Review: PHP5 Social Networking
At this point in human history we are all pretty well versed in social networking. Our pets are even getting in on the whole social web experience. We’re all familiar with what social networks are and why we should, or should not, use them. But how does one go about building one from scratch? While the overall complexity of building a social networking site really depends on the requirements, the typical features for most networks (relationships, etc.) can get rather complex. Before you start pulling your hair out or reverse engineering Drupal, there is a new book called PHP5 Social Networking that might be just the thing to help you out. In this post I’m going to give you a glance at this new book published by Packt and tell you if it’s worth adding to your tech library.
Review: CodeIgniter 1.7 Professional Development
Along with being a Zend Certified PHP5 engineer I’m also a strong advocate for application frameworks (CodeIgniter specifically). That’s why I was pleased when Pact approached me about a month ago to write a review of their new book about CodeIgniter (CI): CodeIgniter 1.7 Professional Development. Aimed at experienced PHP developers with a solid footing in object oriented programming, the book provides a detailed overview of the CI framework from an absolute beginners perspective. Chocked full of code samples and tips/techniques on how to leverage CIs tools this book is a great resource for anyone new to the framework looking to quickly get up to speed.
CodeIgniter 1.7 Professional Development
For you CodeIgniter fans out there, Packt released a new book last month called CodeIgniter 1.7 Professional Development. I got word this morning that my review copy is in the mail so keep your eyes out for my thoughts on this book in the coming weeks. From the summary it looks like it covers a wide range of topics from beginner to advanced so I’m excited to take a look. If interested, head on over to the Packt website to read a sample chapter on database interaction.
Never Buy Another Tech Book Again!
Tech books are expensive! Averaging between $30 and $50 bucks a piece, they are equivalent to a month or two of quality shared web hosting. And if the price wasn’t bad enough, they have a limited shelf life. You only have a certain amount of time to read and digest them before they become door stops. New techniques are discovered and new versions are released which make all your current or old books out dated and potentially irrelevant. I have discovered a better way to gain access to the latest tech books for a fraction of the cost. In this post I will introduce you to Safari Books Online and what it has to offer.
The 2008 Personal MBA Reading List
For those of you who have been meaning to go back to school for your MBA but don’t have the money or interest in going back to school, check out the Personal MBA. They just released their 2008 reading list and it’s looks great.
Field-Tested Books 2008 Edition
The talented people over at Coudal Partners have released the 2008 edition of their Field-Tested Books (FTB) reading list. Head over to their site and check it out.
