From Hello World to Writing Highly Concurrent Programs
Grant's rating:
 5.0
On Dec 14, 2014 Grant van Staden wrote: A great start to getting to know Go
If you have some programming background and are looking at using Go for real projects, this video series will take you beyond the basic documentation available from the Go Language web site. Along the way the series shows how to use Go to do common programming tasks such as I/O from streams and files, retrieving web content, serving web content, creating JSON messages and interoperation with existing applications written in C. All topics are covered in an introductory way but with sufficient depth such that, after viewing this series, you could certainly write and test some useful applications using Go. Full Review >
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Dive Deep into Views, View Controllers, and Frameworks
Grant's rating:
 4.0
On Nov 23, 2014 Grant van Staden wrote: The quintessential iOS programming reference upgraded for iOS8
It is good to have this well established reference upgraded for iOS8. All the topics from the previous version remain and are updated with iOS8 features. Swift is used for examples instead of Objective-C. There are some topics I would've like to have seen introduced in this edition but it still remains one of the best everyday iOS programming references. Full Review >
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Developing for the Mac and iOS App Stores
Grant's rating:
5.0
On Oct 16, 2014 Grant van Staden wrote: Grand Introduction to Programming with Cocoa using Swift
If you're interested in writing applications for both OSX and iOS, this is a good introduction. It introduces the Swift language and then shows how features of the language are used to do all the normal activities involved in Cocoa development. After reading this book and following its examples, I am more confident to take on some modest real World applications using Swift. Full Review >
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Leveraging the JavaScript Stack
Grant's rating:
5.0
On Aug 27, 2014 Grant van Staden wrote: Great guide to becoming a proficient Express Dev
Each chapter gets you closer and closer to being able to create a production worthy website or web service using NodeJS and Express. What impresses me most about this book is that it explains thoroughly how to use these technologies and perform all the tasks needed in enterprise level web development. Full Review >
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Peer-to-Peer in the Browser
Grant's rating:
4.0
On Jul 17, 2014 Grant van Staden wrote: Good practical introduction to WebRTC
The first chapter is very theoretical but, from the second chapter on, this book takes a very practical approach to learning WebRTC. It is not a book for those new to either JavaScript or networking. All the most important aspects of signals, networks and scripting with respect to WebRTC are covered and it highlights architectural considerations when deciding to use WebRTC in a solution. There are parts of the WebRTC API that are not standardised yet and this book will help you understand those and covers at is and is not accepted by the key browser vendors (IE, FireFox and Google Chrome). Most importantly, the book shows what is possible right-now and that makes it inspiring as well as informative.
Full Review >
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Grant's rating:
4.0
On May 24, 2014 Grant van Staden wrote: A Whistle-Stop Tour of Angular
This video series gives a much friendlier introduction to AngularJS than the documentation available on the AngularJS website and includes examples and exercises to clarify your understanding. It manages to cover a lot but the coverage is very cursory and the short, sharp videos make it feel a bit rushed. Full Review >
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A Beginner's Guide
Grant's rating:
5.0
On May 13, 2014 Grant van Staden wrote:
Full Review >
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Grant's rating:
5.0
On Apr 7, 2014 Grant van Staden wrote:
Full Review >
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Designing and Developing Distributed Web Services
Grant's rating:
5.0
On Jan 16, 2014 Grant van Staden wrote: The complete guide to JAX-RS
If you have a fundamental grasp of Java and want to learn how to build REST services this book and some time is about all you need. It is a thoughtfully constructed guide, taking you from understanding REST through designing REST web services and into ever increasing depth of JAX-RS including deployment. There are two main sections dividing the theory and practical with resources available for download to get you started. I found the pace comfortable and enjoyed the book’s focus on applying JAX-RS to real world scenarios. Full Review >
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Grant's rating:
5.0
On Nov 25, 2013 Grant van Staden wrote: Get to Grips with Daily git
This is an easy way to learn the parts of git used in most common everyday situations. The videos are of good quality and the pace is perfect. This is a series that guides you from getting setup to daily use and let’s you in on more advanced topics and how git works along the way. Full Review >
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The Simple Way to Make Technology See
Grant's rating:
5.0
On Oct 31, 2013 Grant van Staden wrote: A Good Guide to Beginning Computer Vision Programming
Admittedly, I am a novice to Computer Vision and picked-up this book in the hope that it would add something to the comprehensive online documentation available for SimpleCV. This book does exactly that and also provides some ideas of the projects you can undertake with this easy to use library. Full Review >
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Grant's rating:
3.0
On Sep 13, 2013 Grant van Staden wrote: JavaScript Fundamentals
This series is a bit outdated but still contains solid advice that every proficient JavaScript programmer should know. There’s some coding but the series is primarily theoretical with a lot of historical context. Essentially this collection is a remastering of video talks from Douglas Crockford available at YUI Theater and on youtube. Full Review >
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A Bestselling Hands-On Java Tutorial
Grant's rating:
3.0
On Aug 8, 2013 Grant van Staden wrote: Java for established programmers
This book is most suited to those who know some Java but want to progress their knowledge to its broader use or those moving to Java from another language. I don’t think it’s a good book for new programmers. Full Review >
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A Cookbook for Hackers, Forensic Analysts, Penetration Testers and Security Engineers
Grant's rating:
4.0
On Jun 25, 2013 Grant van Staden wrote: A Practical introduction to security using python
This is a great book for those wanting a bit more context surrounding security and forensic analysis or those curious about how attacks are constructed. Each chapter is capable of being read on its own so you can cherry-pick subjects that interest you. As can be expected, it’s full of Python code which provides useful and fun examples. Full Review >
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Grant's rating:
4.0
On May 26, 2013 Grant van Staden wrote: A Primer for IOS 6 Programming
This book has created a definitive primer for IOS programming but beware, like most primers, it can be a rather dry read with few code examples. It is truly extensive, structured for use as a reference and full of good tips gleaned from the author’s extensive experience. Full Review >
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Grant's rating:
4.0
On Mar 21, 2013 Grant van Staden wrote: A Comprehensive Resource for HTML5 Windows 8 Programming
JavaScript has been given 1st class access to the Windows API in Windows 8 but this book teaches you the different approach needed and, more importantly, what is available from the API for you to use.
Full Review >
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Build & Run Scalable Web Applications on Google's Infrastructure
Grant's rating:
3.0
On Dec 29, 2012 Grant van Staden wrote: Introductory GAE for Python and Java Programmers
When designing and implementing solutions hosted by a cloud platform, one needs to understand the technical abilities of platform, how billing works and how to operate the production environment. This book covers all of these fundamentals of Google App Engine (GAE) to varying degrees of satisfaction. Full Review >
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Grant's rating:
5.0
On Nov 14, 2012 Grant van Staden wrote: Fundamental Principles for Cloud-Native Architecture
This book is a wonderful explanation of the fundamental principles that should drive architectures for Cloud-Native solutions. I enjoyed its structure and that patterns are presented in a platform agnostic way focused on pure architectural concerns. Full Review >
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Grant's rating:
2.0
On Oct 8, 2012 Grant van Staden wrote: An Introduction to Common Machine Learning Practice
The title of this video series promised so much but I'm slightly disappointed.Though many topics are covered, the detail of how each technique works is not conveyed to the extent that you will learn how to implement them. Presentation of the material is a bit awkward but you do get a clear idea of what techniques are available and when to use them. Full Review >
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Building 3D Graphics for the Web
Grant's rating:
4.0
On Sep 23, 2012 Grant van Staden wrote: Get Started with WebGL Without Being an Expert
his book provides good techniques for building pages that include 3D content by using WebGL It’s not an in-depth study of WebGL but a good guide to getting started. Using the examples provided, you learn to achieve compelling results quickly. Full Review >
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Tools and algorithms for analyzing images
Grant's rating:
4.0
On Sep 2, 2012 Grant van Staden wrote: Broad Coverage of Computer Vision
This book takes a broad definition of what Computer Vision is. This allows it to explore a range of topics involving the use images and data derived from images in programs. Although some friendly introduction is provided, those with less experience in this area will have to keep their favourite search engine at hand. Nonetheless, there is a lot to gain from time spent reading this book. Full Review >
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Grant's rating:
5.0
On Aug 13, 2012 Grant van Staden wrote: Short, Friendly Introduction to PostgreSQL
It's short and powerful introduction to PostgreSQL's core features and approach. Many useful links to PostgreSQL resources are included. This book was enjoyable to read and perfect for getting me up-to-speed with PostgreSQL. Full Review >
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Problems and Solutions for Android Developers
Grant's rating:
5.0
On Jul 19, 2012 Grant van Staden wrote: Practical Android Reference
This book has the answers to almost any Android Development problem you can think of. The recipes were collected from the Android community and I think that’s probably why they are so relevant and practical. They also cover writing Android applications for tablets and phones, not just phones as many other books do. Full Review >
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Querying, Changing, and Validating Your Data with Entity Framework
Grant's rating:
5.0
On Jun 10, 2012 Grant van Staden wrote: The Book on DbContext
bContext is covered in extreme detail in this book. The pace is gradual but you will really know how to use DbContext after reading this. Full Review >
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Complexity Science and Computational Modeling
Grant's rating:
3.0
On Apr 30, 2012 Grant van Staden wrote: A Textbook of Fundamental Topics
This was a difficult book to read! For the most part, it is a textbook introducing the field of Complexity Science and explaining some fundamental Computer Science topics. The explanations of the topics are not very different to the standard ones available in most other textbooks but the exercises provided are a bit more geared to practical use of the theory. Python is used to demonstrate some topics but don’t expect a lot of practical Python programming, the content is predominantly theoretical. Full Review >
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Adding Functionality to Your Google Apps
Grant's rating:
4.0
On Mar 19, 2012 Grant van Staden wrote: Google Script for Real Life
This book adds to the information available from Google's on-line tutorials by presenting use-cases that one would encounter in a business environment. It is a good tutorial as well as a handy reference. Full Review >
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Grant's rating:
5.0
On Feb 1, 2012 Grant van Staden wrote: Good Coverage of MVC3 for Design and Programming
This is an ideal book for a programmer who has experience in programming using ASP .Net web-forms and wants to master MVC3 in terms of development and designing applications that use it. Full Review >
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Grant's rating:
3.0
On Oct 31, 2011 Grant van Staden wrote: Book review: Think Stats by Allen B. Downey
Using programming to learn statistics was what drew my attention to this book. To great extent it achieves this goal. The exclusive use of Python means that you only get all the full value of the book if you are a Python programmer. Full Review >
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Grant's rating:
5.0
On Jul 13, 2011 Grant van Staden wrote: Book Review: JavaScript: The Definitive Guide by David Flanagan
With the growing trend towards HTML 5, ASP .Net MVC and JQuery development it is becoming unavoidable. Turns out JavaScript is an immense language and that’s when you need a good reference. The Definitive Guide is that reference. Full Review >
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Grant's rating:
4.0
On May 15, 2011 Grant van Staden wrote: Book Review: Learning Android by Marko Gargenta
If you are a JAVA programmer wanting to write applications for Android, this book is a good starting-point. Use of some of the features of mobile phones such as touch and the camera in applications is not covered but the book is about Android programming and it covers the fundamentals of the subject well. Full Review >
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