This book teaches Visual Basic 2005 developers the concepts and skills necessary to write VB 2005 database applications that can be used throughout their enterprises. Although the book touches on database design concepts, its focus is on using ADO.NET to access and manipulate data in relational databases. This book covers all data providers in ADO.NET briefly, but focuses on using the OleDb Data Provider for accessing Access databases, the SQLData Provider for accessing SQLServer databases, and the Oracle Data Provider for accessing Oracle databases. Most of the examples in this book involve writing database applications for SQLServer and Oracle.

This book was designed for the developer who wants to learn how to write database applications using Visual Basic 2005 and back-end databases such as Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQLServer, and Oracle.

(more…)

A good defense starts with a thorough understanding of your opponent’s offense. Hackers Beware teaches you how hackers think, what tools they use, and the techniques they utilize to compromise a machine. Eric Cole, a leading expert in information security, shows you not only how to detect these attacks, but what you can do to protect yourself against them. When it comes to securing your site, knowledge is power. This book gives you the knowledge to build a proper defense against attackers.

With so much going on in regard to network security (or the lack thereof), a book on this topic almost needs no introduction. Less than 10 years ago, most people didn’t even know what the Internet or email was. To take a further step back, most people did not even have computers at work or home, and some even questioned their usefulness. Things have really changed. As I am writing this, the Carousel of Progress ride at Disney World goes through my mind. Things that we considered science fiction a decade ago are not only a reality, but an engrained part of our life. Heck, if the dedicated line at my house goes down for more than 30 minutes, my wife is screaming at me to fix it. This is truly the age of computers.

(more…)

This comprehensive book is an all-inclusive job search handbook addressing all areas of the job search in an easy-to-read style. This resource is designed to lead users step-by-step through the job search maze. It includes exercises to help users assess their skills and focus on career objectives to land the right job for them. It also includes writing an effective cover letter, networking and interviewing skills, producing an electronic resume, and using the Internet in the job search. This unique handbook provides all the information users need to find a job.

(more…)

Media Resource Control Protocol (MRCP) is a new IETF protocol, providing a key enabling technology that eases the integration of speech technologies into network equipment and accelerates their adoption resulting in exciting and compelling interactive services to be delivered over the telephone.  MRCP leverages IP telephony and Web technologies such as SIP, HTTP, and XML (Extensible Markup Language) to deliver an open standard, vendor-independent, and versatile interface to speech engines. 

Speech Processing for IP Networks brings these technologies together into a single volume, giving the reader a solid technical understanding of the principles of MRCP, how it leverages other protocols and specifications for its operation, and how it is applied in modern IP-based telecommunication networks.  Focusing on the MRCPv2 standard developed by the IETF SpeechSC Working Group, this book will also provide an overview of its precursor, MRCPv1.

Speech Processing for IP Networks:

-Gives a complete background on the technologies required by MRCP to function, including SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol), and HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol).
-Covers relevant W3C data representation formats including Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML), Speech Recognition Grammar Specification (SRGS), Semantic Interpretation for Speech Recognition (SISR), and Pronunciation Lexicon Specification (PLS).
-Describes VoiceXML - the leading approach for programming cutting-edge speech applications and a key driver to the development of many of MRCP’s features.
-Explains advanced topics such as VoiceXML and MRCP interworking.

This text will be an invaluable resource for technical managers, product managers, software developers, and technical marketing professionals working for network equipment manufacturers, speech engine vendors, and network operators. Advanced students on computer science and engineering courses will also find this to be a useful guide.

(more…)

"Asking the right questions can help job seekers ace the interview and land that job The most critical question job interviewers ask is often the last one. That's when they lean forward and say, "Do you have any questions?" As author John Kador points out, that's the applicants' moment to shine, to demonstrate that they have done their homework and that they're good fit with the organization. Most of all, it provides an applicant with an opportunity to ask for the job. A powerful resource for vast and growing numbers of job seekers, this book fills readers in on the pivotal questions they need to ask to ace the interview. With chapters organized around major themes, such as "the company," "the job," and "the community," 201 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview not only supplies readers with the right questions for virtually every context but also coaches them on the right ways to ask them."

(more…)

This compact and comprehensive book systematically unveils what resolute users of the new Windows XP operating system will find interesting and useful, with little-known details, utility programs, and configuration settings all captured in a consistent reference format. Packed with numerous tips and tricks, while warning of potential pitfalls, Windows XP in a Nutshell enables anyone to get the most out of all the resources available in XP.

(more…)