Gina Trapani’s Lifehacker: 88 Tech Tricks to Turbocharge Your Day clearly advertises the book as cross-platform, but in actuality a good portion of the book focuses on Windows applications. However, this is my only major complaint about this manual as overall it does deliver what it promises by demonstrating how to tweak your system with clever shortcuts and faster ways to complete your tasks. Included in this book are some of the best ideas found at Lifehacker.com’s online archive and the reader can count on finding every chapter filled with step-by-step guides for setting up and using a variety of solutions, often in a cross-platform scenario, while finding detailed screen shots, and sidebars with additional tips. I also found Trapani’s manual easily usable for all level of users as she specifically stratifies the tips in terms of Easy, Medium, or Advanced making the reader aware that some of her tips are designed for the seriously tech-minded individual. 

For the reader who does not know what a life hack is let me explain it as a person (usually a programmer) who uses productivity tricks to avoid information overload and to organize their lives. Trapani explains these concepts in such a manner that I felt it is one of the most practical books available, at this time, for those of us who need to consolidate, optimize and organize all of the information available on the Internet. Of the eighty-eight tech tricks included in the manual there are several showing hacks for Windows XP, Vista and Macintosh.

I found this book to be an easy to follow guide, written with clarity and user friendly helps (such as how to set up your email client to only check your email every hour to avoid unnecessary interruptions to your day). You will also find tips on freeing up Mental RAM, Firewalls, Automating Repetitive tasks, and tuning up your computer which I found so helpful that I would strongly recommend it to anyone wishing to increase their computer’s usability.  

As always, you can use your Google search engine to find additional computer resources. 

Tags: book review, lifehacker, hacker, gina trapani, windows xp, vista, macintosh, google, computer tips, tech advice

Gillian Flynn’s first novel, Sharp Objects: A Novel, is a surprisingly well-written yet disturbing book, made even more so by its plausibility and the dispassionate self-mutilating cutting episodes that the protagonist indulges in as a means of coping with life in a cliquish Missouri town where no one is satisfied with their life. What is even more amazing is how immensely readable and interesting this first time author made this book with its well developed, believable characters and roller coaster ride of twisted events that makes the reader realize how fortunate they were in growing up in a semi-normal family. 

The plot begins with Camille Preaker, (the protagonist) a reporter for a third rate newspaper in Chicago, being sent back to her hometown of Wind Gap,
Missouri, to get a scoop on a pair of grisly murders. Amazingly, Ms Flynn manages to provide the reader with wonderful imagery as she clearly illustrates this small town as one riddled with cruelty, beginning with its main business being the slaughter of hogs, to its penchant for malicious gossip and overt violence. The Heroine Camille, a girl who will do anything for someone’s approval, is a raging drunk and psychological basket case, who first experienced this cruelty at the hands of her mother. Once back in her hometown, however, Camille is forced to deal with the deeply flawed relationship she has with her mother, as well as, face her deepest fears and anxieties as she attempts to once again adapt herself to small town politics.

For a debut novel, I was pleasantly surprised at how completely Ms. Flynn was able to use the dream sequences and easy to follow dialog to describe the eerily dark, depressing, and gut-wrenching life that existed in this town. Additionally, the author illustrates the dark side of life in such a manner as to make it appear normal and then provides an ending so surprising that it will leave the reader in awe. Reader beware, however, this is not a book for the faint of heart who are looking for a joyous uplifting novel but if you can handle a book that describes life at its worst then you will enjoy reading this well-constructed book. 

You can use your Google search engine to find other dark and creepy novels by other authors and to watch for additional material from Ms. Flynn.

Tags: book review, sharp objects, gillian flynn, dark, creepy, google, thriller

Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 Maximum Performance:…  may be one of the best manuals, to date, as it provides great examples of both common and sophisticated methods for modifying and enhancing your digital photos while demonstrating them so completely that it will satisfy almost all levels of users. Another way in which this book excels is that it opens up an entirely new realm of possibilities to the user as it takes them beyond the old one-click operation into a realm of new techniques and applications.  

In addition to the written information, this book includes a wonderful DVD that includes QuickTime movies with techniques that demonstrate the “elements” process while allowing you to watch the video; then pause it as needed so that you can experiment on the photos supplied on the tutorial DVD. This book is, in fact, so good that it will extend your knowledge and skills in retouching so that you do not have to buy Photoshop CS2 to get the results you want and even comes with a large variety of full resolution images to improve your own photos.  

I would highly recommend this book as I had no trouble understanding it and it helped me achieve the desired results in both my landscape and people photos. Therefore, in general if you are looking for a book that will help you transform your photos into award winners without buying the full version of Photoshop and you have learned at least the basics of Elements, I would suggest that you try this book.  

Your Google search engine is an excellent resource for finding additional manuals on Adobe Photoshop or other computer software.  

Tags: book review, computer, technology, software, adobe, adobe photoshop elements 5.0, google

Our Endangered Values must be considered in the light of its author, Jimmy Carter, who is regarded as a sort of “Saint-in-the-Box” by some due to his work with Habitat for Humanity and by the Nobel Peace Prize Commission for his assistance in condemning the current Bush Administration’s foreign policy. However, for those of us who lived through his presidency his record was abominable as could be seen in his gutting of the CIA and military budgets and his turning over of the US built and financed Panama Canal to Panamanian dictator Omar Torrijos giving the emergent US rival, China, control over both ends of the canal.

In his latest work Carter attempts to position himself as a wizened old patrician rebel waiting to whisper sage advice to those he considers worthy of leading the Republic as he spells out America’s eroding values with such examples as the US’s current engagement in preemptive war, its challenges to women’s rights, and the invasion of religious dogma in politics. Overall, however, this book gives the perception that Carter was perhaps just a bit too honest and naïve to be president. To his credit, however, President Carter reflects on general principles in a true manner, although his assessment of courses of action to be taken are a bit reminiscent of those very things which have given so many misunderstanding people fuel for their vitriolic fires. President Carter, obviously speaks from a strong Christian background, while exposing the deep wound he felt as ecumenical clergy chastised him for his views and goes on to explain how this hurt definitely exacerbated his view on separation of church and state. Additionally, because of these hurts, he raises many good points with respect to the needs for dialogue among diversified groups regarding such issues as poverty or abortion (here or abroad). President Carter then turns his attention to providing what he considers sage advice and opinions regarding his concerns on civil liberties, women’s rights, America’s global image, nuclear arsenals, homosexuality, abortion, preemptive war, the death penalty, science, religion, and terrorism. In actuality, one may consider this book a counter attack against the fundamentalist movement that would tend to move America towards a theocracy, as he makes a stimulating argument that the Bible supports different positions from those of the Christian right. One problem I see with his views, on this topic, is that he fails to realize the appearance of the evangelical movement that occurred as a direct result of the encroachment of liberal and secular ideals which has tried to garner support for minority groups over the last fifty years.

Finally, this book portrays President Carter as a man of integrity, belief and convictions demonstrated by his good works and while not a fan of his political career I respect him in that regard. I also agree with many of his arguments against the policies and procedures of the Bush Administration but it is obvious to the reader that he has a chip on his shoulder when he wanders into a morass of arrogance and self-pity. Overall, however, I would recommend this book for anyone with an open mind who wants to hear alternatives to the current policies and attitudes held by American’s today.

Be sure to take advantage of your Google search engine to find additional information on Jimmy Carter or his any of his many books.

Tags: book review, our endangered values: america’s crisis, jimmy carter, google, political, anti-war

As he approaches his eightieth birthday in 2007, Poitier is still a most relevant voice, and life lessons like his are well worth our attention. The title of his autobiography, The Measure of a Man: comes from a belief taught to him by his father that a man is measured by how well he provides for his family. The spiritual aspect of the autobiography provides a powerful look at Sidney Poitier’s life over the years and surprisingly contains no judgmental, depiction of a walk with God but is rather an open hearted view of Sidney as he learned to accept the circumstances and, more importantly, the values that have guided him to the pinnacle of success. Throughout his autobiography, he speaks lovingly of the influence his parents had in his life but admits that he was ultimately the one who was responsible for the choices he made; speaking candidly of his failures as husband and father while showing the power of maintaining your integrity no matter the cost.

By holding to this integrity, Sidney may have deprived himself of certain opportunities but it is also how he garnered the respect of a racist white community while branding him a “sell-out” from fellow African Americans. What stands out from this entire sequence of the story, however, is his desire to bring these communities together with respect and challenges people, of all races, to focus their anger in a positive way. Of course, Poitier’s autobiography would not be complete without mention of his achievements which included being knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1968; being the first black actor to win an Academy Award for best actor for his performance in Lilies of the Field; and being awarded the Screen Actor Guild’s Life Achievement Award.   

I felt that this was a wonderful book, written by a man who just happened to be black, in an era when that was a hard position to be in, who has had success looking back and seeing his life in hindsight.  His strengths are obvious to any reader when one of the book’s most poignant statements addressed every living being when he stated that we all temper painful events in our lives but it does not take away their sting. Poitier, an actor who never let race interfere with who he was/is, has lived a unique life and The Measure of a Man is more one man’s honest diary of his life that provides a valuable discourse on never giving up on your goals and reaching beyond yourself to be who you were created to be. 

You can use your Google search information to find more information on Sidney Poitier or his autobiography.

Tags: book review, sidney poitier, the measure of a man: a spiritual autobiography, google, inspiring

State of Denial by Bob Woodward is a meticulously written account beginning, in December of 2000, with Donald Rumsfeld’s appointment as Secretary of Defense and continues to chronicle events of the Bush Administration’s mishandling of both the invasion and occupation of Iraq. At the beginning of the war Bob Woodward admits he was a staunch supporter of the current administration and only recognized his error in supporting the Iraq invasion after the majority of intelligent American’s had already awoken to the incompetence or sinister intentions of the men behind the war. State of Denial is about those missteps So while Mr. Woodward’s research appears impeccable and his writing style is easy to read I cannot help but question if he is truly on the side of the United States public or just on, whichever side tends to be in the majority.

Apart from my personal feelings about the man, however, Woodward does give the reader some useful facts beginning with how the war began when support for it was garnered by President Bush when he intentionally deceived the U. S. public into believing that they had much to fear from the small country of Iraq. While successfully getting this point across Woodward further illustrates for the reader how the current administration is saddled with an intellectually uncurious president, a micromanaging Secretary of Defense, interagency infighting, and the overall lack of honest introspection about what mistakes occurred in the handling of the Middle East situation as a whole. Surprisingly though Woodward doesn’t lay the major blame at the President’s feet but rather chooses to cast Donald Rumsfeld as the piece’s villain, portraying him as the puppet master behind the president, whose distrust for the military caused him to ignore their concerns.

The President’s dependence on Rumsfeld is shown throughout the book as he is seen to be unwilling to make any adjustments to the war policy, including the number of troops deployed or to rid himself of Rumsfeld even when grave concerns surfaced regarding Rumsfeld’s policies as expressed by White House Chief of Staff, Andrew Card. The book even portrays Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice as ineffective, chiefly because their concerns and thoughts were silenced by other more powerful members of the Bush Administration.  It must be noted, however, that Woodward does not go out of his way to prove that those behind the Iraq War deliberately mislead the country only that they ignored any evidence to the contrary only changing their rhetoric when their assumptions were challenged.

State of Denial the conclusion of Woodward’s remarkable trilogy readdresses many of the events visited in the first two books, updating them according to the latest information, making it a good summation for those readers who don’t have the time to read the previous two.  I also found this book to be a good insight on what “not” to do given that Woodward has written a very convincing narrative graphically illustrating how the Bush Whitehouse bungled the war in Iraq and showing how Iraq has become the perfect outline for the multiple incompetence’s of leadership within the White House. The most depressing line in this excellent book was the last sentence: “With all Bush’s upbeat talk and optimism, he had not told the American public the truth about what Iraq had become.” In 2007 he has still not leveled with the American people and his Secretary of State appears neither willing nor able to suggest diplomatic solutions to this debacle called Iraq. That leaves me with one critical question I found myself asking: how can people who are considered the most knowledgeable, most experienced, and smartest, be so incompetent? So if you want to find out what is behind the war in Iraq this novel may be for you.

To find other books or material on the Iraq war and the Middle East Conflict take advantage of your Google search engine.

Tags: book review, state of denial, bob woodward, iraq war, bush administration, mishandling

The Occupation, by Patrick Cockburn, is a rousing political expose on the real reasons behind the Iraq war, the manipulations by the US government against the peoples of Iraq, and virtually states that the war has destroyed Iraq, worsened the prospects of peace and justice for the Palestinian people and strengthened the al Qaeda terrorists.  Cockburn who in 1978, as an independent Middle East correspondent, who became familiar with Iraq began  his coverage of the war prior to the US invasion and occupation making his reports perhaps the most informed and passionate to come out of Iraq during the last three years. Additionally Cockburn brings a clarity to what is happening in the Middle East as he opines on the long term view of the Iraqi invasion and occupation and its place in US history while clearly depicting how the current disaster is the result of something more sinister that just bad planning.  

The sinister aspect that Cockburn refers to concerns the Bush Administration’s claim that toppling Saddam would stabilize the Middle East (which has turned out to be bogus) but has in actuality caused a destabilization of the region’s countries resulting in rampant corruption fueled by the economic chaos it created. Despite the political aspects of the book, however, Cockburn does an amazing job of illustrating the large-scale events, from the prewar lies to justify invasion to the spiraling violence and chaos that has pushed the country to the brink of civil war, as he details through his own personal account, the brutalities of the occupation. Recently, Cockburn points out that US General William Odom, former head of the NSA (National Security Agency), called the war “the greatest strategic disaster in American history.” Statements like these add to the picture Cockburn paints showing that the governments of both the United States and England handled the region without any proven expertise shown by military or civilian leadership. Furthermore he shows how through a series of miscalculations, poor communication and outright blunders, the occupying army has managed to turn the bulk of Iraqis against it, deepening the resistance and the growing civil war. 

Unfortunately, for the people of Iraq the U.S. has drawn on the vile tradition of setting the country’s separate factions (Shia, Sunnis, and Kurds) against one another in order ot maintain its rule preventing the war from being consigned to history. To complicate this gross miscarrage of responsibility Cockburn claims that no management at all makes is timpossible to see any light at the end of the anarchy.   Overall, I found the book, which makes a compelling case for withdrawal, to be very well written, as well as, insightful making for a highly desirable read for anyone who wants more than the corporate media’s twist and bias on what is really happening in the Middle East.  

Use your Google search engine to find additional resources on the Iraqi people and the Iraqi war. 

Tags: book review, the occupation, brutalities, political, iraq, iraqi war, patrick colburn, google, sinister plot

Catherine Coulter’s Riptide is the fifth installment of her FBI series featuring married Agents Savich and Sherlock but despite their presence, the entire book made me wonder why I tried once again to give this previously gifted writer a chance to prove herself.  While better than the last two books I reviewed by this author, I personally tire very quickly of invincible super-villains since I find the thrill in crime fiction is that it touches dangerously, yet safely, close to our lives. That definitely didn’t happen in this scenario as one of the bad guys managed to clobber the heroine on the head, push her away, leap to his feet, pull a cigarette lighter out of his pocket, and set the blanket and sheet on fire before one good guy could fire a gun. 

That said, the essential story revolves around an up-and-coming political speechwriter, Becca Matlock who is terrorized by a stalker (known as the ‘boyfriend’), but who in actuality is a paid assassin attempting to lure her CIA father out of hiding.  As threats continue against her Becca seeks the help of local law enforcement officials who believing that she has been intimate with the Governor actually consider her a suspect when he is shot. While the tension builds, Becca using a disguise and sporting a fake identity manages to escape a national manhunt and her stalker by fleeing to the nondescript little town of Riptide, Maine, where she reunites with her former college classmate, Tyler McBride. Here the plot thickens when it is revealed that Tyler may actually be a serial killer who is bent on murdering his female love interests who dare to question his smothering kind of love.  

Enter Adam Carruthers, a private detective/bodyguard, hired by Becca’s long-supposedly-dead father, (Thomas who just happens to be a CIA operative) to protect her from his Cold War nemesis, Krimakov. To accomplish his mission Adam relies on the combined efforts of FBI agents Savich, Sherlock (from the Maze) and his own partner, Hatch, as well as, the information gathered for him by Thomas and Savich’s MAX computer program. None of these bumbling keystone cops can prevent, however, Becca being kidnapped by the stalker who first drugs her and then psychologically terrorizes her before dumping her in front of police headquarters. 

What probably bothered me most through the whole story, however, was how poorly Coulter developed her characters an example of which occurs when the female protagonist becomes excitable upon seeing a skeleton, but soon after boldly engages in a gunfight with a lunatic. Additionally there are several instances when the dialogue is so stilted and unbelievable that it reads like a first draft that has not been edited. One such example of the work’s repetitiveness of ideas and thoughts occurs when Becca (in chapter five) talks not once but several times about the anticipated storm only to act like it is such a surprise when it actually occurs and the electricity goes out. Coulter does not stop there, however, as in Chapter 6 (on both pages 45 and 48); she has Becca again wondering if she had only come to Maine to be killed in a “wretched storm”. I could continue but my personal opinion is that anyone who thought this book - with it’s convoluted plot(s) and inane, unrealistic dialogue and narrative - a good read has never read a really good book. You can use your Google search engine to locate other books of intrigue and suspense. 

Tags: book review, riptide, catherine coulter, romance, suspense, mystery, google, fbi

This fourth edition manual on computer resources for persons with disabilities was produced through the collaborative efforts of the
Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) (a network of community-based resource centers dedicated to providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities) staff as an invaluable reference tool for all types of users. Having reviewed it thoroughly I feel that it is perfect for the individual needing a systematic guide, that is user friendly and offering a means for each user to use the newest technology available to meet their dreams.  

Some of the new features in this revised edition of Computer Resources for People with Disabilities include updates on the use of PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) and cell phones, as well as, a glossary that explains the difference between such terms as universal design and assistive technology. Additionally, in part one, the reader will find a series of 12 people-friendly chapters that give testimony to the effectiveness of new technology by discussing real-life success stories, as well as, current disability laws and how to take advantage of local resources.  Then in part, two the manual offers a Technology Tool Box that goes by the philosophy that the environment is the problem not the disabled person whose needs must be accommodated. This section further provides a question-and-answer segment that answers questions about how to access various software features and how to obtain specialized products.  

The fourth edition of  Computer Resources for People with Disabilities has been updated with the latest technology and reorganized to make it more streamlined and accessible including helps such as worksheets for decision-making and information specific to life situations that impact decisions and direction. I found this book to be quite user-friendly for both the professional and novice since it works as a veritable clearinghouse for the different technologies available and their applicability to the lives and tasks of people with various disabilities. I strongly feel that the comprehensive list of resources for assistive technology alone is worth the reasonable purchase price of this book.

Person’s with disabilities can access more information on technology resources by using their Google search engine.

Tags: book review, computer resources for people with disabilities: a guide to exploring today’s assistive technology, alliance for technology access, stephen hawking, computers, manuals, reference material, google

Sandra Brown’s suspense thriller, Ricochet, is evidence that this talented author can still produce a superior, romantic thriller as she weaves an intricate tale of sex, murder, betrayal and vengeance into an edge-of-your-seat experience. In this her latest work, Brown’s tightly wound plot offers a complex mix of credible characters  that include a tough detective, his partner, a nothing grosses me out medical examiner, an evil-incarnate drug lord, and a just barely within the law private eye.  

The story centers around Cato Laird, a superior court judge, and his wife, Elise, a character shrouded in mystery leaving the audience to wonder if she is a clever murderer or an innocent dupe. Complicating the murder investigation by Duncan and his partner, Dee Dee, are Duncan’s ever growing feelings for Elise with whom he shares sexual encounters that make him come down harder on her than he normally would and his need to find answers about the connections between all the players.  

Brown is definitely back in her game with Ricochet, which accurately describes the reader’s feelings as they are placed in a roller coaster stream of events, including graphically explicit language, sex and violence, that leaves the reader guessing right up to the last paragraph who actually committed the crime. The book was a great read, one that surprisingly was not exaggerated by the book’s blurb. One can only hope that Brown’s next novel lives up to Ricochet, which I, for one, thought was one of the best mysteries in the past year. 

You can access additional information on Sandra Brown or her novels by using your Google search engine.

Tags: book review, ricochet, sandra brown, crime, murder, betrayal, google