While this book will not make you an Apache guru it does give you all the basics you need to get an Apache server up and running on Linux, Windows, or Mac OS X. The author literally starts at the very beginning by discussing what a web server is and the basics of how one works. From there he examines the history of the Apache web server and how it compares to Microsoft IIS as well as which operating system might be the best one for you. Each server operating system has its pros and cons when used as an Apache server and each benefit and shortcoming is listed.

Installation of the Apache server is also covered from the very beginning with how to get the source code. After installing the program the author turns to configuring the server, setting up your domain, and setting up users. He even covers setting up virtual hosting so you can host multiple web sites on one IP address.

On the positive side the book covers all the essentials for basic setup and configuration of an Apache server including information on setting up Perl, PHP, and Server Side Includes. On the negative side it leaves out a lot of detail on the configuration files and other items. If you need to do anything different or unusual you will need another book. "Apache Essentials" is a recommended book if you need a good overview that has all the basic information to get Apache up and running quickly with a standard configuration.

My initial reaction when I picked up this book was that as a power user of Google it would only contain a few items that I didn't already know. I could not have been more wrong. I soon realized that although I have used Google regularly for several years I know very little about how to use it efficiently to get the results I want. But that situation has changed thanks to this book. If you have an Internet connection and you do anything with Google you should get a copy of this book. When you are done reading it you will have a new respect for Google and how it can make your life easier is so many ways, including a lot of different uses besides as an Internet search engine. There is even some humor in the book, like changing the language to Elmer Fudd for some humorous spellings. "Google: The Missing Manual" is highly recommended and truly the missing manual.

Apache is still by far the most common web server on the Internet. However, when the purpose of your computer is to allow access to your webpages by anyone on the Internet security needs to be a primary concern. If you are serious about hardening your Apache server you will want to have this book.

Author Tony Mobily examines Apache security in detail all the way from making sure the initial installation package has not been hacked at the primary web server site through configuration and installation of security modules. The book has seven chapters that cover configuration, common attacks, logging, scripting attacks, security modules, using a jail, and automating security with scripts.

While the book does cover Apache on the various operating systems the focus is on a Linux install, which is appropriate since that is the most common place to install Apache. This is not a book that I would suggest for someone who is totally new to Apache or Linux, but if you have a passing familiarity with them then you will find this to be the missing information from other Apache books. No matter which Apache book you get to learn Apache, your library will be incomplete if it doesn't include "Hardening Apache".

"Hacking" has a different meaning to the photographer than it does in the computer world. This book is about hacks the way it is used in the world of photography and not the way it is used in the world of computers. When a picture doesn't come out quite like a photographer intended they often make changes in the darkroom via masks, burning, and other techniques. This is photographic "hacking" - enhancing and changing your digital photographs in ways you may not have thought possible to achieve the results you want.

The first chapter focuses on digital camera attachments and how to use them to produce better results. From there the author leads the reader into various techniques of outside photography, nighttime photography, and flash techniques. Once you understand how to get the best picture it is time to change it into a work of art. For this process the author discusses the magic of Photoshop and how it can be used to achieve almost any effect you can imagine.

This is a book for the amateur digital camera user who wants to create a professional looking result. If you are an advanced Photoshop user the part of the book about camera use could be helpful but the Photoshop portion doesn't cover even a tenth of what Photoshop is able to do.

"Digital Photography Hacks" is highly recommended for the amateur digital photographer and anyone else interested in creating photographs instead of taking pictures.

This is easily one of the best books available today to teach the average person what goes on in the darkest corners of the Internet. Author John Biggs takes the reader on a mind-expanding journey into these areas where questionable characters are more the rule than the exception. Along the way you will learn about port scanning, viruses, spam, spyware, worms, scams, pirates, and hacking. This is one of the very few books that teach the reader what can happen and how to be prepared without becoming a book that teaches malcontents how to become a hacker. This makes it one of the very few books that I could recommend to high schools, youth groups, and adult groups who want to understand the dangers of the Internet.

"Black Hat" is a book that is long overdue for publication. Most books on this subject are too technical for the average reader; this one is the exception. Everyone who surfs the net, for whatever reason, should read a book like this just so they know what can happen. If you are a non-technical user then "Black Hat: Misfits, Criminals, and Scammers in the Internet Age" is the best book available today for this purpose. This book should be considered as a gift for friends and family you love that surf the net and need to be safe.

"Algorithms and Data Structures: The Science of Computing" is designed as a second course computer science textbook for colleges. At this level most computer sciences classes tend to focus on programming and programming theory. While it does have some programming examples (all in Java), this book takes a more overall view and deals with the basics of algorithms and data structures. Why is this an important difference? I have seen a lot of bloated code over the years where a programmer writes a hundred or more lines of code to do something that a couple of lines could do if they only had a better understanding of algorithms. This course gives you the conceptual knowledge you need to be able to adapt to other computer languages and coding techniques as they are developed.

The book does make some assumptions about the reader. First, it assumes the reader has had an introductory course in an object-oriented programming language. As indicated earlier, all examples are in Java, but you should be able to follow along if you have had a course in any object-oriented language. Second, the book also assumes a good (but not necessarily college level) background in mathematics.

This is a foundational course in the design of algorithms, and data structures and mathematical theory to predict and verify, as well as empirical analysis to test the results. "Algorithms and Data Structures: The Science of Computing" is a recommended book as a second course in a computer sciences degree as well as a foundational course for those who are trying to develop a broad basis of computer knowledge at home.

Well, I have to admit that I was skeptical about low-fat, low-cholesterol, reduced calorie dessert recipes tasting even remotely like dessert. I was glad to be proven wrong with this delightful book. The desserts are still calorie packed with most of them still having 300+ calories per serving. However, this is still typically about a third less calories than the same dessert prepared using a traditional recipe. Each one of the desserts has significantly less fat (often one third or less), has almost completely eliminated the cholesterol, and has added nutrients and minerals. I have always equated less fat with less taste simply because that has been my experience, now I can say that less fat can still mean delicious.

Some of the recipes that I really liked included Amaretto Cheesecake Brownies, Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars, Hazelnut Fudge Cake, Cream Cheese Pound Cake, Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie, and Maple Nut Fudge. If you are looking for a better alternative to satisfy your sweet tooth or just a healthier dessert you can't go wrong with this book. "Power Desserts" is a highly recommended purchase for anyone looking to better their health and still satisfy their sweet tooth.

One of the greatest losses that anyone can suffer through is the death of a spouse, parent, or child. "Facing the Ultimate Loss" discusses the difficulties of dealing with the death of your child. The purpose of the book is to try to help the grieving move through such a loss and start regaining their life. It is also a great reference for those who know someone going through such grief and want to understand it better so they can help.

The book focuses on the problems faced by the bereaved. I appreciate the fact that the authors recognize that everyone has a different way of expressing grief. Some get angry, some depressed, some reach to religion, some back away from it. And even within these broad categories there are many, many differences in religious tradition and cultural differences. But even through all of these differences there are some feelings that everyone shares. For example, everyone obviously feels a sense of loss and desolation. Everyone also has to learn to deal with who they are, now that part of them is gone and part of the future they planned together will never come to pass. The authors also point out that there will be days that are much worse than others. For example, two of the worst days that may carry on for years before getting better are the anniversary of the loss and the child's birthday. Of course there are also differences depending on how old the child was when it died. As a result, the authors have included sections on the stillborn, infant/toddler, younger child, adolescent, and adult child.

"Facing the Ultimate Loss" is required reading for anyone with a friend dealing with the death of a child. For those experiencing the loss it would be most appropriate some time after the loss when they are seeking to start putting their life back together again. Either way, it is a highly recommended read.

Tired of finding a piece of information on Hepatitis C here and a piece there but unable to put it all together into a complete picture? In his book "Winning the Hepatitis C Battle" author Shekhar Challa, M.D. provides a comprehensive, authoritative overview of the disease. Dr. Challa discusses the diagnosis of the disease, treatment options, potential complications, and even herbs and other alternative treatments.

One of the things that make this book unique is the inclusion of the emotional aspects of being diagnosed with Hepatitis C and going through treatment. Dr. Challa includes many of the personal thoughts and comments of Denise Hudman from the point where she was diagnosed with Hepatitis C through some of her feelings as she went through treatment. This is invaluable insight if you are dealing with a friend who has been diagnosed with the disease.

"Winning the Hepatitis C Battle" also includes a frequently asked questions section and a glossary. With the comprehensive coverage and easy to understand writing style this is a highly recommended read for anyone wanting to gain a broad understanding of Hepatitis C.

"Even More" celebrates the special relationship between a mother and a daughter. Author Liz McGrath takes the reader on a trip along the cycle of life from the birth of a child to the birth of a grandchild. Along the way the mother finds ways to express how much she loves her daughter and the daughter also expresses her love for her mother. This is a wonderful book to show the young reader the strong bonds of love that exist (or at least should exist) between a daughter and a mother. This is a very well done bilingual book written in English and Spanish for children about four to eight years old. Sure to help the young reader understand how important they are to their parents, "Even More" is a highly recommended children's book.