Computing & IT

How does our fascination with technology intersect with the religious imagination? In TechGnosis-a cult classic now updated and reissued with a new afterword-Erik Davis argues that while the realms of the digital and the spiritual may seem worlds apart, esoteric and religious impulses have in fact always permeated (and sometimes inspired) technological communication. Davis uncovers startling connections between such seemingly disparate topics as electricity and alchemy; online roleplaying games and religious and occult practices; virtual reality and gnostic mythology; programming languages and Kabbalah. The final chapters address the apocalyptic dreams that haunt technology, providing vital historical context as well as new ways to think about a future defined by the mutant intermingling of mind and machine, nightmare and fantasy.

As programmers, weve all seen source code thats so ugly and buggy it makes our brain ache. Over the past five years, authors Dustin Boswell and Trevor Foucher have analyzed hundreds of examples of "e;bad code"e; (much of it their own) to determine why theyre bad and how they could be improved. Their conclusion? You need to write code that minimizes the time it would take someone else to understand iteven if that someone else is you.This book focuses on basic principles and practical techniques you can apply every time you write code. Using easy-to-digest code examples from different languages, each chapter dives into a different aspect of coding, and demonstrates how you can make your code easy to understand.Simplify naming, commenting, and formatting with tips that apply to every line of codeRefine your programs loops, logic, and variables to reduce complexity and confusionAttack problems at the function level, such as reorganizing blocks of code to do one task at a timeWrite effective test code that is thorough and conciseas well as readable"e;Being aware of how the code you create affects those who look at it later is an important part of developing software. The authors did a great job in taking you through the different aspects of this challenge, explaining the details with instructive examples."e;Michael Hunger, passionate Software Developer

"Feel" is the essence of human-computer interaction. It is the single most important (yet often overlooked) element in games that makes the game art form unique. No other traditional art form like film, literature, music encompasses interactivity, as games do. This book bring "feel" to the forefront and gives it a proper voice.

Presenting the 20th anniversary and first revised edition of a collection of essays on the management of computer programming projects, this work is an updated and enhanced re-release of the "Brooks classic". With the addition of 3 essays assessing the status of software project management, the authors "No Silver Bullet", is also included.

'One of the greatest, most radical public thinkers of our time. When the sun sets on the American empire, as it will, as it must, Noam Chomsky's work will survive' Arundhati RoyFrom one of the world's most prominent thinkers comes an urgent warning of the threat that US power poses to humanity's futureThe land of the free. The home of the brave. But what has America achieved in the aim of 'spreading democracy' - except wreak havoc across the globe and establish a reckless foreign policy that serves the interest of few and has endangered all too many?In this timely book, Noam Chomsky writing with Nathan J. Robinson, vividly traces America's pursuit of global domination, offering an incisive critique of the self-serving myths that dominant elites in the United States continue to push.Offering penetrating accounts of Washington's role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, they examine how interventions such as these have been justified with noble stories about humanitarian missions and benevolent intentions but are now driving us closer to wars with Russia and China.At once thorough and devastating, urgent and provocative, The Myth of American Idealism offers a highly readable entry to the conclusions Noam Chomsky has come to after a lifetime of thought and activism.'The west's most prominent critic of US imperialism . . . the closest thing in the English-speaking world to an intellectual superstar' Guardian

All you need to simplify, organise and revolutionise your digital life

"The third volume of the official Final Fantasy XIV lore books, written and compiled by the Final Fantasy XIV development team. Includes an exclusive bonus code for an in-game minion! Offering a staggering amount of information on the Shadowbringers and Endwalker expansions, Encyclopaedia Eorzea III brings readers further into the realms of the global hit video game. Covering everything from key character profiles, enemies and deities to weapons, area maps and bestiaries, this full-color, deluxe hardcover will be a source of delight and inspiration for players on their unending journeys"--

Discover the freedom of the open road with Lonely Planet's Southwest USA's Best Road Trips. This trusted travel companion features 32 amazing drives, from 2-day escapes to 2-week adventures. Marvel at the Grand Canyon, soak up the beauty of Sedona, and stop off in Moab for some rafting. Get to Southwest USA, rent a car, and hit the road!

A pop-culture cookbook featuring food and drinks inspired by the best-selling multiplayer pirate video game, Sea of Thieves. Bursting with delicious fish, meat, vegetarian and vegan dishes that are sure to inspire seafaring chefs of all skill levels, this cookbook is the perfect culinary companion for your plundering adventures.

Revit(R) 2024 for Architecture NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED Whether you're just getting acquainted with Revit(R) 2024 or want to boost your skills, this guide will take you where you need to go. Autodesk's powerful Building Information Modeling (BIM) software can seem complex, but when you follow the step-by-step tutorial in this book, you will learn Revit(R) 2024 in a real-world setting that can be quickly applied to your own projects. Start out with a tour of the interface and conventions and identify important tools then start building by placing walls, doors, and windows. As you continue, you will learn to build floors layer by layer, work with grids, beams, foundations, and dimensions, then join walls, create ceilings and roofs, and place stairs and railings all while you discover how to handle construction documentation and deal with site considerations, just as you will encounter on the job. Familiarize yourself with the interface and start building right away Learn to place structural components Work with views, grids, dimensions, beams, foundations, and text Create necessary construction documentation, including schedules, materials, and more Apply what you've learned to actual projects

Delve into the world of Genshin Impact in this beautiful memento showcasing hundreds of illustrations.

"What's the difference between your competitor and your enemy? You know who your competitors are. You keep tabs on them regularly, and can list them calmly, along with their strengths and weaknesses. But your enemies are a whole other matter. They're the haters and the doubters who said you'd never make it, the ones who stomped on your dreams. When you think about your enemies, you can't stop the strong feelings rising up. In Choose Your Enemies Wisely, Patrick Bet-David shows how to harness emotion to turbocharge your business, dominate this year, and grow for generations after. But first, you need to choose your enemies wisely. Bet-David has spent years perfecting the system that led to the knockout success of his own financial services company. Now, Bet-David shares the secret behind this system: his 12 Business Building Blocks, which will teach you how to seamlessly blend emotion and logic in your business plan. Both a practical document for achieving goals and the fuel needed to fire up yourself and your team, this plan goes beyond the "how" and digs deeper into the "why": not only how you'll get funding, but why you need long-term vision; why you must build a culture that makes employees want to run through walls; why you have to know the enemy you're out to prove wrong. Straightforward and simple, the steps in this book will lead you to move the levers that create exponential growth and lasting success. Read Choose Your Enemies Wisely if you are a visionary, dreamer, and big thinker. Where you are now in your business journey doesn't matter. By following Bet-David's plan, you will set up your business for sustainable success and accomplish your most audacious goals"--

Learn how the disruptive AI chatbot is going to change school, work, and beyondChatGPT For Dummies demystifies the artificial intelligence tool that can answer questions, write essays, and generate just about any kind of text it's asked for. This powerful example of generative AI is widely predicted to upend education and business. In this book, you'll learn how ChatGPT works and how you can operate it in a way that yields satisfactory results. You'll also explore the ethics of using AI-generated content for various purposes. Written by a journalist who's been on the front lines of artificial intelligence for over a decade, this book dives deep into ChatGPT's potential, so you can make informed decisions--without asking ChatGPT for help.* Learn how ChatGPT works and how it fits into the world of generative AI* Harness the power of ChatGPT to help you, and avoid letting it hinder you* Write queries that deliver the kind of response you want* Take a look into how the ChatGPT API interacts with other tools and platformsThis just-in-time Dummies title is perfect for anyone life or career may be impacted by ChatGPT and other AI. ChatGPT is just the tip of the iceberg, and this book can help you prepare for the future.

Computing power has revolutionized the theory and practice of statistical inference. Now in paperback, and fortified with 130 class-tested exercises, this book explains modern statistical thinking from classical theories to state-of-the-art prediction algorithms. Anyone who applies statistical methods to data will value this landmark text.

**SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2023 WAINWRIGHT PRIZE**'Desperately needed' - Isabella Tree'I doubt any more important book will published this year' - Stephen FryIn this indispensable follow up to his acclaimed The End of the Line: How Overfishing is Changing the World, Charles Clover chronicles how determined individuals are proving that the crisis in our oceans can be reversed, with benefits for both local communities and entire ecosystems. Rewilding the Sea celebrates what happens when we step aside and let nature repair the damage: whether it is the overfishing of bluefin tuna across the Atlantic, the destruction of coral gardens by dredgers in Lyme Bay or the restoration of oysters on the East Coast of America.The latest scientific research shows that trawling and dredging create more CO2 than the aviation industry and damage vast areas of our continental shelves, stopping them soaking up carbon. We need to fish in different ways, where we fish at all. We can store carbon and have more fish by stepping aside more often and trusting nature.Essential and revelatory, Rewilding the Sea propels us to rethink our relationship with nature and reveals that saving our oceans is easier than we think.

This bestselling on-the-job reference and test preparation guide has been fully revised for new 2022 exam objectivesThis fully revised and updated resource offers complete coverage of the latest release of CompTIA A+ exams 220-1101 & 220-1102. You'll find learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter, exam tips, practice exam questions, and in-depth explanations. Designed to help you pass the CompTIA A+ exams with ease, this definitive guide also serves as an essential on-the-job IT reference.Covers all exam topics, including how to:Work with CPUs, RAM, BIOS, motherboards, power supplies, and other personal computer componentsInstall, configure, and maintain hard drivesManage input devices and removable mediaSet up, upgrade, and maintain Microsoft WindowsTroubleshoot and fix computer problemsInstall printers and other peripheralsConfigure and secure mobile devices>Connect to the InternetSet up wired and wireless networksProtect your personal computer and your networkImplement virtualization and cloud-based technologiesOnline content includes:Practice exams for 1101 & 1102 with hundreds of questionsOne hour of video training from Mike MeyersTotalSim simulations of performance-based questionsA collection of Mike Meyers' favorite shareware and freeware PC tools and utilities

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Pocket Budapest is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Visit the Royal Palace and its museums, 'take the waters' of the art nouveau Gellert Baths, or bar hop the district of Erzsebetvaros; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of the best of Budapest and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet Pocket Budapest: Full-colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Free, convenient pull-out Budapest map (included in print version), plus over 18 colour neighbourhood maps User-friendly layout with helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time Covers the Castle District, Gellert Hill & Taban, Obuda, Belvaros, Parliament area, Margaret Island & Northern Pest, Erzsebetvaros & the Jewish Quarter, Southern Pest and more eBook Features: (Best viewed on tablet devices and smartphones) Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet Pocket Budapest, a colorful, easy-to-use, and handy guide that literally fits in your pocket, provides on-the-go assistance for those seeking only the can't-miss experiences to maximize a quick trip experience. About Lonely Planet: Since 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel media company with guidebooks to every destination, an award-winning website, mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet covers must-see spots but also enables curious travellers to get off beaten paths to understand more of the culture of the places in which they find themselves. The world awaits! Lonely Planet guides have won the TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice Award in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' -- Fairfax Media 'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times Important Notice: The digital edition of this book may not contain all of the images found in the physical edition.

With 73 million units sold worldwide, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise is established as one of the best-selling game series ever. Recognized for having some of the richest, most-engrossing art and storytelling in the industry, Assassin's Creed transcends video games, branching into other entertainment experiences including comic books, novels, short films and an impressive merchandise line-up. The recently announced Assassin's Creed Unity takes players into the heart of the French Revolution. Marrying intricately detailed environments and next-gen capabilities, Paris comes to life around you and immerses you in the grit and grime of a city in turmoil. Continuing in the footsteps of this already world-renowned franchise, Assassin's Creed Unity brings to life a time of unrest and disorder in one of the greatest cities in the world, promising to be the biggest and best experience yet. Highlights in the game, and in the book, include the different areas of Paris, each with their own identity and population, towering buildings bigger than any Assassin's Creed game so far and an amazing range of locations and action. (c) 2014 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Assassin's Creed, Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft in the U.S. and/or other countries.