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Posts Tagged ‘Wiley’

Review of Smart Money Decisions: Why You Do What You Do with Money (and How to Change for the Better) (Paperback)

March 12th, 2010 No comments

Smart Money Decisions: Why You Do What You Do with Money (and How to Change for the Better)I have read lots of books about behavioral decision-making and behavioral finance. When Ibought the book I initally expected it being similar like many other books covering this subject. But while I was reading I justcould not stop, though I found many examples I knew already. But the styleof Bazerman’s writing attracted me (though English is not my motherlanguage) so much, that Istudied the book from the first to the lastpage.The examples of bounded rationality of many human decisions and its’sub-optimal’ if not sometimes costly results are very well explained. Thesolutions to improve the decision-making processes are presented veryclearly at the end of each chapter.

For those who work in the area ofbehavioral decsion-making or behavioral finance the book is anexcellentcomprehension and an ‘add-on’ to the basics that are partially covered inother publications. For beginners the contents is easy to understand: Theexamples deal with important decision problems everyone of us is confrontedwith at least once in her/his lifetime. If people try to follow Bazerman’sadvices, they probably will not only imrpove reasoning, but might save somemoney at the next purchase of a new car or at other occasions. Mostimportant for me was the description about the value of time.

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Review of MCSE Consulting Bible (Paperback)

March 6th, 2010 No comments

MCSE Consulting BibleAre you a techie that has been thinking about making money on your own? This is the first technical consulting book that gives you all the information from A to Z in the MCSE business. This book distinctly differs from other consulting books by not just talking about how to be a consultant, but how to run a successful business as a good MCSE consultant. It is apparent that the author practices what he preaches and freely shares his knowledge and experience with the reader.Partitioned into “Finder, Minder and Grinder” routines this book includes a broad range of topics and touches all angles of the biz, which give food for thought in every possible direction. If you are a MCSE consultant or just thinking about striking out on your own, this book is a great reference, easy and engaging to read, full of useful information and thought provokers. My favorites are Brelsford’s Rules of Ten, considerations of different market niches, a very well written sample proposal and tons of links to helpful websites.If you want to add value to your MCSE consulting, have a note pad ready while reading this book.

Product Description
According to the 1999 Salary Survey conducted by MCP Magazine, the average MCSE has 6.8 years of experience. The average self-employed MCSE consultant with 6 – 9 years of experience earns $85,000 – that’s over $8,000 more than the average salary +bonus and benefits package of other MCSEs. There is ademand for MCSEs who can offer a variety of technical expertise and services, and this book will show readers how to create a successful consulting business.

MCSE Consuling Bible walks readers through the issues to consider when making the decision to start their own consulting business and then offers key advice on each aspect of the business from deciding what services to offer, to marketing, to maintaining customer relationships.

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Review of Planning Your Internet Marketing Strategy: A Doctor Ebiz Guide (Paperback)

February 26th, 2010 No comments

Planning Your Internet Marketing Strategy: A Doctor Ebiz GuideRalph Wilson could be fairly called an “international treasure”. His web site and writings have guided many internet marketers to success and prosperity. He is widely consider to be one of the true “good guys” on the net.He has earned that respect.

This book, however, is best called a “newbie” book.Good basic information, but not something that is going to excite or benefit the person who is already beyond the basics.

If, however, you are just starting to dip your toes into the wild ride called “internet marketing”, then this book will get you off to a good start.

Product Description
Build a Solid Foundation for e-Business Success!

Nothing drives an e-business like a killer marketing plan.In this eye-opening guide, Ralph “Doctor Ebiz®” Wilson shows you, step by step, how to construct an e-business marketing plan that will focus your efforts, energize your staff, and generate the sales you crave-fast!

Doctor Ebiz shows you how to identify e-business opportunities, brand your Web site, and define your e-business niche.You’ll also discover how to develop a unique sales proposition, analyze your industry and your competition, and attract the best customers to your site.This powerful resource provides the know-how you need to:

  • Set goals for your e-business
  • Differentiate your company’s products and services
  • Position your company in the consumer’s mind
  • Master product strategy, placement, promotion, and pricing
  • Budget and implement your plan

Complete with hands-on exercises that let you perfect each step before applying it, Planning Your Internet Marketing Strategy is the road map you need to follow your route to e-business success!

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Review of VoiceXML: Professional Developer’s Guide with CDROM [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

February 21st, 2010 No comments

VoiceXML: Professional Developer's Guide with CDROMThis is the best VoiceXML book I’ve seen.Most VoiceXML books try to do too much: talk about voice hardware, telephony, the history of voice, tts, as well as be a VoiceXML reference.The weakness of these books is that one or more of these sections reveals that the authors do not really command the knowledge needed to make these sections useful.This book also attempts to do these things, but for the most part is able to carry it off.

If you’re looking for a reference, this is the book to get.The reference section is current VoiceXML 2.0 (October 2001), which is an advantage in and of itself.But the real strength of the reference section is its depth.Each element, (e.g., <assign>, <grammar>, <filled>) has an entry for syntax (how to invoke the element), a description (what the element is used for), a thorough discussion of its attributes (that is, a description of the attribute), a usage statement (the elements parents and children), and an example (a snipet of complete code that uses the element).The examples and discussion of attributes really set this book apart from its peers.

There is a brief discussion of the architecture of a VoiceXML app, and a couple of paragraphs discussing the differences between VoiceXML 1.0 and 2.0.

The book also gives, contrary to my expectations, a history of the voice industry, a history of VoiceXML, and a discussion of players in the industry.What makes this book’s treatment of these topics unusual is that the authors (particularly Kunins, I suspect) actually know these fields.I don’t normally want these sections in a reference book (it just adds bulk around the section I really want) but I found them quite compelling here.I learned quite a bit from reading them.

The book also contains sections on Dynamic VoiceXML, Security, Voice App Life Cycle, VUI Design, the Future of VoiceXML, and a case study.I haven’t read these sections yet, so I can’t comment on them.I do know, however, that the sections I have read are sufficiently superior to make this THE VoiceXML book on their own.

If I were to criticize the book, I would fault the authors’ lavish praise of TellMe (this is minor and not unexpected) and the examples in the reference section.The examples are quite good for someone learning VoiceXML, and the authors are commended for including them.The fault (albeit a minor one) is that they are fairly vanilla.So, while I would have preferred more examples, I concede that such examples would make the book much larger and the inclusion of “advanced” examples to the exclusion of “canonical” examples would have made them less useful to developers learning VoiceXML.

Overall, if you are going to own one VoiceXML reference, THIS should be that one.

Product Description
Learn how to build voice-enabled applications using VoiceXML
VoiceXML is designed for creating human-computer dialogs that feature synthesized speech, digitized audio, recognition of spoken and key input, recording of spoken input, telephony, and mixed-initiative conversations. Providing a detailed look at this markup language, VoiceXML (Version 2.0 is covered) takes the reader from the basics of voice solutions all the way through to building and running an application. It also reviews the critical success factors when designing and implementing a voice strategy and provides a glimpse into the future of voice technologies. The authors include discussions on how to generate dynamic VoiceXML content as well as the design of compelling and effective voice user interfaces.
CD-ROM includes code from the book as well as development toolkits and reference material from multiple vendors.

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Review of The Unofficial Guide to Online Genealogy (Paperback)

February 19th, 2010 No comments

The Unofficial Guide to Online GenealogyI have been interested in Genealogy for some time now and never thought it was possible to pursue it so thoroughly the Internet! One of the reasons that I bought this book is that I am not an “Internet expert” by any stretch. In the process of learning how to find information on genealogy I learned a few things about my computer. I live way up in Canada and regardless of where you live, this book is a must have for anyone interested in the subject.

I especially liked the step-by-step process that begins with teaching you first how to use the necessary tools to accomplish your goals and ending with results you were after. In any subject that interests me I hate to buy a book that reminds me of the dry texts I read back in school. I have seen them while wandering bookstores and despite the fact the subject interests me I will not buy it. This book was nothing like any of those books, which was very refreshing.

* Helps anyone not particularly well versed in the Internet get started with learning the necessary tools.
* Takes a well thought out step-by-step approach to attainting your ultimate goal.
* I thought it was very well laid out and easy to read.

Product Description
Genealogy is one of the hottest topics on the Internet, with thousands of sites, forums, and newsgroups clamoring to help–or confuse–family history sleuths. How do you cut through the noise and find the best tools to trace your roots? This opinionated guide can help. Zeroing in on the science of online genealogical research, author Pamela Rice Hahn shows you how to:

  • Map out a research strategy
  • Target the best Internet resources>
  • Dig up info and swap leads with other researchers
  • Evaluate genealogy software
  • Steer clear of hype, dead ends, and time-wasters
  • Organize a family reunion

From the Back Cover
The inside scoop… for when you want more than the official line! Remember when researching your family history meant hiring expensive consultants to trace your family tree and connect you with long-lost ancestors? Today, the Internet has made going back to your roots easier, cheaper … and more fun! Genealogy is one of the hottest topics online, with thousands of sites, forums, and newsgroups clamoring to help family history enthusiasts. But with so many options available, how do you sift through them to find the most reliable online resources? If you’re researching your genealogy on the Net, you want to know which sources the professionals and successful amateur genealogists use. You want the inside scoop. The Unofficial Guide™ to Online Genealogy is designed to give savvy consumers such as you a foolproof appraisal of everything from getting started with your cybersearch to charting a clear path through the e-maze of history. The Unofficial Guide™ to Online Genealogy is intensively inspected by The Unofficial Panel of Experts: Matthew Helm is the publisher of Journal of Online Genealogy; John Scroggins received the Federation of Genealogical Societies Award of Merit for his efforts to increase public access to the government’s genealogy files; and Tim Stowell has provided expertise to 13 countries for the USGenWeb Project. These specialists ensure that you are armed with the most up-to-date insider information on the subject of online genealogy and are told exactly what “the Official establishment” doesn’t want you to know. Vital Information on the Web sites, user groups, and other Net resources you can’t be without! Insider Secrets on optimal record keeping and savvy e-mail tactics. Money-Saving Techniques on using free search services rather than paying for resources. Time-Saving Tips on mapping out a clear, focused research path. The Latest Trends in filling mysterious family history gaps-names, places, dates, and relationships. Handy Checklists and Charts for locating and tracking legacy family documents.

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