From perl at tecspy.com Sat Nov 26 01:03:48 2005 From: perl at tecspy.com (Michael Erskine) Date: Sat, 26 Nov 2005 09:03:48 +0000 Subject: [Nottingham-pm] O'Reilly UK User Group NEWSLETTER 15-05 Message-ID: <438824F4.6070309@tecspy.com> All, here's the latest User Group news from Josette Garcia at O'Reilly UK. Enjoy, Michael Erskine. O'Reilly UK User Group Programme NEWSLETTER Issue 15-05 Within a week, this newsletter will be available to be downloaded in pdf format from the Developers Group web site at . You are welcome to create a link to it for your members' use. Previous newsletters are available at - Our aim is to have both formats available at the same time, but that might take us a little longer. ================================================ HIGHLIGHTS ================================================ NEWS FROM O'REILLY AND BEYOND -The Impact of "Ambient Findability" -Laughing Lemur Contest at Findability.org -Avoiding Oblivion in Your Tech Career -Control Freaks: Modding and the Clash with Law -User Group Members receive a special 50% discount on Learning Lab Courses -What Is TurboGears (Hint: Python-Based Framework for Rapid Web Development) -What Is a Linux Distribution -Sync Services Framework (How It Works and What You Can Do) -Tiger's Improved Firewall (and How to Use It) -Windows Server Hacks: Shadowing Remote Desktop Sessions -Beware of Network Sniffers -JBoss Cache as a POJO Cache -The Community of Web 2.0 -MacVoices Features Leander Kahney "The Cult of iPod" -Vince Lawrence: 8,000 Square Feet of iTunes -The PEZ MP3 player--A Project, Dream, and a Reality BOOK NEWS - Books for review - Coming soon CONFERENCE NEWS YOUR BOOK REVIEWS YOUR NEWS ================================================ NEWS FROM O'REILLY AND BEYOND ================================================ --------------------- General News --------------------- ***The Impact of "Ambient Findability" Peter Morville, author of "Ambient Findability," discusses the results of being able to find anything from anywhere at anytime, thanks to ubiquitous computing and the Net in this Business Week article. ***Laughing Lemur Contest at Findability.org To enter, snap a photo that includes the lemur, upload it to Flickr, and tag it with ambientfindability. Entries will be accepted through December 11, 2005. Evaluation criteria include popularity (in Flickr, Google, de.licio.us), comicality (make the lemur laugh), and other facets of the user experience. The winner will receive a $500 Amazon Gift Certificate, a $100 O'Reilly Gift Certificate, and autographed copies of the lemur and polar bear books. For contest details and rules, please go to: ***Avoiding Oblivion in Your Tech Career Life moves quickly for the technologist, so it's imperative to stay young and vital in one's tech career. Using the analogy of Shakespeare's renowned soliloquy from As You Like It on the seven phases of life, Michael Havey offers tips on how you can sustain technology excellence well into your golden years. Michael is the author of "Essential Business Process Modeling." ***Control Freaks: Modding and the Clash with Law Modders, and the millions more who possess a natural creativity and an urge to get control over their lives, have, as Andy Oram puts it, "tumbled head-on into a legal snake pit." Their passion for changing things has become one of the fastest up-and-coming social trends in the US, and thus has drawn the litigious eye of large entertainment and media companies. Andy remains optimistic, however, that modders themselves can find ways to shift the focus away from modding as a legal issue, and toward a view of modding as a social and business issue. ***User Group Members receive a special 50% discount on Learning Lab Courses As an O'Reilly User Group member, you save on all the courses in the following University of Illinois Certificate Series: -Linux/Unix System Administration -Web Programming -Open Source Programming -.NET Programming -Client-Side This offer ends December 31st, 2005. To redeem, use Promotion Code "ORALL1" to save 50%. Each course comes with a free O'Reilly book and a 7-day money-back guarantee. Register online: --------------------- Open Source --------------------- ***What Is TurboGears? (Hint: Python-Based Framework for Rapid Web Development) TurboGears is a Python-based framework that enables you to quickly build database-driven, ready-to-extend web applications. In this article, Matthew Russell takes you inside this framework for a look at its internal mechanisms, then introduces you to its creator, Kevin Dangoor. ***What Is a Linux Distribution? The Linux kernel may be the star of the show, but like any star, it needs a supporting cast. In this case, the supporting cast is known as a Linux distribution--a useful set of system and application programs bundled with the OS. Edd Dumbill serves up overviews of the major Linux distributions as well as the specialist distros, and for who (or what) each distro is best suited. --------------------- Mac --------------------- ***Sync Services Framework (How It Works and What You Can Do) With Tiger, Apple introduced a new extensible Sync Services framework embedded into the OS. And it's available to any application, not just Apple programs. Mary Norbury-Glaser explains this framework and shows you practical examples of its implementation. ***Tiger's Improved Firewall (and How to Use It) Among Tiger's many enhancements, Apple introduced a whole new firewall called ipfw2. It works just the like the old firewall, but has new features that allow greater flexibility and more control. In this article, Peter Hickman shows you some of the new features and how you can use them to more easily manage your firewall. --------------------- Windows/.NET --------------------- ***Windows Server Hacks: Shadowing Remote Desktop Sessions Shadowing Terminal Services sessions is a cool feature of Windows Server 2003 that lets you remotely control the desktop session of another Terminal Services user. ***Beware of Network Sniffers Network sniffing is harder than most people think, but that doesn't mean it's not a threat. Mitch Tulloch, author of "Windows Server Hacks," tells you the truth about sniffing dangers, and shows you how to protect your network. --------------------- Java --------------------- ***JBoss Cache as a POJO Cache Typical in-memory cache systems can trip you up in ways you don't expect, from mangled object relationships to overly expensive serialization operations. A POJO cache offers a simpler, lower-maintenance alternative. Ben Wang uses JBoss Cache to show how POJO caches work. ***The Community of Web 2.0 In this 48-minute audio program from the Web 2.0 conference, Tim O'Reilly speaks with Sun Microsystems COO Jonathan Schwartz and Mozilla Foundation president Mitchell Baker about developer communities, distribution, architectures and expandability, and the value of open source. --------------------- Digital Media --------------------- ***MacVoices Features Leander Kahney "The Cult of iPod" No Starch Author Leander Kahney discusses the impact of the iPod and how it has changed the music industry, the music culture and how music is consumed. ***Vince Lawrence: 8,000 Square Feet of iTunes Step inside the cavernous studio of Chicago's Slang Musicgroup, where teams of computer-packing producers create hit songs and remixes in a vast range of styles inspired by 20,000 CDs worth of networked iTunes. --------------------- MAKE --------------------- ***The PEZ MP3 player--A Project, Dream, and a Reality Pat Misterovich is a stay-at-home dad with a one-person company who had a dream to make an MP3 player that looks like a PEZ dispenser. We've been covering Pat's PEZ MP3 player throughout the year, reading his progress and milestones, anxiously awaiting the arrival of this dream-turned-PEZ MP3 player. Sample Projects from MAKE: ================================================ BOOK NEWS ================================================ Copies of our books are available for your members to review -- send me an email with the delivery address together with the book you would like to review. When the review is published, please send me a copy or the url. I would also appreciate if you could send a copy to www.amazon.co.uk Latest books available for review - * Access 2003 for Starters: The Missing Manual Access 2003 for Starters: The Missing Manual delivers everything you need--and nothing you don't--to use Access right away. The quick and painless way to learn how to put the world's most popular desktop data management program to work for you, this book explains all the most useful features of Access 2003--including designing and creating databases, organizing and filtering information, and generating effective forms and reports. * BlackBerry Hacks The versatile and flexible BlackBerry handheld computing device allows you to stay in touch and in-the-know--no matter where you are or where you go. For both corporate and consumer users, BlackBerry Hacks delivers tips, tools, and innovative ways to most effectively use the all-in-one phone, inbox, organizer, and browser for phone calls, instant messaging, email, organizing, web browsing, receiving RSS feeds, and much more. * Creating Web Sites: The Missing Manual Think you have to be a technical wizard to build a great web site? Think again. For anyone who wants to create an engaging web site--for either personal or business purposes--Creating Web Sites: The Missing Manual demystifies the process and provides tools, techniques, and expert guidance for making your ideas and vision a reality with a professional and reliable web presence. * Essential PHP Security The PHP scripting language works beautifully with other open source tools, such as the MySQL database and Apache web server software, to build interactive web applications. But security is still an issue that developers need to address, given the frequency of attacks on web sites. Essential PHP Security explains the types of attacks that hackers use on web sites and how to correctly configure Apache and PHP to guard against them. The author of Essential PHP Security, Chris Shiflett, is an internationally recognized expert in the field of PHP security and this book shows developers how to guard against attacks by writing secure PHP code. * Excel for Starters: The Missing Manual Excel for Starters: The Missing Manual gives you nothing more (and nothing less) than what you need to make Excel do exactly what you want. Clear explanations (with lots of examples), step-by-step instructions, illustrations, and timesaving advice guide you through the most useful features of Excel 2002 and 2003--including how to build spreadsheets, add and format information, print reports, create charts and graphics, and use basic formulas and functions. * Greasemonkey Hacks Greasemonkey--the new Firefox extension that allows you to write scripts that alter the web pages you visit--allows you to alter site appearance, fix bugs, or even combine data from different web sites to meet your own needs. Some people are content to receive information from websites passively; some people want to control it. For those who prefer to customize and control their content, Greasemonkey Hacks provides the expertise you need to take command of any web page you view. * Integrating Excel and Access This unique reference shows you how to combine the powerful analysis tools of Excel with the structured storage and more powerful querying of Access. It covers everything you need to know, including interfaces, object models, and code. Learn how to crunch and visualize data like never before. Perfect for all Microsoft Office users. * Internet Forensics This practical guide to Internet fraud gives you the skills you need to fight back against the spammers, con artists, and identity thieves that plague the Internet. The book shows you how to nab the bad guys by extracting the information that lies hidden in every email message, web page, and web server on the Internet. Real-world examples illustrate all the major techniques discussed. * JBoss at Work: A Practical Guide This convenient guide from O'Reilly takes an in-depth look at JBoss, the fastest growing open source tool on the market. Learn how to integrate JBoss with other open source Java products such as Tomcat and Hibernate, and much more. Written for Java programmers who want to use JBoss on their projects. * Linux Multimedia Hacks This latest Hacks book gives you the technical chops to enjoy the considerable multimedia options available on the Linux platform. Learn step-by-step how to do cool things with images, audio, and video. Included are tips and tricks for connecting to iPods, creating MP3s and Oggs, watching and making DVDs, turning your Linux box into a Tivo ala MythTV, and much more. ? Mac OS X Tiger in a Nutshell The most popular and most complete desktop reference book on Mac OS X now covers Tiger! For consumers, developers, and programmers alike, the up-to-the-minute Mac OS X Tiger in a Nutshell provides the perfect overview of Tiger, covers all the new and enhanced features, and delivers all the nitty-gritty hints and how-tos you need to make it your all-purpose, must-have Mac OS X guide. ? MAKE: Technology on Your Time Volume 04 If you like to tweak, disassemble, re-create, and invent cool new uses for technology, you'll love MAKE our quarterly publication for the inquisitive do-it-yourselfer. Every issue is packed with projects to help you make the most of all the technology in your life. Everything from home entertainment systems, to laptops, to a host of PDAs is fair game. If there's a way to hack it, tweak it, bend it, or remix it, you will find out about it in MAKE. * Open Sources 2.0 Open Sources 2.0 is a collection of insightful and thought-provoking essays from today's technology leaders that continues painting the evolutionary picture that developed in the 1999 book Open Sources: Voices from the Revolution . These essays explore open source's impact on the software industry and reveal how open source concepts are infiltrating other areas of commerce and society. The essays appeal to a broad audience: the software developer will find thoughtful reflections on practices and methodology from leading open source developers like Jeremy Allison and Ben Laurie, while the business executive will find analyses of business strategies from the likes of Sleepycat co-founder and CEO Michael Olson and Open Source Business Conference founder Matt Asay. * Oracle PL/SQL for DBAs PL/SQL, Oracle's powerful procedural language, has been the cornerstone of Oracle application development for nearly 15 years. Although primarily a tool for developers, PL/SQL has also become an essential tool for database administration. DBAs who have not yet discovered how helpful PL/SQL can be will find this book a superb introduction to the language and its special database administration features. Even if you have used PL/SQL for years, you'll find the detailed coverage in this book to be an invaluable resource. * Palm and Treo Hacks Written for beginning to experienced Palm users, Palm and Treo Hacks is full of practical, ingenious tips and tricks you can apply immediately. Whether you're looking to master the built-in applications or you want to trick out your Palm to its fullest extent, this book will show you how. * Photoshop Elements 4: The Missing Manual With Photoshop Elements 4: The Missing Manual, author Barbara Brundage has written the perfect digital photography guide that covers new features and techniques--for the most common editing solutions to the more advanced. In a clear, easy-to-read format, the author provides step-by-step instruction so readers can learn the right editing techniques for producing and sharing beautiful digital photography. * PHP in a Nutshell PHP in a Nutshell is a complete reference to the core of the language as well as the most popular PHP extensions. The topic grouping, tips, and examples in this book make it an essential reference for every PHP programmer. It covers the functions commonly used by a majority of developers, so you can look up the information you need quickly. Whether you're just getting started or have years of experience in PHP development, PHP in a Nutshell is a valuable addition to your desk library. * Podcasting Pocket Guide Whether you're a listener or an aspiring podcaster, Podcasting Pocket Guide is a non-technical guide for the non-geek who wants in on this revolutionary new medium. This handy guide shows you how to tune into unique and interesting podcasts and download them to your favorite portable device and contains an introduction to creating, recording, publishing, and finding an audience for your own, professional-quality podcasts. * Producing Open Source Software This comprehensive guide offers several tried and true steps to help you successfully manage the complex process of developing free software. Topics include project management, developer motivation, technical infrastructure to support collaboration, and project promotion. Producing Open Source Software is ideal for developers starting their own free software projects, or people who simply want to participate in the process. * Programming ASP.NET (Third Edition) This updated bestseller has been completely refreshed to give you the inside story on ASP.NET 2.0 and Visual Studio 2005. It features a comprehensive tutorial on Web Forms and detailed explanations of all new Web server, HTML, and custom controls. Ideal for web developers looking to create dynamic, interactive web applications. * Retro Gaming Hacks Whether you're just discovering Tetris or you've been a Pong junkie since puberty, Chris Kohler's Retro Gaming Hacks is your indispensable new guide to classic games. Kohler has compiled the how-to information that used to take weeks of web surfing to find and presents it in highly readable Hacks style. Serving up 85 hard-nosed hacks for reviving the classic games, including tips on hacking ancient hardware, home-brewing classic software, and adapting today's equipment for retro games, Retro Gaming Hacks hands you the joystick. * Twisted Network Programming Essentials Twisted Network Programming Essentials from O'Reilly is a task-oriented look at Twisted, a Python-based network application framework. Twisted is fast becoming indispensable to Python network programmers. It supports common networking protocols such as TCP/IP, SSH, and SMTP. Using Python and Twisted, you can develop web services applications, email clients and servers, and just about any other type of networking application that you can conceive. * Understanding the Linux Kernel This new edition covers Version 2.6 of the Linux kernel, which has seen significant changes to nearly every kernel subsystem, particularly in the areas of memory management and block devices. Understanding the Linux Kernel provides a guided tour of the code that forms the core of all Linux operating systems. Beyond the functioning of the code, the book explains the theoretical underpinnings for why Linux, and many other operating systems, do things the way they do. * Unix in a Nutshell (Fourth Edition) This quick reference has been reworked to present you with the current state of Unix. Featuring chapter overviews, in-depth command coverage, and specific examples, it's the perfect supplement for Unix users and programmers. New topics include package management programs, source code management systems, and the Solaris 10, GNU/Linux, and Mac OS X systems. * Windows XP for Starters: The Missing Manual For anyone interested in zeroing in on just the information they need without all the complicated jargon, Windows XP for Starters: The Missing Manual provides just the solution. With easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions, and plenty of illustrations this book offers a refreshingly simple approach to XP. Whether you're a first-time user who just wants the basics, or an experienced user who simply needs a quick overview, our new Windows XP For Starters: Missing Manual is designed to deliver what you need to know. * Yahoo! Hacks Whether you want to become a power searcher, news monger, super shopper, or innovative web developer, Yahoo! Hacks provides the tools to take you further than you ever thought possible. ****Coming Soon * Applied Software Project Management * C++ Cookbook * The DAM Book: Digital Asset Management for Photographers * Designing Interfaces * Java Enterprise in a Nutshell (Third Edition) * Practical Perforce * Quicken 2006 for Starters: The Missing Manual * Time Management for System Administrators * Wireless Hacks (Second Edition) ================================================ CONFERENCE NEWS ================================================ ***ETel Registration Now Open Emerging telephony networks enable a new generation of powerful communication applications, which threaten established business models--but more importantly, open up new opportunities and new markets. O'Reilly's Emerging Telephony Conference, January 24-26 in San Francisco, aims to articulate this revolution, provide a framework, and spark creative discussions among enterprise managers, developers, hackers, and sponsors interested in telephony. Join us as we explore this exciting new territory and investigate its implications. Receive 20% off the registration price when you use our special discount code. Please email marsee at oreilly.com for details. To register for the conference, go to: ***EuroOSCON has come and gone in Amsterdam It was a great experience and attendee comments ranged from "wonderful" to "I'll be back again next year!" OSCON will definitely be back in Europe next fall, as well as in Portland in July. Check out the Convention Coverage Page for all the latest session files pictures and news. ==================================================== CONFERENCES/EXHIBITIONS TO BE ATTENDED BY O'REILLY UK ==================================================== ***Perl Workshop, London, City University, 26 November - ***GufiCon 2005, Perugia, Italy, 3-4 December - Thought-leaders such as David Pogue, Deke McClelland and Andy Ihnatko will throw the spotlight on cutting-edge developments in applications such as Mac OS Tiger, Apple's iLife, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and QuarkXPress. Discover the hidden tips and tricks utilized by the Mac's top practitioners to dramatically enhance your skills and gain the insights you need to get the most from your technology investment. www.mac-expo.co.uk ================================================ YOUR BOOK REVIEWS ================================================ *** Edinburgh pm reviewed - Perl Best Practices *** JUG Trento reviewed - Prefactoring *** Scottish Developers reviewed - Photoshop Elements 3 for Windows one to one *** Java Hellenic User Group reviewed - Eclipse Hibernate *** Perl IT reviewed - Advanced Perl Programming 2e That's all for now Have a great weekend Josette