additional explanation would make the book even more valuable and reduce the need to reference other networking and server books to get a basic background. In those cases where there is a call for more detail than "should" be provided in this particular book, quite possibly such as my DNS example above, the book should provide a weblink or two or recommended reading suggestions for more information. Perhaps it's a matter of focus and the book should choose to either be oriented to beginners and provide them with enough information to enlighten them or else tell them where to find foundation references first, a set of prerequisites say, and then concentrate on a more experienced audience.
A couple of final thoughts includes a caveat that the structure seems a bit disorganized, with some key topics being put off. For example, security is pushed to the end of the book, as many other books do as well, although at least parts of the chapter would be useful closer to the front, such as the creation of private keys, which is relevant to securing Web services, sending and receiving email, etc. Another suggestion for a future edition would be the inclusion of a flowchart of the key tasks that you need to do when setting up a new server from scratch. The book gives good advice in this regard, but it's all text-based. A graphic to lead off the Intro or first chapter as a jumping off point would be great.
Overall, I did find the book very helpful, but more as a reference tool than a learning guide. If that's what you're after then look no further, but otherwise be prepared to do some additional reading - of course, it's unrealistic to expect one book to do it all anyway. I am looking forward to O'Reilly's soon-to-be-released Essential Mac OS X Server Administration book.
NB. I accessed the book via safari.oreilly.com - an excellent service I might add (if you're not the type of person who needs to feel the paper).
Content good, but too late and disorganized........2005-02-25
The book is not bad, but it only handles "simple" stuff, if I dare call any computer administration simple.
People entering server administration should, first off, be those that are already considered power users or geeks by the majority of their coworkers. Such a person will already know the truly simple stuff, have acquired bits and pieces of more advanced knowledge, but need considerable direction on the concepts and issues of server administration. On this latter point the book is, unfortunately, far too sketchy, and some things are, I feel, a bit too sketchy for this sort of audience.
I should point out, too, that the famed Macintosh ease of use is here somewhat of a hindrance. I.e., the Xserve and Mac OS X Server setup is deceptively easy, to the point that bad setups are easy to do. Was Unix administration always intentionally hard, in order to "idiot-proof" it? One has to wonder... Given this problem, the book screams out for an introductory chapter on what issues there are in setting up a server, what possible solutions are, what the implications pro and con of each of these choices are, what setups are prerequisites for others, and so forth. The wet-behind-the-ears administrator could then create a flowchart of needed tasks, which this proposed introductory chapter could then reference for details.
Furthermore, the book's organization leaves much to be desired. I should think that security issues should be set up first, not relegated to a late chapter as in this book. DNS is handled in Chapter 3 I believe, yet there are items with dependencies on DNS that are described in earlier chapters. It would make sense to describe setting up user templates before users are actually set up.
For my part, I've already read the book twice and am now proceeding with my 3rd read-through, taking notes as I'm going as to what I need to do and in what order. I'm also taking notes on the files that will be modified as I'm doing this, so that I can take care to back up their original versions. This kind of information is thankfully in the book but unfortunately not stated up front in each section. This (i.e. "read the book through before starting any work") should appear as an instruction in the first chapter.
As to detail, one example relevant to our own situation (and likely many others') should suffice. Having already set up a web site, we wanted to set up the Xserve so that web requests go to the off-site web service while email is sent to the Xserve. The basics can be accomplished with Apple's GUI tools, but the details have to be done by hand in the text-based configuration files. Granted, books can be bought on DNS and BIND; but I don't really want or need a library of 10-12 books on all aspects of Unix administration.
One Great Book!.......2005-02-22
After reading through this book, I had no trouble at all setting up a small office server with mail & web services. Schoun Regan has written a book that is easy to read and easy to follow. I hope that an update to this book is written right after Tiger is released.
Amazon.com
Vincent Ettrich is in a tight spot. He has died and been brought back to life to help save his unborn son from evil and chaotic forces who want to prevent this son from becoming the savior of the universe. Sound bizarre? Welcome to the surreal and metaphysically massive novel White Apples by Jonathan Carroll.
Following up the equally strange but widely acclaimed The Wooden Sea, Carroll paints on an even wider canvas with White Apples. In Carroll's world, humans are key threads in a giant tapestry that is being woven as life is lived. But there are dark forces at work who don't want the weaving to continue as is and Ettrich, his beloved Isabelle, and their sentient fetus find themselves standing in the way. Their struggles to merely understand what is happening to them and to stand tall in the very face of darkness makes for a humorous, touching, and thrilling tale with, as is expected, a big bang of an ending. But the most marvelous aspect of the novel is not its far-reaching, mind-blowing metaphysics. It's the wonderfully tragic love story of Vincent and Isabelle that keeps this flight of fancy grounded and beautifully human. --Jeremy Pugh
Book Description
Jonathan Carrolls The Wooden Sea was an event. A New York Times Notable Book, it was also selected as a Best Book of the Year by the San Francisco Chronicle.Now Carroll returns with a captivating tale of life, death, and the realm between. Vincent Ettrich, a genial philanderer, discovers that he has died and come back to life, but he has no idea why, or what the experience was like. Pushed and prodded by peculiar omens and personalities, he gradually learns that he was brought back by his one true love, Isabelle, because she is pregnant with their childa child who, if raised correctly, will play a crucial role in saving the cosmic mosaic that is the universe.But to be brought up right, he must be educated by his father. Specifically, he must be taught what Ettrich learned on the other sideif only Ettrich can remember it!
Customer Reviews:
I actually agree with all the bad things people said about it.......2007-05-17
but I loved it and couldn't stop reading it. I reread it all the time.
White Apples and Toast.......2007-02-12
I am biased. Jonathan Caroll is one of my favorite writers. It doesn't matter if I'm reading one of his best or least novels. His exploration of the metaphysical within a physical world that is easily recognizable consistently captivates me. In the interface we inhabit, between fundamental spiritual visions suited to a global village, Carroll's bit of adult magic is welcome. I've read all his novels, even Child Across The Sky, which I had to order from England. I cannot find a reasonably priced used copy of his short story collection Painted Hand, or his novella, Black Cocktail, or an odd piece called The Heidelberg Cylinder. Nonetheless, I toast what I can get my hands on.
Chaos no excuse for poor writing.......2006-08-09
When I finish reading a truly terrible book (a rarity), I am usually able say to myself: "Well, at least I learned SOMETHING." But this book held absolutely nothing for me.
White Apples was recommended to me because I enjoy atypical, offbeat books. In addition, I had read Jonathan Carroll's praise for M. John Harrison's Light in my copy of that exemplary novel.
Now don't get me wrong: Carroll is a clever observer of the human scene (though too often he DESCRIBES when he should SHOW). He knows how to make believable characters, and about a quarter of the way through White Apples I had a good feeling about the book's direction. At a certain point, however, things become incomprehensible. Others contend that things shouldn't make sense because the White Apples universe is being affected by Chaos, and the focal point is Vincent and Isabelle's true love, which conquers all.
But the layers of plot that support the love story are distracting and untenable under any scrutiny, and so the decent heart-tugger this could have been quickly becomes a headache.
The concept of the "Eef," for example, was interesting. . . but it felt forced and unbelievable that a certain character was the embodiment of this "Eef" because this character had felt like a personality in his own right up to that point. Why this character was "stuck" in a hospital was also never adequately explained. And more questions remain. How does a certain female character return to life after being horribly killed by the forces of chaos? And why is this the last time she will see Vincent? Why is every scene involving action or violence so painful to follow? Why are many concepts such as the life-force of "numen" introduced and then never used again? Why does the extent of Anjo's power seem to fluctuate whenever it is convenient?
I could go on ad nauseum. It is my opinion that this book is a disorganized mess that uses the concept of chaos as an expedient cover for poor writing.
I hope I helped someone by posting this.
Except the animals at the zoo.......2006-01-14
The story is merely a vehicle for ideas which don't hold up to analysis. Although the style is fine, nothing is very interesting.
An absolutely terrible book........2005-03-29
"White Apples" by Jonathan Carroll is easily one of the worst books I have ever read. I honestly don't even know where to begin in a critique of the book. It has massive craft issues - the rhythm of the book is off; the author does far, far too much telling instead of showing; there is literally no climax or denouement...ugh. Virtually all of the ideas the book is trying to get across are uninteresting and expressed poorly. The book never goes anywhere.
Don't take my word for it. Here are a few brilliant lines from Carroll's novel:
-Carroll goes to great lengths in one chapter to let us know that one character has issues with people touching her nose. The whole book is like this; scenes are set up with excessive exposition to justify the actions of the characters and the stilted dialogue. In this particular instance, we can thank the long explanations of the nose issue for another character grabbing her by the nose, just so the offending character can use the pun "Nose hard feelings, okay?" I know you think I'm making this up. I'm not.
-"It was truly unnerving to see this middle-aged man telling his father how much he loved him in the voice of a little boy." This illustrates several of the book's craft problems: the amateurish 'telling' that persists throughout, as well as its phrasing and word choice issues. There is nobody in the scene to "see" what is happening here. This sentence isn't from the point of view of any character in the story. It's a "take it from me, it's creepy" wink from the third-person voice, and it happens...all..the...time...in White Apples.
-There is a little bit of action in the semi-climax in the last five or so pages of the book. How does Carroll illustrate the action? With lovely sentences like "Kick kick kick." Again...not making this stuff up.
What's really funny about all this is that the current edition of White Apples has a Readers' Group Guide in the back. I can't imagine anybody wanting to discuss this book in a group...maybe it would be useful to a Writers' Group to talk about all the things that can possibly go wrong in a novel.
When you're reading a book you are tempted to give up on right up to the very last page, you know you have a bad book in your hands. This is a book that should never have been published in this state, and it stands as a testament to the problems in our publishing system today: established writers are put into print without any editing whatsoever from the publishing company. It sure shows here. White Apples is poison for the avid reader. Avoid it at all costs.
Average customer rating:
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Wet Apples, White Blood (Hugh MacLennan Poetry)
Naomi Guttman
Manufacturer: McGill-Queen's University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Single Authors | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | British & Irish | Continental European | United States
ASIN: 0773532455 |
Book Description
Galactopoesis is the medical term for the continued secretion and production of milk. It derives from the Greek radicals for 'milk' (galacto) and 'making' (poesis), which is also 'poetry.' In Wet Apples, White Blood, nursing, as a constant creative act dependent on the baby’s demand, is a trope for the creative process and for questions of biology, psychology, and spirituality.
Product Description
High-quality stickers for different keyboards Desktop, Laptop and Notebook such as: Sony, Toshiba, HP, Dell, Compaq, Panasonic, Acer, Gateway, Sharp, eMachines, Ashton Digital's Passport, Averatec, Systemax, IBM, Lenovo, NEC, Alienware, AST, Asus, Samsung, Cybertron, Apple, Macintosh Computers, Power Mac, Apple iBook, Apple PowerBook, Apple iMac etc. The Korean Alphabet is spread onto transparent - matt sticker, with white color lettering which are suitable for all light keyboards. Stickers are made of high-quality transparent - matt vinyl, thickness - 80mkn, typographical method. Applying stickers on you keyboard properly once, and you can be aware that letters will stay for ever. Transparency and matt hue of the stickers is suitable for all kind of keyboards in spite of their color. It guarantees complete absence of glare under different angels of lighting. Clear transparent background makes stickers invisible, and allows existing characters to show through. You do not have to think how to apply Stickers. You'll know it intuitively. English letters located underneath each sticker - will accurately indicate buttons on with you will apply corresponding stickers. Applying possess doesn't take more than 10-15min. And you can immediately enjoy your brand-new Korean-English keyboard when making contacts with your relatives, friends and acquaintances. What you're offered now is high-quality stickers, intended to simplify you work and enjoy it while doing it on computer. OUR MOTTO IS - QUALITY!
Book Description
Tor Classics are affordably-priced editions designed to attract the young reader. Original dynamic cover art enthusiastically represents the excitement of each story. Appropriate "reader friendly" type sizes have been chosen for each title-offering clear, accurate, and readable text. All editions are complete and unabridged, and feature Introductions and Afterwords.This edition of White Fang includes a Foreword, Biographical Note, and Afterword by Dwight V. Swain.He was three quarters wolf and all fury. Born in a cave, in famine, in the frozen arctic. Born in a world where the weak died without mercy, where only the swift, the strong, the cunning saw each dawn. It was White Fang's world--until he and his mother were captured by the man-gods.But men and their dogs taught White Fang to hate. He was beaten, abused, attacked. He was bought, sold, tortured, trained to kill in blood sports. Knowing no kindness, he became a mad, lethal, creature of pure rage.Only one man saw White Fang's intelligence and nobility. Only one had the courage to offer the killer a new life. But can a wolf understand the word "hope"? Can a creature of hatred understand the word "love"?
Download Description
In the desolate, frozen wilds of northwest Canada, a wolf cub soon finds himself the sole survivor of his litter. Son of Kiche -- half-wolf, half-dog -- and the ageing wolf One Eye, he is thrust into a savage world where each day becomes a fight to stay alive.
Customer Reviews:
Only the best book of all time [IMO].......2007-09-04
I picked up this book in the 6th grade for an English class assignment. I didn't even finish it the first time I tried to go through it. I was bored with it as I usually am with books I am made to read. However, a year or two later I was back at the challenge. I feel guilty about leaving books unfinished, and since wolves are by far my favorite animal I needed to give this book another shot. Since then I've read this book about 6 times and can tell you all about the events and characters, the struggles, and the ending. It's become my favorite book with no close rivals, as Jack London has become my favorite author. It's excellently written, descriptive, with a wonderful story of the hardships and trials of one wolf-dog's life in the far North.
Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
White Fang is a pup born a hybrid, part wolf and part dog. The other dogs, therefore, are not big fans of his. He ends up a tough super-dog as a result, and as such, attracts the attention of dog fighters, and keeps winning until he is rescused from a fight.
He ends up helping out his new owners, and getting to relax and enjoy his golden years.
White Fang.......2007-08-28
I read about half this book put it down and didn't want to finish it so I didn't. It is the most boring book in the world.
white fang.......2007-08-25
what a great story..............it has held up for 100 years.............it is as fresh as today!
Book vs. Movie.......2007-07-28
My eldest son read this for school last year, and we decided to check out the movie. After watching the movie, he couldn't remember what parts were accurate or less than so, and I wondered. So I read (re-read, if you want to count my first read x decades ago) it last night.
The book and the movie, I decided, barely know each other. They may have met in a bar one night, somewhere in the Yukon, and shared a drink or two. The movie is a fun, upbeat adventure story. The book talks a lot about gods, and how mankind are gods to the dogs. It's an old book, two years younger than the boat I'll be eating dinner on tomorrow night, and it most certainly carries many of the prejudices of the time.
But that is what it should do - it was not written for today, and it should not be sanitized, nor should some of those attitudes be idolized. Figuring out which parts can be learned from, and, more importantly, how they should be learned from, is the key.
Product Description
High-quality stickers for different keyboards Desktop, Laptop and Notebook such as: Sony, Toshiba, HP, Dell, Compaq, Panasonic, Acer, Gateway, Sharp, eMachines, Ashton Digital's Passport, Averatec, Systemax, IBM, Lenovo, NEC, Alienware, AST, Asus, Samsung, Cybertron, Apple, Macintosh Computers, Power Mac, Apple iBook, Apple PowerBook, Apple iMac ... etc. Stickers are made of high-quality non-transparent white background - matt vinyl, thickness - 80mkn, typographical method. Applying stickers on you keyboard properly once, and you can be aware that letters will stay for ever. You do not have to think how to apply Stickers. You'll know it intuitively. Applying possess doesn't take more than 10-15min. And you can immediately enjoy your brand-new Korean-English keyboard when making contacts with your relatives, friends and acquaintances. What you're offered now is high-quality stickers, intended to simplify you work and enjoy it while doing it on computer. OUR MOTTO IS - QUALITY!
Product Description
High-quality stickers for different keyboards Desktop, Laptop and Notebook such as: Sony, Toshiba, HP, Dell, Compaq, Panasonic, Acer, Gateway, Sharp, eMachines, Ashton Digital's Passport, Averatec, Systemax, IBM, Lenovo, NEC, Alienware, AST, Asus, Samsung, Cybertron, Apple, Macintosh Computers, Power Mac, Apple iBook, Apple PowerBook, Apple iMac ... etc.The English US Alphabet is spread onto non-transparent - matt sticker, with one of the following colours black which are suitable for all kind of keyboards.Stickers are made of high-quality non-transparent black - matt vinyl, thickness - 80mkn, typographical method.Applying stickers on you keyboard properly once, and you can be aware that letters will stay for ever.Matt hue of the stickers guarantees complete absence of glare under different angels of lighting.You do not have to think how to apply Stickers. You'll know it intuitively. English letters located underneath each sticker - will accurately indicate buttons on with you will apply corresponding stickers. Applying possess doesn't take more than 10-15min. And you can immediately enjoy your brand-new English US keyboard when making contacts with your relatives, friends and acquaintances. What you're offered now is high-quality stickers, intended to simplify you work and enjoy it while doing it on computer.OUR MOTTO IS - QUALITY!
Average customer rating:
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101 Apple Computer Programming Tips and Tricks
Fred White
Manufacturer: A R Csoft Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
PCs | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
General | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0866680152 |
Books:
- Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner
- World Without End
- A Living Architecture: Frank Lloyd Wright and Taliesin Architects
- A Sword for a Dragon (Bazil Broketail)
- After Dark
- America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It
- Arthur and George
- Asterix and the Laurel Wreath (Asterix)
- Astronomy Today (5th Edition)
- Blizzard of the Blue Moon (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Wayward Muse
- Rocket Propulsion Elements, 7th Edition
- Conversations with Picasso
- Fuel-Injected Dreams: A Novel
- Life: A Journey Through Time
- Laboratory Exercises in Microbiology
- My Dog Skip
- He Looks Too Happy to Be an Assistant Professor: A Collection of Cartoons
- John Burroughs' America: Selections from the Writings of the Naturalist
- "From the Streets of Chicago, to the Jungles of Vietnam"
The Best Day the Worst Day: Life with Jane Kenyon
Collected Poems
Without: Poems
Life Work
Thirst: Poems
