Tag Archives: textbook

RASC Observer’s Handbook, 2019 by Edited by James S. Edgar (PWBR00142)

PolyWogg.ca
March 12 2019

Plot or Premise

Cover: RASC Observer's Handbook, 2019 by Edited by James S. Edgar

This is the annual observer’s guide published by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

What I Liked

Each year, the Observer’s Guide is produced and sold to amateur and professional astronomers across North America, and those astronomers vary considerably in their capacity and interests. It’s hard to serve any “one group”, but as I am at the intro stage to the hobby, I’ll review from that perspective.… Read the rest

Big Box Reuse by Julia Christensen (PWBR00115)

PolyWogg.ca
March 14 2018

Plot or Premise

Cover: Big Box Reuse by Julia Christensen

This textbook-sized book includes ten case studies across America where former big box stores – Walmarts and Kmarts – have been put to new use after the store left or closed.

What I Liked

I was drawn to the premise of the book as I have frequently seen large big box stores in Canada, anchoring malls and plazas, move out and languish empty for a number of years.… Read the rest

RASC Observer’s Handbook, 2018 edited by James S. Edgar (PWBR00114)

PolyWogg.ca
November 11 2017

Plot or Premise

Cover: RASC Observer's Handbook, 2018 by Edited by James S. Edgar

This is the annual observer’s guide published by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

What I Liked

One of the most obvious challenges for an Observer’s Guide of this kind is balancing the needs of newbies and moderate amateurs with the needs of advanced astronomers, photographers, and outright astro-physicists.… Read the rest

Rethinking Canadian Aid, Edited by Stephen Brown, Molly den Heyer and David R. Black (PWBR00191)

PolyWogg.ca
March 9 2015

Plot or Premise

Cover: Rethinking Canadian Aid by Edited by Stephen Brown, Molly den Heyer and David R. Black

The academic analysis of recent Canadian international development assistance is long on political economy and light on “realities on the ground”.

What I Liked

The text had a strong opening for its goals, even if the administrative context didn’t quite match their estimated / presumed political context. When it came to hard statistical analysis (Chapter 6) and mimicry of other donors, the paper was sound.… Read the rest

Using HTML 4 (4th edition) by Lee Anne Phillips (PWBR00096)

PolyWogg.ca
October 10 1999

Plot or Premise

Cover: Using HTML 4 (4th edition) by Lee Anne Phillips

Good resource, short on tutorial and long on information.

What I Liked

Good for syntax and great appendix sections.

What I Didn’t Like

Not quite as detailed as other books, and not much theory.

The Bottom Line

Good resource
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Links To My Other Book Reviews

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GoodReads
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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating an HTML 4 Web Page (3rd edition) by Paul Mcfedries (PWBR00095)

PolyWogg.ca
October 10 1999

Plot or Premise

Cover: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating an HTML 4 Web Page (3rd edition) by Paul Mcfedries

Good overview from beginning to end

What I Liked

A bit dated at the point of reading (1999), with some of the “new features” old hat, and as well, some of the “old features” had changed. However, the approach is light, and easy to follow, from beginning to end, and what makes this such a great resource is the CD-ROM disk that comes with it, containing some great software and sample coding to save the tired typist.… Read the rest

HTML Web Magic (2nd edition) by Raymond Pirouz (PWBR00094)

PolyWogg.ca
October 10 1999

Plot or Premise

Cover: HTML Web Magic (2nd edition) by Raymond Pirouz

Instead of going through all the bits and pieces (which it does very quickly), Pirouz instead has focused on some elements that spice up web pages.

What I Liked

A programmer wouldn’t necessarily want to use all of them, but a new designer will find some really great tips and tricks here.… Read the rest

HTML: The Complete Reference by Thomas A. Powell (PWBR00093)

PolyWogg.ca
October 10 1999

Plot or Premise

Cover: HTML: The Complete Reference by Thomas A. Powell

A reference guide for HTML

What I Liked

Good as a simple reference / encyclopaedia tool.

What I Didn’t Like

Not so great for learning the intricacies from the bottom-up, short on tutorial or theory side.

The Bottom Line

Good simple reference.
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Links To My Other Book Reviews

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