================================================================
O'Reilly UG Program News--Just for User Group Leaders
October 1, 2004
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-Attending the O'Reilly Mac OS X Conference? Let's get together
-Put Up an O'Reilly Mac OS X Conference Banner, Get a Free Book
-Is Your Group Listed on the User Group Wiki?
----------------------------------------------------------------
Book Info
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***Review books are available 
Copies of our books are available for your members to review--
send me an email and please include the book's ISBN number on 
your request. Let me know if you need your book by a certain date. 
Allow at least four weeks for shipping. 

***Please send copies of your book reviews
Email me a copy of your newsletters or book reviews.
For tips and suggestions on writing book reviews, go to:
http://ug.oreilly.com/bookreviews.html

***Discount information
Don't forget to remind your members about our 20% discount on O'Reilly, 
No Starch, Paraglyph, Pragmatic Bookshelf, SitePoint, and Syngress 
books
and O'Reilly conferences.  Just use code DSUG.

***Group purchases with better discounts are available
Please let me know if you are interested and I can put you in 
touch with our sales department.

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General News
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***Please let your members know!
User Group leaders and members attending the O'Reilly Mac OS X
Conference--
come meet up with Marsee Henon (O'Reilly User Group Coordinator) and
Lorene Romero (Apple User Group Advisory Board Vendor Relation 
Coordinator
and North Coast Mac Users Group President) on Wednesday, October 27 
from
5:00pm to 7:00pm at the bar in the lobby of the Westin Santa Clara. We 
can
swap stories, ideas, or just hang out. And afterwards, we can attend 
the
"Real-Time Filmmaking on Mac OS X" talk.
http://conferences.oreillynet.com/cs/macosx2004/view/e_sess/5705

The O'Reilly Mac OS X Conference is October 25-28, 2004 at the Westin
Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA.
For more info or to register for this conference, go to:
http://conferences.oreilly.com/macosxcon/


***Put Up an O'Reilly Mac OS X Conference Banner, Get a Free Book
We are looking for user groups to display our conference banner on
their web sites. If you send me the link to your user group site with
our O'Reilly Mac OS X Conference banner, I will send you the O'Reilly
book of your choice.

O'Reilly Mac OS X Conference Banners:
http://ug.oreilly.com/banners/macosx2004/


***Is Your Group Listed on the User Group Wiki?
Here is the New and Improved URL:
http://wiki.oreillynet.com/usergroups/index.cgi

 ================================================================
O'Reilly News for User Group Members
October 1, 2004
================================================================
----------------------------------------------------------------
Book News
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-Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop
-XML in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition
-Adobe InDesign CS One-on-One
-Adobe Encore DVD: In the Studio
-Building the Perfect PC
-Head First Servlets & JSP
-Java Threads, 3rd Edition
----------------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming Events
----------------------------------------------------------------
-Peter Morville ("Information Architecture for the World Wide Web")
Information Architecture & Findability Seminar, 
San Francisco, CA--October 25
-Dru Lavigne ("BSD Hacks"), EuroBSDCon, Karlsruhe, Germany--
October 27-November 2
----------------------------------------------------------------
Conference News
----------------------------------------------------------------
-O'Reilly Mac OS X Conference, Santa Clara, CA--October 25-28
-Call for Participation: The MySQL Users Conference--
Proposals are due by November 1
----------------------------------------------------------------
News
----------------------------------------------------------------
-O'Reilly Now Distributes SitePoint Web Development Books
-Hacking PayPal
-The New Bloglines Web Services
-O'Reilly's New Magazine for Technology Projects--"Make"
-Move Beyond Amateur Filmmaking
-O'Reilly Digital Media Professionals Directory
-Open Source Content Management with Plone
-FreeBSD Bag of Tricks
-Save 50% on Linux/Unix System Administration Online Courses
-Introduction to Quartz 2D for QuickDraw Programmers
-Top Ten Tips for Mac OS X Con 2004
-Troubleshooting Printer Problems
-Master Pages in ASP.NET
-Reporting Application Errors by Email
-Groovy, Java's New Scripting Language

================================================
Book News
================================================
Did you know you can request a free book to review for your
group? Ask your group leader for more information.

For book review writing tips and suggestions, go to:
http://ug.oreilly.com/bookreviews.html

Don't forget, you can receive 20% off any O'Reilly, No Starch, 
Paraglyph,
Pragmatic Bookshelf, SitePoint, or Syngress book you purchase directly
from O'Reilly.
Just use code DSUG when ordering online or by phone (800-998-9938).
http://www.oreilly.com/


***Free ground shipping is available for online orders of at 
least $29.95 that go to a single U.S. address. This offer 
applies to U.S. delivery addresses in the 50 states and Puerto Rico.
For more details, go to:
http://www.oreilly.com/news/freeshipping_0703.html

----------------------------------------------------------------
New Releases
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***Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop
Publisher: O'Reilly
ISBN: 0596007523
"Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop" is the ideal guide to JDS: it's clear
and direct, but loaded with insights from authors who have spent time
working with, supporting, and enhancing the system. The book carefully
covers such housekeeping chores as setting up networking, updates, and
backups. It enters into great depth concerning the key productivity 
tools
every user needs: email, web browsing, instant messaging, word 
processing,
spreadsheets, and slide presentations. And it includes chapters and
appendices on useful tools and system add-ons. 
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/jds/

Chapter 4, "JDS Networking," is available online:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/jds/chapter/index.html


***XML in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition
Publisher: O'Reilly
ISBN: 0596007647
There's a lot to know about XML, and it's constantly evolving. But you
don't need to commit every syntax, API, or XSLT transformation to 
memory;
you only need to know where to find it. This powerful new edition is 
the
comprehensive XML reference. Serious users of XML will find coverage on
just about everything they need, from fundamental syntax rules, to 
details
of DTD and XML Schema creation, to XSLT transformations, to APIs used 
for
processing XML documents. 
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/xmlnut3/

Chapter 9, "XPath," is available online:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/xmlnut3/chapter/index.html


***Adobe InDesign CS One-on-One
Publisher: O'Reilly
ISBN: 0596007361
Adobe InDesign is widely regarded as the page layout/publishing program
for the new millennium. In this book, Adobe-certified expert Deke
McClelland guides you, at your own pace, through twelve step-by-step
lessons that are packed with entertaining and informative real-world
projects. There are more than 500 full-color photos, diagrams, and 
screen
shots, as well as tips and tricks for tapping into InDesign's most
powerful capabilities. Also included are two hours of video instruction 
on
CD that will help you master fundamental and advanced concepts, best
practices, and techniques.
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/adobeindesign/


***Adobe Encore DVD: In the Studio
Publisher: O'Reilly
ISBN: 0596006004
If you're looking for a stimulating way to master Adobe Encore DVD and
fine-tune your moviemaking skills, here it is. This full-color tutorial
will help you push the limits of Adobe Encore DVD by helping you create
highly imaginative designs and projects. Designed for Adobe Creative 
Suite
developers and filmmakers, this book combines practical learning 
materials
and project-based lessons. With this comprehensive tutorial, you'll be
able to quickly develop professional-looking DVDs studded with special
effects worthy of a Hollywood studio.
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/adobedvd/

Chapter 2, "Deconstructing DVDs," is available online:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/adobedvd/chapter/ch02.pdf


***Building the Perfect PC
Publisher: O'Reilly
ISBN: 0596006632
For many computer users, a ready-made system is about as satisfying as 
a
frozen microwave dinner: sure, it works, but it's not exactly what you
need or want. Don't accept the assortment of components bundled for 
your
price point; build your own PC. With straightforward language, clear
end-to-end instructions, and extensive illustrations, this book covers 
a
variety of complete systems and their components. Regardless of your
experience, you can take control and create your ideal machine. 
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/buildpc/

Chapter 1, "Fundamentals," is available online:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/buildpc/chapter/index.html


***Head First Servlets & JSP
Publisher: O'Reilly
ISBN: 0596005407 
"Head First Servlets & JSP" will help you truly understand the latest
version, J2EE 1.4, of Servlets and JSP. You'll learn how to write 
Servlets
and JSPs, what makes the Container tick, how to use the new JSP 
Expression
Language (EL), and even some server-side design patterns. Written by 
the
creators of the Sun Certified Web Component Developer (SCWCD) 1.4 exam,
this book will help you pass the exam, talk about Struts at dinner
parties, and put Servlets and JSP to work right away.
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/headservletsjsp/


***Java Threads, 3rd Edition
Publisher: O'Reilly
ISBN: 0596007825
The new edition of this classic book shows you how to take full 
advantage
of Java's threading facilities, and it brings you up to date with the
significant changes in Java 2 Standard Edition version 5.0 (J2SE 5.0). 
The
book incorporates the concurrency utilities from java.util.concurrent, 
and
new chapters cover thread performance, using threads with Swing, 
threads
and Collection classes, thread pools, and threads and I/O. Get a 
thorough,
step-by-step approach to threads programming.
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/jthreads3/

Chapter 5, "Minimal Synchronization Techniques," is available online:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/jthreads3/chapter/index.html


================================================
Upcoming Events
================================================
***For more events, please see:
http://events.oreilly.com/


***Peter Morville ("Information Architecture for the World Wide Web"),
Information Architecture & Findability Seminar, 
San Francisco, CA--October 25
Peter leads a new full-day seminar on information architecture from top 
to
bottom, explaining how search and navigation systems can be designed to
support and shape user behavior.
http://semanticstudios.com/presentations/iaf/


***Dru Lavigne ("BSD Hacks"), EuroBSDCon, Karlsruhe, Germany--
October 27-November 2
Dru discusses "But I'm not a developer...how can I contribute to open
source?"
http://2004.eurobsdcon.org/


================================================
Conference News
================================================
***O'Reilly Mac OS X Conference, Santa Clara, CA--October 25-28
This conference brings together what you need to know and what you want 
to
experience. You'll learn how to solve the day to day problems of 
connected
computing, leverage the power of scripting, improve the performance of
your network, and protect your systems from intrusion. You'll also get 
up
to speed on grid computing, home automation, streaming media, how to 
build
your own TV studio, and much more.

Use code DSUG when you register and receive 20% off conference pricing.

To register, go to:
http://conferences.oreillynet.com/cs/macosx2004/create/ord_mac04

O'Reilly Mac OS X Conference
October 25-28, 2004
Westin Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA
http://conferences.oreilly.com/macosxcon/


***Call for Participation: The MySQL Users Conference--
Proposals are due by November 1
From embedded solutions to web-commerce and critical business
applications, MySQL is everywhere--with more than five million active
installations worldwide. To introduce new users to MySQL and help
developers and IT professionals keep pace with the latest advancements,
MySQL AB has teamed up with O'Reilly Media, Inc. to co-present the 
third
annual MySQL Users Conference, scheduled for April 18-21, 2005, in 
Santa
Clara, CA.

For complete conference details visit:
http://www.mysqluc.com

Visit the submissions page for all the details on tracks and proposal
guidelines--this year's theme is "MySQL Everywhere." Proposals are due 
no
later than November 1, 2004.
http://conferences.oreillynet.com/cs/mysqluc2005/create/e_sess

================================================
News From O'Reilly & Beyond
================================================
---------------------
General News
---------------------
***O'Reilly Now Distributes SitePoint Web Development Books
We're now the exclusive distributor of SitePoint Pty. Ltd.'s books in
North America, launching SitePoint books into the retail channel,
providing direct sales, warehousing and shipping, plus direct marketing
and PR support. Founded by Matt Mickiewicz and Mark Harbottle, 
SitePoint
has enjoyed great success as one of the first online resources for web
developers and designers. Today, 1.8 million visitors a month peruse 
their
forums, articles, and blogs. The company launched their book publishing
program in September 2001, has six popular titles in print, and is
planning to double the number of in-print titles in the coming year.
SitePoint books will be available in North American bookstores as early 
as
October 2004.
For a list of current and upcoming books, see:
http://sitepoint.oreilly.com/

SitePoint's "Around the World" competition asked SitePoint book 
customers
to submit photos of themselves with their favourite SitePoint book in
exotic locales, with famous people or local landmarks. The top of Mt.
Fuji, Acropolis, Equator, set of NBC News, and the Austrian Alps are 
just
a few of the locations that SitePoint customers took pictures of with
their books in order for a chance to win an Apple iPod. To view entries
and winners, go to:
http://www.sitepoint.com/competition/ipod_competition/ipod_win_21-09-04.php


***Hacking PayPal
Here are two hacks designed to make PayPal more customer-friendly,
profitable, and accountable, plus an additional hack to catch Instant
Payment Notification (IPN) system errors. Get all the tools and details
you need to make PayPal more profitable, more flexible, and more
convenient from "PayPal Hacks."
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/javascript/excerpt/paypalhacks_chap1/index.html


***The New Bloglines Web Services 
Marc Hedlund takes a look at the new Bloglines Web Services APIs and 
their
effect on the RSS/Atom landscape, and presents a complete, three-pane
desktop RSS/Atom reader written in just 150 lines of code with the 
Groovy
programming language.
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/network/2004/09/28/bloglines.html


***O'Reilly's New Magazine for Technology Projects--"Make" 
"Make" is due out in January 2005, is loaded with exciting projects 
that
help you make the most of your technology at home and away from home.
http://make.oreilly.com

We've received many suggestions about how we can turn "Make" into a 
great
magazine. But there's still time for you to give us your input. Here 
are
some ways you can join us in the creation of this magazine: 

1. The "Make" Workshop--Imagine somebody took all your tools away and
handed you a $100 gift certificate that you could spend on hardware at
your local big box hardware store. What are the essential things you'd
buy? Now, up the price to $300--what would you outfit your workshop 
with?
How about $750?

2. What Are You Using These Days?--In each issue we'll run reviews of
stuff. We're interested in hearing about the things you already use and
love. Tell us about your favorite new (or old!) tool, magazine, book,
instructional video, gadget, web site, etc. in a 300-word email.  If we
decide to run it, we'll pay you.

3. Projects--Do you have an idea for a technology-related project? It
doesn't matter if it's large or small. Tell us about it. If we like it,
we'll ask you to write it.

You can send email suggestions to marsee@oreilly.com and please include
"Make Magazine" in the subject line field.

---------------------
Digital Media
---------------------
***Move Beyond Amateur Filmmaking
The jump from casual video recording to professional filmmaking 
requires
more steps than many artists realize. Sonoma County filmmaker Susan 
Boyer
walks you through the paces in this illuminating article.
http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/2004/09/29/filmmaking.html


***O'Reilly Digital Media Professionals Directory
Check out our new nationwide directory of photographers, musicians, and
filmmakers. Here's where you can browse our directory, find and rate
professionals, and enter your own listings. You must be logged in with
your O'Reilly account to create or rate listings.
http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/dir/index.csp

---------------------
Open Source
---------------------
***Open Source Content Management with Plone 
Publishing web sites is easy for geeks. When you're tired of your users
asking you to make tiny changes that they could easily handle 
themselves,
it's time to consider a content management system (CMS). If you're a
Python or Zope fan, you may have heard of Plone, a powerful and
easy-to-use CMS. If not, let Brad Bollenbach convince you to give it a
try.
http://www.onlamp.com/pub/a/python/2004/09/23/plone_features.html


***FreeBSD Bag of Tricks 
Software junkies like Dru Lavigne always file away interesting new
programs for their bag of tricks. In this installment of FreeBSD 
Basics,
Dru demonstrates how to use usermin for easy webmail and reveals the
convenience and glory of TheOpenCD.
http://www.onlamp.com/pub/a/bsd/2004/09/24/FreeBSD_Basics.html


***Save 50% on Linux/Unix System Administration Online Courses
O'Reilly is offering a 50% discount on the Linux/Unix Certification 
Series
from their O'Reilly Learning Lab. Save nearly $1000 on these online
courses--and earn a University of Illinois System Administration
Certificate. Every class includes compelling, hands-on content, root
access to a Linux server, an online coach, and a free O'Reilly book. 
Use
the code ORALL1 to get your 50% discount.

To enroll for the Learning Lab Linux/Unix Certification Series go to:
http://oreilly.useractive.com/linuxa/

---------------------
Mac
---------------------
***Introduction to Quartz 2D for QuickDraw Programmers 
Apple is moving from QuickDraw to Quartz for the handling of 2D 
graphics
in Mac OS X. Scott Thompson introduces you to the concepts behind 
Quartz
2D, and explains how to make the transition from QuickDraw.
http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2004/09/28/quartz.html


***Top Ten Tips for Mac OS X Con 2004 
The upcoming O'Reilly Mac conference will be different than your 
typical
tech gathering--requiring that you prepare differently, too. Program 
chair
Derrick Story shares his top ten "getting ready" tips for this 
innovative
event.
http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2004/09/24/conference_tips.html

---------------------
Windows/.NET
---------------------
***Troubleshooting Printer Problems
Not being able to print is rather annoying, for both users and the
administrators who come to their aid. Mitch Tulloch shows you how to
quickly troubleshoot and solve printing problems.
http://www.windowsdevcenter.com/pub/a/windows/2004/09/28/printer_problems.html


***Master Pages in ASP.NET 
On many web sites, it is important to achieve a consistent "look and 
feel"
as the user moves from page to page. While this was possible with .NET
1.1, it was difficult and required both programmer and designer
discipline. ASP.NET 2.0 makes this far easier with the creation of 
master
pages. Jesse Liberty shows you how master pages work in ASP.NET 2.0.
http://www.ondotnet.com/pub/a/dotnet/2004/09/27/libertyonwhidbey.html
---------------------
Java
---------------------
***Reporting Application Errors by Email 
Even if your application logs an error to a local file, the developer
doesn't know there's a problem until a user notices it and sends the 
log
file back. It can be more useful for apps to email their own error
messages back. And as Sean C. Sullivan explains, it's not hard to do 
with
either log4j or java.util.logging.
http://www.onjava.com/pub/a/onjava/2004/09/29/smtp-logging.html


***Groovy, Java's New Scripting Language 
When experienced Java developers hear about Groovy, their first 
reaction
is often, "Oh, no, not another scripting language for Java." Ian Darwin
had the same reaction, until he took a good look at Groovy. Ian is the
author of "Java Cookbook, 2nd Edition."
http://www.onjava.com/pub/a/onjava/2004/09/29/groovy.html

================================================
O'Reilly User Group Wiki
================================================
Don't forget to check out the O'Reilly UG wiki to see what user groups
across the globe are up to:
http://wiki.oreillynet.com/usergroups/index.cgi

Until next time--

Marsee