The topic combination of VB .NET and ADO.NET is unbeatable. VB .NET is the most popular language in which to code. And, every developer needs to understand ADO.NET to allow data to be accessed from a Web site. In this book Developers will be shown numerouse code examples that will illustrate how to program database driven applications within the .NET Framework. The book is aimed at both established and new VB Developers. Important topics covered include: Visual Studio development environment, ASP.NET applications, Windows Forms application, using VB .NET with ADO.NET, complex queries, security, COM interop., and application deployment.
Read more...
Wilson begins with the historical roots of the sideshow, with the wild speculations about possible creatures that might exist in the days when much of the world was unexplored, to the fake freaks created for medieval carnivals and self-mutilated beggars, to the modern circus and portrayals in movies such as Tod Browning's "Freaks". In addition to such articles on specific themes are the histories of particular individuals ranging from the famous (the Elephant Man) to the not-so-famous (a "Lobster Man" who committed a murder in a Florida town composed almost entirely of retired circus freaks). The stories range from the heartwarming to the heartbreaking, the humourous to the serious, and include romance and adventure, but all of them treat the unusual individuals who are their subjects as human beings, with all the same potentials as well as the character flaws of any person, and avoids being exploitative. My personal favourite is the article drawn by Ivan Brunetti illustrating how ALL human beings are freakish and are constantly undergoing strange transformations.The accompanying illustrations are also superb. This is definitely one of the best in the Big Books series. Read more... 
The Big Book of Death," the second in Paradox Press's "Big Book of" series, is a fascinating, disturbing treatment of the subject we simultaneously fear and can't get enough of: death. With sections on pointless deaths, capital punishment, famous cemeteries, and lots of other aspects of the big D, it's an interesting and informative book. The artwork, by a multitude of comic artists, is also excellent. It may be a comic, but this book is definitely not for kids. If you're a grownup with a fascination for death and a slightly morbid sense of humor, though, check it out! Read more... 
In the past, I would roll my rapidly glazing eyes whenever I heard some formerly sensible person carrying the cudgels of conspiracy theories: you know the rants: the Trilateral Commission, CIA, FBI, Masons, and Secret Societies are all out to run the world and silence truth seekers with intimidation, death--or plankton up the nostrils--and it seems the body formerly inhabited by a friend is ready to board a ship to the moon. But then I came across this book, and I was stunned at the volume of detail and even facts that have been amassed by the obsessive believers in these seemingly wacko conspiracy theories. The most disturbing fact is that people investigating conspiracy theories seem to have the highest death rate of any profession other than shark dentists.The editors adopt a sensible attitude: they do not claim that any interpretations in the book are necessarily true, but rather that these are truly things that conspiracy theorists have proposed. Note that this is a comic book of 39 tellings of almost as many conspiracy theories, but the comic-book medium in fact works very well. Recommended, unless some gruff voice calls me late at night and tells me to change my mind. Read more... 
Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? This book, published by the independent Factoid Books, goes through the ages of man, from Caligula to Sawney Bean. It also includes fictional works which have been incorporated into pop culture(such as Bram Stoker's Dracula). It even has a section in the end entitled "Bad Sports", which includes the steroid abuse of WWF manager Vince McMahon and Mike Tyson's fateful Evander Buffet in Las Vegas. Read more... 
A tutorial style text covering the basics of UNIX and Linux for the complete beginner, this is a comprehensive introduction to these operating systems. It assumes no prior knowledge of programming nor any experience of using computers. UNIX and Linux are two of the most commonly used operating systems within the educational and corporate worlds and are growing in popularity. This book covers all the basic constructs and commands of UNIX and follows the 1993 POSIX.2 International Standard. Read more... 
This Adventure Guide takes you across Trinidad and Tobago from mountains and hills to grasslands, savannahs and palm-lined beaches, offering the intrepid traveller a ticket to explore. Whatever your reason to visit T and T, you have the right guide in hand. Accommodations, restaurants, travel tips, sights, museums, excursions it's all here. Read more... 
This exciting guidebook covers Eastern Tennessee, Western North Carolina and Northern Georgia. Outdoor activities, plus craft hunting and fairs. All the information you need for an activity-filled vacation. Read more... 
Convenient Organization of Essential Material so You Can Look up Formulas Fast
Containing a careful selection of standard and timely topics, the Pocket Book of Integrals and Mathematical Formulas, Fourth Edition presents many numerical and statistical tables, scores of worked examples, and the most useful mathematical formulas for engineering and scientific applications. This fourth edition of a bestseller provides even more comprehensive coverage with the inclusion of several additional topics, all while maintaining its accessible, clear style and handy size.
New to the Fourth Edition
* An expanded chapter on series that covers many fascinating properties of the natural numbers that follow from number theory
* New applications such as geostationary satellite orbits and drug kinetics
* An expanded statistics section that discusses nonlinear regression as well as the normal approximation of the binomial distribution
* Revised format of the table of integrals for easier use of the forms and functions
Easy to Use on the Go
The book addresses a range of areas, from elementary algebra, geometry, matrices, and trigonometry to calculus, vector analysis, differential equations, and statistics. Featuring a convenient, portable size, it is sure to remain in the pockets or on the desks of all who use mathematical formulas and tables of integrals and derivatives. Read more... 
It was inevitable, thank goodness, that the Dummies series would give us an introductory chess book. The light touch is perfect to offset the sober aura of mystery that surrounds the game in many people's minds. And the extras that reach beyond the well-written move explanations, strategies, and pattern-recognition make the book a real winner. It won't take much playing for readers to appreciate the section on chess etiquette, for example, or the one on uncommon moves, subtitled, "The Ones That Start the Fights." Informative tips and amusing bits of trivia add to the fun.
Product Description
Proven tactical tips to strengthen your game
Your quick and easy guide to the rules, strategies, and etiquette of chess
Kings, queens, knights - does chess seem like a royal pain to grasp? This friendly guide helps you make the right moves. From using the correct terms to engaging in the art of attack, you'll get step-by-step explanations that demystify the game. You'll also find updated information on tournaments and top players, as well as computer chess games and playing chess online!
Discover how to:
* Set up your chessboard
* Understand the pieces and their powers
* Recognize the game's patterns
* Decipher chess notation
* Employ tactics to gain an advantage
* Find tournaments and clubs Read more...