Matthew MacDonald

Silverlight 4 is Microsoft's cross-browser technology for creating rich user experiences on the Web. Like its predecessor, Silverlight 3, it rides atop the . NET framework for maximum ease of use and coding efficiency. The new technology carries forward much of the work that has been done before and augments it in many important respects, including support for H.264 video, major improvements to the graphics engine (including true 3D rendering), and much richer data-binding options for interfacing with other applications. Pro Silverlight 4 in C# is an invaluable reference for professional developers wanting to discover the features of Silverlight 4. Author Matthew MacDonald's expert advice guides you through creating rich media applications using Silverlight in the environment you're most productive in—no matter what the target platform. As you learn about the features that put Silverlight in direct competition with Adobe Flash, such as rich support for 2D and 3D drawing, animations, and media playback, you'll experience the plumbing of . NET and the design model of WPF through Silverlight—all of the same . NET technology that developers use to design next-generation Windows applications. Matthew MacDonald provides a comprehensive tutorial written from professional developer to professional developer, complete with full-color graphics and screenshots.

The most up-to-date and comprehensive introductory ASP. NET book you’ll find on any shelf, Beginning ASP. NET 4 in VB 2010 guides you through Microsoft’s latest technology for building dynamic web sites. This book will enable you to build dynamic web pages on the fly, and assumes only the most basic knowledge of Visual Basic. The book provides exhaustive coverage of ASP. NET, guiding you from your first steps right up to the most advanced techniques, such as querying databases from within a web page and tuning your site for optimal performance. Within these pages, you’ll find tips for best practices and comprehensive discussions of key database and XML principles you need to know in order to be effective with ASP. NET. The book also emphasizes the invaluable coding techniques of object orientation and code-behind, which will start you off on the track to building real-world web sites right from the beginning—rather than just faking it with simplified coding practices. By the time you’ve finished the book, you will have mastered the core techniques and have all the knowledge you need to begin work as a professional ASP. NET developer.

The most up-to-date and comprehensive introductory ASP. NET book you’ll find on any shelf, Beginning ASP. NET 4 in C# 2010 guides you through Microsoft’s latest technology for building dynamic web sites. Learn how to build sophisticated web pages quickly and easily using the most powerful tools available. Starting with the basics, this book provides exhaustive coverage of ASP. NET, guiding you from your first steps right through to advanced techniques - such as making database queries from within a web page, tuning your website for optimal performance and deploying your website to production servers. Within these pages, you’ll find tips for best practices and comprehensive discussions of key database and XML principles you need to know in order to be effective with ASP. NET. The book also fully explains the crucial coding techniques of object-orientation and code-behind on which your future as a successful ASP. NET developer relies.

Fast-paced and easy to use, this guide shows you how to get the most out of Excel 2010 - everything from building your first spreadsheet to working with Pivot tables. You'll learn how to develop a spreadsheet from scratch, create formulas, add data, and analyze and graph data so you can make informed business decisions. With clear jargon-free explanations, step-by-step instructions, tons of illustrations, and lots of undocumented workarounds, tips, and shortcuts, you'll get hands-on guided tours and explanations of Excel's new features, including: the Excel Web App - for the first time, Excel lets you view, edit, and share your worksheets in a web browser; sparklines - these miniature graphs are the hottest innovation in data display since the pie chart - they're ideal for viewing trends and summaries at a glance; backstage view - now Excel has a single go-to place for managing files, such as opening an existing spreadsheet, creating a new one, printing, or setting options; and, slicers - Excel's pivot tables are powerful but complicated - slicers give you a visual way to slice and dice pivot table data so you can see details that interest you most.

Mastering the development of . NET 4.0 applications in C# is less about knowing the Visual C# 2010 language and more about knowing how to use the functionality of the . NET framework class library most effectively. Visual C# 2010 Recipes explores the breadth of the . NET Framework class library and provides specific solutions to common and interesting programming problems. Each recipe is presented in a succinct problem/solution format and is accompanied by a working code sample to help you understand the concept and quickly apply it. When you are facing a Visual C# 2010 problem, this book likely contains a recipe providing the solution—or at least points you in the right direction. Even if you are simply looking to broaden your knowledge of the . NET framework class library, Visual C# 2010 Recipes is the perfect resource to assist you. This is an updated reference for . NET 4.0 programmers. All code samples come as stand-alone Visual Studio 2010 solutions for your convenience.

Silverlight is a lightweight browser plug–in that frees your code from the traditional confines of the browser. It's a rules–changing, groundbreaking technology that allows you to run rich client applications right inside the browser. Even more impressively, it's able to host true . NET applications in non–Microsoft browsers (like Firefox) and on non–Microsoft platforms (like Mac OS X). Silverlight is still new and evolving fast, and you need a reliable guidebook to make sense of it. With four–color graphics and screenshots throughout, Pro Silverlight 2 in VB 2008 is the perfect reference: you'll learn about the features that put Silverlight in direct competition with Adobe Flash, such as rich support for 2D drawing, animations, and media playback, and best of all, you'll experience the plumbing of . NET and the design model of Windows Presentation Foundation through Silverlight—all of the same . NET technology that developers use to design next–generation Windows applications. Author Matthew MacDonald provides an expertly crafted tutorial written from professional developer to professional developer. You'll learn to create rich media applications using Silverlight in the environment you're most productive in–no matter what the target platform.

Silverlight is a lightweight browser plug–in that frees your code from the traditional confines of the browser. It's a rules–changing, groundbreaking technology that allows you to run rich client applications right inside the browser. Even more impressively, it's able to host true . NET applications in non–Microsoft browsers (like Firefox) and on non–Microsoft platforms (like Mac OS X). Silverlight is still evolving fast, and you need a reliable guidebook to make sense of it. With four–color graphics and screenshots throughout, Pro Silverlight 2 in C# 2008 is the perfect reference: you'll learn about the features that put Silverlight in direct competition with Adobe Flash, such as rich support for 2D drawing, animations, and media playback, and best of all, you'll experience the plumbing of . NET and the design model of WPF through Silverlight—all of the same . NET technology that developers use to design next–generation Windows applications. Author Matthew MacDonald provides an expertly crafted tutorial, written from professional developer to professional developer. You'll learn to create rich media applications using Silverlight in the environment you're most productive in, no matter what the target platform.

Silverlight is a lightweight browser plug–in that frees your code from the traditional confines of the browser. It is a rules–changing, groundbreaking technology that allows you to run rich client applications right inside the browser. Even more impressively, it is able to host true . NET applications in non–Microsoft browsers (like Firefox) and on non–Microsoft platforms (like Mac OS X). Silverlight is evolving fast, and you need a reliable guidebook to make sense of it.

Puzzles and brain twisters to keep your mind sharp and your memory intact are all the rage today. More and more people - baby Boomers and information workers in particular - are becoming concerned about their gray matter's ability to function, and with good reason. As this sensible and entertaining guide points out, your brain is easily your most important possession. It deserves proper upkeep. "Your Brain: The Missing Manual" is a practical look at how to get the most out of your brain - not just how the brain works, but how you can use it more effectively. What makes this book different than the average self-help guide is that it's grounded in current neuroscience. You get a quick tour of several aspects of the brain, complete with useful advice about: Brain Food - the right fuel for the brain and how the brain commands hunger (including an explanation of the different chemicals that control appetite and cravings); Sleep - the sleep cycle and circadian rhythm, and how to get a good night's sleep (or do the best you can without it); Memory - techniques for improving your recall; Reason - learning to defeat common sense; logical fallacies (including tactics for winning arguments); and good reasons for bad prejudices. Creativity and Problem-Solving - brainstorming tips and thinking not outside the box, but about the box - in other words, find the assumptions that limit your ideas so you can break through them; Understanding Other People's Brains - the battle of the sexes and babies developing brainsLearn about the built-in circuitry that makes office politics seem like a life-or-death struggle, causes you to toss important facts out of your memory if they're not emotionally charged, and encourages you to eat huge amounts of high-calorie snacks. With "Your Brain: The Missing Manual", you'll discover that, sometimes, you can learn to compensate for your brain or work around its limitations - or at least to accept its eccentricities. Exploring your brain is the greatest adventure and biggest mystery you'll ever face. This guide has exactly the advice you need.

Microsoft Windows Presentation Foundation provides the foundation for building applications and high–quality user experiences in Windows Vista. WPF blends application user interface, documents, and media content to provide richer control, design, and development of the visual aspects of Windows programs. Author Matthew MacDonald shows you how WPF really works. His no–nonsense, practical advice will get you building high–quality WPF applications quickly and easily. MacDonald will take you through a thorough investigation of the more advanced aspects of WPF, and its relation to other elements of the WinFX stack and the . NET Framework 3.5, to complete your understanding of WPF and VB 2008. WPF's functionality extends to support for tablet PCs and other forms of input device, and provides a more modern imaging and printing pipeline, accessibility and user interface automation infrastructure, data–driven user interface and visualization, as well as the integration points for weaving the application experience into the Windows shell.

Looks at the features and functions of Windows Presentation Foundation, covering such topics as XAML, creating an application object, content controls, pages and navigation, commands, data binding, and data templates.

Microsoft Silverlight allows you to create rich multimedia interfaces with the power and flexibility of Flash, but with the extensibility and the great tools that . NET offers. With Silverlight and ASP. NET Revealed, you'll learn to use Microsoft's Silverlight technology in conjunction with ASP. NET and Visual Studio 2008 (code name Orcas). You will ultimately incorporate Silverlight into an ASP. NET web site and use the ASP. NET controls that render Silverlight content. You'll get the basics of Silverlight, too, making this book a must–read for any web developer curious about Silverlight.

The most up–to–date and comprehensive introductory ASP. NET book you'll find on any shelf, Beginning ASP. NET 3.5 in VB 2008 guides you through Microsoft's latest technology for building dynamic web sites. This book will enable you to build dynamic web pages on the fly, and it assumes only the most basic knowledge of Visual Basic 2008. The book provides exhaustive coverage of ASP. NET, guiding you from your first steps right up to the most advanced techniques, such as querying databases from within a web page and tuning your site for optimal performance. Within these pages, you'll find tips for “best practices” and comprehensive discussions of key database and XML principles you need to know in order to be effective with ASP. NET. The book also emphasizes the invaluable coding techniques of object orientation and code behind, which will start you off on the track to building real–world web sites right from the beginningrather than just faking it with simplified coding practices. By the time you've finished the book, you will have mastered the core techniques and have all the knowledge you need to begin work as a professional ASP. NET developer.

The most up–to–date and comprehensive introductory ASP. NET book you'll find on any shelf, Beginning ASP. NET 3.5 in C# 2008 guides you through Microsoft's technology for building dynamic web sites. This book will enable you to build dynamic web pages on the fly, and it assumes only the most basic knowledge of C#. The book provides exhaustive coverage of ASP. NET, guiding you from your first steps right up to the most advanced techniques, such as querying databases from within a web page and tuning your site for optimal performance. Within these pages, you'll find tips for “best practices” and comprehensive discussions of key database and XML principles you need to know in order to be effective with ASP. NET. The book also emphasizes the invaluable coding techniques of object orientation and code behind, which will start you off on the track to building real–world web sites right from the beginning—rather than just faking it with simplified coding practices. By the time you've finished the book, you will have mastered the core techniques and have all the knowledge you need to begin work as a professional ASP. NET developer.

Whatever your situation, one thing is certain: you will always know what you want to do, but not necessarily how best to do it. This book has been written to help you through those difficult decisions and is an invaluable companion when tackling a wide range of Visual Basic 2005 problems. Mastering . NET development is as much about understanding the functionality of the . NET Framework as it is about the syntax and grammar of your chosen language. Visual Basic 2005 Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach recognizes this fine balance. This book meets your need for fast, effective solutions to the difficulties you encounter in your coding projects. The recipes have been chosen with professional developers in mind and feature a careful balance of code and text. The code gives you everything you need to solve the problem at hand, while the accompanying text carefully explains how it solves your problem and, more importantly, why it works the way it does.

This fast-paced book teaches you the basics of Access 2007 so you can start using this popular database program right away. You'll learn how to work with Access' most useful features to design databases, maintain them, search for valuable nuggets of information, and build attractive forms for quick-and-easy data entry. The new Access is radically different from previous versions, but with this book, you'll breeze through the new interface and its timesaving features in no time with: Clear explanations Step-by-step instructions Lots of illustrations Larger type Plenty of friendly advice Ideal for small businesses and households, Access runs on PCs and manages large stores information, including numbers, pages of text, and pictures -- everything from a list of family phone numbers to an enormous product catalog. Unfortunately, each new version of the program crammed in yet another set of features -- so many that even the pros don't know where to find them all. Access 2007 breaks the mold: Microsoft changed the user interface by designing a tabbed toolbar that makes features easy to locate. One thing that hasn't improved is Microsoft's documentation. Even if you find the features you need, you still may not know what to do with them. Access 2007 for Starters: The Missing Manual is the perfect primer for small businesses with no techie to turn to, as well as those who want to organize household and office information.

Fast-paced and easy to use, this concise book teaches the basics of Excel 2007 while explaining how to use Excel's new user interface and most important features, utilizing clear explanations, step-by-step instruction, numerous graphics, and tips to help users build spreadsheets, add and format data, create charts and graphics, use basic formulas, and more. Original. (Beginner)

Thoroughly revised to incorporate information on the features of the latest version of the program, a comprehensive guide to Access 2007 helps users become comfortable with the new user interface and tabbed toolbar, as well as learn how to design complete databases, maintain them, write queries, search for data, build attractive forms for quick-and-easy data entry, and more. Original. (All Users)

Offering an updated overview of the latest version of the popular spreadsheet program, an informative manual covers the entire gamut of how to build spreadsheets, add and format information, print reports, create charts and graphics, and use basic formulas and functions, and includes helpful tips and step-by-step instruction in using the new user interface and tabbed toolbar. Original. (All Users)