Computer und IT
Beginning HCL Programming
Get started with programming and using the Hashicorp Language (HCL). This book introduces you to the HCL syntax and its ecosystem then it shows you how to integrate it as part of an overall DevOps approach.Next, you’ll learn how to implement infrastructure as code, specifically, using the Terraform template, a set of cloud infrastructure automation tools. As part of this discussion, you’ll cover Consul, a service mesh solution providing a full-featured control plane with service discovery, configuration, and segmentation functionality. You’ll integrate these with Vault to build HCL-based infrastructure as code solutions.Finally, you’ll use Jenkins and HCL to provision and maintain the infrastructure as code system. After reading and using Beginning HCL Programming, you'll have the know-how and source code to get started with flexible HCL for all your cloud and DevOps needs.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN* Get started with programming and using HCL* Use Vault, Consul, and Terraform * Apply HCL to infrastructure as codeDefine the Terraform template with HCL * Configure Consul using HCL* Use HCL to configure Vault* Provision and maintain infrastructure as code using Jenkins and HCLWHO THIS BOOK IS FORAnyone new to HCL but who does have at least some prior programming experience as well as knowledge of DevOps in general.PIERLUIGI RITI is a senior DevOps engineer at Coupa Software and Sunchronoss Technologies. Prior to that, he was a senior software engineer at Ericsson and Tata. His experience includes implementing DevOps in the cloud using Google Cloud Platform as well as AWS and Azure. Also, he has over ten years of extensive experience in more general design and development of different scale applications particularly in the telco and financial industries. He has quality development skills using the latest technologies including Java, J2EE, C#, F#, .NET, Spring .NET, EF, WPF, WF, WinForm, WebAPI, MVC, Nunit, Scala, Spring, JSP, EJB, Struts, Struts2, SOAP, REST, C, C++, Hibernate, NHibernate, Weblogic, XML, XSLT, Unix script, Ruby, and Python.DAVID FLYNN is an Associate Analyst in Employee Access Business Operations at Mastercard. He is an Electronic Engineer with experience in telecommunications, networks, software, security and Financial Systems. David started out as a Telecommunications Engineer working on Voice, data and wireless systems for Energis and later Nortel Networks supporting systems such as Lucent G3r, Alcatel E10 & Nortel Passport. He then did some time in Transport and Private security abroad before retraining in Computing, Cyber Security and Cloud Systems plus doing Cyber Security & Telecomm research for the Civil Service. He has completed separate Diplomas in Computing and Cloud focusing on Windows, C# , Google, AWS and Powershell amongst other technologies. David also has worked as a C# Engineer. More recently David has worked for various fintech companies including Bank Of America Merril Lynch focusing on technical & Application Support encompassing such technologies as Rsa Igl, Rsa SecurID, IBM Tam/Isam, Postgres/Oracle databases, Mainframe, Tandem, CyberArk, MaxPro and Active Directory.1 Introduction to HCLDefine the history of HCL, the basic syntax and, show the basic configuration syntax and the basic usage of the HCL2 The Hashicorp ecosystemShow the different software create by Hashicorpt like Vault, Consul, Terraform3 Introduction to GoA small introduction on the Go language, we use Go to define the configuration template described in the book4 Infrastructure As CodeDefine what is the Infrastructure as Code and how we can do that5 Introduction to the Cloud and DevOpsIn this chapter, we have a short introduction to the Cloud and the DevOps6 Use HCL for TerraformWe start to use the HCL for define Terraform template7 Consul HCLIn this chapter we introduce the HCL for Consul, we learn how to configure Consul using the HCL8 Vault HCLUse the HCL for configure Vault9 Infrastructure as Code with HCLDesign the Infrastructure as Code use the Hashicorp language, in particular, we use Terraform, Vault and Consul10 Provisioning and Maintain the Infrastructure as CodeIn this chapter, we see how to use Jenkins and the HCL for provisioning and maintain the infrastructure as code
Practical Internet Server Configuration
Learn the skills to complete the full installation, configuration, and maintenance of an enterprise class internet server, no matter what Unix-like operating system you prefer. This book will rapidly guide you towards real system administration, with clear explanations along the way.After a chapter explaining the most important Unix basics, you will start with a vanilla server as delivered by a hosting provider and by the end of the book, you will have a fully functional and well-secured enterprise class internet server. You will also be equipped with the expertise needed to keep your server secured and up to date. All configuration examples are given for FreeBSD, Debian and CentOS, so you are free to choose your operating system.No single blueprint exists for an internet server, and an important part of the work of a system administrator consists of analyzing, interpreting and implementing specific wishes, demands and restrictions from different departments and viewpoints within an organization. Practical Internet Server Configuration provides the information you need to succeed as a sysadmin.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN* Configure DNS using Bind 9* Set up Apache and Nginx* Customize a mail server: IMAP (Dovecot) and SMTP (Postfix), spam filtering included* Authenticate mail users using LDAP* Install and maintain MariaDB and PostgreSQL databases* Prepare SSL/TLS certificates for the encryption of web, mail and LDAP traffic* Synchronize files, calendars and address books between devices* Build a firewall: PF for FreeBSD and nftables for LinuxWHO THIS BOOK IS FORThis book can be used by aspiring and beginning system administrators who are working on personal servers, or more experienced system administrators who may know Unix well but need a reference book for the more specialized work that falls outside the daily routine. Basic understanding of Unix and working on the command line is necessary.Robert La Lau has been active on the internet since the mid-90s. What started as a hobby – playing around with Linux, and developing small games and applications using Perl, HTML and JavaScript – turned into a job when he became a full-time freelance web developer in 1999. Shortly thereafter, a web hosting server and freelance Linux and FreeBSD administration were added. In the years that followed, new programming languages were learned, and software development was added to the range of services offered. In his spare time, Rob was involved in several smaller and larger open source projects; among other things, he was the initiator and first administrator for the official online KDE forums. After 15 years of freelance IT work, Rob thought he'd had enough of IT work, finished his running affairs, and left the Netherlands to discover the world. However, the IT kept calling him, and once installed in his new home country France, he decided to return to his old métier. Only this time, it was not to get his own hands dirty in the field, executing orders for clients, but to transfer his knowledge and experience onto the next generations of system administrators and developers. He rebooted his IT career translating and narrating educational books and videos, taught some Unix classes, and seems to have found his destination publishing books now.1. Introduction and Preparations2. Unix and POSIX in a Few Words3. Software management4. Network (Base) and Firewall5. User Management and Permissions6. Domain Name System (DNS)7. Secure shell (SSH)8. Task Scheduling9. Web Server Part 1: Apache/Nginx Basics10. Traffic Encryption: SSL/TLS11. Databases12. Email Basics13. Web Server Part 2: Advanced Apache/Nginx14. Advanced Email15. Backup and Monitoring16. Taking it Further
Essential TypeScript 4
Learn the essentials and more of TypeScript, a popular superset of the JavaScript language that adds support for static typing. TypeScript combines the typing features of C# or Java with the flexibility of JavaScript, reducing typing errors and providing an easier path to JavaScript development.Author ADAM FREEMAN explains how to get the most from TypeScript 4 in this second edition of his best-selling book.He begins by describing the TypeScript language and the benefits it offers and then shows you how to use TypeScript in real-world scenarios, including development with the DOM API, and popular frameworks such as Angular and React. He starts from the nuts-and-bolts and builds up to the most advanced and sophisticated features.Each topic is covered clearly and concisely, and is packed with the details you need to be effective. The most important features are given a no-nonsense, in-depth treatment and chapters include common problems and teach you how to avoid them.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN* Gain a solid understanding of the TypeScript language and tools* Use TypeScript for client- and server-side development* Extend and customize TypeScript* Test your TypeScript code* Apply TypeScript with the DOM API, Angular, React, and Vue.js WHO THIS BOOK IS FORJavaScript developers who want to use TypeScript to create client-side or server-side applicationsADAM FREEMAN is an experienced IT professional who has held senior positions at a range of companies, most recently serving as chief technology officer and chief operating officer of a global bank. Now retired, he spends his time writing and long-distance running.PART 1 - GETTING STARTED WITH TYPESCRIPT1. Your First TypeScript Application2. Understanding TypeScript3. JavaScript Types Primer, Part 14. JavaScript Types Primer, Part 25. Using the TypeScript Compiler6. Testing and Debugging TypeScriptPART 2 - WORKING WITH TYPESCRIPT7. Understanding Status Types8. Using Functions9. Using Arrays, Tuples and Enums10. Working with Objects11. Working with Classes and Interfaces12. Using Generic Types13. Advanced Generic Types14. Working with JavaScriptPART 3 - CREATING WEB APPLICATIONS15. Creating a Stand-Alone Web App, Part 116. Creating a Stand-Alone Web App, Part 217. Creating an Angular App, Part 118. Creating an Angular App, Part 219. Creating a React App, Part 120. Creating a React App, Part 221. Creating a Vue.js App, Part 122. Creating a Vue.js App, Part 2
Deep Learning with Python
Master the practical aspects of implementing deep learning solutions with PyTorch, using a hands-on approach to understanding both theory and practice. This updated edition will prepare you for applying deep learning to real world problems with a sound theoretical foundation and practical know-how with PyTorch, a platform developed by Facebook’s Artificial Intelligence Research Group.You'll start with a perspective on how and why deep learning with PyTorch has emerged as an path-breaking framework with a set of tools and techniques to solve real-world problems. Next, the book will ground you with the mathematical fundamentals of linear algebra, vector calculus, probability and optimization. Having established this foundation, you'll move on to key components and functionality of PyTorch including layers, loss functions and optimization algorithms.You'll also gain an understanding of Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) based computation, which is essential for training deep learning models. All the key architectures in deep learning are covered, including feedforward networks, convolution neural networks, recurrent neural networks, long short-term memory networks, autoencoders and generative adversarial networks. Backed by a number of tricks of the trade for training and optimizing deep learning models, this edition of Deep Learning with Python explains the best practices in taking these models to production with PyTorch.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN* Review machine learning fundamentals such as overfitting, underfitting, and regularization.* Understand deep learning fundamentals such as feed-forward networks, convolution neural networks, recurrent neural networks, automatic differentiation, and stochastic gradient descent.* Apply in-depth linear algebra with PyTorch* Explore PyTorch fundamentals and its building blocks* Work with tuning and optimizing models WHO THIS BOOK IS FORBeginners with a working knowledge of Python who want to understand Deep Learning in a practical, hands-on manner.Nikhil S. Ketkar currently leads the Machine Learning Platform team at Flipkart, India’s largest e-commerce company. He received his Ph.D. from Washington State University. Following that he conducted postdoctoral research at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, which was followed by a brief stint in high frequency trading at Transmaket in Chicago. More recently he led the data mining team in Guavus, a startup doing big data analytics in the telecom domain and Indix, a startup doing data science in the e-commerce domain. His research interests include machine learning and graph theory.Jojo Moolayil is an artificial intelligence, deep learning, machine learning, and decision science professional with over five years of industrial experience and is a published author of the book Smarter Decisions – The Intersection of IoT and Decision Science. He has worked with several industry leaders on high-impact and critical data science and machine learning projects across multiple verticals. He is currently associated with Amazon Web Services as a research scientist. He was born and raised in Pune, India and graduated from the University of Pune with a major in Information Technology Engineering. He started his career with Mu Sigma Inc., the world’s largest pure-play analytics provider and worked with the leaders of many Fortune 50 clients. He later worked with Flutura – an IoT analytics startup and GE. He currently resides in Vancouver, BC. Apart from writing books on decision science and IoT, Jojo has also been a technical reviewer for various books on machine learning, deep learning and business analytics with Apress and Packt publications. He is an active data science tutor and maintains a blog at http://blog.jojomoolayil.com.CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION DEEP LEARNINGA brief introduction to Machine Learning and Deep Learning. We explore foundational topics within the subject that provide us the building blocks for several topics within the subject.CHAPTER 2 – INTRODUCTION TO PYTORCHA quick-start guide to PyTorch and a comprehensive introduction to tensors, linear algebra and mathematical operations for Tensors. The chapter provides the required PyTorch foundations for readers to meaningfully implement practical Deep Learning solutions for various topics within the book. Advanced PyTorch topics are explored as and when touch-based during the course of exercises in later chapter.CHAPTER 3- FEED FORWARD NETWORKS (30 PAGES)In this chapter, we explore the building blocks of a neural network and build an intuition on training and evaluating networks. We briefly explore loss functions, activation functions, optimizers, backpropagation, that could be used for training. Finally, we would stitch together each of these smaller components into a full-fledged feed-forward neural network with PyTorch.CHAPTER 4-AUTOMATIC DIFFERENTIATION IN DEEP LEARNINGIn this chapter we open this black box topic within backpropagation that enables training of neural networks i.e. automatic differentiation. We cover a brief history of other techniques that were ruled out in favor of automatic differentiation and study the topic with a practical example and implement the same using PyTorchs Autograd module.CHAPTER 5 – TRAINING DEEP NEURAL NETWORKSIn this chapter we explore few additional important topics around deep learning and implement them into a practical example. We will delve into specifics of model performance and study in detail about overfitting and underfitting, hyperparameter tuning and regularization. Finally, we will leverage a real dataset and combined our learnings from the beginning of this book into a practical example using PyTorch.CHAPTER 6 – CONVOLUTIONAL NEURAL NETWORKS (35 PAGES)Introduction to Convolutional Neural Networks for Computer Vision. We explore the core components with CNNs with examples to understand the internals of the network, build an intuition around the automated feature extraction, parameter sharing and thus understand the holistic process of training CNNs with incremental building blocks. We also leverage hands-on exercises to study the practical implementation of CNNs for a simple dataset i.e. MNIST (classification of handwritten digits), and later extend the exercise for a binary classification use-case with the popular cats and dogs’ dataset.CHAPTER 7 – RECURRENT NEURAL NETWORKSIntroduction to Recurrent Neural Networks and its variants (viz. Bidirectional RNNs and LSTMs). We explore the construction of a recurrent unit, study the mathematical background and build intuition around how RNNs are trained by exploring a simple four step unrolled network. We then explore hands-on exercises in natural language processing that leverages vanilla RNNs and later improve their performance by using Bidirectional RNNS combined with LSTM layers.CHAPTER 8 – RECENT ADVANCES IN DEEP LEARNINGA brief note of the cutting-edge advancements in the field will be added. We explore important inventions within the field with no implementation details, however focus on the applications and the path forward.
Pro ASP.NET Core Identity
Get the most from ASP.NET Core Identity. Best-selling author ADAM FREEMAN teaches developers common authentication and user management scenarios and explains how they are implemented in applications. He covers each topic clearly and concisely, and the book is packed with the essential details you need to be effective.The book takes a deep dive into the Identity framework and explains how the most important and useful features work in detail, creating custom implementations of key components to reveal the inner workings of ASP.NET Core Identity. ASP.NET Core Identity provides authentication and user management for ASP.NET Core applications. Identity is a complex framework in its own right, with support for a wide range of features, including authenticating users with services provided by Google, Facebook, and Twitter.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN* Gain a solid understanding of how Identity provides authentication and authorization for ASP.NET Core applications* Configure ASP.NET Core Identity for common application scenarios, including self-service registration, user management, and authentication with services provided by popular social media platforms* Create robust and reliable user management tools* Understand how Identity works in detailWHO THIS BOOK IS FORDevelopers with advanced knowledge of ASP.NET Core who are introducing Identity into their projects. Prior experience and knowledge of C#, ASP.NET Core is required, along with a basic understanding of authentication and authorization concepts.ADAM FREEMAN is an experienced IT professional who has held senior positions in a range of companies, most recently serving as chief technology officer and chief operating officer of a global bank. Now retired, he spends his time writing and long-distance running. Part 1 - Using ASP.NET Core Identity1. Getting Ready2. Your First Identity Application3. Creating the Example Project4. Using the Identity UI5. Configuring Identity6. Adapting Identity UI7. Using the Identity API8. Signing In and Out and Managing Passwords9. Creating and Deleting Accounts10. Using Roles and Claims11. Two-Factor and External Authentication12. Authenticating API ClientsPart 2 - Understanding ASP.NET Core Identity13. Creating the Example Project14. Working with ASP.NET Core15. Authorizing Requests16. Creating a User Store17. Claims, Roles, and Confirmations18. Signing In with Identity19. Creating a Role Store20. Lockouts and Two-Factor Sign Ins21. Authenticators and Recovery Codes22. External Authentication - Part 123. External Authentication - Part 2
Practical Machine Learning for Streaming Data with Python
Design, develop, and validate machine learning models with streaming data using the Scikit-Multiflow framework. This book is a quick start guide for data scientists and machine learning engineers looking to implement machine learning models for streaming data with Python to generate real-time insights.You'll start with an introduction to streaming data, the various challenges associated with it, some of its real-world business applications, and various windowing techniques. You'll then examine incremental and online learning algorithms, and the concept of model evaluation with streaming data and get introduced to the Scikit-Multiflow framework in Python. This is followed by a review of the various change detection/concept drift detection algorithms and the implementation of various datasets using Scikit-Multiflow.Introduction to the various supervised and unsupervised algorithms for streaming data, and their implementation on various datasets using Python are also covered. The book concludes by briefly covering other open-source tools available for streaming data such as Spark, MOA (Massive Online Analysis), Kafka, and more.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN* Understand machine learning with streaming data concepts* Review incremental and online learning* Develop models for detecting concept drift* Explore techniques for classification, regression, and ensemble learning in streaming data contexts* Apply best practices for debugging and validating machine learning models in streaming data context* Get introduced to other open-source frameworks for handling streaming data.WHO THIS BOOK IS FORMachine learning engineers and data science professionalsDr. Sayan Putatunda is an experienced data scientist and researcher. He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Statistics/ Machine Learning from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) where his research was on streaming data and its applications in the transportation industry. He has a rich experience of working in both senior individual contributor and managerial roles in the data science industry with multiple companies such as Amazon, VMware, Mu Sigma, and more. His research interests are in streaming data, deep learning, machine learning, spatial point processes, and directional statistics. As a researcher, he has multiple publications in top international peer-reviewed journals with reputed publishers. He has presented his work at various reputed international machine learning and statistics conferences. He is also a member of IEEE.Chapter 1: An Introduction to Streaming DataChapter Goal: Introduce the readers to the concept of streaming data, the various challenges associated with it, some of its real-world business applications, various windowing techniques along with the concepts of incremental and online learning algorithms. This chapter will also help in understanding the concept of model evaluation in case of streaming data and provide and introduction to the Scikit-Multiflow framework in Python.No of pages- 35Sub -Topics1. Streaming data2. Challenges of streaming data3. Concept drift4. Applications of streaming data5. Windowing techniques6. Incremental learning and online learning7. Illustration : Adopting batch learners into incremental learners8. Introduction to Scikit-Multiflow framework9. Evaluation of streaming algorithmsChapter 2: Change DetectionChapter Goal: Help the readers to understand the various change detection/concept drift detection algorithms and its implementation on various datasets using Scikit-Multiflow.No of pages : 35Sub - Topics:1. Change detection problem2. Concept drift detection algorithms3. ADWIN4. DDM5. EDDM6. Page HinkleyChapter 3: Supervised and Unsupervised Learning for Streaming DataChapter Goal: Help the readers to understand the various regression and classification (including Ensemble Learning) algorithms for streaming data and its implementation on various datasets using Scikit-Multiflow. Also, discuss some approaches for clustering with streaming data and its implementation using Python.No of pages: 35Sub - Topics:1. Regression with streaming data2. Classification with streaming data3. Ensemble Learning with streaming data4. Clustering with streaming dataChapter 4: Other Tools and the Path ForwardChapter Goal: Introduce the readers to the other open source tools for handling streaming data such as Spark streaming, MOA and more. Also, educate the reader about additional reading for advanced topics within streaming data analysis.No of pages: 35Sub - Topics:1. Other tools for handling streaming data1.1.1. Apache Spark1.1.2. Massive Online Analysis (MOA)1.1.3. Apache Kafka2. Active research areas and breakthroughs in streaming data analysis3. Conclusion
Protective Security
This book shows you how military counter-intelligence principles and objectives are applied. It provides you with valuable advice and guidance to help your business understand threat vectors and the measures needed to reduce the risks and impacts to your organization. You will know how business-critical assets are compromised: cyberattack, data breach, system outage, pandemic, natural disaster, and many more.Rather than being compliance-concentric, this book focuses on how your business can identify the assets that are most valuable to your organization and the threat vectors associated with these assets. You will learn how to apply appropriate mitigation controls to reduce the risks within suitable tolerances.You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the value that effective protective security provides and how to develop an effective strategy for your type of business.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN* Take a deep dive into legal and regulatory perspectives and how an effective protective security strategy can help fulfill these ever-changing requirements* Know where compliance fits into a company-wide protective security strategy* Secure your digital footprint* Build effective 5 D network architectures: Defend, detect, delay, disrupt, deter* Secure manufacturing environments to balance a minimal impact on productivity* Securing your supply chains and the measures needed to ensure that risks are minimizedWho This Book Is ForBusiness owners, C-suite, information security practitioners, CISOs, cybersecurity practitioners, risk managers, IT operations managers, IT auditors, and military enthusiastsJIM (JAMES) SEAMAN has been dedicated to the pursuit of security for his entire adult life. He served 22 years in the RAF Police, covering a number of specialist areas (physical security, aviation security, information security management, IT security management, cyber security management, security investigations, intelligence operations, incident response and disaster recovery), before successfully transitioning his skills to corporate environments (financial services, banking, retail, manufacturing, ecommerce, marketing, etc.) to help businesses enhance their cyber/InfoSec defensive measures working with various industry security standards.CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS PROTECTIVE SECURITY (PS)?An introduction to the term ‘Protective Security’ and a description of why this differs to other industry terms (e.g. Cyber Security, Information Security, IT Security, Network Security, etc.)?Why PS should be an integral for your business operations?CHAPTER 2: PROTECTIVE SECURITY (PS) IN TERMS OF THE LEGAL & REGULATORY PERSPECTIVE.A deep dive into the Legal and Regulatory perspectives and how an effective PS strategy can help fulfil these ever-changing requirements?PS and the European Union General Data Protection Act (EU-GDPR).CHAPTER 3: THE INTEGRATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH PROTECTIVE SECURITY (PS).A description of where compliance fits into a company-wide PS strategy.PS and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).CHAPTER 4: THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN EFFECTIVE PROTECTIVE SECURITY (PS) STRATEGY.A comprehensive guide to the development of an effective strategy, aligning business assets to their importance for the business objectives and goals, to incorporate the threats, risks, and core components of any strategy.Strategic alignment with the business context.CHAPTER 5: CYBER SECURITY.A deep dive into the concept of Cyber Security, with a focus on Point of Origins (PoO) that occur in the ‘Badlands’ (e.g. outside the corporate network) to compromise internet-facing technologies (e.g. Ecommerce, Digital, Mobile, etc.)Securing your Digital Footprint.CHAPTER 6: NETWORK/IT SECURITY.The importance of secure by design/default networks to help safeguard your most important business IT assets from compromise.Lateral Movement Attacks.CHAPTER 7: INFORMATION SYSTEMS SECURITY.Providing a guide to the securing of these systems, as a separate asset type, based upon the value of the data assets to the business and to aid the application of the 5 Ds of Security (Defend, Detect, Delay, Disrupt & Deter).Building Effective 5 Ds Network Architectures.CHAPTER 8: PHYSICAL SECURITY.A comprehensive guide to the development of appropriate physical security measures and its importance within the Protective Security strategy.Fortifying Your Business Operations.CHAPTER 9: INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS SECURITYIncreasingly, Manufacturing systems are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Gain an insight how securing these environments can be balanced with a minimal impact on productivity.Manufacturing Secure Operations.CHAPTER 10: SECURING YOUR SUPPLY CHAINGain an appreciation for securing your Supply Chains and the measures needed to ensure that the Supply Chain risks are minimized.The Weakest Link?CHAPTER 11: DEVELOPING YOUR INTERNAL FIREWALL.A focus on the development of a robust Security Culture, through the proactive engagement with a business’ personnel assets.Security Is Not A Dirty Word.CHAPTER 12: STRICT ACCESS RESTRICTIONSThe ‘Need To Know’/’Need To Access’ are the fundamental principles for any effective Protective Security strategy. Gain an insight into why this is the case and how to ensure that this is the case within your organization.The Keys To Your Empire.CHAPTER 13: BUILDING RESILIENT SYSTEMSGain an appreciation for the business value of building resilient systems and an understanding on what is required to develop resilience into your PS strategy.The Ability To ‘Bounce Back’.CHAPTER 14: DEMONSTRATING THE PROTECTIVE SECURITY (PS) RETURN ON INVESTMENTS (ROI)The value of an effective PS strategy is often underappreciated by business leaders. Gain an understanding on how to demonstrate to that their investments continue to deliver a robust security posture and continues to ensure that they remain a less viable target.The Value of PS.
Datenschutz nach DS-GVO und Informationssicherheit gewährleisten
In vielen Unternehmen und Behörden gibt es zahlreiche Verfahren, die sowohl die Anforderungen des Datenschutzes als auch die der Informationssicherheit erfüllen müssen. Was liegt da näher als die Auswahl der erforderlichen Sicherungsmaßnahmen in einem einheitlichen Vorgehen zu ermitteln. Mit diesem Werk gibt der Autor dem Praktiker einen Leitfaden an die Hand, den dieser gleichermaßen bei einfachen als auch komplexen Verfahren anwenden kann.Im ersten Teil wird auf Basis des Prozesses ZAWAS die Umsetzung der Anforderungen der DS-GVO (einschl. DSFA) aufgezeigt. Zusätzlich zeigt der Autor im zweiten Teil des Buches auf, wie durch eine kleine Prozesserweiterung dieses Vorgehen auch auf die Ermittlung der erforderlichen Sicherungsmaßnahmen für die Informationssicherheit genutzt werden kann.Dieses Vorgehen reduziert den Gesamtaufwand und führt zu einem höheren Schutzniveau.STEFAN MIEROWSKI, MSc., Dipl. Finanzwirt (FH), studierte Informatik und Rechtswissenschaft, Referent bei der Landesbeauftragten für den Datenschutz Niedersachsen, ehemaliger Referent beim BSI und zertifizierter ISO 27001 Auditor, Schöpfer des Prozesses ZAWAS. Ausgangslage: Anforderung der Digitalisierung.- Darstellung der Informationssicherheit und des Datenschutzes.- Der Prozess zur Auswahl angemessener Sicherungsmaßnahmen (ZAWAS).- Prüfung der Übertragbarkeit des Prozesses ZAWAS auf die Informationssicherheit.- Fazit.- Zusammenfassung
Introducing Blockchain with Lisp
Implement blockchain from scratch covering all the details with Racket, a general-purpose Lisp. You'll start by exploring what a blockchain is, so you have a solid foundation for the rest of the book. You'll then be ready to learn Racket before starting on your blockchain implementation. Once you have a working blockchain, you'll move onto extending it. The book's appendices provide supporting resources to help you in your blockchain projects.The recommended approach for the book is to follow along and write the code as it’s being explained instead of reading passively. This way you will get the most out of it. All of the source code is available for free download from GitHub.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN* Discover the Racket programming language and how to use it* Implement a blockchain from scratch using Lisp* Implement smart contracts and peer-to-peer support* Learn how to use macros to employ more general abstractionsWHO THIS BOOK IS FORNovices that have at least some experience with programming, as well as some basic working experience with computers. The book also assumes some experience with high school mathematics, such as functions.Boro Sitnikovski has over ten years of experience working professionally as a software engineer. He started programming with assembly on an Intel x86 at the age of ten. While in high school, he won several prizes in competitive programming, varying from 4th, 3rd, and 1st place. He is an informatics graduate - his bachelor’s thesis was titled “Programming in Haskell using algebraic data structures”, and his master’s thesis was titled “Formal verification of Instruction Sets in Virtual Machines”. He has also published a few papers on software verification. Other research interests of his include programming languages, mathematics, logic, algorithms, and writing correct software. He is a strong believer in the open-source philosophy and contributes to various open-source projects. In his spare time, he enjoys some time off with his family.1: Introduction to Blockchain2: Racket Programming Language3: Blockchain Implementation4: Extending the BlockchainConclusionFurther ReadingAppendix A: Macros
Scrum Master 2.0
Das nächste Level - Neuerscheinung in 04/2021!Dieses Buch ist für Scrum Master geschrieben, die festgestellt haben, dass ihnen die Theorie von Scrum alleine nicht weiterhilft. Denn wir arbeiten mit und für ein Team von Menschen, die ihre Schwächen, Stärken und Eigenheiten haben. Und da ist der offizielle Scrum Guide nur ein kleiner Teil der tatsächlichen Arbeitsinhalte. Hier setzt das Buch »Scrum Master 2.0« an: Nach den theoretischen Grundlagen zu diesem agilen Framework geht es um die Arbeit mit dem Team, um die tägliche Gestaltung des Scrum Master-Alltags, seine Vorgehensweisen, seine Tools, seine Interventionen. Scrum Master 2.0 startet da, wo der Scrum Guide endet.Jedes Kapitel konzentriert sich auf einen anderen Praxisbereich. Angesprochen werden Themen wie Teamentwicklung und -motivation, agile Konzepte, Visualisierung, Stressprävention, Kommunikation, Coaching, Kontaktmanagement, agile Moderation und vieles mehr. Dieses Buch ist somit ein unerlässliches Handwerkszeug für jeden Scrum Master.Kenntnisse des Scrum Frameworks werden für dieses Buch vorausgesetzt. Alle Themen lassen sich einfach und effektiv in den Arbeitsalltag integrieren.Leseprobe (PDF-Link)
Neuronale Netze mit C# programmieren
Mit praktischen Beispielen für Machine Learning im Unternehmenseinsatz.Sie wollen neuronale Netze und Machine-Learning-Algorithmen mit C# entwickeln? Dann finden Sie in diesem Buch eine gut verständliche Einführung in die Grundlagen und es wird Ihnen gezeigt, wie Sie neuronale Netze und Machine-Learning-Algorithmen in Ihren eigenen Projekten praktisch einsetzen.Mithilfe von Beispielen erstellen und trainieren Sie Ihr erstes neuronales Netz zur vorausschauenden Wartung einer Produktionsmaschine.Im Praxisteil lernen Sie dann, wie Sie TensorFlow-Modelle in ML.NET benutzen oder Infer.NET direkt verwenden können. Des Weiteren nutzen Sie die Predictive- und Sentiment-Analyse, um sich mit Machine-Learning-Algorithmen vertraut zu machen.Alle im Buch vorgestellten Projekte sind in C# programmiert und stehen als Download zur Verfügung. Grundkenntnisse in C# werden für die Arbeit mit dem Buch vorausgesetzt. Alle Projekte lassen sich ohne größere Rechnerressourcen umsetzen.Daniel Basler arbeitet als Lead Developer und Softwarearchitekt. Seine Schwerpunkte liegen auf Cross-Platform-Apps, Android, JavaScript und Microsoft-Technologien. Er entwickelt u.a. Software für Regal- und Flächenlagersysteme sowie Anlagenvisualisierung und setzt in diesem Umfeld verstärkt Machine-Learning-Methoden ein. Darüber hinaus schreibt er regelmäßig Artikel für die Fachzeitschriften dotnetpro und web&mobile Developer.Leseprobe (PDF-Link)
Stochastic Approaches to Electron Transport in Micro- and Nanostructures
The book serves as a synergistic link between the development of mathematical models and the emergence of stochastic (Monte Carlo) methods applied for the simulation of current transport in electronic devices. Regarding the models, the historical evolution path, beginning from the classical charge carrier transport models for microelectronics to current quantum-based nanoelectronics, is explicatively followed. Accordingly, the solution methods are elucidated from the early phenomenological single particle algorithms applicable for stationary homogeneous physical conditions up to the complex algorithms required for quantum transport, based on particle generation and annihilation. The book fills the gap between monographs focusing on the development of the theory and the physical aspects of models, their application, and their solution methods and monographs dealing with the purely theoretical approaches for finding stochastic solutions of Fredholm integral equations. Part I Aspets of Electron Transport Modeling: 1. Concepts of Device Modeling.- 2. The Semiconductor Model: Fundamentals.- 3. Transport Theories in Phase Space.- 4. Monte Carlo Computing.- Part II Stochastic Algorithms for Boltzmann Transport: 5. Homogeneous Transport: Empirical Approach.- 6. Homogeneous Transport: Stochastic Approach.- 7. Small Signal Analysis.- 8. Inhomogeneous Stationary Transport.- 9. General Transport: Self-Consistent Mixed Problem.- 10. Event Biasing.- Part III Stochastic Algorithms for Quantum Transport: 11.Wigner Function Modeling.- 12. Evolution in a Quantum Wire.- 13. Hierarchy of Kinetic Models.- 14. Stationary Quantum Particle Attributes.- 15. Transient Quantum Particle Attributes.
PHP 8 Objects, Patterns, and Practice
Learn how to develop elegant and rock-solid systems using PHP, aided by three key elements: object fundamentals, design principles, and best practices. The 6th edition of this popular book has been fully updated for PHP 8, including attributes, constructor property promotion, new argument and return pseudo-types, and more. It also covers many features new since the last edition including typed properties, the null coalescing operator, and void return types. This book provides a solid grounding in PHP's support for objects, it builds on this foundation to instill core principles of software design and then covers the tools and practices needed to develop, test, and deploy robust code.PHP 8 Objects, Patterns, and Practice begins by covering PHP's object-oriented features. It introduces key topics including class declarations, inheritance, and reflection. The next section is devoted to design patterns. It explains the principles that make patterns powerful. You’ll cover many of the classic design patterns including enterprise and database patterns. The last segment of the book covers the tools and practices that can help turn great code into a successful project. The section shows how to manage multiple developers and releases with git, and how to manage builds and dependencies with Composer. It also explores strategies for automated testing and continuous integration.After reading and using this book, you will have mastered object-oriented enhancements, design patterns, and the essential development tools available for PHP 8.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN* Work with object fundamentals: write classes and methods, instantiate objects, and create powerful class hierarchies using inheritanceMaster advanced object-oriented features, including static methods and properties, managing error conditions with exceptions, and creating abstract classes and interfaces * Understand and use design principles to deploy objects and classes effectively in your projects* Discover a set of powerful patterns that you can implement in your own projects* Guarantee a successful project including unit testing; version control and build, installation, and package management; and continuous integrationWHO THIS BOOK IS FORAnyone with at least a basic knowledge of PHP who wants to use its object-oriented features in their projects. It is also for PHP coders who want to learn about the practices and tools (version control, testing, continuous integration, etc) that can make projects safe, elegant and stable.MATT ZANDSTRA has worked as a web programmer, consultant, and writer for over two decades. He is the author of SAMS Teach Yourself PHP in 24 Hours (three editions) and is a contributor to DHTML Unleashed. He has written articles for Linux Magazine, Zend, IBM DeveloperWorks, and php|architect Magazine, among others. Matt was a senior developer/tech lead at Yahoo and API tech lead at LoveCrafts. Matt works as a consultant advising companies on their architectures and system management, and also develops systems primarily with PHP, and Java. Matt also writes fiction.Part I. Objects.-1. PHP: Design and Management.-2. PHP and Objects.-3. Object Basics.-4. Advanced Features.-5. Object Tools.-6. Objects and Design.-Part II. Patterns.-7. What Are Design Patterns? Why Use Them?.-8. Some Pattern Principles.-9. Generating Objects.-10. Patterns for Flexible Object Programming.-11. Performing and Representing Tasks.-12. Enterprise Patterns.-13. Database Patterns.-Part III. Practice.-14. Good (and Bad) Practice.-15. PHP Standards.-16. PHP Using and Creating Components with Composer.-17. Version Control with Git.-18. Testing.-19. Automated Build with Phing.-20. Vagrant.-21. Continuous Integration.-22. Objects, Patterns, and Practice.-23. App A: Bibliography.-24. App B: A Simple Parser.
Visualizing Data in R 4
Master the syntax for working with R’s plotting functions in graphics and stats in this easy reference to formatting plots. The approach in Visualizing Data in R 4 toward the application of formatting in ggplot() will follow the structure of the formatting used by the plotting functions in graphics and stats. This book will take advantage of the new features added to R 4 where appropriate including a refreshed color palette for charts, Cairo graphics with more fonts/symbols, and improved performance from grid graphics including ggplot 2 rendering speed.Visualizing Data in R 4 starts with an introduction and then is split into two parts and six appendices. Part I covers the function plot() and the ancillary functions you can use with plot(). You’ll also see the functions par() and layout(), providing for multiple plots on a page. Part II goes over the basics of using the functions qplot() and ggplot() in the package ggplot2. The default plots generated by the functions qplot() and ggplot() give more sophisticated-looking plots than the default plots done by plot() and are easier to use, but the function plot() is more flexible. Both plot() and ggplot() allow for many layers to a plot.The six appendices will cover plots for contingency tables, plots for continuous variables, plots for data with a limited number of values, functions that generate multiple plots, plots for time series analysis, and some miscellaneous plots. Some of the functions that will be in the appendices include functions that generate histograms, bar charts, pie charts, box plots, and heatmaps.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN* Use R to create informative graphics* Master plot(), qplot(), and ggplot()* Discover the canned graphics functions in stats and graphicsFormat plots generated by plot() and ggplot()WHO THIS BOOK IS FORThose in data science who use R. Some prior experience with R or data science is recommended.Margot Tollefson, PhD is a semi-retired freelance statistician, with her own consulting business, Vanward Statistics. She received her PhD in statistics from Iowa State University and has many years of experience applying R to statistical research problems. Dr. Tollefson has chosen to write this book because she often creates graphics using R and would like to share her knowledge and experience. Her professional blog is on WordPress at vanwardstat. Social media: @vanstat1) Introduction: plot(), qplot(), and ggplot(), Plus Somea) plot() – arguments, ancillary functions, and methods; par() and layout()b) qplot() and ggplot() – aesthetics, geometries, and other useful functionsc) other plotting functions in graphics and statsPart I. An Overview of plot()2) The plot() Functiona) what the function is and how the function worksb) will use method .xy for example3) The Arguments to plot()a) Type of plot, axis labels, plot titles, display formatb) Plotting characters, character size, fonts, colors, line styles and widths4) Ancillary Functions to use with plot()a) axis(), box(), clip(), grid(), legend(), mtext(), rug()b) abline(), contour(), curve(), lines(), polypath()c) arrows(), image(), points(), polygon(), rect(), segments(), symbols(), text()d) axTicks(), identify(), locator(), pch(), strwidth(),5) The Methods for plot()a) What are methods?b) Methods in the graphics packagec) Methods in the stats package6) How to Use the Functions par() and layout()a) What par() doesb) Arguments specific to par()c) Multiple plotsPart II. A look at the ggplot2 Package7) The Functions qplot(), ggplot(), and the Specialized Notation in ggplot2a) Working with qplot()b) The ggplot() functionc) Specialized notation8) Themesa) The theme() functionb) The element_*() functions9) Aesthetics and Geometriesa) The aes() functionb) The geom_*() functions10) Controlling the Appearancea) The annotate_*() functionsb) The coord_*() functionsc) The facet_*() functionsd) The guide_*() functionse) The position_*() functionsf) The scale_*() functionsg) The stat_*() functionsAppendix I. Plots for Contingency TablesAppendix II. Plots for Continuous VariablesAppendix III. Plots for Data with a Limited Number of ValuesAppendix IV. Functions that Generate Multiple PlotsAppendix V. Plots for Time SeriesAppendix VI. Miscellaneous Plots
R2DBC Revealed
Understand the newest trend in database programming for developers working in Java, Kotlin, Clojure, and other JVM-based languages. This book introduces Reactive Relational Database Connectivity (R2DBC), a modern way of connecting to and querying relational databases from Java and other JVM languages. The book begins by helping you understand not only what reactive programming is, but why it is necessary. Then building on those fundamentals, the book takes you into the world of databases and the newly released Reactive Relational Database Connectivity (R2DBC) specification.Examples in the book are worked using the freely available MariaDB database along with MariaDB’s vendor-implementation of the R2DBC service-provider interface (SPI). Following along with the examples and the provided example code helps prepare you to work with any of the growing number of R2DBC implementations for popular enterprise databases such as Oracle Database and SQL Server. You’ll be well prepared for what is becoming the future of database access from Java and other languages built on the JVM.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN* Understand why R2DBC was created and how it utilizes the Reactive Streams API * Understand the components of the R2DBC service-provider interface* Create and manage reactive database connections and connection pools using an R2DBC client* Programmatically execute queries on a relational database using an R2DBC client* Effectively utilize transactions using an R2DBC client* Build relational database-driven applications that are event-driven and non-blockingWHO THIS BOOK IS FORSoftware developers building solutions using JVM languages and the JVM ecosystem, and developers who need an introduction to the R2DBC specification and reactive programming with relational databases and want to understand what Reactive Relational Database Connectivity is and why it came about. This book includes practical examples of using the R2DBC specification with Java and MariaDB that will provide developers with the knowledge they need to create their own solutions.ROB HEDGPETH is a professional software engineer and developer relations enthusiast residing in the bustling metropolis of Chicago, Illinois. Rob has more than 12 years of professional development experience, primarily in the application development space. Throughout the years he has contributed to the architecture and development of many apps, using a large array of languages and technologies. Now as a developer advocate and evangelist for MariaDB, Rob gets to combine his love for technology with his mission to fuel developers' curiosity and passion. IntroductionPART I. THE REACTIVE MOVEMENT AND R2DBC1. The Case for Reactive Programming2. Introduction to R2DBCPART II. THE R2DBC SERVICE-PROVIDER INTERFACE3. The Path to Implementation4. Connections5. Transactions6. Statements7. Handling Results8. Result Metadata9. Mapping Data Types10. Handling ExceptionsPART III. GETTING STARTED WITH R2DBC AND MARIADB11. Getting Stated with R2DBC12. Managing Connections13. Managing Data14. Managing Transactions15. Connection Pooling16. Practical Applications with Spring Data and R2DBC
Big Data Analytics
Mit diesem Herausgeberwerk führen die Autoren den Begriff „Big Data Analytics“ ein und geben Fallstudien aus unterschiedlichen Anwendungsgebieten. Unter Big Data Analytics wird das Aufbereiten, Analysieren und Interpretieren von großen, oft heterogenen Datenbeständen verstanden, mit dem Ziel, Muster und Zusammenhänge in den Daten aufzudecken und Entscheidungsgrundlagen für wissenschaftliche, betriebliche oder gesellschaftliche Fragestellungen zu erhalten.Nebst den theoretischen Grundlagen widmet sich das Herausgeberwerk der Vielfalt verschiedener Anwendungsmöglichkeiten. Fallbeispiele geben Einblick in die Anwendung von Big Data Analytics und dessen Nutzenpotenziale.Das Werk richtet sich gleichermaßen an Studierende, Fachleute aller Fachrichtungen als auch an interessierte Anwender. Es hilft den Leserinnen und Leser, die Bedeutungsvielfalt des Begriffs Big Data Analytics zu verstehen und verschiedene Einsatzmöglichkeiten im eigenen Umfeld zu erkennen und zu bewerten.SARA D'ONOFRIO ist IT Business Partner Manager eines der größten Detailhandelsunternehmen der Schweiz, Autorin und Herausgeberin der Zeitschrift HMD - Praxis der Wirtschaftsinformatik bei Springer, Gastdozentin an Hochschulen und Mitglied der Stiftung FMsquare, welche die Anwendung von Fuzzy-Logik zur Lösung von wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Problemen fördert. Sie hat Betriebswirtschaft und Wirtschaftsinformatik studiert und in Informatik promoviert.ANDREAS MEIER hat Musik an der Musikakademie in Wien und Mathematik an der Eidgenössischen Technischen Hochschule (ETH) in Zürich studiert, wo er doktorierte und habilitierte. Er arbeitete bei IBM Schweiz, gehörte zum Direktionskader der internationalen Bank SBV und trug Mitverantwortung in der Geschäftsleitung des Versicherers CSS. In der Forschung war er am IBM Research Lab in Kalifornien tätig und gründete das Research Center Fuzzy Management Methods an der Universität Fribourg in der Schweiz.Grundlagen - Textanalyse - Machine Learning - Prädiktive Modelle - Trendforschung
Robotic Process Automation using UiPath StudioX
Learn about Robotic Processing Automation (RPA) and how to build bots using UiPath. This book uses hands-on examples to explain the basics of UiPath and then walks you through real-world prototypes for testing your knowledge.Organizations around the world are implementing RPA in some capacity, and there is a shortage of RPA developers in the market. Analysts predict that the RPA market size will be worth $4 Billion by 2025. With UiPath as one of the three major players in the RPA market, professionals and students can use this book to get ahead of the curve.This book helps you kick-start your automation journey with a special focus on one of the most popular RPA tools: UiPath. Robotic Process Automation using UiPath explains in detail the various features and functionalities of the RPA platform including development, debugging, and error handling.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN* Create robots from scratch, using one of the market leaders in RPA* Develop automation apps and deploy them to all the computers in your department* Build, test and perform enterprise automation tasks with UiPath* Understand the key building blocks and components of UiPath * Apply UiPath programming techniques to deploy robot configurations* Review email Automation* Automate Excel and PDF interactionsWHO THIS BOOK IS FORRPA developers and business users alike, bringing the power and skill set of automation to anyone interested in citizen-led development, specifically UiPath StudioX. The simple exercises and no-code platform require no prior programming or RPA knowledge to follow along with this beginner's guide.ADEEL JAVED is an intelligent automation architect, an author, and a speaker. He helps organizations automate work using low-code, business process management (BPM), robotic process automation (RPA), analytics, integrations and ML. He loves exploring new technologies and writing about them. He published his first book, "Building Arduino Projects for the Internet of Things", with Apress back in 2015. He shares his thoughts on various technology trends on his personal blog (adeeljaved.com).ANUM SUNDRANI is a business systems analyst and technology enthusiast who specializes in Business Process Management and Robotic Process Automation. Anum is a Certified Appian Analyst, Tableau Author, Six Sigma Green Belt and Scrum Master, alongside her several trainings in the areas of RPA development and the automation delivery lifecycle. She has an inquisitive eye for simplifying complex business processes and has focused on implementing automation solutions for business users since 2017.NADIA MALIK is a Presales Engineer with a background in software development. She has started her journey as a Software Engineer at IBM developing Cloud storage applications and then joining the UiPath rocket-ship in June of 2018 helping customers design, implement, and provide training in robotics process automation. Today she continues to evangelize RPA and mentor young women in STEM.SIDNEY MADISON PRESCOTT is a senior technology leader, keynote speaker, and robotics evangelist specializing in the creation of Robotic Process Automation Centers of Excellence for Fortune 500 companies. Sidney currently heads up the Global Intelligent Automation initiative at music streaming powerhouse Spotify. In addition to her enterprise technology expertise, Sidney is an executive board member for three global non-profit organizations, where she contributes valuable automation insights to enhance overall program objectives. To round out her career accolades, Sidney was also named a global recipient of the 2020 Top 50 Technology Visionaries award.Part I: IntroductionChapter 1. Robotic Process Automation Overview* Overview* Benefits* Market trends* Major vendors* Real-life use cases* Attended/unattendedChapter 2. UiPath StudioX Overview* Download* Install* Interface OverviewPart II: Activities – Your Building BlocksGoal of this section is to list down each activity under these tiles in UiPath StudioX, provide a brief description of what that activity does, screenshots of different configurations, quick examples. Essentially make this as the ultimate reference material.Chapter 3. Common ActivitiesChapter 4. UI AutomationChapter 5. Outlook AutomationChapter 6. Word AutomationChapter 7. Excel AutomationChapter 8. CSV AutomationChapter 9. File AutomationPart III: Building PrototypesGoal of this section is to build couple of real-life prototypes that uses knowledge acquired in prior sections. We have already developed two sample target applications, one browser-based, the other windows-based.Chapter 10. Real-life prototype 1 (Inventory Management)* Outlook Automation* CSV Automation* UI Automation (Browser)* File AutomationChapter 11. Real-life prototype 2 (Order Management)* UI Automation (App)* Excel Automation* Word Automation* File AutomationChapter 12. Real-life prototype 3 (Excel Management)* Excel AutomationPart IV: Scaling UpGoal of this section/chapter is to help people think about next steps. Most organizations have difficulty scaling up the concepts of citizen development.Chapter 13. Scaling RPA – high-level ideas
Deep Reinforcement Learning with Python
Deep reinforcement learning is a fast-growing discipline that is making a significant impact in fields of autonomous vehicles, robotics, healthcare, finance, and many more. This book covers deep reinforcement learning using deep-q learning and policy gradient models with coding exercise.You'll begin by reviewing the Markov decision processes, Bellman equations, and dynamic programming that form the core concepts and foundation of deep reinforcement learning. Next, you'll study model-free learning followed by function approximation using neural networks and deep learning. This is followed by various deep reinforcement learning algorithms such as deep q-networks, various flavors of actor-critic methods, and other policy-based methods.You'll also look at exploration vs exploitation dilemma, a key consideration in reinforcement learning algorithms, along with Monte Carlo tree search (MCTS), which played a key role in the success of AlphaGo. The final chapters conclude with deep reinforcement learning implementation using popular deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow and PyTorch. In the end, you'll understand deep reinforcement learning along with deep q networks and policy gradient models implementation with TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Open AI Gym.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN* Examine deep reinforcement learning * Implement deep learning algorithms using OpenAI’s Gym environment* Code your own game playing agents for Atari using actor-critic algorithms* Apply best practices for model building and algorithm training WHO THIS BOOK IS FORMachine learning developers and architects who want to stay ahead of the curve in the field of AI and deep learning.Nimish is a passionate technical leader who brings to table extreme focus on use of technology for solving customer problems. He has over 25 years of work experience in the Software and Consulting. Nimish has held leadership roles with P&L responsibilities at PwC, IBM and Oracle. In 2006 he set out on his entrepreneurial journey in Software consulting at SOAIS with offices in Boston, Chicago and Bangalore. Today the firm provides Automation and Digital Transformation services to Fortune 100 companies helping them make the transition from on-premise applications to the cloud.He is also an angel investor in the space of AI and Automation driven startups. He has co-founded Paybooks, a SaaS HR and Payroll platform for Indian market. He has also cofounded a Boston based startup which offers ZipperAgent and ZipperHQ, a suite of AI driven workflow and video marketing automation platforms. He currently hold the position as CTO and Chief Data Scientist for both these platforms.Nimish has an MBA from Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, India and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur, India. He also holds multiple certifications in AI and Deep Learning.Chapter 1: Introduction to Deep Reinforcement LearningChapter Goal: Introduce the reader to field of reinforcement learning and setting the context of what they will learn in rest of the bookSub -Topics1. Deep reinforcement learning2. Examples and case studies3. Types of algorithms with mind-map4. Libraries and environment setup5. SummaryChapter 2: Markov Decision ProcessesChapter Goal: Help the reader understand models, foundations on which all algorithms are built.Sub - Topics1. Agent and environment2. Rewards3. Markov reward and decision processes4. Policies and value functions5. Bellman equationsChapter 3: Model Based AlgorithmsChapter Goal: Introduce reader to dynamic programming and related algorithmsSub - Topics:1. Introduction to OpenAI Gym environment2. Policy evaluation/prediction3. Policy iteration and improvement4. Generalised policy iteration5. Value iterationChapter 4: Model Free ApproachesChapter Goal: Introduce Reader to model free methods which form the basis for majority of current solutionsSub - Topics:1. Prediction and control with Monte Carlo methods2. Exploration vs exploitation3. TD learning methods4. TD control5. On policy learning using SARSA6. Off policy learning using q-learningChapter 5: Function ApproximationChapter Goal: Help readers understand value function approximation and Deep Learning use in Reinforcement Learning.1. Limitations to tabular methods studied so far2. Value function approximation3. Linear methods and features used4. Non linear function approximation using deep LearningChapter 6: Deep Q-LearningChapter Goal: Help readers understand core use of deep learning in reinforcement learning. Deep q learning and many of its variants are introduced here with in depth code exercises.1. Deep q-networks (DQN)2. Issues in Naive DQN3. Introduce experience replay and target networks4. Double q-learning (DDQN)5. Duelling DQN6. Categorical 51-atom DQN (C51)7. Quantile regression DQN (QR-DQN)8. Hindsight experience replay (HER)Chapter 7: Policy Gradient AlgorithmsChapter Goal: Introduce reader to concept of policy gradients and related theory. Gain in depth knowledge of common policy gradient methods through hands-on exercises1. Policy gradient approach and its advantages2. The policy gradient theorem3. REINFORCE algorithm4. REINFORCE with baseline5. Actor-critic methods6. Advantage actor critic (A2C/A3C)7. Proximal policy optimization (PPO)8. Trust region policy optimization (TRPO)Chapter 8: Combining Policy Gradients and Q-LearningChapter Goal: Introduce reader to the trade offs between two approaches ways to connect together the two seemingly dissimilar approaches. Gain in depth knowledge of some land mark approaches.1. Tradeoff between policy gradients and q-learning2. The connection3. Deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG)4. Twin delayed DDPG (TD3)5. Soft actor critic (SAC)Chapter 9: Integrated Learning and PlanningChapter Goal: Introduce reader to the scalable approaches which are sample efficient for scalable problems.1. Model based reinforcement learning2. Dyna and its variants3. Guided policy search4. Monte Carlo tree search (MCTS)5. AlphaGoChapter 10: Further Exploration and Next StepsChapter Goal: With the backdrop of having gone through most of the popular algorithms, readers are now introduced again to exploration vs exploitation dilemma, central to reinforcement learning.1. Multi arm bandits2. Upper confidence bound3. Thompson sampling
Beginning Machine Learning in the Browser
Apply Artificial Intelligence techniques in the browser or on resource constrained computing devices. Machine learning (ML) can be an intimidating subject until you know the essentials and for what applications it works. This book takes advantage of the intricacies of the ML processes by using a simple, flexible and portable programming language such as JavaScript to work with more approachable, fundamental coding ideas.Using JavaScript programming features along with standard libraries, you'll first learn to design and develop interactive graphics applications. Then move further into neural systems and human pose estimation strategies. For training and deploying your ML models in the browser, TensorFlow.js libraries will be emphasized.After conquering the fundamentals, you'll dig into the wilderness of ML. Employ the ML and Processing (P5) libraries for Human Gait analysis. Building up Gait recognition with themes, you'll come to understand a variety of ML implementation issues. For example, you’ll learn about the classification of normal and abnormal Gait patterns.With Beginning Machine Learning in the Browser, you’ll be on your way to becoming an experienced Machine Learning developer.WHAT YOU’LL LEARN* Work with ML models, calculations, and information gathering* Implement TensorFlow.js libraries for ML models* Perform Human Gait Analysis using ML techniques in the browserWHO THIS BOOK IS FORComputer science students and research scholars, and novice programmers/web developers in the domain of Internet TechnologiesNAGENDER KUMAR SURYADEVARA received his Ph.D. from the School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Massey University, New Zealand, in 2014. He has authored two books and over 45 publications in different international journals, conferences, and book chapters. His research interests lie in the domains of wireless sensor networks, Internet of Things technologies, and time-series data mining.Chapter 1: What is Machine Learning (ML)?Basics of Java Script (JS)Programming in the browser using Java ScriptGraphics and Interactive processing in the browser using Java Script librariesGetting started with P5.JS and ML5.JSReferencesChapter 2: Human Pose Estimation in the BrowserBrowser based data processingPosenet vs Openpose modelsHuman pose estimation using ML5.PosenetInputs, Outputs and Data structures of Posenet modelReferencesChapter 3: Human Pose ClassificationClassification techniques using ML Neural Network in the browserHuman Pose classification based on the outputs of Posenet modelConsideration of poses using Confidence scores of Posenet modelStorage of data using JSON formats related to the outputs of Posenet modelReferencesChapter 4: Gait AnalysisNormal vs Abnormal Gait patternsDetermination of Gait patterns using threshold values of the modelsUser Interface design and development for monitoring of Gait patternsReal-Time data visualization of the Gait patterns on the browserReferencesChapter 5: Future Possible Applications of Key Concepts
MongoDB Performance Tuning
Use this fast and complete guide to optimize the performance of MongoDB databases and the applications that depend on them. You will be able to turbo-charge the performance of your MongoDB applications to provide a better experience for your users, reduce your running costs, and avoid application growing pains. MongoDB is the world’s most popular document database and the foundation for thousands of mission-critical applications. This book helps you get the best possible performance from MongoDB.MONGODB PERFORMANCE TUNING takes a methodical and comprehensive approach to performance tuning that begins with application and schema design and goes on to cover optimization of code at all levels of an application. The book also explains how to configure MongoDB hardware and cluster configuration for optimal performance. The systematic approach in the book helps you treat the true causes of performance issues and get the best return on your tuning investment. Even when you’re under pressure and don’t know where to begin, simply follow the method in this book to set things right and get your MongoDB performance back on track.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN* Apply a methodical approach to MongoDB performance tuning* Understand how to design an efficient MongoDB application* Optimize MongoDB document design and indexing strategies* Tune MongoDB queries, aggregation pipelines, and transactions* Optimize MongoDB server resources: CPU, memory, disk* Configure MongoDB Replica sets and Sharded clusters for optimal performanceWHO THIS BOOK IS FORDevelopers and administrators of high-performance MongoDB applications who want to be sure they are getting the best possible performance from their MongoDB system. For developers who wish to create applications that are fast, scalable, and cost-effective. For administrators who want to optimize their MongoDB server and hardware configuration.GUY HARRISON is CTO at ProvenDB, a partner at Toba Capital, and a software professional with more than 20 years of experience in database design, development, administration, and optimization. He is the author of Next Generation Databases (Apress) and other books and articles on database technology. He is a MongoDB certified DBA and developer, and an Oracle ACE.MICHAEL HARRISON is the lead developer at ProvenDB, working intimately with MongoDB from both an application and database perspective. He is a co-author of The MongoDB Workshop as well as senior developer of DBKoda, an open-source development environment for MongoDB.PART I. METHODS AND TOOLS1. Methodical Performance Tuning2. MongoDB Architecture and Concepts3. Tools of the TradePART II. APPLICATION AND DATABASE DESIGN4. Schema Modelling5. IndexingPART III. TUNING MONGODB CODE6. Query Tuning7. Tuning Aggregation Pipelines8. Inserts, Updates and Deletes9. Transactions10. Server MonitoringPART IV. SERVER TUNING11. Memory Tuning12. Disk IO13. Replica Sets and Atlas14. Sharding
Automated Unit Testing with ABAP
Write automated unit tests for the ABAP language. This book teaches programmers using simple examples and metaphors and explains the underlying concepts of writing effective automated unit tests. Many, if not most, ABAP programmers learned their programming and testing skills before the ABAP development environment provided an automated unit testing facility.AUTOMATED UNIT TESTING WITH ABAP: A PRACTICAL APPROACH offers hope and salvation to ABAP programmers who continue to toil with antiquated manual unit testing processes, taking them by the hand and lifting them out of that dungeon of despair with a modern and proven alternative. It begins by explaining how the xUnit family of automated testing frameworks provides a quick and effective means of insuring high-quality software. It then focuses on the ABAP Unit Testing Facility, the xUnit framework applicable specifically to the ABAP language, showing how it can be used to bring ABAP applications underautomated testing control, from old legacy applications to those newly written.Whereas xUnit testing has been widely accepted with developers writing in many other programming languages, it is an unfortunate fact in the ABAP community that many programmers still are unfamiliar with xUnit concepts and do not know how to begin implementing automated unit testing into their development process. This book demonstrates how to refactor programs so they become designed for testability, showing how to use process encapsulation and test isolation to facilitate automated testing, including a thorough explanation of test-driven development and the use of test doubles. The book:* Shows how to write automated unit tests for ABAP* Instills ABAP programmers with the confidence to refactor poorly written code* Explains how an automated testing harness facilitates rapid software development* Teaches how to utilize test-driven development (TDD) withABAP* Offers advice and tips on the best ways to write automated unit testsWHAT YOU WILL LEARN* Become familiar with the xUnit approach to testing* Know the ABAP statements that interfere with running automated unit tests and how to accommodate them* Understand what it means to isolate code for testing and how this is achieved* Gain the confidence to refactor poorly written code* Make ABAP programs designed for testability* Reap the benefits of spending less time manually unit testing ABAP programs* Use test-driven development (TDD) with ABAP programming* Use configurable test doubles in ABAPWHO THIS BOOK IS FORABAP programmers who remain unfamiliar with the automated unit testing facility and those who already use it butwant to improve their skill writing and using automated tests. The book addresses the reluctance and trepidation felt by procedural ABAP programmers who need to know some object-oriented concepts to use this facility, expands their horizons, and helps them step through the doorway leading to a different approach to program design. JAMES E. MCDONOUGH received a degree in music education from Trenton State College. After teaching music for only two years in the New Jersey public school system, he spent the past 38 years as a computer programmer while also maintaining an active presence as a freelance jazz bassist between New York and Philadelphia. Having switched from mainframe programming to ABAP in 1997, he now works as a contract ABAP programmer designing and writing ABAP programs on a daily basis. An advocate of using the object-oriented programming features available with ABAP, he has been teaching private ABAP education courses over the past few years, where his background in education enables him to present and explain complicated concepts in a way that makes sense to beginners.Chapter 1: Introduction.- Chapter 2: Preparing to Take the First Step.- Chapter 3: Software Quality.- Chapter 4: The Origins of Automated Unit Testing.- Chapter 5: Automated Unit Testing with ABAP.- Chapter 6: Rudiments.- Chapter 7: Design for Testability.- Chapter 8: Test Doubles.- Chapter 9: Service Locator.- Chapter 10: Leveraging the Service Locator.- Chapter 11: Test-Driven Development.- Chapter 12: Configurable Test Doubles.- Chapter 13: Obtaining Code Coverage Information Through ABAP Unit Testing.- Chapter 14: Cultivating Good Test Writing Skills.- Chapter 15: Welcome to Autropolis.- Appendix A: Requirements Documentation and ABAP Exercise Programs.- Appendix B: Answers to Chapter Quizzes.- Appendix C: Concepts Associated with Defining Local Test Classes.-
Set Up and Manage Your Virtual Private Server
The need for every professional to have a solid presence on the Internet is more important than ever before. Having a presence beyond an email account, such as a custom web page or web application, usually requires a clumsy assortment of outside services or hiring a dedicated administrator. Thus it is more sensible for the average professional to become adept at managing their own private server.In Set Up and Manage Your Virtual Private Server, author Jon Westfall expertly designs interesting, understandable lessons for professionals such as teachers, doctors, lawyers, and more to deploy their own virtual private server. He walks you through choosing the right service and customizing it for your specific business or personal needs, and does this with great ease while instilling invaluable knowledge. Basics such as setting up users, managing security and firewalls, installing and updating software, and troubleshooting by reviewing log files, backing up data, and so much more.Set Up and Manage Your Virtual Private Server equips you with the power of knowledge to set your web presence apart from the rest. You now have complete control over your virtual brand that is your own—separate from any employer or affiliate. Your career mobility is in your hands with the ability to run your own private server at your fingertips. The digital era centers this technical literacy and independence as a critical skillset.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN* Understand basic server terminology and the way servers operate and are networked together* See how software is used on a server and its role (for example, Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP, and so on)* Get comfortable with the basic command-line operation of a virtual private server to set up users, manage security and firewalls, install software, update software, and troubleshoot by reviewing log files* Store and back up important information* Identify, analyze, and deploy open-source software products that can enhance productivityWHO THIS BOOK IS FORNon-tech professionals, individuals who have an established professional career, looking to understand more about how to set up and manage a private server. Jon Westfall is an award-winning professor, published author, and practicing cognitive scientist. He teaches a variety of courses in psychology, from introduction to psychology to upper-level seminars. His current research focuses on the variables that influence economic and consumer finance decisions, and the retention of college students. With applications to both psychology and marketing, his work finds an intersection between basic and applied science. His current appointment is as an assistant professor of psychology, coordinator of the first year seminar program, and coordinator of the Okra Scholars program at Delta State University. Previously he was a visiting assistant professor at Centenary College of Louisiana, and the associate director for research and technology at the Center for Decision Sciences, a center within Columbia Business School at Columbia University in New York City. He now maintains a role with Columbia as a research affiliate and technology consultant.In addition to his research, Dr. Westfall has career ties in information technology, where he has worked as a consultant since 1997, founding his own firm, Bug Jr. Systems. As a consultant he has developed custom software solutions (including native Windows 32 applications, Windows .NET applications, Windows Phone 7 and Android mobile applications, as well as ASP, ASP.NET, and PHP web applications). He has also served as a senior network and systems architect and administrator (on both Windows and Unix networks, and hybrids) and has also been recognized as a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) 2008 – 2012. He has authored several books, and presented at academic as well as technology conferences and gatherings.Chapter 1: What is a Virtual Private Server?Chapter Goal: Go over basic terminology of how the internet operates, how servers run, and how virtualization allows individuals to have their own server for a very small cost per month.• How does the magic happen?o How does a webpage appear on my screen? How does email route through the internet to someone else? How do domain names work?• What options does someone have if they want to get into this?o Who provides services (data centers, co-locations, virtual servers, cloud computing)o How much does it cost?o How much do I have to do?o How much time does it take?• Am I ready for this?o Do I have the necessary skills and time to learn skills I need?o Am I OK with being my own system administrator?o Who do I call if I need help? Or can I call someone?Chapter 2: Selecting a VPS ProviderChapter Goal: Walk the reader through identifying and selecting a VPS provider.• How do I find a provider?o Low-end, High-end, Cloudo Trust and Reliability, what is an SLA?o Warning signs• Resources & Budgetingo What do I really need?o How much does it cost?o Extras that can cost money.• Setting up a New Accounto Security of your account.o Extras you may or may not need.o Terms of Serviceo Choosing your Linux distribution: CentOS or Debian (Throughout the book, commands for both CentOS 8 and Debian 10 will be provided).Chapter 3: Basic Linux Administration via Command-LineChapter Goal: Providing the basic commands to administer your server, finding files, and adding and configuring software.• Logging into your servero Shell accesso SSHo SFTPo Setting up your user account• Basic commandso Linux Directory Structureo Ls, cp, mv, and the most dangerous: rmo Finding fileso Su / sudo and file permissions.o Disk usage, memory usage, and overall server health commands.o How do I edit files: Vim and Nano• How your System Starts up and Shuts Downo Services, what they are and how to enable/disableo The right and wrong way to shutdown, and why it’s important.o Graphical user modes versus command-line.o Files that you might want to keep copies of.• How do I install software?o Package managers (apt / yum)o Compiling from Sourceo Updating / upgrading / removing softwareo Configuring software through configuration files.Chapter 4: Basic Linux Administration via GUI (Webmin)Chapter Goal: To provide a basic overview of the Open Source project “Webmin” for configuration of your server though a graphical interface.• Deciding if a GUI is needed or not. Pros and Cons• Downloading and installing Webmin• Setting up Webmin security, including SSL and 2 Factor authentication.• Delegating tasks to others using Webmin Users.• Basic walkthrough of the modules that you’ll need to access, with an eye on settings you don’t want to change.• Webmin’s Usermin module: GUI for users to access files, mail, databases, and more.Chapter 5: Basics of Linux SecurityChapter Goal: The basics of setting up security on your server, with a discussion of auditing and verifying files haven’t changed.• What is a firewall and how do I set it up?• How do I give some users access to administrative functions, but not all?• Advanced File Permissions, and more on users and groups.• SELinux• Auditing and log file management.Chapter 6: Basics of Backups and Version ControlChapter Goal: How to keep your files backed up and safe.• Backup Basics: What to back up, where to back it up, and how often to back up.• Backup Method 1: Gzipped Tar files and shell scripts.• Backup Method 2: Duplicati GUI• Simulated disaster recovery, and migration to a new server.Chapter 7: Basics of Server Software AdministrationChapter Goal: How to get the most common software up and running on your VPS, customizing it to be secure and reliable.• Web Server Basics (Apache 2)o Extending the Server with PHPo SSL certificates.• Database Server Basics (MySQL)• Mail Server Basics (Postfix)• DNS Server Basics (Bind)• Monitoring your Server (Nagios)Chapter 8: Installing an Open Source Software Product – WordpressChapter Goal: How to get a basic website up and running quickly using an open source content management system, Wordpress.• Do you need a full CMS or are your needs more basic?• Downloading and installing Wordpress• Configuring Wordpress to be secure.• Backing up Wordpress• Extending Wordpress with Plugins.Chapter 9: Administrators Weekly ChecklistChapter Goal: Describe concept of preventive maintenance – what one needs to do regularly to keep the server running smoothly.• Software update basics• Following mailing lists and security discussions.• Monitoring for potential security breaches.• Verifying backups.Chapter 10: Open Source Application PossibilitiesChapter Goal: Introduce the reader to software packages that will allow them to up their productivity by hosting their own content on their server. Basic installations will be covered, but not in-depth customization as was done in Chapter 8.• Moodle: Open Source Learning Management System• osTicket: Open Source Helpdesk / Issue Tracking.• YoURLS: Open Source URL Shortener• OpenVPN: Open Source VPN software• Odoo: Open Source CRM Software• LimeSurvey: Open Source Survey Software (Covered in my previous book, Practical R 4 – but less in-depth here)• Other possibilities, including writing
Der Mensch als Rohstoff
Gentechnik, Nanotechnik, Robotik, Künstliche Intelligenz. Welche Revolutionen stehen uns bevor und wie denken die großen Konzerne darüber? Mit welchen Gefahren ist zu rechnen, wie hat sich unser Leben bereits verändert und wohin führt diese Reise? Zur Beantwortung dieser Fragen wagt Christian Blasge einen Ausflug in die menschliche Psyche und untersucht dabei, inwieweit sich unsere Gesellschaft mittlerweile in einem Modus der vollständigen Konkurrenz befindet.Getrieben ist die Entwicklung durch die Stigmatisierung des Menschen als "Mängelwesen", das überwunden werden soll. Dazu dienen die Digitalisierung und Automatisierung menschlicher Arbeitskraft, deren Auswirkung auf den Arbeitsmarkt und den Menschen selbst untersucht werden. Viele der technologischen Neuerungen des beginnenden 21. Jahrhunderts haben einerseits neue Freiheiten mit sich gebracht, die andererseits zu Überforderung, Entwurzelung und Entfremdung führen können. Verbunden ist das Zeitalter der Digitalisierung aber auch mit dem Mythos, Probleme ließen sich durch Konsum lösen, gekoppelt mit dem Trend, sich (freiwillig oder unfreiwillig) zu dem Vermarkter einer Ware und gleichzeitig selbst zu einer Ware zu machen.Im Kontext von Künstlicher Intelligenz und fortschreitenden persönlicher Optimierung drängt sich die Frage auf: "Was ist der Mensch und darf er so bleiben, wie er ist?" Technik-Utopisten (alb)träumen von Maschinen mit Bewusstsein und von Superintelligenzen, die unsere Lebenswelt neu gestalten. Sie schwärmen von der Überwindung der menschlichen Biologie, der Abschaffung aller Krankheiten bis hin zur Unsterblichkeit; und sie bestehen auf der bestmöglichen genetischen Ausstattung für unsere Nachkommen.Das Buch endet mit der brisanten Debatte über den Trans- bzw. Posthumanismus. Eine (schöne?) neue Gesellschaft mit optimierten Menschen, autonomen Robotern und virtuellen Entitäten wird unsere Lebenswelt von Grund auf verändern. Daher bedarf es, so der Autor, dringend eines neuen Gesellschaftsvertrags, wie mit den Früchten des Fortschritts umgegangen werden soll.Christian Blasge, geboren 1988 in Klagenfurt, ist als Schullehrer sowie als Fachlehrer im Bereich Ethik, Bewegung und Sport an der Pädagogischen Hochschule Steiermark sowie an der Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz tätig.
MacBook For Dummies
LEARN HOW TO DRIVE THE COOLEST LAPTOP ON THE PLANETYou took the plunge, paid extra, and—even though it looks and feels like perfection—have that fleeting doubt: is my MacBook really worth the investment? You'll be pleased to know that the answer is totally yes, and MacBook For Dummies is the ultimate way to learn the thousand and one reasons why the MacBook Pro or Air you now own is a modern masterpiece—as well as the ten thousand and one (and counting) things you can do with it. With its super-smooth performance, top-shelf LED screen, rugged reliability, and powerful, trouble-free operating system, you're going to have a lot of fun.Keeping jargon to a minimum, Mark L. Chambers—prolific tech author and all-round Mac whiz—gives you a friendly, step-by-step welcome to everything MacBook, from reviewing the hardware and powering up for the first time to getting familiar with files, security settings, launching apps, and entering the digital netherworld of iCloud. Then, with the basics reassuringly in place, you can begin your journey to power-user mastery in whatever areas of MacBook-ing you're most interested in, from doing the accounts in Numbers to perfecting that soon-to-be-released cinematic classic (with original score) using iMovie and GarageBand.* Get familiar with the latest macOS, Big Sur* Communicate with Messages and FaceTime* Stream music, movies, and TV shows* Manage and edit photos and video clipsWhether you're a PC convert, Mac veteran, or completely new to the astonishing potential of the MacBook world, you'll find everything you need to get the most out of the technical marvel that's now at your command.MARK L. CHAMBERS has written more than thirty computer books. His recent titles include Macs For Seniors For Dummies, 4th Edition and iMac For Dummies, 10th Edition. Mark is currently a full-time author and tech editor—and an unabashed Mac fan.INTRODUCTION 1Foolish Assumptions 1About This Book 2Icons Used in This Book 3Beyond the Book 4Where to Go from Here 4PART 1: TIE MYSELF DOWN WITH A DESKTOP? PREPOSTEROUS! 5CHAPTER 1: HEY, IT REALLY DOES HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED 7An Overview of Your Mac Laptop 8The parts you probably recognize 9The holes called ports 11Don’t forget the parts you can’t see 13Meet the MacBooks 14Comparing the MacBooks 15Look, Ma, no moving parts! 17Whoa! Where’s my familiar USB port? 18Sharing a CD or DVD drive 19Location, Location, Location! 20Unpacking and Connecting Your Laptop 21Unpacking for the road warrior 21Connecting Cables 101 22Great — a Lecture about Handling My Laptop 23An Overview of Mac Software Goodness 23What comes with my laptop? 24Connecting to the Internet from your lap 24Applications that rock 25Boot Camp For Dummies 25Other Stuff That Nearly Everyone Wants 26CHAPTER 2: TURNING ON YOUR PORTABLE POWERHOUSE 29Tales of the On Button 30Mark’s Favorite Signs of a Healthy Laptop 30You Won’t Lecture Me about Batteries, Will You? 31Setting Up and Registering Your Laptop 34Your iCloud account is your friend 34Setting up macOS Big Sur 35Registering your MacBook 36Importing Stuff from Another Mac 37Importing Stuff from Windows (If You Must) 39CHAPTER 3: THE MACBOOK OWNER’S INTRODUCTION TO MACOS BIG SUR 41Your Own Personal Operating System 42The Big Sur Desktop 43Meet me at the Dock 43Check out that Control Center 44Dig those crazy icons 45There’s no food on this menu 45The Finder menu bar is your friend 47There’s always room for one more window 47Wait a Second: Where the Heck Are the Mouse Buttons? 48Launching and Quitting Applications with Aplomb 51Performing Tricks with Finder Windows 55Scrolling in and resizing windows 55Minimizing and restoring windows 56Moving and zooming windows 57Closing windows 58Juggling Folders and Icons 59A field observer’s guide to icons 59Selecting items 61Copying items 62Moving things from place to place 63Duplicating in a jiffy 63Using Finder Tabs 64Keys and Keyboard Shortcuts to Fame and Fortune 65Special keys on the keyboard 65Using the Finder and application keyboard shortcuts 66Home, Sweet Home Folder 67Working with Mission Control 69Switching Desktops with Spaces 70Personalizing Your Desktop 72Taking Control of Your MacBook 73Customizing the Dock 74Adding applications and extras to the Dock 75Keeping track with Stacks 76Resizing the Dock 77What’s with the Trash? 78All You Really Need to Know about Printing 79And Just in Case You Need Help 81The Big Sur built-in Help system 81The Apple web-based support center 81Magazines 81Local Mac user groups 82PART 2: SHAKING HANDS WITH MACOS BIG SUR 83CHAPTER 4: WHAT’S NEW IN MACOS BIG SUR? 85Introducing the Control Center 85The Return of the Widgets 86Your Guide to the Perfect Trip 87Safari Covers New Ground 87Messages Adds Effects, Images, and Pins? 87Becoming One with Your Battery 88CHAPTER 5: A NERD’S GUIDE TO SYSTEM PREFERENCES 89An Explanation — without Jargon, No Less 90Locating That Certain Special Setting 92Popular Preferences Panes Explained 93The Displays pane 94The Desktop & Screen Saver pane 95Mission Control preferences 97The General pane 99The Battery pane 101The Dock & Menu Bar pane 102The Sharing pane 104The Time Machine pane 105Apple ID preferences 107Notifications preferences 108CHAPTER 6: SIFTING THROUGH YOUR STUFF 111Doing a Basic Search 112How Cool is That? Discovering What Spotlight Can Do 115Expanding Your Search Horizons 116Customizing Spotlight to Your Taste 118CHAPTER 7: USING REMINDERS, NOTES, NOTIFICATIONS, AND MAPS 121Remind Me to Use Reminders 122Taking Notes the Big Sur Way 125Staying Current with Notification Center 127Introducing the Maps Application 128Switching Views in Maps 130Getting Directions Over Yonder 131Creating and Using Guides 133PART 3: CONNECTING AND COMMUNICATING 135CHAPTER 8: LET’S GO ON SAFARI! 137Pretend You’ve Never Used This Thing 137Visiting Websites 139Navigating the Web 141Configuring Your Home Page and Start Page 144Adding and Using Bookmarks 145Working with the Reading List 148Downloading Files 149Using History 150Tabs Are Your Browsing Friends 150Printing Web Pages 152Protecting Your Privacy 153Yes, there are such things as bad cookies 154Banishing pesky iCloud Keychain passwords 155Handling ancient history 155Setting notifications 156Avoiding those @*!^%$ pop-up ads 156CHAPTER 9: ICLOUD IS MADE FOR MACBOOKS 157So How Does iCloud Work, Anyway? 158Moving, Saving, and Opening iCloud Documents 159Putting Handoff to Work 160Expanding Your Horizons with Sidecar 161Configuring iCloud 161Managing Your iCloud Storage 163CHAPTER 10: YOUR LAPTOP GOES MULTIUSER 165Once Upon a Time (an Access Fairy Tale) 166Big-Shot Administrator Stuff 167Deciding who needs what access 167Adding users 168Modifying user accounts 170I banish thee, mischievous user! 172Setting up login items and managing access 174Tackling Mundane Chores for the Multiuser Laptop 178Logging in and out of Big Sur For Dummies 179Interesting stuff about sharing stuff 182Encrypting your Home folder can be fun 182CHAPTER 11: WORKING WELL WITH NETWORKS 185What Exactly is the Network Advantage? 186Should You Go Wired or Wireless? 187Be a Pal: Share Your Internet! 189Using your MacBook as a sharing device 189Using a dedicated Internet-sharing device 189What Do I Need to Connect? 190Wireless connections 190Wired connections 194Connecting to the Network 198Sharing stuff nicely with others 199USE YOUR FIREWALL! 201Playing Buck Rogers with FaceTime 203Sending Instant Messages Across the Network 203PART 4: LIVING THE ILIFE 205CHAPTER 12: THE MULTIMEDIA JOYS OF MUSIC AND TV 207What Can I Play in Music? 208Playing Digital Audio Files 209Finding songs in your Music library 213Removing old music from the library 213Keeping Slim Whitman and Slim Shady Apart: Organizing with Playlists 214Know Your Songs 216Setting the song information automatically 217Setting or changing the song information manually 217Ripping Audio Files 219Tweaking the Audio for Your Ears 220A New Kind of Radio Station 220Tuning in your own stations 221Radio stations in your playlists 222Creating a custom Music Radio station 222iSending iStuff to iPhone and iPad 223Burning Music to Shiny Plastic Circles 224Feasting on Music Visuals 225Exercising Parental Authority 225Watching Video with TV 227Buying Digital Media the Apple Way 228CHAPTER 13: FOCUSING ON PHOTOS 231Delving into Photos 231Working with Images in Photos 234Import images 101 234Organize mode: Organizing and sorting your images 236Edit mode: Removing and fixing stuff the right way 242Exploring iCloud Photos 247Putting My Photo Stream and iCloud Photo Sharing to Work 248CHAPTER 14: MAKING FILM HISTORY WITH IMOVIE 251Shaking Hands with the iMovie Window 252A Bird’s-Eye View of Moviemaking 255Importing the Building Blocks 256Pulling in video clips 256Making use of still images 258Importing and adding audio from all sorts of places 258Building the Cinematic Basics 261Adding clips to your movie 261Marking clips 262Removing clips from your movie 263Reordering clips in your movie 263Editing clips in iMovie 264Transitions for the masses 265Even Gone with the Wind had titles 266Adding maps and backgrounds 267Creating an Honest-to-Goodness Movie Trailer 267Browsing Your Video Library 269Sharing Your Finished Classic 270CHAPTER 15: RECORDING YOUR HITS WITH GARAGEBAND 271Shaking Hands with Your Band 272Composing Made Easy 274Adding tracks 275Choosing loops 277Resizing, repeating, and moving loops 280Using the Arrangement track 282Tweaking the settings for a track 283Sharing Your Songs 285Creating song files in Music 286Exporting a project 287Burning an audio CD 288PART 5: GETTING PRODUCTIVE AND MAINTAINING YOUR MACBOOK 289CHAPTER 16: DESKTOP PUBLISHING WITH PAGES 291Creating a New Pages Document 292Opening an Existing Pages Document 293Saving Your Work 294Touring the Pages Window 294Entering and Editing Text 295Using Text, Shapes, and Graphics Boxes 296The Three Amigos: Cut, Copy, and Paste 296Cutting stuff 296Copying text and images 297Pasting from the Clipboard 297Formatting Text the Easy Way 297Adding a Spiffy Table 298Adding Alluring Photos 299Adding a Background Shape 300Are You Sure about That Spelling? 301Set Your Font Defaults and Speed Things Up 302Printing Your Pages Documents 302Sharing That Poster with Others 303CHAPTER 17: CREATING SPREADSHEETS WITH NUMBERS 305Before You Launch Numbers 306Creating a New Numbers Document 306Opening an Existing Spreadsheet File 307Save Those Spreadsheets! 308Exploring the Numbers Window 309Navigating and Selecting Cells in a Spreadsheet 310Entering and Editing Data in a Spreadsheet 311Selecting the Correct Number Format 312Aligning Cell Text Just So 313Formatting with Shading 314Inserting and Deleting Rows and Columns 315The Formula is Your Friend 316Adding Visual Punch with a Chart 318Printing Your Spreadsheet 319CHAPTER 18: BUILDING PRESENTATIONS WITH KEYNOTE 321Creating a New Keynote Project 322Opening a Keynote Presentation 323Saving Your Presentation 324Putting Keynote to Work 324Adding Slides 326Working with Text, Shapes, and Graphics Boxes 326Adding and Editing Slide Text 327Formatting Slide Text for the Perfect Look 328Using Presenter’s Notes in Your Project 328Every Good Presentation Needs Media 329Adding a Background Shape 330Creating Your Keynote Slideshow 330Printing Your Slides and Notes 332CHAPTER 19: WHEN GOOD MAC LAPTOPS GO BAD 335Repeat after Me: Yes, I Am a Tech! 336Step-by-Step Laptop Troubleshooting 337The number-one rule: Reboot! 337Special keys that can come in handy 339All hail Disk Utility, the troubleshooter’s friend 339Disk repair made easy 341Using Mark’s MacBook Troubleshooting Tree 343Step 1: Investigate recent changes 343Step 2: Run Disk Utility 344Step 3: Check your cables 344Step 4: Check your Internet and network connections 345Step 5: Check your Trash 345Step 6: Think virus 345Step 7: Check your login items 346Step 8: Turn off your screen saver 347Step 9: Run System Information 347Okay, I Kicked It, and It Still Won’t Work 348Local service, at your service 348The Apple Help Center 348Apple Help online 348And Now Windows? 349Figuring out how Boot Camp works 349Configuring Boot Camp 350Switching to Windows 352CHAPTER 20: ADDING NEW STUFF TO YOUR LAPTOP 355More Memory Will Help 356Figuring out how much memory you have 356Installing memory modules 357Considering an Internal Drive Upgrade? 361Ponder your external options 361Gotta have internal 364A List of Dreamy Laptop Add-Ons 364Game controllers 364Video controllers 365Music hardware 365CHAPTER 21: TACKLING THE HOUSEKEEPING 367Cleaning Unseemly Data Deposits 368Getting dirty (cleaning things the manual way) 368Using a commercial cleanup tool 371Backing Up Your Treasure 372Saving files 372Putting things right with Time Machine 374Maintaining Drive Health 376Automating Those Mundane Chores 377Updating macOS Automatically 379PART 6: THE PART OF TENS 381CHAPTER 22: TEN LAPTOP RULES TO FOLLOW 383Keep Your Laptop in a Bag 383Maximize Your RAM 384Keep Tabs on Your MacBook 385Keepeth Thy Drive Encrypted 385Brand Your MacBook 386Disable Your Wireless 386Take a Surge Protector with You 387Use Power-Saving Features 388Use an External Keyboard and Mouse 388Not Again! What is It with You and Backing Up? 389CHAPTER 23: TEN THINGS TO AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE 391USB 2.0 Storage Devices 392Phishing Operations 392The Twin Terrors: Viruses and Malware 393Submerged Keyboards 394Antiquated Utility Software 394Software Piracy 394The Forbidden Account 395Unsecured Wireless Connections 395Refurbished Hardware 396Dirty Laptops 397Index 399