I have read many computer books, and would say that this one covers alot of ground in a relatively small book. I had the feeling that more than one person wrote this book, and they just slapped one author's name on it. Around chapter 11 in the book the tone of the author changes and the explanations for certain things seem to be less thorough, not to mention that there are major errors in the exercises in chapter 11. The last half of the book just seemed to get sloppy. The other thing that becomes appearant is that the book covers old technology, the author goes on and on about VB.net and how there is no Visual Interdev in Visual Studio .NET. My advice -If you MUST learn Visual Interdev 6.0 AND will be housing your data in MS SQL Server 2000 strongly consider this book. -If you have a choice of development envoronment look for another one as this one is outdated, which the author continued to make clear throughout the book.

I am only through the first four chapters but I felt it was important to get this information out to people who have bought the book or are about to buy the book.

This is a very good book but some of the sample apps are missing key points in preparing to use those apps. First off, I am using XP Pro, SQL Server 2000 and Visual Studio 6 on a Pentium IV 1.8GHz machine with 512MB of SDRAM (Dell Dimension 8200). Now for the problems:

(1) On page 78 Craig explains the two ways one can connect to SQL Server quite well but a little more help could've been given about what you have to do if you are using NT authentication. He says, "you must go into SQL Server and give permissions for that specific database to a user on your system called IUSR_...". For us novices out there a few words on how to do that would've been helpful. I fumbled around with it but figured it out (open SQL Server Enterprise Manager, navigate to your SQL Server, expand it, expand the SECURITY folder, right click on LOGINS and select NEW LOGIN (take it from there)).

(2) And if you do use NT authentication you need to modify the provider string that he shows on page 79. You will not need to use a User ID or password (just like he says) but you will need this at the front of the string, "Trusted_Connection=yes;" My connection string looks like this:
"Trusted_Connection=yes;Provider=SQLOLEDB;User ID=;Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=Jupiter;PASSWORD=;"

'Jupiter' is my computer's (server's) name and 'Northwind' of course is the name of the dB in SQL Server.

(3) I had HUGE problems with the app he calls 'RealApp' beginning on page 105. Here's what I did to get it to work:
(a) If you have Norton Anti Virus (NAV) turn off SCRIPT BLOCKING. You do this by going to the OPTIONS menu in NAV.
(b) The folder that you write the text file to on your server must have READ/WRITE permissions for the IUSR_ user name (if you're using NT authentication). That means you have to go to the SECURITY tab of the folder's properties; however, if you are using XP Pro you won't see a SECURITY tab anywhere! To expose the SECURITY tab, go to CONTROL PANEL, select APPEARANCE AND THEMES, and then click FOLDER OPTIONS, then on the VIEW tab, under ADVANCED SETTINGS, clear the "Use simple file sharing [Recommended]" checkbox. Now you will be able to see the SECURITY tab on all of your folders.
(c) Tell IIS that this app is a Web app (if you don't then Global.asa will never get looked at). Navigate to the RealApp web page icon in IIS. Right click it. Choose PROPERTIES. In the DIRECTORY tab look for APPLICATION NAME (it will be grayed-out) then click the CREATE button next to it. While you are here go down to the APPLICATION PROTECTION line and set it to "LOW (IIS Process)".

...

I reamed loads of useful insight from this book, great info on performance tuning and scaling. Has content I have never seen elsewhere about stuff like multi-dimensional recordsets that saved me hundreds of hours of slave labour! A great top to bottom reference for anyone doing ASP pages to a SQL backend.

This is truly one of the worst books I have ever read. It might as well been titled "Craig Winn rants about the people he hates while praising himself" because that is all that is really accomplished here. I will say one thing though, if you've read David Kuo's Dot.bomb (and if you haven't you should) this book becomes somewhat interesting because it really shows off how warped a man Craig Winn really is. It is a truly sickening account of the events that transpired (btw, those sensitive about racist/sexist comments should probably avoid this book as well).

On last note, please notice that all the good reviews of this book are from people who remained anonymous. I wouldn't be surprised it they were written by Crain Winn himself.

This book should be mandatory reading for all Corporate executives and especially all boards of directors. It clearly spells out just what must have happened at Enron, Global Crossings, K-Mart, WorldCom, and so many other bankrupt companies. It's the so called "professional" mangement's pocket-lining greed, unchecked by the board which results in spriraling economic sdeath to the companies, the employees, the shareholders and to everyone EXCEPT the managers. Cudos to Power and Winn for an expose' that finially tells it like it is. Everyone can learn from this one.

Ken Power et al does an excellent job of turning several years of memories and experiences into a very readable and detailed behind-the-scenes account of what happened with ValueAmeria. For me, the book became a text book on subjects like IPO, private funding, road shows and passing the baton from founder to CEO. The authors balance enough factual detail with colorful background to make the book interesting. I couldn't put it down. Admittedly (and understandably) self-serving in areas, the book provides insight about what all dot.coms experienced - from people who played on the field rather than watched from the bleachers.

I bought this book before moving to another house. It *IS* a funny, easy-to read diatribe about how to bring yourself to throw things away. It *IS NOT* a comprehensive method about how to organize your space and house. If you want to get organized, have a practical, functional and nice-to-live-in home, buy Julie Morgenstern's "Organizing from the Inside Out". However, if you want to have a laugh and gain confidence about dumping the dusty junk in your cellar or attic, this is the book for you.

I was so inspired to declutter my house, I couldn't even wait till I had finished reading the whole book, I started right in on some overflowing drawers. I like his writing style; it's very down-to-earth and funny, especially when he mentions some of the things he himself had accumulated before he "saw the light." I laughed out loud several times while reading it. He really gets into the nitty-gritty details of decluttering too, like how to identify clutter, why you've saved it, excuses and reasons for cluttering/saving, how to get rid of it, and even how to spot potential clutter before you even acquire it. There was no aspect of clutter that he didn't cover. I loved the cartoons too; they really hit home and lightened up the whole prospect of the task ahead. I highly recommend this book. After decluttering my own areas, my husband (who said he didn't have any clutter) starting reading the book and amazingly found some things he could part with too. Yippee! I plan on re-reading parts of it whenever I start backsliding. (Yes, he covers that too.)

I highly recommend this book for anyone swimming in junk and wanting to make their life less "cluttered". My husband and I are both long-time pack-rats and this book has helped us get started on sifting through the mounds of stuff. When I get stuck I pick up and read the book just for inspiration on how to get started again. Mr. Aslett recognizes that pack-rats are emotionally involved with their stuff and counsels you through how to overcome that problem. We have managed to get rid of huge amounts of things that we really didn't need to keep and I don't know if we would have gotten this far without his advice and "counseling". I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting to simplify their life with less "stuff".

I found this book to be all right but it was poorly written. The book seemed too short and rushed. The word usage was terrible making me believe that the author is not much of a talent. The only thing that interested me about it was that I played and enjoyed the game and the book refreshed the story for me. I do not recommend this for anyone unless they enjoyed the game.

The ending is the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. It was a bit choppy and through me for a loop. But it was a fun read. If you got into the video game, you will really like this book too.

like many of the characters in this novel it is very possible to be trapped in this book. You absolutely cannot put it down towards the end. I grew up playing the game never realizeing it was based on a book until I chanced across "Unidentified", with the words from the author of " The 7th Guest". I highly recommend this to everyone. It is on the short side, so for those of us with busy schedules it is the perfect just before bedtime book.

I think it's the children that are ruining this series. Like so many other readers I used to love these books. However, I'm sorry, but I don't find them believable at all. I have 5 kids of my own, all grown up but I can remember having small kids around. Never were there such perfectly mannered tots, such paragons of precocity & good behavior as Josh & Diana. Not to mention the "Pa" & "Ma" bit is irritating in tne extreme as well. It really surprises me that these stories have deteriorated to the extent that they have; I never would have expected it. Zee is bad enough, but the addition of the kids has been fatal to the former high quality writing.

Sorry, but I have to agree with the "Go away, Zee" reviewer. Any new M.V. book by Philip R. Craig used to be automatically bought by me, but now I've had it with J.W. Jackson. There is hardly any plot left, instead there are innumerable repetitions of Zee's equally innumerable perfections. If there ever was a "heroine" female readers couldn't identify with, Zee wins the contest hands down. In the older stories Zee with or without kids used to be shipped off to the mainland or somewhere else whenever the story got really interesting, or J.W. went away on his own as he did in "Cliff hanger". Those days are gone, regrettably. Unless there is a drastic change, I'm sure I'll be a faithful reader of these stories no longer.

This is one of the few mysteries that I've ever read and it is a terrifiic story! JW and Zee and their children are so refreshing. After reading the book, I feel like I've actually met them. And Corrie is such a laid back old soul--I loved him. This wonderful author doesn't overdo the detective into some kind of super-motcho man--JW is an everyday kind of guy with a family that he also has time for; his career just happens to be looking for evidence and then putting it together and come up with a solution. The story involves college students rooming in houses that are not kept up by the landlord. He owns the houses for the profit made on them. Some of the college students get a little too rapped up in their partying and sometimes revenge to each other. Then throw in arson and there's a story to make you read til you find out if it's arsen or fate and who's behind it all--if anyone is. Really a super story. The author keeps you reading because you're always "just about to find out more".

I am an event planner from Los Angeles and work for the Mandarin Oriental hotel which hosts numerous high fashion and celebrity events. I found this book to hold a number of innovative and surprisingly fun-inducing ideas ... however, i found that the ideas Rena presents are more applicable to the high society party world, where indulging in such extravagant parties is the norm. Some of the events in the book would ultimatley be hard to pull off with certain crowds b/c of the lack of enthusiasm for such parties. Thus, i receommend this book for anyone who is serious about planning events where the crowd is engaged... otherwise these parties would fail. Ultimatley, it depends on your crowd. For myself, this book has been a creative guide which has spawned a number of my own ideas and additions to rena's ideas. I love the book: pictures and presentation are pleasing to the eye... The book serves great also, as simply a coffee table book, stylish and interesting.

An excellent book with stunning photographs a must for your coffee table.

Rena's book is the perfect combo of utility and style. I have already bought a dozen book as gifts for friends and am planning on hosting a few bashs combining all Rena's ideas. Although I am an avid book lover and loyal amazon customer, I usually do not write reviews for books, but i was stunned with the creativity of this book. I hope i can one day meet this mastermind of creativity but until that day... RENA KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

The puzzle here is a intriging mystery but the extreme violence and amoral story line was a turn-off to me.

I think my rewiew will be a little diferent from the others I have read here. In my opinion, "The River Sorrow" is a slow-pace story, without good characterization. That's the kind of book you forget as soon as you finished reading. A book to be really remarkable must stay in your mind long after you put it down. That's not the case of "River Sorrow"!

This is a well written mystery. Several of the main characters have an interesting mix of admirable traits with common failings, such as the doctor who is a recovering addict. The bad guys are not so credibly characterized.

Farnsworth's "U-factor" and "circuitry rewriting" imitate pseudoscience. Pelz's books are much more scientific and his claims are based upon much more reliable data. Farnsworth claims that the eyes are the dominant sensory system and somehow control the body and mind, none of which are substantiated.

Another good putting book is Todd Sones's Lights Out Putting. It is well written and easier to get through than one of Pelz's books, but Pelz designed his books for the serious student who wants a good reference book.

I think this book's illustrations could be better, but it is definitely in my top-10 golf book collection. A great companion to Pelz's books.

Recently, I've read Sones "Light's out putting," Pelz's "Putting Bible," and Farnsworth's "See It & Sink It." Sones is basic stuff. Pelz is interesting technical stuff with some good drills and lots of talk about mechanical aids (most of which he sells). But Farnsworth is by far the most interesting and potentially the most helpful.

Farnsworth analyzes the way we see, judge distance and break, and the problems many of us have with how we see. All the drills and practice in the world won't help much if the the target isn't were we think or visualize it is. And many of us simply don't see straight, even many pros. This book helps figure out our shortcomings in this area, how to overcome them, and how to retrain the way we see.

Has this ever happened to you? You seem to miss most of your putts to the right. You draw a straight line on the ball, line it up to the hole and now find your missing most of your putts to the left! This book will help you figure out what's going on here. It's invaluable.

Discovering Fossil Fishes written by John G. Maisey is a book covering fish fossilization through out history. Spanning more the one-half billion years fishes are older than dinosaurs and have links to the tetrapods on land.

This book is highly illustrated with art work one nearly half of the pages with the dialog on the other half of the book. Fishes have a unique evolutionary history that stretches back in time, they are incredibly ancient and include the ancestors of all the limbed vertebrates living on the land.

I found the book to be highly readable and easy to follow as this book could be read and understood by those twelve years old or older. There are color illustrations along with fossilized pictures comparing both. This gives the reader a good approximation as to what the fossil would look like in life.

From their ancient ancestors, the craniates, fishes evolved not once, in a single lineage, but multiple times, filling countless biological niches. Given their long evolutionary history, itis not surprising that so many species of fishes exist today; one new fish species evolving every 18,000 years, or about 55.5 species evolving per one million years. The sum total of fishy diversity through time is far greater than now, and the evolutionary history of fishes is a vast and comples subject.

But, the author wrote this book with the layreader in mind and the prose are simple but very effective. as more fossil fishes are uncovered we will know better what the ancient world looked like and come to discover more of our own ancestors.

Maisey is a curator of vertebrate paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History. With this work he has brought the evolution of the fishes to the popular science reader. My only major complaint about this book is in format. I would like to have seen it arranged by geological period as apposed to taxonomic group. I also think that a more visual group of cladograms arranging all the fishes would have been in order. Many cladograms are included but they only show small snippets of the relationships between fishes and you have to piece a larger picture together throughout the book. The illustrations are excellent and you will have a hard time finding so many images of fossil fish, if you are just interested in seeing images of fossils then this will be great for you. I also liked how he discussed the development of major morphological features. While a person of specialized interest might be aware of these, having them all in one place is convenient.

If you have a developing interest in fishes or in vertebrate paleontology than this book would be good to have. It would also be a nice compliment to any library including material on natural history.

I came across this book while finishing my MSc at Guelph. The book soon made its rounds among all the ichthyology students and faculty. It is well written, lavishly illustrated and nicely designed. Seeing this volume going for so cheap surprises me. I paid 5 times more for mine. Any student involved with fish taxonomy, evolution and general biology MUST get this book. I found the lateral views a bit goofy but the paintings of creatures in motion in their habitat are superb. People who are interested in early life on our planet should also consider having a look at this one. BRAVO Dr. Maisey!

Holden has a great grasp on the tragic American hero and is also able to spin highly-infectious stories. The resultant combo is best displayed in The River Sorrow. While this book starts strong and has a vice-like hold on the reader through the middle sections, I found the last section to be predictable, and even a bit corny. I was downright disappointed with Holden on this latest offering, but as I hold him to an exceptionally high standard, I still must give the book a decent review. A great one to bring to the beach; make sure you apply enough suntan lotion before starting the book as you'll have a hard time putting it down for much of the story

This is a good read. The characters in the story are very three dimensional. I especially like the FBI agent RedFeather. The ending is a bit surprising, but I don't like it. Apart from that the whole plot is quite well-organised. Read it on the beach, or during a long flight. You should not be disappointed!

I liked the novel, it kept me reading until the end. I did not like the ending though. (I'm not going to give it away) This is a good cottage book. I will try Holden's other books as well.