It has taken four years, but with Head First Java the introductory Java book category has finally come of age. This is an excellent book, far more capable than any of the scores of Java-for-novices books that have come before it. Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates deserve rich kudos–and big sales–for developing this book's new way of teaching the Java programming language, because any reader with even a little bit of discipline will come away with true understanding of how the language works. Perhaps best of all, this is no protracted "Hello, World" introductory guide. Readers get substantial exposure to object-oriented design and implementation, serialization, network programming, threads, and Remote Method Invocation (RMI).
Key to the authors' teaching style are carefully designed graphics. Rather than explain class inheritance (to cite one example) primarily with text, the authors use a series of tree diagrams that clarify the mechanism far more succinctly. The diagrams are carefully annotated with arrows and notes. Also characteristic of the unique teaching strategy is heavy reliance on exercises, in which the reader is asked to complete partial classes, write whole new code segments and do design work. Though there's little discussion of why the exercises' correct answers are what they are, it's clear that the practice work was carefully designed to reinforce the lesson at hand. If you've waited this long to give Java a try, this book is a great choice. –David Wall

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Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices, Part 2 (ICND2), is a Cisco®-authorized, self-paced learning tool for CCNA® foundation learning. This book provides you with the knowledge needed to install, operate, and troubleshoot a small to medium-size branch office enterprise network, including configuring several switches and routers, connecting to a WAN, and implementing network security. 

In Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices, Part 2 (ICND2), you will study actual router and switch output to aid your understanding of how to configure these devices. Many notes, tips, and cautions are also spread throughout the book. Specific topics include constructing medium-size routed and switched networks, OSPF and EIGRP implementation, access control lists (ACL), address space management, and LAN extensions into a WAN. Chapter-ending review questions illustrate and help solidify the concepts presented in the book.

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Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices, Part 1 (ICND1), Second Edition, is a Cisco®-authorized, self-paced learning tool for CCENT™ and CCNA® foundation learning. This book provides you with the knowledge needed to configure Cisco switches and routers to operate in corporate internetworks. By reading this book, you will gain a thorough understanding of concepts and configuration procedures required to build a multiswitch, multirouter, and multigroup internetwork that uses LAN and WAN interfaces for the most commonly used routing and routed protocols. 

In Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices, Part 1 (ICND1), you will study installation and configuration information that network administrators need to install and configure Cisco products. Specific topics include building a simple network, Ethernet LANs, wireless LANs (WLANs), LAN and WAN connections, and network management. Chapter-ending review questions illustrate and help solidify the concepts presented in the book.

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Learning Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2008 | Foundation is your shortcut to learning 3ds Max quickly and effectively. Youll get hands-on experience with the key tools and techniques through easy-to-follow, step-by-step project-based lessons, while learning to model, animate, apply materials and render in both the games & design visualization pipelines. By the end of the book youll have a sense of the entire production process as you work on real-life production examples.

Whether youre a game artist or a graphic artist, Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2008 has the tools you need to succeed.

Game Artists will gain in-depth knowledge of the world-class Biped character animation toolset, unparalleled polygon modeling and texturing workflow.

Design Visualization Specialists such as architects, designers, and graphic artists, will gain the power to visually inform the design process through conceptual exploration, design validation and visual communication.

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Mike Meyers, the leading authority on CompTIA A+ training and certification, has helped hundreds of thousands of people master the skills covered on the CompTIA A+ Essentials exam–and now he can help you, too. Completely updated for the new CompTIA A+ standards, Mike Meyers' CompTIA A+® Guide: Essentials will help you pass CompTIA A+ exam 220-601 and become an expert hardware technician. Inside, you'll find helpful on-the-job tips, end-of-chapter practice questions, and hundreds of photographs and illustrations. (more…)

Create believable CG character models with this unique book and DVD package. The stunning color images show just what you can achieve, and the detailed step-by-step tutorials show exactly how to achieve them.

Jason Patnode takes you from low to high-resolution modeling - helping you span the gap between game and film industry skills. Based on Maya 2008 and ZBrush 3.0.

Youll learn: Pipeline and modeling guidelines Overview of Maya Introduction to ZBrush modeling Concept art Anatomy Creating a video game character Creating a hyper-real character Creating a photo-real character UVs and texturing How to create a demo reel.

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