Customer Reviews

Instant ASP Components (Book/CD-ROM package)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I really wanted to give this book a top-rating, unfortunately, I cannot do so. Before I point out the problems with this book, I think it is only fair to point what is good about this book.

========= What I liked about this book =========

This book is packed with some very useful VB components that you can plug into your own ASP pages if you so desire. The author carefully goes through each line of code and explains its purpose. Most book authors (i.e. Noel Jerke) just list the source code which is already on the CD! The author also lists all the database tables and describes the purpose of each field. Of course, screen shots are also provided as well. If weren't for problems that I encountered with the CD that accompanies this book, I would have given this book a top-rating.

========= Why I couldn't give this book a top-rating =========

Sometimes it hard to know who to blame (the publisher or the author) when a book doesn't meet your expectations. In this case, I would have to say both parties are probably guilty.

Quick summary: My two biggest complaints about this book is that the contents on the CD is incomplete and the book doesn't have a Web site where you contact the author or at least download an errata. Before you buy this book you might wish to read the rest of my review.

After only 2 hours of use -- the book literally fell apart at the bindings!

The contents of the book is actually very good (very few typos, etc). The problem that I had with this book is the CD that comes with it. While the screenshots in the book shows the contents in a chapter format. The CD has everything lumped into 3 big folders: Database, Web Site, and Components. The problem with this approach is that you have no idea what goes with what! Trust me it is one big mess.

To fix this problem, I had to spend several hours organizing the contents of the CD before I could start to use the book! Basically, what I did was organize the material on the CD into folders on my hard disk so that CD contents corresponded to the material contained in the book. By the way, I am not finished with organizing the contents of the CD. I am still trying to organize the last 3 chapters (Schools, Online Stores, Auction). Hopefully, I am not missing any important files.

After spending several hours organizing the contents of the CD, I found several problems:

* The SQL Server script C19SQLServerScript.sql is supposed to be the script for chapter 19 when in fact it is actually for chapter 10! I had to rename the script and create my own SQL Server script for Chapter 19!

* All of the files for Chapter 17 are missing!

======== Additional complaints ========

* The book provides screen shots displaying sample test data. However, the author does not provide any sample test data! Creating sample test data is a very, very time consuming chore and detracts from learning the contents of the book. The author could have included the sample test data in the Acccess database files found on the CD. Then all the book reader would need to do is use the Access Upsizing Wizard to import the data into the SQL Server tables.

* No Web site (or Web page) is available for the reader to download an errata or contact the author.

I have used the author's two previous books extensively and I am impressed by the thorough treatment he gives to the ASP applications he discusses. For me, learning is easier by example. I have some previous coding experience, but I have found that the way he presents examples and discusses the code line by line helps me tremendously reduce the amount of time it takes me to learn the material. More importantly, his examples directly suggest what I can actually do with the code. I usually know generally where I'm headed when writing code, but having more examples and applied techniques is what I find most helpful and the book has a lot of very good material to help with this - particularly in an area like components where I am on the fringes of my programming knowledge. I have the set of three books now, and I find them together to be a great reference library for ASP work. High praise, here - thanks again!

Knowing a little about SQL and almost nothing about IIS or ASP I was able to use the scripts. They are designed with enough explanation of each line that after reading the book first I was able to implement them with no major problem. Some of the modules come without the data and a program to load the database. This was overcome by using the knowledge that was already taught to accomplish these tasks. The goal after all was to enable me to create the scripts and implement additional modules by myself. The goal was not to give me a system that I would never know how to or want to add additional functions to.

I implemented several of the modules on SQL 7.0 with no changes so I assume they will also run on SQL 2000.

I look forward to reading his other books.

I my earlier review below, I stated that the material on the accompanying CD was a mess and laid partial blame on the author for this. Well, I was incorrect in laying blame where it didn't belong. I contacted the author and he was very helpful. So, I decided to give this book a higher rating (5 stars) because to me the most important part of the rating system should be the content of the book which is very good.

If you're putting web solutions into production and need quick, working code with minimal discussion, this is a great book. Many immediately useful routines and objects that can be incorporated into any IIS production environment. Perfect for people who have some understanding of SQL Server, ASP, VB, and object-oriented programming. If you don't, you may have trouble finding the right tweaks for your system, because explanations are minimal (some of us appreciate that).

The author has done a poor job of considering the importance of the reader's time.

Hundreds of pages are redundant wasted repetition of the same information -- horrendous waste of reading time.

Samples are set up in the most complicated organization possible. Plan on spending dozens of hours moving files from the CD creating data connections, editing and compiling to get to a working set of examples to follow along in the book.

Never does he explain steps to create a working example. That is left to tthe reader to dig out, if they can.

As a teaching manual this book gets a zero!

As a corporate trainer I'm often confronted with more training issues than I have time for as far as traditional presentations etc. This being the case, using the online approach is an awesome option to have at one's disposal and Mr Buczek's book is an wonderful resource to have.

Not only are the ready made scripts a huge time saver, they're also very educational. In other words, rather than being limited to standing on the shoulders of others, you're being given the tools to develop your own applications.

I want to mention too that My Buczek is very approachable. On more than one occasion he's emailed with responses to questions that I had and that's enough to justify the cost of the book in and of itself.

Great book...!

This is extremely useful and practical book. It does'n waste your time on empty wordiness, but gives you just what you need to get it done. For me, a programmer with long experience needing to pick up just another technology, this was just what I needed. Got me going in no time. Thanks, Greg! Hope for more books like that from you.

As the guy that posted the other comment, i am also horrible with tons of logic at the get go. I like and learn more from examples. This book is one of the best i have ever read! The only thing i regret is paying 52 bucks at it at my local book store.

This book indroduces ASP components, a very important concept in ASP/web development. It shows the way to take ASP to the next level. The books books easy style and many well written examples make it ideal for those just starting with ASP components. It is also an excellent reference for seasoned ASPers as well. If you want to take ASP to the next level, this is you book!