Category Archives: Book/Product Reviews
Book Review: Problem Solving and Programming Concepts
Disclosure: Pearson Education is a sponsor of the Chicago Sencha User Group, and they provide discount copies of of their books to our members. I have not been paid for this review, although I did receive this book for free. … Continue reading
Book Review: The Node Beginner Book
One of my New Year’s resolutions for 2012 was to learn more Node.js… so I did a bit of Googling for good beginner’s resources, and I stumbled across The Node Beginner Book by Manuel Kiessling.
Considering the book’s title, I think the content is spot-on. Developers who are looking for an introduction to Node.js will find this book to be easy to understand, full of useful examples that are expanded in each chapter, and generally enlightening. Continue reading
Book Review: Specification By Example
Disclosure: Manning Publications is a sponsor of the Chicago Sencha User Group, and they provide free copies of of their books as giveaways for our monthly meetings. I have not been paid for this review, although I did receive this … Continue reading
Book Review: Sencha Touch Mobile JavaScript Framework
For many web developers, JavaScript seems like a magical language that simply modifies an existing page built with HTML and CSS. Sencha Touch (much like ExtJS) approaches web development from an entirely different angle – developers create an application by almost exclusively writing JavaScript, and the framework handles most of the HTML and CSS for you.
Sencha Touch Mobile JavaScript Framework is a wonderful starting point for web developers looking to make the jump into highly interactive mobile web applications. Continue reading
Book Review: jQuery Tools UI Library
jQuery Tools is a tiny (4k) standalone JavaScript framework that allows website developers to create common UI widgets without requiring the overhead of its larger jQuery cousin or a cluster of plugins.
I’m glad I was introduced to the jQuery Tools UI library, and I will probably use it when I build some upcoming websites. Continue reading
Book Review: ExtJS 4 First Look
Are you an experienced ExtJS developer currently using version 3.x but looking to migrate your application to version 4.x? ExtJS 4 First Look will be an excellent place for you to start.
ExtJS4 First Look is an excellent book for the right audience, and I hope those people choose to read this book. I will probably recommend this book to a lot of Sencha developers! Continue reading
Book Review: The Ultimate History of Video Games
I’ve been a bit obsessed with Pong lately. In fact, this is the most attention I’ve given to this game since I was 5 when I owned an Atari 2600.
As I continue to work on my open source mobile Pong game, I find myself reading very detailed accounts of how the original game worked so that I can build an accurate (yet updated) replica.
The author, Steven Kent, did some serious homework for this book (which was printed in 2001). His chapters are well organized and fascinating to read – and I’m not even a hardcore gamer. Continue reading
Book Review: Learning HTML5 Game Programming
I was nine years old when I got my first game console for Christmas: the Sega Genesis.
It was the start of many years of my life that revolved around video games. And while I never became you’re typical gamer (and my game-playing has dropped to virtually zero these days), I have a high appreciation for the game development process.
As someone who works almost exclusively in the HTML5 web application world I saw Learning HTML5 Game Programming and thought “This is going to be a really cool book!”
Continue reading
Book Review: Algorithms, 4th Edition
When I was in college I had the (dis)pleasure of taking a graduate-level class on algorithms. Although I loved the content, I did not have enough practical experience to make the most of the material.
That’s why I was really excited when Pearson Education offered me the chance to review Algorithms, 4th Edition. In the eight years since I took that class I’ve learned a lot about software engineering… this would be a great opportunity to see if I had learned as much as I thought! Continue reading
Product Review: Eye Strain Reducing Computer Glasses
Over the past year, I have had the pleasure of flying all over the United States for business. Unfortunately I never get to fly First Class… which means I am rarely comfortable enough to sleep. The result is that I get lots of work and reading done during my flights.
Like most travelers, I usually glance at the SkyMall magazine and wonder who (if anyone) actually buys that stuff. But on a recent flight one product did catch my eye: the Eye Strain Reducing Computer Glasses.
You may be asking yourself, “Why, of all things in SkyMall, did these glasses speak to me?”. The answer is that I have been wearing similar products for a few years now. Continue reading
