Customer Reviews

Java-SIG's 100 Best Applets

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is the first book I have ever returned. I expected it to contain the code and detailed explanations. Its not there. The code might be on the CD but based on a previous review it sounds like the CD is screwed up. I didn't open the CD so I could return the book. An example of what I expected the book to contain can be found in Naughton & Schildt's book Java 2: The Complete Reference. The last couple of chapters of that book present some applets along with the code and some very good explainations. Infact I liked those chapters so much thats why I bought Java-Sig's 100 Best Applets. I wanted more of what Naughton and Schildt had provided. I didn't get it. I guess I should have known based on the number of Applets they are reviewing that they could not provide anything more than a feel good explaination of why they like the applet. I wanted to be able to review the code at my leisure, perhaps while I am lying on my couch or something. Instead you are forced to sit at your computer to get anything out of this book. Rather than buy this book just search the web for some applets and their source.

I develop webpages for a living -- everyone wants Java applets. This book gives my clients something to flip through, point at, and say "yeah, I want that". The descriptions of the applets are dynamite -- clear, lucid (sometimes even funny) and the organization of the book makes it really easy to find the applets you need.

The idea is good: put together a book with lots of different java programs on CD, and sell it. Great, except whomever mastered the disc put it in 8.3 DOS file name format. The CD is worthless, and for the amount of time you'd save downloading the files rather than rename them makes this book a poor value. Hopefully there will be a second edition.