Since 1994, No Starch Press has published unique books on computing, including such bestsellers as the Steal This Computer Book series, Hacking the Xbox, and Absolute OpenBSD. We focus on open source, security, hacking, web development, programming, gaming, and alternative operating systems. Our titles have personality, our authors are passionate, and our goal is to make computing accessible to everyone.
TCP/IP Guide
The TCP/IP Guide is both an encyclopedic and comprehensible guide to the TCP/IP protocol suite. Its personal, easy-going writing style lets anyone understand the dozens of protocols and technologies that run the Internet, with full coverage of PPP, ARP, IP, IPv6, IP NAT, IPSec, Mobile IP, ICMP, RIP, BGP, TCP, UDP, DNS, DHCP, SNMP, FTP, SMTP, NNTP, HTTP, Telnet and much more.
Debian System
The Debian System introduces the concepts and techniques of the Debian operating system, explaining their usage and pitfalls, and illustrating the thinking behind each of the approaches. The book's goal is to give the reader enough insight into the workings of the Debian project and operating system so that they will understand the solutions that have evolved as part of the Debian system over the past decade.
The eBay Survival Guide
A guide to safe and successful buying and selling on eBay. Reveals the strategies of winning bidders and offers tips for beating competitors to get the items you want--without overpaying or becoming the victim of scams. Filled with practical advice for avoiding frauds, what to do if an item doesn't sell, how to list items effectively, choosing an auction type, and how to get the best price.
The Unofficial LEGO Builder's Guide
In The Unofficial LEGO® Builder's Guide, readers will discover everything from how to craft sturdy walls and a basic sphere to more advanced concepts such as scale and design. Illustrations demonstrate construction tips that can be applied to a wide variety of original creations made from real bricks. Includes essential terminology and an overview of different types of LEGO pieces.
Linux Made Easy
Based on Xandros 3, arguably one of the most user-friendly versions of Linux available today, Linux Made Easy concentrates on the subjects of most interest to the average home user or hobbyist: installation, using the Internet, playing CDs and audio files, using scanners, working with digital cameras and images, games, downloading software and fonts, USB storage devices, PDAs, printing, Internet telephony, and more.
Write Portable Code
Write Portable Code contains the lessons, patterns, and knowledge for developing cross-platform software that programmers usually must acquire through sheer trial and error. This book is targeted at intermediate-to advanced-level programmers and will be a valuable resource for designers of cross-platform software, programmers looking to extend their skills to additional platforms, and programmers faced with the tricky task of moving code from one platform to another.
Upcoming Titles
Book of MaxDB
(April)
MaxDB is a heavy-duty, SAP-certified open source database that offers high availability, scalability and a comprehensive feature set. MaxDB complements the MySQL database, extending its market reach to large mySAP ERP environments and other applications that require maximum enterprise-level database functionality. The Book of MaxDB provides a thorough overview of the product and its functionality, including installation, administration, backup and recovery, SQL development, security, and development in PHP, Python, Java, and Perl.
Creative Computer Crafts
(February)
This eye-catching, 4-color book shows how to use a computer and an inkjet printer to make fun and functional projects. All projects include step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and full-color photos of the finished product. Includes a resource list of websites and message boards and an exhaustive supplier listing for various computer crafting materials.
Wicked Cool Perl Scripts
(February)
Most Perl programmers have been frustrated at one time or another because the system just wouldn't do what they wanted it to do. There was that one simple and obvious utility that was missing that would make life so much easier. Wicked Cool Perl Scripts is about writing those utilities quickly and easily. A collection of handy utilities that solves difficult problems, Wicked Cool Perl Scripts is a great resource for the savvy Perl programmer.
Art of RAW Conversion
(December)
The Art of RAW Conversion shows how to work with the RAW files generated by a digital camera to produce the best possible image quality in finished photos. The authors (both experts in digital photography, file processing, printing, and color management) describe the conversion tools used to enhance RAW files and maximize photo quality. Covers Adobe Photoshop CS and other leading RAW converters.
The eBay Price Guide
(December)
A one-stop shop for pricing information and tips for successful buying and selling on eBay. Sellers learn how to price their items competitively to attract more customers, while buyers learn which categories tend to be overpriced and where they can find the best bargains. Fun stories, statistics, lists and eBay trivia round out the book. Covers every eBay category. A must-have for the serious eBayer.
Write Great Code, Volume 2
(December)
The second volume in the Write Great Code series supplies critical information that today's computer science students don't often get in class: How to carefully choose their high-level language statements to produce efficient code. The book teaches software engineers how compilers translate high-level language statements and data structures into machine code, so they can make informed choices and produce better code without giving up any productivity and portability benefits.
Visual Basic 2005 Express
(December)
A true guide for beginners, Now Playing: Visual Basic 2005 Express starts off with a short primer on how programming works, regardless of the programming language used. Once readers understand the general principles behind computer programming, the book then teaches readers how to use the Visual Basic Express program itself and how to write programs using the Visual Basic language.
Nagios
(December) Nagios: System and Network Monitoring shows how to configure and use Nagios, an open source system and network monitoring tool. Nagios makes it possible to continuously monitor network services (SMTP, POP3, HTTP, NNTP, PING, etc.), host resources (processor load, disk and memory usage, running processes, log files, etc.), and environmental factors (such as temperature). When Nagios detects a problem, it communicates the information to the sys admin via email, pager, SMS, or other user-defined method.
The Book of Visual Basic 2005
(December) Book of Visual Basic 2005 is a comprehensive introduction to Microsoft's newest programming language, Visual Basic 2005, the next iteration of Visual Basic. A complete revision to the highly-acclaimed Book of VB .NET, the book is organized as a series of lightning tours and real-world examples that show developers the VB 2005 way of doing things. Perfect for old-school Visual Basic developers who haven't made the jump to .NET.
Cult of iPod
(November)
Wired News editor Leander Kahney follows up his bestselling The Cult of Mac with The Cult of iPod, a comprehensive look at how Apple's hit iPod is changing music, culture, and listening behavior. The Cult of iPod includes the exclusive back story of the iPod's development; looks at the many ways iPod's users pay homage to their devices; and investigates the quirkier aspects of iPod culture, such as iPod-jacking (strangers plugging into each other's iPods to discover new music) as well as the growing legions of MP3Js (regular folks who use their iPods to become DJs). 4-color throughout.
Just Say No To Microsoft
(November) Just Say No to Microsoft begins by tracing Microsoft's rise from tiny startup to monopolistic juggernaut and explains how the company's practices have discouraged innovation, stunted competition, and helped foster an environment ripe for viruses, bugs and hackers. Readers learn how they can dump Microsoft products and continue to be productive. Includes full explanations of alternate operating systems, such as Linux and Mac, and outlines various software applications that can replace the familiar Microsoft products.
Wicked Cool Java
Wicked Cool Java contains 101 fun, interesting, and useful ways to get more out of Java. This isn't intended as a Java tutorial--it's targeted at developers and system architects who have some basic Java knowledge but may not be familiar with the wide range of libraries available. Full of example code and ideas for combining them in useful projects, this book is perfect for hobbyists, and professionals will find tips and open-source projects to enhance their code and make their jobs easier.
