latest iteration of the ora newsletter. see attached. -- steve ulrich sulrich at botwerks.org PGP: 8D0B 0EE9 E700 A6CF ABA7 AE5F 4FD4 07C9 133B FAFC -------------- next part -------------- ================================================================ O'Reilly UG Program News--Just for User Group Leaders February 3, 2005 ================================================================ -Tons of Promotional Materials Available for Your Group -Safari Affiliate Program for User Groups ---------------------------------------------------------------- Book Info ---------------------------------------------------------------- ***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. ---------------------------------------------------------------- General News ---------------------------------------------------------------- ****Promotional Materials Available: The following items are available for your next meeting. Numbers are limited so please don't wait too long. Let me know the type and the amount you would like and I will do my best. -Make Magazine Sample Copies http://make.oreilly.com/ -LinuxWorld, Boston, MA--February 15-17 Expo Passes http://www.linuxworldexpo.com/live/12/events/12BOS05A -SafariU Brochures http://academic.oreilly.com/safariu-more.csp -Photoshop World, Las Vegas, NV--March 9 Expo Passes http://www.photoshopworld.com/ -O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference (ETech), San Diego, CA--March 14-17 Brochures http://conferences.oreillynet.com/etech/ -MySQL Users Conference, Santa Clara, CA--April 18-21 Brochures http://www.mysqluc.com/ -2005 O'Reilly Winter Book Catalogs http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/prdindex.html ***Safari Affiliate Program for User Groups Give your members access to content from Safari's thousands of technology books, right on your site--for free--and raise money for your User Group at the same time. For more information and to sign up for the Safari Affiliate Program, go to: http://ug.oreilly.com/safari_affl.html?CMP=EMC-U1L284871961 ================================================================ O'Reilly News for User Group Members February 3, 2005 ================================================================ ---------------------------------------------------------------- Book News ---------------------------------------------------------------- -AppleScript: The Missing Manual -Creating Photomontages with Photoshop: A Designer's Notebook -Internet Annoyances -Google Hacking for Penetration Testers -Home Networking Annoyances -Linux Server Security, 2nd Edition -Buffer Overflow Attacks -Configuring NetScreen Firewalls ---------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Events ---------------------------------------------------------------- -Hadley Stern ("iPod & iTunes Hacks"), Boston Macintosh User Group, Boston, MA--February 9 -Tim O'Reilly, EclipseCon, Burlingame, CA--February 28-March 3 -O'Reilly at PhotoShop World, Las Vegas, NV--March 9 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Conference News ---------------------------------------------------------------- -OSCON Call For Proposals Now Open -Register for the 2005 O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference, San Diego, CA--March 14-17 -Registration Is Open for the 2005 MySQL Users Conference, Santa Clara, CA--April 18-21 ---------------------------------------------------------------- News ---------------------------------------------------------------- -Hacking Google -Get Your Hands Dirty! -"Make" subscriptions now available -Don't Miss O'Reilly at LinuxWorld, Boston, MA--February 15-17 -Programming eBay Web Services with PHP 5 and Services_Ebay -Freevo: Freedom For Your TV -Michael Stutz On Using Linux For Everyday Activities -Top Ten AppleScript Tips -Output Like a Pro with iPhoto 5 -Fix Hot Spot Annoyances -Working with Roaming User Profiles -IRC Text to Speech with Java -Internals of Java Class Loading -Build Your Own PVR (for Free) with HackTV -Featured Photographer--Ofer Halevi: The Art of Juxtaposition -Learning Lab: Save 40% on Web Programming Certificate Courses -A-Z Web Site Indexes Explained ================================================ 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------- ***AppleScript: The Missing Manual Publisher: O'Reilly ISBN: 0596008503 Macintosh's ultimate scripting tool, AppleScript, has one major shortcoming: it comes without a manual. This Missing Manual fills the void. While its hands-on approach, with dozens of scripting examples, certainly keeps novices from feeling intimidated, this book is also suited for professionals from system administrators to musicians, ensuring that anyone can learn how to control Mac applications in timesaving and innovative ways. http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/applescripttmm/index.html Chapter 5, "Controlling Files," is available online: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/applescripttmm/chapter/index.html ***Creating Photomontages with Photoshop: A Designer's Notebook Publisher: O'Reilly ISBN: 0596008589 This collection of groundbreaking digital creations by well-known French artists is a visual smorgasbord for digital imaging professionals, graphic artists, photographers, and anyone involved in the creation of digital images and animations. But it's more than a full-color feast for the eyes: reflecting the very best of French graphic design, it guides Photoshop users through all aspects of the photomontage creation process, from initial concept through step-by-step execution. http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/photoshopadn/ ***Internet Annoyances Publisher: O'Reilly ISBN: 0596007353 Recognizing the universal nature of the Net, "Internet Annoyances" strives to make using the internet as stress-free as possible for everyone. This insightful guide effectively addresses and presents solutions for the many glitches that still complicate the internet experience. You'll learn how to thwart would-be hackers, ensure greater security while surfing, eliminate pop-up ads, maximize online services, conduct effective searches, and much more. Chapter 8, "Searching Annoyances," is available online: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/internetannoy/chapter/index.html ***Google Hacking for Penetration Testers Publisher: Syngress ISBN: 1931836361 "Google Hacking for Penetration Testers" explores the explosive growth of a technique known as "Google Hacking." This simple tool can be bent by hackers and those with malicious intent to find hidden information, break into sites, and access supposedly secure information. Borrowing the techniques pioneered by malicious "Google hackers," this book aims to show security practitioners how to properly protect clients from this often overlooked and dangerous form of information leakage. http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/1931836361/index.html ***Home Networking Annoyances Publisher: O'Reilly ISBN: 0596008082 Need a cure for the headaches associated with running a home network? This book tackles all the common annoyances your network dishes up, whether it's wired or wireless, Mac or PC. With a friendly, off-the-cuff approach, this book guides you safely through common home networking glitches, including file sharing, printing, security, and more. Take a stand against annoyances now: this book is your ticket to serenity. http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/homenetannoy/ Chapter 4, "File-Sharing Annoyances," is available online: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/homenetannoy/chapter/index.html ***Linux Server Security, 2nd Edition Publisher: O'Reilly ISBN: 0596006705 "Linux Server Security, 2nd Edition" expertly conveys to administrators and developers the tricks of the trade that can help them avoid serious security breaches. The book covers both background theory and practical, step-by-step instructions for protecting a server that runs Linux. Geared toward Linux users with little security expertise, the author explains security concepts and techniques in clear language, beginning with the fundamentals. Stay one step ahead of potential adversaries. http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/linuxss2/ Chapter 12, "System Log Management and Monitoring," is available online: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/linuxss2/chapter/index.html ***Buffer Overflow Attacks Publisher: Syngress ISBN: 1932266674 The SANS Institute maintains a list of the "Top 10 Software Vulnerabilities." Currently, over half of these vulnerabilities are exploitable by buffer overflow attacks, which allow an attacker to run arbitrary code on a victim's machine. This is the first book specifically aimed at detecting, exploiting, and preventing the most common and dangerous attacks. It provides specific, real code examples on exploiting buffer overflow attacks from a hacker's perspective, and on defending against these attacks for the software developer. http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/1932266674/ ***Configuring NetScreen Firewalls Publisher: Syngress ISBN: 1932266399 "Configuring NetScreen Firewalls" delivers an in-depth look at the NetScreen firewall product line. It covers all of the aspects of the NetScreen product line from the SOHO devices to the Enterprise NetScreen firewalls. Advanced troubleshooting techniques and the NetScreen Security Manager are also covered. http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/1932266399/index.html ================================================ Upcoming Events ================================================ ***For more events, please see: http://events.oreilly.com/ ***Hadley Stern ("iPod & iTunes Hacks"), Boston Macintosh User Group, Boston, MA--February 9 Come join this O'Reilly author to find out all the cool things that you can do with your iPod! Boston Macintosh User Group MIT Building E51 Room 315 Cambridge, MA http://www.bmac.org/meetings.html ***Tim O'Reilly, EclipseCon, Burlingame, CA--February 28-March 3 Tim is a keynote speaker at this event. http://www.eclipsecon.org/2005/index.htm ***O'Reilly at PhotoShop World, Las Vegas, NV--March 9 Come by and say hi and check out our latest Digital Media books at our booth (#220). Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas, NV http://www.photoshopworld.com/ ================================================ Conference News ================================================ ***OSCON Call For Proposals Now Open Circle August 1-5 on your calendar and join us at the O'Reilly Open Source Convention in beautiful Portland, Oregon. OSCON 2005 will be at the Oregon Convention Center, where we'll have tutorials, sessions, parties, BOFs, and a huge exhibit hall. http://conferences.oreillynet.com/os2005/ The call for participation is open, and you're invited to submit a proposal to lead tutorials and sessions. Visit the submissions page for all the details on tracks and proposal guidelines. Proposals are due no later than February 13, 2005. http://conferences.oreillynet.com/cs/os2005/create/e_sess ***2005 O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference, San Diego, CA--March 14-17 This year's conference theme is "Remix," which infuses ETech's roll-up-your-sleeves tutorials, to-the-point plenary presentations, and real world focused breakout sessions. Come to ETech and discover how applications and hardware are being deconstructed and recombined in unexpected ways. Learn how users and customers are influencing new interfaces, devices, business models, and services. For all the scoop on tutorials, featured speakers, and conference events, check out: http://conferences.oreillynet.com/etech/ Hurry up before it sells out! User Group members use code DSUG when you register, and receive 20% off the registration price. To register for the conference, go to: http://conferences.oreillynet.com/cs/et2005/create/ord_et05 ***Register for the 2005 MySQL Users Conference, Santa Clara, CA--April 18-21 The MySQL Users Conference, co-presented by O'Reilly Media and MySQL AB, brings together experts, users, and industry leaders with unique MySQL insights, offering attendees a detailed look into new features in MySQL 5.0, sessions and workshops designed to teach best practices, and exposure to new open source technologies. For more information, go to: http://www.mysqluc.com/ User Group members who register before Febuary 28, 2005 get a double discount. Use code DSUG when you register, and receive 20% off the early registration price. To register for the conference, go to: http://conferences.oreillynet.com/cs/mysqluc2005/create/ord_mysql05 ================================================ News From O'Reilly & Beyond ================================================ --------------------- General News --------------------- ***Hacking Google With access to more than three million documents in over 30 languages, Google is a researcher's dream. But like any invaluable tool, knowing the insider tricks of the trade is a must to save time and needless effort. Tara Calishain and Rael Dornfest, authors of "Google Hacks, 2nd Edition," have set out to educate the masses to the ins and outs of Google. In today's excerpt, they offer the inside scoop on scattersearching, cartography, Google on the go, Gmail-lite, and AdSense. With over 150 million Google searches conducted every day, why be just a number? http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/network/excerpt/ggl_hcks/index.html ***Get Your Hands Dirty! Hackers of all stripes refuse to just take what they???re given. They???re driven to remake it, and getting there is more than half the fun. Here at O'Reilly, we've got the information you need to hack, remix, and master technology at home and at work. In this letter for our Winter 2005 Catalog, Tim O'Reilly talks about how we're celebrating the hacker impulse. http://tim.oreilly.com/articles/dirtyhands_0105.html You'll find all of Tim's collected writings and speeches at: http://tim.oreilly.com/ ***"Make" subscriptions now available The annual subscription price for four issues is $34.95. When you subscribe with this link, you'll get a free issue--the first one plus four more for $34.95. So subscribe for yourself or friends with this great offer for charter subscribers: five volumes for the cost of four. Subscribe at: https://www.pubservice.com/MK/Subnew.aspx?PC=MK&PK=M5ZUGLA --------------------- Open Source --------------------- ***Don't Miss O'Reilly at LinuxWorld, Boston, MA--Feb 15-17 Stop by our booth (#509) to check out our latest Linux and open source titles and listen to our authors including Jonathan Corbet ("Linux Device Drivers, 3rd Ed."), Kyle D. Dent ("Postfix: The Definitive Guide"), Jay Beale ("Snort 2.1 Intrusion Detection, 2nd Ed."), Sam Hiser and Tom Adelstein ("Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop"), and Adam Trachtenberg ("PHP Cookbook"). We will have daily demonstrations on our new magazine "Make" and SafariU (http://academic.oreilly.com/safariu-more.csp). Here is our schedule of events: http://www.oreilly.com/examples/oreilly/ug/linuxworld_speaker_sched.pdf ***Programming eBay Web Services with PHP 5 and Services_Ebay PHP 5 added several new features to the language, yet laundry lists and high-level overviews don't really show what they are or why you might use them. Fortunately, Adam Trachtenberg writes for us. Here's how to use the new features of PHP 5 for writing web services clients. http://www.onlamp.com/pub/a/php/2005/01/27/ebay_webservices.html ***Freevo: Freedom For Your TV PVRs may be the next big thing in home entertainment, but relying on a closed box leaves you few options for customization. The Freevo project is building a platform for developing television-aware applications, whether recording, timeshifting, or general-purpose mayhem. Howard Wen explains the Freevo project and interviews its developers. http://www.linuxdevcenter.com/pub/a/linux/2005/01/27/freevo.html ***Michael Stutz On Using Linux For Everyday Activities Michael Stutz, author of "The Linux Cookbook, 2nd Edition" (No Starch) discusses what inspired him to write this book, when he first started using Linux, and other world views in this LinuxWorld interview. http://www.linuxworld.com/story/47810.htm?DE=1 --------------------- Mac --------------------- ***Top Ten AppleScript Tips AppleScript lets you control Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, FileMaker Pro, and hundreds of other Mac programs with just a few lines of code. But if you think of AppleScript as just a nerdy workflow-automation tool, you're missing out on a lot of power. Truth is, AppleScript has lots of hidden tricks and timesavers built in--and they all come for free with your Mac. Adam Goldstein, author of "AppleScript: The Missing Manual," has hand selected ten of the most useful tips for making AppleScript work for you. http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2005/02/01/applscrpt_mm.html ***Output Like a Pro with iPhoto 5 Earlier, Derrick Story discussed how iPhoto 5's RAW capability lets you input like a pro. But some of its new output features are quite sophisticated. Here Derrick takes a look at how to create sophisticated slideshows and QuickTime downloads using only iPhoto 5. http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2005/02/01/iphoto.html --------------------- Windows/.NET --------------------- ***Fix Hot Spot Annoyances Using a Wi-Fi hot spot is a great way to stay connected when you're away from home or the office. But beware: you may be vulnerable to snoopers; you may be unable to send email; and your connection may flake out. Preston Gralla, author of "Internet Annoyances," fixes all your hot spot woes. http://www.windowsdevcenter.com/pub/a/windows/2005/02/01/hot_spot.html ***Working with Roaming User Profiles If you have a highly mobile local user base and are constantly fielding concerns about personalized settings and desktop customizations that don't seem to travel with your users, then roaming user profiles may make your life a lot easier. In this article, Jonathan Hassell, author of "Learning Windows Server 2003," explains how roaming user profiles can save you time and energy. http://www.windowsdevcenter.com/pub/a/windows/2005/02/01/rmng_usr.html --------------------- Java --------------------- ***IRC Text to Speech with Java Paul Mutton creates a multi-platform IRC bot that uses the FreeTTS Java speech synthesizer library to convert IRC messages into audible speech. Why would you want to use an IRC text-to-speech system? By reading out messages as they arrive, you can keep working, diverting your attention to IRC only when necessary. Paul is the author of "IRC Hacks." http://www.onjava.com/pub/a/onjava/2004/09/08/IRCinJava.html ***Internals of Java Class Loading When are two classes not the same? When they're loaded by different class loaders. This is just one of many curious side effects of Java's class-loading system. Binildas Christudas shows how different class loaders relate to one another and how (and why) to build your own custom class loader. http://www.onjava.com/pub/a/onjava/2005/01/26/classloading.html --------------------- Digital Media --------------------- ***Build Your Own PVR (for Free) with HackTV HackTV is a developer app for Mac OS X that you can download for free. It enables you to watch TV (or any video source) on your Mac. Better yet, it enables you to download that content to your hard drive. Erica Sadun shows you the ins and outs of HackTV. http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/2005/01/26/hacktv.html ***Featured Photographer--Ofer Halevi: The Art of Juxtaposition Whether it's a man standing beside a mannequin in Amsterdam, or a poster of Rabin staring up at a passerby in Israel, Ofer Halevi has an eye for recording the juxtaposition of people and their inanimate environment. In this portfolio you can experience Ofer's passion for detail, interaction, and patterns. http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/2005/01/12/featured.html --------------------- Web --------------------- ***Learning Lab: Save 40% on Web Programming Certificate Courses This six-course series from the O'Reilly Learning Lab teaches you the skills needed for web programming, web administration, and website development. You'll learn HTML, JavaScript, XML, SQL, Perl, and Unix. Upon completion of the series, students receive a Certificate of Professional Development from the University of Illinois Office of Continuing Education. Sign up by February 22nd, and save 40% on all Web Programming Certificate courses. http://www.oreilly.com/redirector.csp?link=UAWeb&type=news ***A-Z Web Site Indexes Explained A-Z Indexes are a far more accurate than search engines for searching the content of a web site or intranet. For the value they can bring to a site, A-Z indexes are worth the additional cost, but, if you decide to add an index to your site, it's important to find the right person to do the job. http://www.sitepoint.com/article/a-z-indexes ================================================ >From Your Peers =============================================== 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