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Superb introduction to the complexities of web testing
Grey Box Testing for Web ApplicationsThe shade of grey can vary from white box testing (full review of source code) to black box testing (no review of source code). You choose what level of information to gather depending on your budget, capabilities and judgment.
This book provides the first detailed approach to grey box testing, focussing on web-based application architectures. These architectures are based on a heavy use of components: application servers, web servers, load balancers, databases and the like. This book describes these components, suggests how they can fail and what you can do to anticipate, trigger, or detect such failures.
This approach is supported by the author's extensive experience testing web-based (and other) applications as president of a software testing company. It is augmented by plenty of good advice on how to communicate test results clearly.
A strong introduction to a new fieldHung Nguyen and I are co-authors of another book and good friends. I am not an unbiased reviewer. On the other hand, I wouldn't write this review if I didn't believe every word of it.
Hung's book breaks new ground. It will be useful today, and I believe it will have lasting value and influence.
Once you get beyond the superficial (not unimportant, but much less difficult) issues of usability testing that dominate so many discussions of web testing, you run into the really tough problems of web application testing. Hung Nguyen's book is about those harder problems.
The web-based application runs on a wider range of platforms than any other type of program in history. It doesn't even have control over its presentation layer (the user supplies the browser and the multimedia plugins, and these applications might change any time). What will the application look like on the changed browser? The application probably also relies on third party databases (which can change any time), third party network connections (which can change any time), third party security systems and other access control (which can change any time), etc., etc. Almost anything in this system can change any time. How do you deal with a system that has so many unknowns?
Hung's view is that web application testers must learn more about the technical details of the systems and understand how external variables can interact (and fail) with the application under test.
To help testers learn about the interaction (and testing) of applications with other system components, he wrote the field's first book on grey box testing.
This book has substantial value for what it teaches us about testing on the web. Beyond that, it teaches about thinking clearly and thoroughly when your application interacts in complex ways with other systems. I think his approach will have lasting value and lasting influence long after many of the detailed issues that he describes have been resolved and replaced with new ones.
Along with the original approach, Hung gives a powerful real-world example. He is the president of a company that publishes a web-based bug tracking system. To illustrate the types of tests that you can run and the types of bugs you can find, he opened his records and described real tests, real bugs, and real testing problems. It's a rare treat to see a discussion of testing experience by someone who knows testing, who also intimately knows the software under test, and who isn't constrained in what he can say by a nondisclosure contract.


SO MANY BARGAINS - SO LITTLE TIME
THIS BOOK MADE ME A HAPPY SHOPPER!
So much information for smart shoppers!

e-commerce case studiesTwo of the cases explore cultural issues in Latin and Asian societies. Their explosive demand for IT outpaced the substantial infrastructure shortfalls. Reliability of telecommunications systems, the lack of electronic payment methods, and weak processing infrastructures are just a few of the areas discussed.
The study of the Texas Instrument implementation and management of an e-commerce enabled enterprise information system clearly describes the paramount concern for the development of a strategic focus within the organization, the need for top management support, and most importantly the development of sound business processes. The significance of business process development is explored often throughout the cases starting with the first chapter where a description of the dynamic evolution of an e-commerce entity is taken from the concept stage all the way through implementation.
Finally, throughout all the cases it is clear that customer focus and direct customer interface during the development and implementation are key success factors in reaping the benefits of an e-commerce endeavor.
The variety of cases maintain your interest and offer a comprehensive collection of experiences that are sure to alleviate most start up and operational issues.
Facing up to the Internet
Cases on Worldwide E-Commerce: Theory in Action

It seems so obvious in retrospectThis book is a good read for B2C companies online and offline. Its treatment of B2B is thin, and not really worth digging out. It already feels a bit dated, but it is still an absolute "must read" for retailers.
Tells why the e-commerce business thrill is over
Customers ( continue to ) Rule!

Impressive work on business Internet technology
Peer-to-peer commerce, e-hubs, B2B exchanges, auctions, more
WHERE WE'VE BEEN, but more importantly WHERE WE ARE GOING!Explained are the educational takeaways from historical, leading edge developments of e-commerce, e-procurement and electronic marketplaces and how they can be applied based on the realized importance of extended business relationships. This book then addresses the appication of the newest developments, including peer-to-peer, collaborative commerce, and B2B integration within the supply chain in the currently developing (Real New) digital economy.
This book is recommended reading as it clearly details the digital past and provokes thought on how to continue to execute using new technologies within business today.


Profitable e-commerce regardless of the product or service
The Author Understands the World of Multi-ChannelThis book not only deals with Internet based companies, it gives the reader the information necessary to integrate an online business with traditional channels. It provides complete knowledge of how goods flow from the initial source all the way to the customer's premise. The author explains how to reach the ultimate goal of a state-of-the-art logistics and fulfillment operation. The book details how to determine in real time the sales data, warehouse inventory, production plans, and shipment schedules as an order traverses the value chain. There is even a detailed explanation of the tools need to crunch the necessary numbers into some form of reliable forecasting.
The author really understands that the success in the world of multi-channel requires a well-defined business model and the tight integration between legacy and online applications and systems, specifically in the areas of product category, customer, order, distribution, fulfillment, data, and operational management. While the book does point out that logistics and fulfillment is no easy task, it also explains that optimal logistics and fulfillment is achievable and the end result will make all the effort and money spent worthwhile.
#1 Book on E-Commerce!

Four Plus or 5 MinusTo follow the model given in the introduction, by considering the strategic implications of the customer and the business anyone could easily come up with solutions that fly in the face of the abilities and values of the employees as human beings. All stakeholder factors have to be put in balance with those of the business.
In addition, the concepts apply outside the typical business model and/or products. A good example is home design (not decor) which typically doesn't consider many 'functions' that occur within its walls other than sleeping, washing, bathing, and eating. Many of the concepts presented here can/should be applied in other problem/solution settings. I contend that every business project that involves some human interaction is subject to these principles.
The models/recommendations within this book, with a few tweaks, can and should be applied to designing human interaction in many yet-untapped areas/markets (leaving tremendous business potential lying all around). The recommendations given specifically as to better 'online' design can and should be applied to all points of interaction a business has with all stakeholders.
I highly recommend this book with the caveat that you take its potential application beyond the dimensions within which it is presented. The word 'customer' can often be replaced with 'stakeholder'. When encountering the term 'user experience' drop the term 'user' and focus on the 'experience' (since most individuals measure the value of their experience with a business based on all points of interaction, not just online).
Voice of a ConsultantReading Built for Use, it's hard not to picture oneself as one of Donoghue's clients, and the book as the voice of Donoghue. The book has the pragmatic tone of a consultant who is aware of the fact that your time (and hers) is valuable. She emphasizes the points that need emphasizing, and doesn't spend a lot of time considering ultimately rejected alternatives. You hire Ms. Donoghue, or read her book, because you need to know how to create the best -- and most profitable -- user interfaces right now, and you can't afford to make costly mistakes. From her war stories and references, it's pretty clear that she knows how, and she won't beat around the bush very much before telling you.
One also gets the impression that Donoghue's clients span a broad range of knowledge and experience. In Part I, I counted, I believe, five different occurrences of a variant of "Don't put a tripwire at the checkout counter!" -- in other words, don't put an obstacle in front of a customer who's already been convinced to buy something, has taken out their credit card, and is trying to complete a transaction. "Don't make your first page impossible to get through!" is another oft-repeated dictum. Evidently more than a few of Donoghue's clients insisted on making those mistakes. On the other hand, her detailed accounts of best-practice project planning for usability will be of interest to seasoned veterans of successful projects. Along with her pragmatic tone, Donoghue endeavors to formulate general principles and practices that underlie the best, most-usable interfaces. It was revealing to me to read about the meticulous and principled planning behind one of my personal favorites, the Fidelity Brokerage website, that distinguishes it from similar, but less usable competitors.
Donoghue takes a more speculative point of view in Part III, which discusses future developments. There, she expresses confidence that we will soon be designing for systems that cross the "wet-dry interface" - in other words, parts of the system will be composed of traditional electronic circuits, and other parts will consist of biological components such as neurons in a human body.
Donoghue's clients, and the readers of this book, are a demanding audience. They need to know in practical terms what to do right now to compete in a confusing, rapidly developing arena. They also need an awareness of a future where user experiences that today sound like science fiction will be commonplace. Fortunately Donoghue, with her combination of down-to-earth advice and insight into the fundamental principles that will influence future trends, meets both requirements.
Buy this book and give it to management

Good Read on the industryThere are a lot of facets to running a business that not only must serve an online community but an offline customer base as well. Gutzman does a nice job highlighting the various sectors and the tools businesses must consider to address those needs. She provides examples and case studies. Good book, must read.
Arm Yourself for the "Digital Arena"Gutzman's is a "three-pronged strategy" for meeting your demands: implement essential technologies, maintain a flexible business model, and outsource everything. Think of the material in her book as if it were on display in a store which you enter, tool box in hand. Roam the aisles. Examine various clusters of items. She is your expert advisor as well as the store's proprietress. (I strongly suspect that she had this metaphor in mind when writing the book.) Over time, all of your questions are answered. She helps you to make appropriate selections. In process, she has helped you to understand not only what you need and how to use it but also why you need it. Effective use of the 12 "must have" technologies will drive traffic to the Web site, create and sustain Web site functionality, and facilitate customer service which ensures that the Web site will be ETDBW (Easy to Do Business With). In the Epilogue, Gutzman adds another "must have" technology: alternative payment systems.
For whom will this book be most valuable? First, I highly recommend it to decision-makers in small-to-midsize organizations which already have or are now developing a Web site. The more they know and the more they understand, the better prepared they will be to select and then work with vendors. (NOTE: Reputable vendors will welcome such expertise because it enables them to accomplish more for their client and in less time. The same expertise will enable decision-makers to recognize disreputable vendors, either immediately or soon thereafter. That one benefit all by itself is worth at least ten times the cost of the book and probably a great deal more.) I also strongly recommend this book to decision-makers in larger organizations because, in the "digital arena", they will be expected (if not required) to gain a literacy in the technologies which Gutzman examines. Also, these same decision-makers will become progressively more involved in business initiatives (marketing, client relationships, strategic planning, market research, etc.) which the "must have" technologies support. Congratulations to Gutzman on a brilliant achievement.
Surveys twelve technologies needed to prevail

A Great SkimMcGarvey's slightly filling low-calorie read begins, flows and ends logically. He covers all the expected aspects of "dotcomming" with little waylaying, getting right to the fruit on the bottom. It is not unreasonable to expect to get this book, get the point, and get on your way to a website in a matter of hours. But if you are looking for in depth internet discussion and information, it will not be found under the lid of this book, which, quite frankly, was okay with us.
A few points were particularly appreciated. The design was quite excellent, highlighting the important information in sassy side quotes, and the "how to" chapters were broken up with "how we did" chapters, neatly preventing information overload and inspiring action to follow in the profiled entrepreneur's footsteps. If we were to bestow one gripe upon this book it would be some of the Cheap Tricks chapters. A few of the segments included achievements of folks who had certainly not taken the cheap route; in fact, one entrepreneur had used $75,000 to start up his fledging business. Folks who stayed in the range of $500 to $1,000 all-inclusive would have been more like it.
Get this book. Whether your budget is $100 or $100,000 you will not be remiss in helping your bottom line with this tasty and appealing piece of the dotcom pie.
--LiteratePlanet.com
A Great Choice for e-Business Beginners!There are lots of reasons why "How to Dotcom" belongs on your bookshelf, but let me just touch on the two most important: First, McGarvey knows what he's talking about. He is a meticulous researcher who works a little harder and digs a little deeper than other writers covering similar topics. The second reason you ought to buy this book is that it's well written. Believe me, writing about technology in a way that is engaging and entertaining is no small achievement. And even the best content is of limited value if you can't work you way through the book. McGarvey's writing style hits exactly the right tone...not too breezy but certainly not too ponderous.
Bottom line: If you find the idea of e-business tempting but you're not sure how to get started, you will not go wrong if you begin your research with "How to Dotcom."
Covers everything from shopping bots to registering a domain

Fluff, Fluff And More Useless Fluff
Will Open (and Blow) Your Mind - A Must ReadAs a bonus, it is priced a fraction of most of the available information on this subject. I've paid hundreds of dollars for information that was not nearly as useable as this. (OK I admit I'm a marketing information junkie)
I have purchased dozens of products (printed and ebooks) within the last year alone on this subject. Most of the others talk about search engine tricks, pop-ups, hard sell copy, and basically manipulating your site visitor into doing what you want.
Manipulation may work a little in the short run, but is self defeating in the long run.
This book is much smarter than that. It is in a whole different league.
This book teaches what is really important to long term profits. That is, engaging your visitors and making sure your site is offering them exactly what THEY want.
It shows you how to write extremely effective copy. It also tells you how to discover exactly what your customers are asking you to provide them by watching your stats and web logs.
The basic premise of this book is that without a high conversion ratio, there is no point in buying more traffic. It is much more cost effective to use the techniques contained in this book to increase your conversions than to chase traffic. That comes later. They make a valid point that most folks are doing this backwards.
This book is about way more than just copywriting, by the way. It does an excellent job of enlightening you to many useability factors that may be hurting your sales.
I can't imagine anyone who manages a website and uses even a small percentage of the wisdom contained within not getting a hundred times their investment back.
In conclusion, just buy it and read it. You can not go wrong with this book.
Wow!!! Wow!!! Wow!!!