Windows Vista may be the next big thing, but it still contains enough quirks and unaccountable behaviors to vex anyone. This unique guide not only discusses the most irritating features of the latest Microsoft operating system and how to get around them, but also explains how to improve Windows and do more with the software than Microsoft intended. You'll find information on setup, installation, upgrade from other Windows versions, the revamped interface, new security features, user accounts, troubleshooting, and the markedly improved Internet Explorer 7. Other chapters cover a wide range of key topics: Media Center - tips on photos, videos, music, TV tuners, HD, and the media center engine The Registry - explains the background and tools for working with Windows' database of settings Tinkering Techniques - offers hacking-style customization and problem-solving topics Networking and Wireless - includes LAN setup, WiFi sniffers and access points, connection sharing, firewalls, routers, and FTP Scripting and Automation - introduces simple programming using the Windows Scripting Host for automating repetitive tasks No other book takes our patented cranky, solutions-oriented approach. Our collection of tips, tools and techniques will improve your experience with Windows Vista, so you can control the OS — rather than the other way around. (more…)

This book discusses how to use the Metasploit Framework (MSF) as an exploitation platform. The book begins with a detailed discussion of the three MSF interfaces: msfweb, msfconsole, and msfcli .This chapter demonstrates all of the features offered by the MSF as an exploitation platform. With a solid understanding of MSFs capabilities, the book then details techniques for dramatically reducing the amount of time required for developing functional exploits.

By working through a real-world vulnerabilities against popular closed source applications, the reader will learn how to use the tools and MSF to quickly build reliable attacks as standalone exploits. The section will also explain how to integrate an exploit directly into the Metasploit Framework by providing a line-by-line analysis of an integrated exploit module. Details as to how the Metasploit engine drives the behind-the-scenes exploitation process will be covered, and along the way the reader will come to understand the advantages of exploitation frameworks. The final section of the book examines the Meterpreter payload system and teaches readers to develop completely new extensions that will integrate fluidly with the Metasploit Framework.

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Pro NetBeans IDE 6 Rich Client Platform Edition is the second Apress book to cover the agile, open source NetBeans IDE platform. But the focus of this book is on enabling you to rapidly develop Java front ends of applications using API buttons, functions, and features mostly based in the Java SE 6 platform (instead of Java EE 5–based NetBeans 5.5 IDEa different platform/IDE altogether that published earlier in 2007):

• Enables you to click and use any of the Java Swing and other desktop Java graphical user interface (GUI) APIs available in Java SE 6 or prior
• Covers working with rich client platform features available in NetBeans for building web–based application front ends
• Shows you the web–tier development plug-ins available including JSF, Struts Action Framework 2.0, and JRuby for bringing the Ruby on Rails feature set to Java via NetBeans

For building back–end, server–side Java applications, pick up Pro NetBeans IDE 5.5 Enterprise Edition, which is based on APIs found in the Java EE 5.

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This book provides an introduction to Bluetooth programming, with a specific focus on developing real code. The authors discuss the major concepts and techniques involved in Bluetooth programming, with special emphasis on how they relate to other networking technologies. They provide specific descriptions and examples for creating applications in a number of programming languages and environments including Python, C, Java, GNU/Linux, Windows XP, Symbian Series 60, and Mac OS X. No previous experience with Bluetooth is assumed, and the material is suitable for anyone with some programming background. The authors place special emphasis on the essential concepts and techniques of Bluetooth programming, starting simply and allowing the reader to quickly master the basic concepts before addressing advanced features. (more…)

With his in-depth knowledge of the little-known secrets used by the pros to produce awardwinning illustrations, Steve is THE go-to guru for professional designers, graphic artists, illustrators, retouchers and students of design media and illustration who want to create photorealistic effects using Photoshop. Updated for Photoshop CS3, this must-have resource unlocks your creativity and helps you save time in the software so you can spend more time creatively. The book is also relevant to any version of Photoshop. * Create convincing smoke effects and make effective explosions the simple way * Take years off someone's appearance * Turn a photograph of someone looking straight into the camera into a different perspective with the entire head (not just the eyes) * Modify a statue so it looks like a living person or paint hair directly on any surface * Produce the perfect cutout in the shortest time with Photoshop CS3's new Quick Selection tool… and more

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 Grid architecture is Oracles strategy for high-end computing and RAC is the stepping stone into this arena. This book focuses on current technology including all valid RAC features up through Oracle Database 10g Release 2, with a primary focus on deploying it in a high-end grid environment. The book discusses this technology at length which users will find beneficial when researching, implementing or monitoring a RAC environment. The author covers workshop implementation of services and the distribution of workload across instances, with threshold definitions and the new load balancing algorithms. In addition it includes detailed discussions on ASM that complements the implementation of RAC in Oracle Grid strategy. The book also includes discussions on new Oracle Clusterware, its components and its integration with RAC.

Oracle 10g RAC focuses on RAC-specific topics including ASM, operating system configuration, installation and configuration of RAC and much more. Coverage includes network configuration for high availability, FAN, TAF, ONS, implementation of maximum availability architecture (MAA), EM Grid Control, AWR, ADDM and other performance-related tools. The author includes several scripts for performance tuning and implementation that the reader can use to configure a RAC environment either on a 2, 4, 8, 60 or 99 node configuration.

The  chapters  are  written  to  follow  one  another  logically  by  introducing topics in the earlier chapters and building on the technology. Thus, it is advised that you read the chapters in order. Even if you have worked with clustered  databases,  you  will  certainly  find  a  nugget  or  two  that  may  be new to you. For the experienced reader, the book also highlights wherever applicable the new features introduced in Oracle 10g.

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