Sams Teach Yourself Android Application Development in 24 Hours (Sams Teach Yourself -- Hours) Review

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Sams Teach Yourself Android Application Development in 24 Hours (Sams Teach Yourself -- Hours) ReviewFinally, I finished reading this book 24 hr is a misnomer, if you are thinking to finish the book in a day (it took me 13 days 2 hr a day cover to cover). One of the nice thing is the book is in Full Colour version these include screenshots, code and references to Eclipse (especially helpful if you are new with eclipse development). The book is easy to read, font and spacing were pleasing.
I should confess this is a beginner's book. You need some basic understanding of java and its concepts. The game the author picked was too basic for me, I wish I would have stated with this book months ago as it covers androids basic concepts and the first 6 chapters builds up the ground work for development on how to use eclipse and introduction to device debugging and logging( Eclipse DDMS, Android LogCat Logging).
A very good early introduction to debugging in chapter 2 right place before you get your hands dirty with coding, which i haven't seen any other books covering in that details. The author also mentions the reason they selected to use a particular android API or functionality at places and provide links for further reading.
There are also examples and exercises and although they are simple and primitive they give you the idea how to implement or use specific functionality and the solution for exercises are missing (it would have been helpful if there was a downloadable version on the website).Tips at some places are very useful and practical, some places it was an eye opener for an advance developer like me.
You will find this book useful and I'm sure it can be used as manual (not for expert android developer).Sams Teach Yourself Android Application Development in 24 Hours (Sams Teach Yourself -- Hours) OverviewFull Color!In just 24 sessions of one hour or less, learn how to build powerful applications for the world's first complete, open, and free mobile platform: Android. Using this book's straightforward, step-by-step approach, you'll build a fully-featured Android application from the ground up and master the skills you need to design, develop, test, and publish powerful applications. Each lesson builds on what you've already learned, giving you a rock-solid foundation for real-world success!Step-by-step instructions carefully walk you through the most common Android development tasks.Quizzes and Exercises at the end of each chapter help you test your knowledge. By the Way notes present interesting information related to the discussion. Did You Know? tips offer advice or show you easier ways to perform tasks. Watch Out! cautions alert you to possible problems and give you advice on how to avoid them.Learn how to… Develop Android applications quickly and successfully with JavaMaster Google's Android SDK and development toolsLeverage the Eclipse programming environment to develop Android projectsUnderstand the Android application lifecycleBuild effective, user-friendly user interfacesRetrieve, store, and work with application dataDevelop powerful network applications Add popular social features and location-based services to your applicationsTake advantage of Android device hardware like the cameraInternationalize, test, and publish your Android applications

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Sams Teach Yourself Android Application Development in 24 Hours (2nd Edition) (Sams Teach Yourself -- Hours) Review

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Sams Teach Yourself Android Application Development in 24 Hours (2nd Edition) (Sams Teach Yourself -- Hours) Review
I have always viewed any book titled "Teach Yourself ... in X Amount of Time" with a skeptical eye, and Sams has always seemed to be at the front of the line with those titles. However, this book does make that formula work, but it requires that the reader possess some prerequisite skills.
The authors assume that you:
1. Know Java. This book isn't going to teach you one thing about Java, and it assumes you've already created more than a simple 'Hello World\n' application.
2. Are familiar with the Eclipse IDE. While a great number of the first few pages delve into using Eclipse for development, they really start to focus tightly on how it applies to Android and not just creating Java programs. If you don't even know what Eclipse does, this is not the book for you.
3. Have some very basic knowledge of GUI programming concepts. You do not need to be an old salty MFC programmer, but it will be helpful if you understand the basics of user interface design concepts. If you know Java, you're probably covered. If your Java experience lies in more service/JSP type areas, you'll probably be able to pick it up. If #1 doesn't apply, save your money and buy a good Java programming book FIRST. There simply is no substitute for learning the basics.
With that said, how close do the authors come to making good on their "24 Hour" promise"? Candidly, that's ambitious even for someone such as myself who is a computer programmer. They assume you'll knock off a chapter in an hour (as indicated by the "Hour 1, Hour 2, Hour 3 designations of chapters). Realistically, any serious student of Android programming will probably dedicate way more time than that in order to really grasp the information. That doesn't make this a bad book, it just makes it guilty of perhaps overzealous marketing.
One thing that I was surprised to see in this book was help on creating versioned-builds and debugging. These are topics often overlooked in other programming books, not just Android. And any experience programmer knows, creating applications might not be the hardest job in the world, but stomping out bugs can be. It gives some ideas on best practices, pitfalls and common errors.
This book is a solid introduction, but only if you've met the author's requirements. If not, consider this a future purchase when you've gained some Java experience.
Sams Teach Yourself Android Application Development in 24 Hours (2nd Edition) (Sams Teach Yourself -- Hours) OverviewAndroid is the world's #1 mobile development platform, and with the new Android 3.0, it's becoming as popular for tablets as it is for smartphones. If you are a beginner, in just 24 lessons of one hour or less, this friendly, full-color book will help you master modern Android development. You can build a fully-featured app from scratch, learning all the skills you'll need to createyour own. Each lesson builds on prior chapters, providing a solid foundation for success. This edition is thoroughly updated for Android's newest features and development tools, while still supporting the popular Android 2.0. Coverage includes:
Using Eclipse to write apps quickly and efficiently
Understanding the application lifecycle
Building robust, friendly user interfaces
Retrieving, storing, and using data
Adding network, social, and location-based features
Supporting the camera and other hardware
Internationalizing, testing, and publishing apps
Revised and simplified step-by-step instructions with full-color screenshots walk you through key tasks... updated Q and As, Quizzes, and Exercises test your knowledge..."Did You Know?" tips offer insider advice..."Watch Out!" alerts help you avoid problems. By the time you're finished, you won't just understand core Android concepts: you'll be comfortable writing, testing, and publishing your own new apps.


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George R.R. Martin's Fevre Dream Review

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George R.R. Martin's Fevre Dream ReviewReason for Reading: I received a review copy in the mail and while I hadn't requested it; it was a gorgeous looking book and I'm always up for a good vampire story.
I have not read the original novel which this graphic has been adapted from nor have I actually read anything by the author, George R.R. Martin, so this was new territory for me. A unique story set in 1857 along the Mississippi River during the heyday of the huge passenger steamboats. A down-on-his-luck, though widely respected captain, is met by a stranger who offers him a deal he cannot pass up. The man will give him the money to build the finest ship on the river, in exchange the man and a few of his friends will live on board and though they may be odd and will keep strange hours Captain Marsh is not to question them and while he will not interfere with the running of the boat he will occasionally give orders to dock and again he is not to be questioned. Captain Marsh agrees. Little does he know what he has got himself into!
This is a great vampire story. We have one small group of "good" vampires whose leader has managed to find a cure for the "red thirst", thus allowing them to live decent lives by night. There is also a much larger group which revels in its killing and slaughter, wanting to take over the world, keeping humans as their cattle. When the two groups find each other, it is a long fight between the Alpha's of each group with Captain Marsh caught in the middle.
I found this to be a page turner. Captain Marsh is an intriguing character, one who values honesty and loyalty. The art is beautiful, dark and even sensuous at times. This book is very much 18+ though, there are incredibly violent and gory scenes aplenty, along with full frontal female nudity, and some simply disturbing scenes, language oddly enough though, is mild. A fun, creepy horror story.George R.R. Martin's Fevre Dream OverviewFrom George R.R. Martin, author of the New York Times best-selling novel series A Song of Ice and Fire, comes a moonlit tale of feuding vampire clans, death, and debauchery in the bayou! Set in 1857 along the muddy Mississippi, FEVRE DREAM introduces Abner Marsh, a remarkably ugly man who longs to captain the fastest steamboat on the river. When a pale, mysterious gentleman named Joshua – who keeps strange hours and stranger friends – approaches him with an offer of partnership, Abner's dreams appear to come true… though he may have unleashed a nightmare on the unsuspecting shores! Adapted by Hugo-nominated author Daniel Abraham and artist Rafa Lopez, this graphic novel stays faithful to Martin's original dark vision, immersing the reader in the tortures and joys of vampire society. Includes an original introduction by the legendary author!

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