February, 2002

Index

Interviews:

John Marco

Jasper Fforde

Articles:

The Top Ten FAQs on the Business of Songwriting: #7

Your Alter-Editor: Living with a Non-Writer

The Pain Club

Features:

Book Reviews

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Computer/Web Design Book Reviews

The Macromedia JRUN Web Application Construction Kit by Drew Falkman
Que, December, 2001
Trade Paperback, 1084 pages
ISBN: 0789726009
Ordering information:
Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

The Macromedia JRUN Web Application Construction Kit
by Joe Hazbraken

This book teaches webmasters and programmers how to use JRun, a web application server, to build data-driven websites. The book instructs developers on how to get started with JRun, including coverage of databases and SQL, as well as basic JRun coding, and then progresses to the development of applications. The applications include sample code with detailed explanations, so programmers can learn more about coding in JRun as they go. Some of the applications in the book include shopping carts, email clients, database interfaces and content management tools. The appendix in the book includes reference sections for JSP syntax, JRun tags and Java packages and classes. An enclosed CD-ROM includes source code from the book, evaluation versions of JRun and JRun Studio, and additional reference materials.

The design and structure of this book is similar to ColdFusion 5 Web Application Construction Kit. Any developer familiar with ColdFusion will have an advantage, and will notice the code similarities with Java Server Pages and ColdFusion. For developers unfamiliar with ColdFusion, the book provides plenty of specifics and examples to help them learn everything they need to know about JRun to build complete applications.

Photoshop 6 KillerTips by Scott Kelby and Felix Nelson
New Riders, October, 2001
Trade Paperback, 204 pages.
ISBN: 0735712093
Ordering information:
Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Photoshop 6 KillerTips
by Matthew Stucky

Photoshop users will love this handy guide that teaches them expert tricks. The book includes hundreds of tips like shrinking file sizes on web graphics, rendering text in just one click, supercharging your filter effects, creating your own custom typeface, instant red-eye removal, creating a metallic look and changing brush softness on the fly. Each trick includes short instructions (about a paragraph in length) and screen shots showing the reader how to create the desired effect. The focus of the book is speed, and the tips selected include methods for increasing productivity by finding shortcuts and avoiding speed traps.

The books authors, Scott Kelby and Felix Nelson, both work for Photoshop User magazines. Felix Nelson is the publication's creative director and Scott Kelby is the Editor-in-Chief. Kelby has also authored several other books on Photoshop, including Photoshop 6 Down and Dirty Tricks and Photoshop 6 Photo-Retouching Secrets. The two combine their expertise to provide valuable insight and easy-to-learn skills that will help anyone learn to quickly create powerful Photoshop graphics and special effects. Pros will also like the book for the time-saving tips. Highly recommended.

www.photoshop.imageready by Greg Simsic
Que, June, 2001
Trade Paperback, 390 pages.
ISBN: 0789725517
Ordering information:
Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

There are lots of books about Photoshop, but this book specializes in teaching the reader how to create graphics for the Web using the tools provided with Photoshop. Aimed at beginners, the book begins with introductory topics on Photoshop and ImageReady. The next section in the book covers some basic concepts of web graphics, including understanding web colors, saving files for the web, fonts on the web, backgrounds and optimizing graphics for the web. The third section covers special web effects, including slices, rollovers, image maps, animated gifs and transparency. And the final section looks at styles, automation and creating a web page. A reference section is also included which contains links to graphics related websites. The book is very visual, with lots of example graphics and screen shots, making it easy for the beginner to follow along. Photoshop.imageready is a great book for anyone with Photoshop who wants to create impressive graphics for their business website or create exciting features, graphics or photographs for their own personal homepage.

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** For an archive of computer books reviewed in The IWJ, please click here.

Computer/Web Design Book Reviews

The Macromedia JRUN Web Application Construction Kit by Drew Falkman

Photoshop 6 KillerTips by Scott Kelby and Felix Nelson

www.photoshop.imageready by Greg Simsic