Agile/iterative methods: From business case to successful implementation This is the definitive guide for managers and students to agile and iterative development methods: what they are, how they work, how to implement them—and why you should. Using statistically significant research and large-scale case studies, noted methods expert Craig Larman presents the most convincing case ever made for iterative development. Larman offers a concise, information-packed summary of the key ideas that drive all agile and iterative processes, with the details of four noteworthy iterative methods: Scrum, XP, RUP, and Evo. Coverage includes:

Readers learn to extend the useful life of their current PC and reduce overall cost of ownership by just simply upgrading your BIOS! Dissects the cryptic descriptions that accompany virtually every motherboard manual and clearly explains what each BIOS option does Dispenses advice on the best setting for each BIOS option in different situations For seasoned 'tinkerers' there is also a comprehensive look at the function of each BOS option What is a BIOS? BIOS, pronounced "bye-ose," is an acronym that stands for Basic Input Output System. The BIOS is built-in software that determines what a computer can do without accessing programs from a disk. On PCs, the BIOS contains all the code required to control the keyboard, display screen, disk drives, serial communications, and a number of miscellaneous functions. Furthermore, The BIOS is responsible for booting your PC by providing a basic set of instructions. The BIOS performs all the necessary tasks that need to be initiated at start-up time: POST(Power-On Self Test, booting an operating system from FDD or HDD). In essence, it is necessary to upgrade the BIOS on your PC in order to maintain or inevitably obtain compatibility with the PC industries latest hardware, software and operating systems.

The freeware Apache web server runs on about half of the world's existing web sites, and it is rapidly increasing in popularity. Apache: The Definitive Guide, written and reviewed by key members of the Apache Group, is the only complete guide on the market today that describes how to obtain, set up, and secure the Apache software. Apache was originally based on code and ideas found in the most popular HTTP server of the time: NCSA httpd 1.3 (early 1995). It has since evolved into a far superior system that can rival (and probably surpass) almost any other Unix-based HTTP server in terms of functionality, efficiency, and speed. The new version now includes support for Win32 systems. This new second edition of Apache: The Definitive Guide fully describes Windows support and all the other Apache 1.3 features. Contents include:

The dot.com crash of 2000 was a wake-up call, and told us that the Web has far to go before achieving the acceptance predicted for it in '95. A large part of what is missing is quality; a primary component of the missing quality is usability. The Web is not nearly as easy to use as it needs to be for the average person to rely on it for everyday information, commerce, and entertainment.

Although Web usability has received lots of hype, especially during the dot-com meltdown, the focus has been mostly on technical issues. Usability experts stress the pitfalls of frames and too many images on Web pages. They recommend editing out unnecessary words and writing in a non-linear style-all valuable advice, of course. But less frequently do they highlight the importance of the visual presentation of Web pages. The Web is a communication medium that does most of its talking visually. What you see on a Web page tells you what you might find within the site, how to get there, and why it might interest you-not to mention the instinctive emotional response that shapes your Web experience. As a result, Web usability issues are communication issues. Easy-to-use sites are those that communicate quickly and effectively.

There's a time bomb on the web: user patience. It starts ticking each time someone opens one of your pages. You only have a few seconds to get compelling content onto the screen. Fail, and you can kiss your customers and profits goodbye.

Think you have to be a technical wizard to build a great web site? Think again. For anyone who wants to create an engaging web site--for either personal or business purposes--"Creating Web Sites: The Missing Manual" demystifies the process and provides tools, techniques, and expert guidance for developing a professional and reliable web presence.