Computer Book Reviews

Content Rich: Writing Your Way to Wealth on the Web

by Jon Wuebben

Encore Publishing
Hardcover
ISBN# 978-0-9797629-0-1
Suggested Retail Price: $19.95 or as low as $12.53 from Amazon.com!

With this book, Jon Wuebben shows the small business owners how to maximize the potential of their websites by using effective copywriting techniques that are tailored to the World Wide Web. He carefully explains why copywriting for the Web is different than it is for other traditional media with respect to how the search engines operate.

The book thoroughly explains how search engines determine how they rank websites in their search results and the tools you need to effectively market your website. These are lessons that are sorely needed by most small business owners who often treat their websites as little more than vehicles for their traditional print media advertisements. Today, in order to make the investment in a website truly pay off, you need to insure that it will perform well in the search engines. This is the first book I've seen that combines the art of effective copywriting with well-informed search engine optimization and marketing advice. And does so in a manner that most small business owners can easily understand.

Neuroengineering the Future

by Bruce F. Katz

Jones & Bartlett Publishers
Hardcover
ISBN# 978-1-934015-18-6
Suggested Retail Price: $49.95 or as low as $28.83 from Amazon.com!

Dr. Bruce Katz presents an intriguing view of the future of bioengineering that evolve beyond traditional devices that merely enhance hearing and eyesight, or replace limbs to achieve breakthroughs in man-machine connections that will interconnect the human brain with computing devices and networks.

This is no pie-in-the-sky tale. Dr. Katz discusses the current state of the neural technology which is already allowing the brain to interact with devices, and then moves on to discuss the frontiers of this technology that are on the cusp of becoming reality. He lets us imagine the possibilities of what this new era of interconnectivity can bring with firm underpinnings in the true state of this field. It's a fascinating look at what the near future may hold for us all.

The iPod & iTunes Handbook

by Contel Bradford

Atlantic Publishing Company
Paperback
ISBN# 978-1-60138-122-4
Suggested Retail Price: $24.95 or as low as $13.48 from Amazon.com!

The iPod and its online home, iTunes have carved out a place in the history of entertainment and technology. The iPod was certainly revolutionary, bringing digital music to the masses. But as simple as the iPod is to operate on its own, the marriage of the iPod and the personal computer is not always a happy one for consumers. So many people will certainly appreciate this helpful guidebook by Contel Bradford that fills in the gaps in the iPod and iTunes manuals.

The first half of the book is a step-by-step guide for the novice user that takes you through all of the common tasks that an iPod owner needs to master - from downloading tracks from iTunes to ripping CDs. Of course, iPods work with both audio and video files these days, so there's clear instructions on how to work with video as well. One of the best features of this part of the book is the helpful suggestions on creating and managing your playlists. Today's iPods are capable of holding thousands of songs and videos, but unless you know how to organize them, you can easily get lost in the (ahem) shuffle.

The second half of the book takes on more advanced topics like synching your iPod with your iTunes software on your computer and working with special features like the equalizer. The second half of the book also goes on to discuss several handy accessories for your iPod like amplifiers, car chargers, and cases.

The iPod and iTunes are a powerful combination, but they can be challenging for the new user. This book helps you overcome those occasional stumbling blocks and helps you get the most bang for your bucks. It should be one of the first investments that every new iPod owner should make.

The Online Identity Theft Prevention Kit: Stop Scammers, Hackers, and Identity Thieves from Ruining Your Life

by Atlantic Publishing Company

Atlantic Publishing Company (FL)
Paperback
ISBN# 978-1-60138-008-1
Suggested Retail Price: $24.95 or as low as $13.63 from Amazon.com!

The Internet is a dangerous place for the unprepared user. Hardly a day goes by that our Email mailboxes don't contain at least two or three fake messages from major banks warning us that our accounts have a problem that requires our immediate attention. The sad fact is that as obvious as these ploys may seem to most of us, they do work. So you have to be aware of how the crooks operate, and how best to protect yourself from identity theft.

The book spends most of its time detailing the many and varied ways in which a crook can steal your identity, and does an adequate job of laying out the ways in which you can limit your risk. The basic steps break down to a few simple rules: (1) never click on a link in an EMail for your bank account or other site that requires your personal information to be disclosed, (2) always use good anti-virus software on your computer, (3) don't use easily-guessed passwords. This is a good book for older adults and seniors with less computer experience, but most of the information is now second-nature to most of us.

How to Market and Sell Your Art, Music, Photographs, & Handmade Crafts Online

by Lee Rowley

Atlantic Publishing Company
Paperback
ISBN# 978-1-60138-146-0
Suggested Retail Price: $24.95 or as low as $14.82 from Amazon.com!

It seems like everyone is selling something online these days, but when you're just starting out you quickly realize that it's not as easy as it looks. Lee Rowley gives us an in-depth education in creating an effective website for selling your artistic goods. It's a nuts-and-bolts approach with a modest level of technical information that you'll need to absorb. He rightly encourages new website owners of how to make your site better positioned in the search engines so that those masses of buyers will actully find your website.

But beyond the technical information, Mr. Rowley adds a great deal of basic marketing and business sense. He points out services that you can buy to help you overcome some of the technical issues and to help you to create attractive content for your site that will help turn lookers into buyers. He also discusses some of the major software packages that you can buy if you want to do it all yourself. By focusing on websites for selling art, crafts, and music, this book addresses the needs of artists and musicians who are often uncomfortable with computers and does so without being so condescending that the information ends up being to generalized to be of any practical use. Nicely done.