

5 Stars I found the book extremely helpful!
For anyone who twitters, Julio Ojeda-Zapata’s book, Twitter means Business: How Microblogging can Help or Hurt your Company, is for you. For anyone who doesn’t yet twitter, this book would be damned good for you.

I have been on Twitter myself for about a year or so and I really had not yet figured out the benefit, other than social. For instance, quite often when I would tweet some information here in Bangkok my aunt in Arkansas, quite literally halfway around the world, would receive the information on her phone. (A “tweet” is Twitter lingo for a short message on Twitter - all tweets are 140 characters or less). This benefit was very clear. But Julio Ojeda-Zapata really opened my eyes.

First of all, the author has shown the reader how companies can use Twitter to help repair their image service wise. The example he gives is how Comcast keeps an eye on what people tweet about them and then they would follow up on complaints. Other companies such as JetBlue, Zappos and Whole Foods use Twitter in different ways ranging from getting out information their businesses want their customers to know, to using Twitter as a way for employees to communicate with one another, down to promoting customer loyalty. There was one great example where Zappos promoted a cocktail reception for Twitterers with their CEO in San Francisco.

On top of the great examples of the many ways these companies are using Twitter near the end of the book Julio Ojeda-Zapata also gives us lots of information on Twitter applications that help us to greater integrate Twitter into our social media and also to make it a more effective means of getting the word out. I have been working on these since I finished the book.

Personally I have to say that I thought the chapter that concerned the author’s coverage of the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis entirely by tweets (over 700 of them in the end) was not only fascinating but was also a clear sign of how Twitter is used to get the word out, not only for the news, but also on policy. Did you know that as of the writing of Julio Ojeda-Zapata’s book that the number one account being followed on Twitter was Barack Obama? More than 100,000 people were following his tweets.

There was one issue that I do think that the author should have taken a bit more precaution with and that has to do with one chapter that he wrote with tweets from his Twitter connections… I don’t know whether this was something that was overlooked or whether it was something that was considered but was decided best left alone but the chapter in question was a bit unintelligible, especially when people where responding to the tweets of others. What was the source of my confusion? Simple. Julio Ojeda-Zapata left the tweets in order that he received them rather than the order that one would normally read a book. So in this case I think it might not have been spelled out clearly enough that if the reader really wanted to get the most out of this chapter he should start from the beginning (bottom) and read the tweets backward. Then it makes more sequential sense.

Nevertheless, this was a wonderful book to read because it really opened my eyes about Twitter on a business and a personal level. It also was short enough I could read it in an afternoon. If you think that your company should be in the Twitterverse and you are considering a policy regarding Twitter then I highly recommend that you buy this book!

5 Stars Twitter means business is excellent.
TWITTER MEANS BUSINESS by Julio Ojeda is absolutely first rate. The writer’s style makes it eminently readable and entertaining, even for those not totally familiar with the subject.

5 Stars Fun and packed with info
Whether you’re a seasoned Twitter user or a newcomer, this book will pump you up and lead you to new resources. Julio Ojeda-Zapata packs this little book with examples of why people and companies Tweet, and how they do it.

He documents dozens of corporate Twitter users including Zappos, Best Buy, Home Depot, Starbucks, Sprint Nextel, Comcast, JetBlue, and Whole Foods. H&R Block uses Twitter as a customer-support tool, a public-relations tool, and a product-development tool. Customers tweet about what they like and don’t like about the company’s online services and desktop software. A “Twitter lesson” follows each case study.

I found really helpful Ojeda-Zapata’s descriptions of Twitter-related services, including Tweet Scan, Twellow, TwitScoop, The Social Brand Index, and Twitterati.

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