Customer Reviews

Introduction to XML [VHS]

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

 

 

I used this video to introduce XML to a roomful of managers and programmers unfamiliar with XML. Although the pace starts slowly, the content is just right as an overview and introduction and it picks up as the video progresses. The video moves from general to more specific information and gives code exmples to help explain the differences between SGML, HTML, and XML. It will help business leaders understand why they should incorporate XML into their information structures now to be ready for the future. If you want to learn to code XML, this is not the video for you. But use it if you need to help a general audience understand why XML is vital, it is a good buy.

An excellent introduction and overview of XML for non-technical people, primarily managers and others chiefly concerned with ROI and the business implications of XML. All but the most novice developers, however, will find this video way too basic. Too many talking heads, and a mediocre use of visual examples. In fact, there's little here that couldn't have been covered as easily in an audiotape or book. A "sequel" of this video for developers already familiar with XML would be most welcome.

This video does an excellent job of explaining the evolution of SGML to XML with clear example of how they relate to HTML. In addition this video provides senior managers with a wake up call about the importance of properly using XML to provide the maximum international portability of their information. As the calendar hit 01-01-00 we clearly entered into an age where we'll see an explosion of multipurposed information available on virtually any platform. The use of XML will be the key for corporations that want to reuse and protect their corporate knowledge bases. This video has the right mix of technical and business perspectives on XML.

In teaching classes on XML, I encounter the occasional manager who simply wants to know if XML justifies the hype and whether they should be moving towards using it in their work. I just completed an XML tutorial at a conference hosted by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers where a manager was trying to make a major decision concerning the use of XML. His department has an enormous amount of electronic documentation and his main interest was in how to justify and then execute converting this data into XML. If I had known about this video at that time, I would have simply told him to view it. Designed to introduce the concepts of XML rather than the details, it is perfect for anyone who wants to know what it does at the level of the forest.
The explanations of what markup languages are and how they can be used are simply the best that I have encountered, which covers about ten books. In retrospect, I wish I had seen it before I wrote my book, "Sams Teach Yourself XML in 24 Hours." The examples of how XML can be used are so good that simply viewing them would have given me additional perspectives that would have made the approach of some of my examples more direct and convincing.
From now on, I will start my courses with a recommendation to view this video, and will recommend that the academic libraries where I teach purchase a copy for their holdings. It is direct, to the point and presents knowledge of value to the beginner and experienced practitioner.

Published in Mathematics and Computer Education, reprinted with permission.

It's kinda cool seeing and hearing all the XML gurus put their heart & soul into explaining their next-wave software thing, especially as it takes you from the overall context down to the nuts-n-bolts of the programming. It's good teaching, and also can be helpful in explaining to your colleagues/boss/friends/parents why you're so into structure/structured information/knowledge managment, et. al.

XML is a great video. As a executive new to the internet, it provided me with very basic insight. The video takes you through various aspects of XML including historical development and perspective leading to why it is important today. The narrators are obvious industry veterans and innovators and are able to explain things in non technical terms. I found the explanation and history of markup language especially enlightening.

Even though the subject can be boring, the discussions are not. The tape is professionally produced and packs the information that is necessary to understand why XML was designed and why it should be used by your company. It leaves you feeling excited about this new technology. I hope to use this as a training film for executives and IT personnel and anybody else who wants to know about XML.

After being jaded by seeing way too many low-budget, just slightly better than public-access-cable-tv-channel-type instructional videos, this just blew me away! Quick and interesting editing with decent background music and sound make XML more interesting than possibly anything in the computer universe. Contains just enough tech information to keep you interested without distracting from the business value and impact that XML can and is having in the world of information management. I'd love to see a followup covering XSLT/Canonical Forms, etc. Well worth the time and money involved to get and view a copy.

It's kinda cool seeing and hearing all the XML gurus put their heart & soul into explaining their next-wave software thing, especially as it takes you from the overall context down to the nuts-n-bolts of the programming. It's good teaching, and also can be helpful tool explaining to your colleagues/boss/friends/parents why you're so into structure/structured information/knowledge managment, et. al.

This is a great history and overview video for XML. I showed this video to my group at work who have to deal with XML directly and peripherally. Everyone agreed it was a great video and answered many questions they had had. Some expressed surprise at the origins of XML. The ensuing discussion after viewing the video was very powerful. Highly recommended! Even non-techies can benefit.