4/28/2011

Scrum in Action - Free Download

Book Description
SCRUM IN ACTION: AGILE SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT is a practical how-to guide for software project teams on how to successfully deploy an Agile software framework with Scrum. It is clearly and concisely written and is the first practical guide with real world situations written by corporate practitioners. This book describes many good project management techniques on how to get the most from project teams and bridges the gaps between many Scrum and project management books by addressing how to communicate with executives using financial terms, how to use an objective estimation technique, and where software architecture fits into Scrum.

Review
"Andrew Pham's book is an answer to the prayers of newbies to Agile/Scrum. Right from assessment techniques for your project/enterprise for agility, to guidance on implementing it – he has included, not only theoretical aspect, but also human and practical aspects. Simply put, for all the impediments he/his team faced over years he has put together a learning guide and answered for us most of the questions which we might face to start with agile transformation. A great tool for any team trying to explore the agile path!" — Sameer Bendre, Certified ScrumMaster, PMP, 3i Infotech Consulting

"I have known Andrew Pham for many years and always enjoyed learning something new from him, starting from the time I was still working under his direction at AT&T (formerly known as SBC). Andrew Pham was particularly clear then in explaining Agile and Architecture Vision to us, something he has done again with this book. For a technical book, this is a very interesting book with new ideas to look at project management or software development process in general. Very well written and a must read for those that must improve on current way of doing things and a good reference book for all in IT." – Ben Oguntona, MBA, Senior Systems Manager, AT &T

"Andrew Pham takes a different look at Scrum in this book and helps shed light on many of the questions project teams face when beginning to adopt Scrum. Andrew describes many good project management techniques on how to get the most from your project teams. Andrew also bridges the gaps between many Scrum and project management books by addressing how to communicate with executives using financial terms, how to use an objective estimation technique in lieu of the common "poker estimation", and where software architecture fits into Scrum. A good, quick read to prepare project managers on how to successfully implement Scrum." — Scott Booth, MCP, Manager Pariveda Solutions, Dallas, Texas

"The book was a concise presentation of the steps and concepts that an organization should be aware of when adopting Scrum. The company I work for is currently in our 3rd sprint of our very first Scrum project. I can't wait for the final version of this book to be released so that I can share it with the rest of my team. In many ways it was good confirmation that we are on the right track and it was a great reminder of the things that we still need to work on. The chapter on what makes a good Product Owner described almost exactly the person who is filling that role in our company. I haven't had the chance to complete the Certified Scrum Master training yet, so reading about how the Scrum Master and Product Owner work together to manage the team provided some key insight for me." — Dennis Palmer, Product Manager/Scrum Master, Esquire Innovations, Inc.

"Andrew Pham's book is a very concise reference for Agile and Scrum and is written more on a practical term than just academics. It is an easy read for the novice and advance project managers alike. The language of the book lends itself to showing the fact that the Agile and Scrum are absolutely a more natural way of looking at project management. As Andrew Pham and I had successfully led the first successful Peoplesoft package implementation at Computer City many years ago, I can recognize in this book many Scrum elements he was using then. Essentially, they were to build a good and frequent collaboration with the users, to empower the team while ensuring that they deliver on short demonstrable increments. The book definitely puts this natural progression in a more formal framework while highlighting the building flexibilities in the process. As a Senior Software Specialist having worked on small and large projects, I feel that this book is a great asset to the projects managers regardless of the size and extent of the projects." — Anwar Bardai, Senior Software Specialist, Compucom, Inc.

Book Details

  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Course Technology PTR (January 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9781435459137
  • ISBN-13: 978-1435459137
  • File Size: 6.2 MiB
  • Hits: 1,492 times
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4/27/2011

Foundation HTML5 Canvas: For Games and Entertainment - Free DownLoad

Book Description
Foundation HTML5 Canvas: For Games and Entertainment teaches you how to make exciting interactive games and applications using HTML5 canvas.

Canvas lets you produce graphics, animations, and applications using the HTML5 and JavaScript web standards. It allows you to draw directly within the browser without the need for third-party plugins like Adobe Flash, and so canvas works perfectly across desktop and mobile devices, like the iPhone and Android.

Foundation HTML5 Canvas begins by introducing you to HTML5 and the cool new features that it opens up for you. You are then offered a quick guide to JavaScript programming to get you up to speed. Next up you'll receive a thorough introduction to the canvas element, which teaches you how to draw objects within the browser with great ease.

Once the basics are covered you'll move on to the more advanced features of canvas, including image and video manipulation. You'll also learn how to create realistic animations with the help of some basic physics.

Foundation HTML5 Canvas then teaches you how to create two thrilling space-based games using all the skills you've learned so far. You'll find plenty of code examples and illustrations designed to help you understand even the most complex of topics.

HTML5 is already here for you, and Foundation HTML5 Canvas will provide you with all the information you need to enjoy the show.

What you'll learn

  • The exciting new features that HTML5 brings and how to use them
  • The basics of programming in JavaScript and capturing user input
  • What the canvas drawing element is all about and why you'd want to use it
  • How to utilize both basic and advanced features of canvas
  • How to create realistic animations using canvas and a splash of physics
  • How to make interactive games using canvas, JavaScript, and other HTML5 goodies

Who this book is for
The book has been written in a friendly way that makes it approachable to beginners and experts alike. It is predominantly for Web designers who are new to HTML5 and JavaScript, and covers the absolute basics of creating interactive games and applications using the HTML5 canvas element. Experienced Web designers and programmers will also learn about all the features of canvas and how they can be used within their own projects. Flash and Silverlight developers wanting to broaden their reach across the Web and mobile devices will also benefit from the information in this book.

Table of Contents

  1. Introducing HTML5
  2. Foundation JavaScript
  3. Learning the Basics of Canvas
  4. Pushing Canvas Further
  5. Manipulating Images and Video
  6. Making Things Move
  7. Implementing Advanced Animation
  8. Creating the Space Bowling Game
  9. Creating the Asteroid Avoidance Game
  10. Taking Things Further and the Future of Canvas

Book Details

  • Paperback: 316 pages
  • Publisher: friendsofED (April 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1430232919
  • ISBN-13: 978-1430232919
  • File Size: 18.4 MiB
  • Hits: 645 times
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Beginning Android Games - Free Download

Book Description
Beginning Android Games offers everything you need to join the ranks of successful Android game developers. You'll start with game design fundamentals and programming basics, and then progress towards creating your own basic game engine and playable games. This will give you everything you need to branch out and write your own Android games.

The potential user base and the wide array of available high-performance devices makes Android an attractive target for aspiring game developers. Do you have an awesome idea for the next break-through mobile gaming title? Beginning Android Games will help you kick-start your project.

The book will guide you through the process of making several example games for the Android platform, and involves a wide range of topics:

  • The fundamentals of game development
  • The Android platform basics to apply those fundamentals in the context of making a game
  • The design of 2D and 3D games and their successful implementation on the Android platform

What you'll learn

  • How to set up and use the development tools for developing your first Android application
  • The fundamentals of game programming in the context of the Android platform
  • How to use the Android's APIs for graphics (Canvas, OpenGL ES 1.0/1.1), audio, and user input to reflect those fundamentals
  • How to develop two 2D games from scratch, based on the Canvas API and OpenGL ES.
  • How to create a full-featured 3D game
  • How to publish your games, get crash reports, and support your users
  • How to complete your own playable 2D OpenGL games

Who this book is for
This book is for people with a basic knowledge of Java who want to write games on the Android platform. It also offers information for experienced game developers about the pitfalls and peculiarities of the platform.

Table of Contents

  1. Android, the New Kid on the Block
  2. First Steps with the Android SDK
  3. Game Development 101
  4. Android for Game Developers
  5. An Android Game Development Framework
  6. Mr. Nom Invades Android
  7. OpenGL ES: A Gentle Introduction
  8. 2D Game Programming Tricks
  9. Super Jumper: A 2D OpenGL ES Game
  10. OpenGL ES: Going 3D
  11. 3D Programming Tricks
  12. Droid Invaders: the Grand Finale
  13. Publishing Your Game
  14. What's Next?

Book Details

  • Paperback: 688 pages
  • Publisher: Apress (April 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1430230428
  • ISBN-13: 978-1430230427
  • File Size: 47.4 MiB
  • Hits: 456 times
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