Computer Book Reviews
Page One of TwoPhotoshop 6 Effects Magic by Rhoda Grossman and Sherry London
New Riders, February 2001.Trade Paperback, 353 pages.
ISBN: 073571035X
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
When you see the somewhat grotesque book cover (which sports
hundreds of human eyeballs), you'll know immediately that
this is not your garden-variety design book.
Photoshop 6 Effects Magic is a unique and useful
reference that guides and teachers readers
through 23 different Photoshop projects
developed by a team of ten expert Photoshop professionals.
By following along with the projects, readers
can learn various Photoshop skills and techniques
from painting techniques to image manipulation.
Each project is
presented in a step-by-step manner with
color photographs, screenshots and instructions
explaining each individual step. For example,
the "Altering Atmosphere" project helps readers
learn how to change the background of a photograph
of downtown San Francisco from a cloudy day to
a clear day with a beautiful
blue sky (and even add some fluffy white clouds if you like).
The project approach utilizes vivid, color photographs which
show users exactly how each step should look. The project
also provides screen shots of Photoshop, so users
know they are selecting the correct Photoshop tools.
Also included is a CD-ROM which provides images and files used in the projects in the book. A helpful menu on the inside cover helps you quickly locate the project that covers the specific Photoshop technique in which you are interested. This is an effective learning tool for Photoshop users, which is recommended for users already familiar with Photoshop who are ready and eager to move on to more advanced techniques.
PHP and MySQL Web Development by Luke Welling and Laura Thomson
Sams, March 2001.Trade Paperback, 867 pages.
ISBN: 0672317842
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
PHP and MySQL Web Development is a comprehensive
resource which covers PHP and MySQL,
two web development tools that
work well in tandem for
managing and creating web databases.
Readers are introduced to PHP,
a server-side scripting language, and MySQL,
a relational database management system. Readers are instructed
in the basics and then taught
how to use PHP and MySQL together to
develop powerful Web applications.
The book provides thorough coverage of
how to set up, manage and run a MySQL database,
including instruction about how to use PHP to
access and update the database from the Web. The book
also provides coverage of ecommerce and security
issues, and implementing authentication and
secure transactions with PHP and MySQL.
The last section of the book includes instruction and code for
building several applications from the
ground up, including web forums,
a user password section, mailing list manager,
discussion forums and a shopping cart. This is a
top-notch reference for programmers using PHP and
MySQL. Highly recommended.
Computer Book Reviews
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