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.
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.
Just Say No To Microsoft
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.
Cult of iPod
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.
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.
Upcoming Titles
The Art of RAW Conversion
(April)
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.
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.
Hacking the Cable Modem
(April)
When freed from restrictions set by service providers, cable modems can be tricked out to reach unbelievably fast speeds. Hacking the Cable Modem shows readers how cable modems work, and how to bypass security, install firmware updates, customize cable modems, increase upload and download speeds, unlock hidden features and more. Detailed illustrations and easily understandable terminology show how to modify actual devices.
How the Microprocessor Works
(April) How the Microprocessor Works explains how microprocessors operate - what they do, and how they do it. Written by the co-founder of the highly respected Ars Technica site, the book begins with the fundamentals of computing, defining what a computer is and using analogies, numerous 4-color diagrams, and clear explanations to communicate the concepts that form the basis of modern computing. After discussing computers in the abstract, the book goes on to cover specific microprocessors, discussing in detail how they work and how they differ.
Steal This Computer Book 4.0, Fourth Edition
(April)
This offbeat, non-technical book examines what hackers do, how they do it, and how readers can protect themselves. Informative, irreverent, and entertaining, the completely revised fourth edition of Steal This Computer Book contains new chapters discuss the hacker mentality, lock picking, exploiting P2P file sharing networks, and how people manipulate search engines and pop-up ads. Includes a CD with hundreds of megabytes of hacking and security-related programs that tie-in to each chapter in the book.
Hacking OpenOffice.org
(March) Wicked Cool OpenOffice.org shows you how to get the most out the OpenOffice.org program suite, without spending time on obvious basics that you can easily deduce on your own. Rather than covering every aspect of OpenOffice.org, author Bruce Byfield focuses on the essentials and the tasks that are most likely to be puzzling or frustrating.
Shell Script Pearls
(March) Shell Script Pearls is a collection of useful shell scripts that solve problems and help Unix and Linux users customize their computing envirnnment. Each section contains a script, an explanation of how it works, and ideas for customizing it. The book also describes various other scripting techniques, so users can round out their knowledge of shell scripts. Perfect for command line users who want to improve their scripting without trudging through the exhaustive detail of a how-to book.
Wicked Cool PHP
(March) Wicked Cool PHP provides PHP scripts that can be implemented immediately to make programmers' lives easier, including scripts for processing credit cards, getting live shipping quotes, and accepting PayPal payments online. Author William Steinmetz approaches the limitations of PHP frankly and honestly, showing readers where security holes might be created by novice programmers and suggesting workarounds for when PHP fails.
The Book of Python
(March) The Book of Python begins with a discussion of Python's programming environment, then moves on to more advanced topics, including object oriented programming, interacting with operating systems, creating GUIs and database interfaces, network programming, XML, web programming, and much more. To aid programmers in their daily use of this book, functions and modules are cross-referenced throughout and multiple examples illustrate how to use Python.
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.
Write Great Code, Volume 2
(February)
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.
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.
Nagios
(February) 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.
PGP & GPG:
(February) PGP & GPG is an easy-to read, informal tutorial for implementing electronic privacy on the cheap using the standard tools of the email privacy field - commercial PGP and non-commercial GnuPG (GPG). The book shows how to integrate these OpenPGP implementations into the most common email clients and how to use PGP and GPG in daily email correspondence to both send and receive encrypted email.
Object Oriented PHP
(February) Object Oriented PHP shows developers how to take advantage of the new object oriented features of PHP. The author's practical approach uses numerous code examples, which will help developers get up to speed with object oriented PHP quickly, and show them how to apply what they learn to everyday situations. All code samples are available for download on the book's companion site.
It's Never Done That Before
(February) It's Never Done That Before is a guide to Windows XP troubleshooting techniques, solving the most common problems in Windows XP, and finding and fixing more obscure ones. The book provides pointers to explanations of BIOS beep codes and blue screen errors, instructions for using the troubleshooting tools supplied with Windows XP such as Safe Mode and the Recovery Console, and advice for dealing with device drivers, the ROM BIOS, and the Windows Registry.
The eBay Price Guide
(January)
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.
The Book of Visual Basic 2005
(January) 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.
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.
