[Wellington-pm] [Fwd: Newsletter from O'Reilly UG Program, February 18]

[Grant McLean]

-------- Forwarded Message --------
> From: Marsee Henon <marsee at oreilly.com>
> To: perlmongers at catalyst.net.nz
> Subject: Newsletter from O'Reilly UG Program, February 18
> Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2005 14:41:35 -0800
> ================================================================
> O'Reilly News for User Group Members
> February 18, 2005
> ================================================================
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> Book News
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> -Head First Java, 2nd Edition
> -Linux Device Drivers, 3rd Edition
> -Surviving PC Disasters, Mishaps, and Blunders
> -Linux Network Administrator's Guide, 3rd Edition
> -Windows XP in a Nutshell, 2nd Edition
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> Upcoming Events
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> -Adam Goldstein ("AppleScript: The Missing Manual"), Apple Store, 
>   Short Hills, NJ--February 25th
> -Jim Aspinwall ("PC Hacks"), Golden Gate Computer Society, 
>   San Rafael, CA--February 28
> -O'Reilly at PhotoShop World, Las Vegas, NV--March 9
> -Gordon Meyer ("Smart Home Hacks"), North Coast Mac Users Group, 
>   Rohnert Park, CA--March 15
> -Sarah Milstein ("Google: The Missing Manual"), Golden Gate Computer
>   Society, San Rafael, CA--March 28
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> Conference News
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> -Register for the 2005 O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference, 
>   San Diego, CA--March 14-17
> -Register for the 2005 MySQL Users Conference, 
>   Santa Clara, CA--April 18-21
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> News
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> -MAKE on Slashdot
> -Getting Real-Time Data From the Web in Excel
> -Stewart Butterfield on Flickr
> -Jolt Awards Finalists
> -500 O'Reilly Books on Safari
> -Fear and Loathing in Information Security
> -Object Oriented PHP Programming & Performance
> -Michael Stutz on Computer Outlook/KLAV Radio
> -Writing Apache's Logs to MySQL
> -iPod shuffle Tips and Tricks
> -Apache and AppleScript
> -Encrypting Connection Strings in Web.config
> -Building the Perfect Budget PC, Part 1
> -JDMK and Legacy IT Management
> -Eclipse Plugins Exposed, Part 1: A First Glimpse
> -High Definition in Focus at 2005 Sundance Festival
> -Raymond Soemarsono: Natural Eye
> -Introduction to Browser Specific CSS Hacks
> -Web Programming Certificate Series Extended until February 28
> 
> ================================================
> Book News
> ================================================
> Did you know you can request a free book to review for your
> group? Ask your group leader for more information.
> 
> For book review writing tips and suggestions, go to:
> http://ug.oreilly.com/bookreviews.html
> 
> Don't forget, you can receive 20% off any O'Reilly, No Starch, 
> Paraglyph, Pragmatic Bookshelf, SitePoint, or Syngress book you 
> purchase directly from O'Reilly.
> Just use code DSUG when ordering online or by phone 800-998-9938.
> http://www.oreilly.com/
> 
> ***Free ground shipping is available for online orders of at 
> least $29.95 that go to a single U.S. address. This offer 
> applies to U.S. delivery addresses in the 50 states and Puerto Rico.
> For more details, go to:
> http://www.oreilly.com/news/freeshipping_0703.html
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> New Releases
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> ***Head First Java, 2nd Edition
> Publisher: O'Reilly
> ISBN: 0596009208
> "Head First Java, 2nd Edition" delivers a highly interactive,
> multi-sensory learning experience that lets new programmers pick up the
> fundamentals of the Java language quickly. Through mind-stretching
> exercises, memorable analogies, humorous pictures, and casual language,
> "Head First Java" encourages readers to think like Java programmers. This
> revised second edition focuses on Java 5.0, the latest version of the Java 
> development platform.
> http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/hfjava2/
> 
> Chapter 2, "A Trip to Objectville," and Chapter 8, "Serious
> Polymorphism,"
> are available online:
> http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/hfjava2/chapter/index.html
> 
> 
> ***Linux Device Drivers, 3rd Edition
> Publisher: O'Reilly
> ISBN: 0596005903
> Over the years, this best-selling guide has helped countless programmers
> learn how to support computer peripherals and how to develop new hardware
> under the Linux operating system. Now, with this third edition, it's even
> more helpful, covering all the significant changes to Version 2.6 of the
> Linux kernel. The guide even includes full-featured examples that
> programmers can compile and run without special hardware.
> http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/linuxdrive3/
> 
> Chapter 13, "USB Drivers," is available online:
> http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/linuxdrive3/chapter/index.html
> 
> 
> ***Surviving PC Disasters, Mishaps, and Blunders
> Publisher: Paraglyph Press
> ISBN: 1932111980
> "Surviving PC Disasters, Mishaps, and Blunders" is the must-have survival
> guide for every PC user. Written in an engaging, reassuring, and fun
> style, it gives you the answers you need immediately to fix the thorniest
> PC problems. It also provides valuable insight on measures that can
> prevent a difficult and often expensive cure. (Who's got money to waste
> these days on fixing mishaps and blunders anyway?)
> http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/1932111980/index.html
> 
> 
> ***Linux Network Administrator's Guide, 3rd Edition
> Publisher: O'Reilly
> ISBN: 0596005482
> This refreshed resource takes an in-depth look at everything you need to
> know to join a network. Topics covered include all of the essential
> networking software that comes with the Linux operating system, plus
> information on a host of cutting-edge services including wireless hubs,
> spam filtering, IPv6, OpenLDAP, and more.
> http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/linag3/
> 
> Chapter 18, "Wireless Networking," is available online:
> http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/linag3/chapter/index.html
> 
> 
> ***Windows XP in a Nutshell, 2nd Edition
> Publisher: O'Reilly
> ISBN: 0596009003
> "Windows XP in a Nutshell, 2nd Edition" documents everything there is to
> know about the world's most widely used operating system. Updated to
> include information on the security technologies featured in Service Pack
> 2 (SP2), this must-have desktop reference is dedicated to making your
> time at the computer safer, easier, and more fun. It's the ultimate 
> resource for IT professionals and Windows XP power users everywhere.
> http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/winxpnut2/
> 
> Chapter 8, "The Registry," is available online:
> http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/winxpnut2/chapter/index.html
> 
> ================================================
> Upcoming Events
> ================================================
> ***For more events, please see:
> http://events.oreilly.com/
> 
> 
> ***Adam Goldstein ("AppleScript: The Missing Manual"), Apple Store, 
>   Short Hills, NJ--February 25th
> Adam will be giving and talk and signing books. Adam was a technical
> editor for O'Reilly's "Mac OS X: The Missing Manual." When he's not
> writing books or code, Adam attends high school in New Jersey, where he
> is captain of the Debate and Quizbowl teams and an editor of the school
> paper.
> 
> Read a recent review of Adam's book on Slashdot:
> http://books.slashdot.org/books/05/02/06/222219.shtml?tid=156&tid=6&tid=3
> 
> Apple Store Short Hills at 7pm February 25th
> 1200 Morris Turnpike
> Short Hills, NJ 07078
> (973) 467-4890
> http://www.apple.com/retail/shorthills/week/20050213.html
> 
> 
> ***Jim Aspinwall ("PC Hacks"), Golden Gate Computer Society, 
>   San Rafael, CA--February 28
> Jim will be giving a talk on "Computer Security, PC Hacks, and
> Troubleshooting Tips."
> The meeting starts at 7:15 pm at the Embassy Suites Hotel,101 McInnis
> Parkway, San Rafael.
> http://www.ggcs.org/thismonth.html
> 
> 
> ***O'Reilly at PhotoShop World, Las Vegas, NV--March 9
> Come by and say hi and check out our latest Digital Media books at our
> booth (#220).
> Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas, NV.
> http://www.photoshopworld.com/
> 
> 
> ***Gordon Meyer ("Smart Home Hacks"), North Coast Mac Users Group, 
>   Rohnert Park, CA--March 15
> Gordon will be presenting automation tips and hacks from his book. The
> meeting starts at 7pm at the Rohnert Park Senior Center, 6800 Hunter
> Drive--Suite A, Rohnert Park.
> http://www.ncmug.org/
> 
> 
> ***Sarah Milstein ("Google: The Missing Manual"), Golden Gate Computer
>   Society, San Rafael, CA--March 28
> An O'Reilly editor and author, Sarah will start with the Google basics
> and quickly move on to the sophisticated ways to search, covering 
> search syntax, techniques, and hidden tricks to hone in on relevant 
> content. The meeting starts at 7:15 pm at the Embassy Suites Hotel,
> 101 McInnis Parkway, San Rafael.
> http://www.ggcs.org/gen-next.html
> 
> ================================================
> Conference News
> ================================================
> ***2005 O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference, 
>   San Diego, CA--March 14-17
> This year's conference theme is "Remix," which infuses ETech's
> roll-up-your-sleeves tutorials, to-the-point plenary presentations, and
> real world focused breakout sessions. Come to ETech and discover how
> applications and hardware are being deconstructed and recombined in
> unexpected ways. Learn how users and customers are influencing new
> interfaces, devices, business models, and services. For all the scoop on
> tutorials, featured speakers, and conference events, check out:
> http://conferences.oreillynet.com/etech/
> 
> User group members use code DSUG when you register, and receive 20% off
> the registration price.
> 
> To register for the conference, go to:
> http://conferences.oreillynet.com/cs/et2005/create/ord_et05
> 
> 
> ***Register for the 2005 MySQL Users Conference, Santa Clara, CA--
> April 18-21
> The MySQL Users Conference, co-presented by O'Reilly Media and MySQL AB,
> brings together experts, users, and industry leaders with unique MySQL
> insights, offering attendees a detailed look into new features in MySQL
> 5.0, sessions and workshops designed to teach best practices, and
> exposure to new open source technologies.
> For more information, go to:
> http://www.mysqluc.com/
> 
> User Group members who register before Febuary 28, 2005 get a double
> discount. Use code DSUG when you register, and receive 20% off the
> early registration price.
> 
> To register for the conference, go to:
> http://conferences.oreillynet.com/cs/mysqluc2005/create/ord_mysql05
> 
> ================================================
> News From O'Reilly & Beyond
> ================================================
> ---------------------
> General News
> ---------------------
> ***User Groups Benefit from Safari 
> When O’Reilly developers needed someone to user-test the new Safari
> Affiliate Program, Stephen Henry from the North Coast Mac Users Group was
> the ideal choice. Situated 40 miles north of San Francisco, NCMUG has
> been active since the Mac first arrived in 1984. Henry created an excellent
> working example of how user groups can implement the Affiliate Program to
> benefit their members. Ed Stephenson brings you the details. 
> http://oreilly.com/news/ncmug.html
> 
> 
> ****MAKE on Slashdot
> http://books.slashdot.org/books/05/02/17/1958221.shtml?tid=222&tid=159&tid=126&tid=6
> 
> The MAKE blog is available at:
> http://www.makezine.com/blog/
> 
> MAKE Subscriptions Available
> The annual subscription price for four issues is $34.95. When you
> subscribe with this link, you'll get a free issue--the first one plus
> four more for $34.95. So subscribe for yourself or friends with this 
> great offer for charter subscribers: five volumes for the cost of four.
> Subscribe at:
> https://www.pubservice.com/MK/Subnew.aspx?PC=MK&PK=M5ZUGLA
> 
> 
> ***Getting Real-Time Data From the Web in Excel 
> Did you know that you can use Excel for more than just storing and
> organizing static data? In this article, Matthew MacDonald, author of
> "Excel: The Missing Manual," shows you how to use Excel as a tool to
> handle up-to-the-minute information like sales figures and currency
> exchange rates. 
> http://www.windowsdevcenter.com/pub/a/windows/2005/02/08/xcel_mm.html
> 
> 
> ***Stewart Butterfield on Flickr 
> Not even a year old and still in beta, Flickr is a revolutionary photo
> storage, sharing, and organization application boasting roughly 270,000
> members. Richard Koman catches Flickr CEO Stewart Butterfield for a few
> words on what has made Flickr so revolutionary and where it may be
> headed.
> 
> http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/network/2005/02/04/sb_flckr.html
> 
> 
> ***Jolt Awards Finalists
> "Software Development Magazine" recently announced the finalists for the
> 15th Annual Jolt Product Excellence Awards. Several O'Reilly titles and
> sites were nominated: "Head First Design Patterns" in the General Books
> category; and "Better, Faster, Lighter Java," "Head First Servlets &
> JSP," "Hibernate: A Developer's Notebook," and "Mono: A 
> Developer's Notebook" in the Technical Books category.  Java.net 
> and the O'Reilly Network were named finalists in the Web 
> Sites and Developer Networks category.
> http://www.sdmagazine.com/jolts/15th_jolt_finalists.html
> 
> 
> ***500 O'Reilly Books on Safari
> O'Reilly now boasts over 500 books on Safari, the premier electronic
> reference library for IT professionals and programmers. With Safari, you
> can search electronic versions of a broad range of the best technical
> books from leading publishers including O'Reilly. Check out our newest
> title, "All About Your iPod Photo," and learn how to get the most out of
> your favorite toy. Give Safari a try today with a free trial
> subscription.
> http://www.oreilly.com/go/safari-ug
> 
> ---------------------
> Open Source
> ---------------------
> ***Fear and Loathing in Information Security 
> "Society has always treated innovators and whistle blowers with
> ambivalence," writes author Michael D. Bauer in reference to hackers. In
> this article, Michael discusses why information security professionals
> demonize hackers and why that tendency is both irrational and
> counterproductive. Michael is the author of "Linux Server Security, 2nd
> Edition." 
> http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/network/2005/02/11/mbauer_1.html
> 
> 
> ***Object Oriented PHP Programming & Performance
> Harry explores the trade-offs between object oriented and procedural
> programming in PHP in a lengthy discussion on the pros and cons of each.
> http://www.sitepoint.com/blog-post-view.php?id=223760
> 
> 
> ***Michael Stutz on Computer Outlook/KLAV Radio
> Listen to the author of No Starch's "The Linux Cookbook, 2nd Edition."
> http://computeroutlook.com/audiostudio.html
> 
> 
> ***Writing Apache's Logs to MySQL 
> Adding a few performance statistics to your Apache httpd logs can help
> you profile your applications. Digging through flat files for information is
> a drag, though. Logging to a relational database can make reporting and
> analysis much more convenient. Chris Josephes demonstrates how to install
> and configure mod_log_mysql and shows off what you can do with it.
> http://www.onlamp.com/pub/a/apache/2005/02/10/database_logs.html
> 
> ---------------------
> Mac
> ---------------------
> ***iPod shuffle Tips and Tricks
> The iPod shuffle is the easiest-to-use iPod to date. But that doesn't
> mean you can't customize how you listen and upload music. Scott
> Knaster shows you some very handy tips and tricks for the shuffle 
> and iTunes 4.7.1.
> http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2005/02/15/shuffle.html
> 
> 
> ***Apache and AppleScript 
> AppleScript traditionally interacts with Mac applications and Apache is
> the web server that powers most of the Internet. David Miller shows you
> how AppleScript can invoke Unix utilities through its do shell script
> command, thereby creating some interesting intersections with Apache.
> http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2005/02/11/applescript.html
> 
> ---------------------
> Windows/.NET
> ---------------------
> ***Encrypting Connection Strings in Web.config 
> One of the best practices in ASP.NET is to save your database connection
> strings in the Web.config file instead of hard-coding it in your code.
> It's not such a good idea to save your connection strings as plain text
> in Web.config--you should ideally encrypt the connection strings so it
> leaves no chance for a potential hacker to easily get more information 
> about your database server. In ASP.NET 2.0, Microsoft has taken this further 
> by allowing you to encrypt the connection strings in Web.config, all without
> much plumbing on your part. In this new article by Wei-Meng Lee, he shows
> you how it works.
> http://www.ondotnet.com/pub/a/dotnet/2005/02/15/encryptingconnstring.html
> 
> 
> ***Building the Perfect Budget PC, Part 1 
> You can build a powerhouse system without breaking the bank. In this
> first part of a two-part article, Robert Bruce Thompson and Barbara Fritchman
> Thompson, authors of "Building the Perfect PC," show you which components
> to buy.
> http://www.windowsdevcenter.com/pub/a/windows/2005/02/15/Perfect_BudgetPC.html
> 
> ---------------------
> Java
> ---------------------
> ***JDMK and Legacy IT Management 
> Keeping a network with legacy (and possibly unreliable) devices is nearly
> impossible without some automated help. Stephen Morris shows how to use
> the Java Dynamic Management Kit to keep tabs on your network and find
> potential points of failure.
> http://www.onjava.com/pub/a/onjava/2005/02/16/jdmk.html
> 
> 
> ***Eclipse Plugins Exposed, Part 1: A First Glimpse 
> Many developers use Eclipse out of the box as an IDE, never investigating
> its powerful extensibility. But as Emmanuel Proulx shows in this first
> installment of a new series, Eclipse's modular system of plugins allow
> you to customize it to your suit your development needs.
> http://www.onjava.com/pub/a/onjava/2005/02/09/eclipse.html
> 
> ---------------------
> Digital Media
> ---------------------
> ***High Definition in Focus at 2005 Sundance Festival
> Cheaper than film, bigger and better than plain, old digital video,
> high-definition digital video definitely came into its own during this
> year's Sundance Film Festival. According to Sony, nearly half of the
> features, documentaries, and shorts screened in Park City were shot in
> HD.
> Susan Boyer reports.
> http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/2005/02/09/hd.html
> 
> 
> ***Raymond Soemarsono: Natural Eye
> Some people are meant to be artists. Self-taught photographer Raymond
> Soemarsono has a natural eye for composing stunning landscape scenes,
> then taming his digital camera to record them according to his vision. His
> gallery features many places with which you're probably familiar. Maybe
> it's time to get in the car and revisit them?
> http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/2005/02/16/featured.html
> 
> ---------------------
> Web
> ---------------------
> ***Introduction to Browser Specific CSS Hacks
> CSS leaves your layout open to interpretation by browsers...or does it?
> In this hands-on trouble-shooter, Trenton explains why and how different
> browser-specific CSS hacks work--and provides code to help you regain
> control over your layouts.
> http://www.sitepoint.com/article/browser-specific-css-hacks
> 
> 
> ***Web Programming Certificate Series Extended until February 28
> This six-course series from the O'Reilly Learning Lab teaches you the
> skills needed for web programming, web administration, and web site 
> development. You'll learn HTML, JavaScript, XML, SQL, Perl, and Unix. 
> Upon completion of the series, students receive a Certificate of Professional 
> Development from the University of Illinois Office of Continuing Education. 
> Sign up today and save 40% on all Web Programming Certificate courses. 
> Offer extended until February 28.
> http://www.oreilly.com/redirector.csp?link=UAWeb&type=news
> 
> ================================================
> >From Your Peers
> ===============================================
> Don't forget to check out the O'Reilly UG wiki to see what user groups
> across the globe are up to:
> http://wiki.oreillynet.com/usergroups/index.cgi
> 
> Until next time--
> 
> Marsee