[WEB4LIB] Computer Books for a Library

[Thomas Bennett]

    ABOUT FACE:The Essentials of User Interface Design
By: Alan Cooper, the "Father of Visual Basic"
Publisher: IDG

This book uses many examples of interface design for software but much of
the content of this book can be helpful with WEB page design since quite
often it is a user interface.  Cooper's main theme is "Goal-Directed
Design".  From http://www.cooper.com , "Applicable to multimedia and Web
sites as well as application software, About Face is an invaluable resource
for design professionals".  A good article is Goal-Directed Design in the
September 1996 issue of Dr. Dobb's Journal. The content of this article is
as applicable today as it was in 1996.  One of Cooper's main issues is goals
versus tasks, "It is easy to confuse goals with tasks, but the two are very
different, and are often in direct opposition to each other". You reckon I
like this guy's work? ;-)



Publishers: O'Reilly, of course
            New Riders

If I remember correctly, New Riders publishes the technical books previously
published under the MacMillan Publishing name.

This just in from http://www.newriders.com :
(free) BOOKS ONLINE
New Riders is pleased to launch the Open Publication License Library! The
Open Publication License Library is an online collection of titles released
by New Riders under the OPL. The online editions are identical to the print
editions and are fully searchable.

Thomas
-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of Shirl Kennedy
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2001 9:03 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Computer Books for a Library


Interesting discussion on Slashdot:

"I've been asked to come up with a list of suggestions for books covering
computer subjects that would be appropriate for a public library. Ideally,
the books suggested would have a fairly long shelf life and cater to as many
different audiences as possible, from the absolute beginner to an
experienced geek. What books dealing with computer subjects should a library
have on it's shelves?" Considering that library books need to have lasting
and generalized value, not just programming fads of the month, what books
would you recommend for a desert-island library collection? What books won't
you give up on your tech-library?"

http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=01/07/30/137231



Shirl Kennedy
Web Guide Topic Manager
Business 2.0
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