Computer Book Reviews
Photoshop 6 Down & Dirty Tricks by Scott Kelby
New Riders, May, 2001.Trade Paperback, 220 pages.
ISBN: 073571147X
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
There are plenty of books with
Photoshop tricks and tips, but this
book focuses solely on providing detailed,
illustrated procedures for Photoshop
tricks and impressive special effects. Each trick is
illustrated with full-color screen shots
detailing each specific step. The instruction
is clear and concise. In addition to the
screen shots and step-by-step instruction
for each Photoshop trick, the author also
provides practical Photoshop advice
in the margins.
Categories covered in the book include
drop shadows, cool font types, metal
and chrome effects, photographic effects,
paint and brush effects, advertising effects,
background effects and interface design.
Scott Kelby is also the editor-in-chief of Photoshop User, a monthly publication for Photoshop users, and the president of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals. So, he knows a good Photoshop trick when he sees one. Photoshop users will love the large, visual examples that illustrate Photoshop tricks they've always wanted to learn. Kelby's instruction is entertaining and upbeat, and the Photoshop tricks are some of the best you will ever see. Highly recommended.
Taking Your Talent to the Web by Jeffrey Zeldman
New Riders, May, 2001.Trade Paperback, 426 pages.
ISBN: 0735710732
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
This book provides coverage
of web design, and offers useful comparisons
between elements of design in the print
world and those in the web world. The book also acts a
resource for those currently in art/design and other
creative industries to learn how to apply
their skills to the Web. The book
informs designers about the similarities and
differences, and what to expect. For example,
the book goes into detail about browser-safe
colors, the differences between gifs and jpegs,
when and why to use them, and
also provides coverage of tools (such as
Photoshop) that can help you create web
artwork. The book also provides information
about the work web designers do, including
a chapter covering the life cycle of a web
design project. Coverage of web development
tools and languages, including HTML, style
sheets and JavaScript is also provided.
Taking Your Talent to the Web is a great book for artists looking to apply their skills to web design and for amateur webmasters ready to take their skills to the next level. If you already have talent and experience in art and design, this reference can help you expand your skills so you can earn additional income from web design.
Windows 2000 Power Toolkit by Barry Shilmover, Stu Sjouwerman, et al.
New Riders, May, 2001.Trade Paperback, 929 pages.
ISBN: 0735710619
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
This book covers topics, problems
and solutions for users of the
Windows 2000 server.
The book is organized into six
parts, including: an introduction
to Windows 2000, Windows 2000
nuts and bolts, networking,
system management, Internet
access with Windows and an appendix
with reference material and information
about additional resources. The strength
of the Windows 2000 Power Toolkit is that it combines detailed
instruction, tips and tricks with software
tools from the accompanying CD-ROM.
The book refers to and explains these third-party
tools on the CD-ROM, as well as Windows
operating system tools and utilities,
throughout the book. The book
also provides
comprehensive information on both
common and advanced Windows
2000 topics.
Authors Barry Shilmover and Stu Sjouwerman
both have hands-on
experience operating Windows 2000 servers
and are extremely knowledgeable on the
subject. Windows 2000 administrators
and users will find this book and
collection of software tools very useful.
Return to Book Reviews Index
Return to the July 2001 issue of The IWJ.
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