Competing on Analytics: The New Science of Winning
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Good primer and sales piece
  • Covers the basics of both the what-is and the how-to of fact-based decision making
  • A limited introduction to business analytics
  • Good Overview of Business Analytics
  • Who Is The Audience
Competing on Analytics: The New Science of Winning
Thomas H. Davenport
Manufacturer: Harvard Business School Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1422103323
Release Date: 2007-03-06

Book Description

You have more information at hand about your business environment than ever before. But are you using it to “out-think” your rivals? If not, you may be missing out on a potent competitive tool.

In Competing on Analytics: The New Science of Winning , Thomas H. Davenport and Jeanne G. Harris argue that the frontier for using data to make decisions has shifted dramatically. Certain high-performing enterprises are now building their competitive strategies around data-driven insights that in turn generate impressive business results. Their secret weapon? Analytics: sophisticated quantitative and statistical analysis and predictive modeling.

Exemplars of analytics are using new tools to identify their most profitable customers and offer them the right price, to accelerate product innovation, to optimize supply chains, and to identify the true drivers of financial performance. A wealth of examples—from organizations as diverse as Amazon, Barclay’s, Capital One, Harrah’s, Procter & Gamble, Wachovia, and the Boston Red Sox—illuminate how to leverage the power of analytics.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Good primer and sales piece.......2007-10-12

This book is a good introduction to the applications and benefits of business analytics. It focuses on benefits and has minimal coverage of analysis methods.

I am somewhat put off by the subtitle "The New Science of Winning" which probably helps sell the book, and which reflects the extreme culture of winners and losers that dominates business culture these days. History shows that any culture without a better balance of competition with cooperation and ethics will be eclipsed.

4 out of 5 stars Covers the basics of both the what-is and the how-to of fact-based decision making.......2007-10-04

Mark Twain once said something to the effect that it isn't what you don't know that gets you into trouble, it's what you know for certain that isn't so that will get you. Too many businesses are run on assumptions, guesses, and inertia. What we are doing now worked in the past so lets keep doing it. Shareholders lose a lot of money when their businesses are run with that kind of thinking.

This book is about fact-based decision making. It is really more of an introduction to the subject than a detailed text, but it is still quite useful for those wanting to learn the basics of the subject. The first five chapters discuss what analytics are, how you compete using them, and the growth path from wondering what an analytic competitor is through the fives steps to becoming one. They also discuss what it means when using internal data that you completely control, and what it means when you do it using data you control and supplier or customer data that you do not control.

The last four chapters take on the practical side of implementing a road map to becoming an analytic competitor. I particularly enjoyed the chapter emphasizing that all your plans will fail if you don't have the right people. Systems alone won't do it. The next chapter discusses the kinds of systems you need. The last chapter discusses the future of analytics.

For the right audience, this is a fascinating book. The stories about businesses succeeding by using analytics or getting themselves into serious trouble by ignoring them are all good and entertaining. Be careful, though. Some of the stories talk about instances (such as the Red Sox losing the World Series by letting the pitcher go beyond his statistical maximum pitching range) rather than trends and large numbers of events. Statistics don't work on instances. That is, at any given moment a coin might come up heads or tails. Just because there have been ten heads flips in a row does not mean you should take less than 50-50 odds on the next flip. It is still 50-50. That pitcher might have won, might have lost that game and it would have become part of the statistical information. However, for the stats to become powerful, you would have to be able to make a strong prediction over a series of games that he pitched. That is, if he goes beyond X pitches in 10 games he will lose about 8 of them. That means he still wins two (or one or three) and you don't know when in the series the wins will come.

The idea that very small observations can be exploited for big advantage is very important in today's ever more competitive business climate. For example Harrah's learned that moving the odds on slot machines one-tenth of one percent in their favor did not affect customer play at all, but netted them at extra $80 million (company wide). Marriott's hotel management system improves hotel performance by a couple percent. Remember that these improvements incur little cost, so most of the improvement flows quickly to the bottom line.

I thought that might get your attention. Read it so you can learn and profit from it.

Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI

3 out of 5 stars A limited introduction to business analytics.......2007-09-21

MY RATING SYSTEM:

* - if you have to chose between torture and reading this book, then you might want to consider reading the book - although it depends on just how severe the torture would be.

** - if you've lost your job and have quite a bit of free time on your hands, and don't have anything else better to do, then you might want to consider reading this book; don't expect to learn much or really be entertained. It will however, help you pass the time until your death.

*** - meh...I'm indifferent. Reading this book will not alter your life in any significant way, yet it is not so horrendously dreadful that your taking the time to read it will be a complete waste of time.

**** - Good book to great book zone here. You should probably read this book if you have some spare time. This book could be interesting, entertaining, or informative.

***** - Outstanding book! Make time to read this book - you'll learn or be entertained or intrigued. The book might even be good enough to provide original or helpful insights into the world that we live in.

REVIEW:

Competing on Analytics serves as an interesting, albeit limited, introduction to the concept of using complex data collection, management, and analysis techniques to gain a competitive edge in business.

For me, the book served as a useful introduction, but fell far short of satisfying the objectives I had in mind when I first came across it. What I was expecting was a book that provide a detailed guide to developing and implementing an analytical approach to business decision making. While early on the authors acknowledge the limitations of the book, I found what followed to be less than satisfying.

The book contained a variety of examples of companies that were using analytical techniques to improve the quality of business decision making, and discussed a variety of business areas in which companies might want to adopt such analytical techniques but failed to present comprehensive case studies that would provide real guidance to readers. I would have liked to have been led through a few cases, from a diverse set of industries, where the authors describe what information was collected and why, how the information was manipulated, analyzed and presented, and how the entire analytics process was influenced by and/or influenced the company's strategy and performance. Instead, the book left me with the impression that I need to go out an hire a consulting firm to lead me through the development of an analytics program.

One of the most ironic components of the book was that while it touted the use of analytical techniques and objective analysis to motivate business decision making, it's argument was largely based on anecdotal evidence of a handful of companies that have adopted analytical approaches.

4 out of 5 stars Good Overview of Business Analytics.......2007-09-20

Technology & the easy with which information spreads has rendered many products and services easily replicable. Companies need to compete on the basis of something their competitors can't recreate. What companies don't have ready access to is each other's data, i.e., on customers, suppliers, & processes. What companies do with this data is what can set them apart from competitors.

Davenport & Harris describe how data is transformed into competitive advantage by discussing the types of information used in analytics, the stages of becoming a more analytic corporation, and many examples of companies who have applied analytics to successful operations. Problems encountered down the road to becoming more analytical were similar to those described in another recent book on the criticality of enterprise data, Information Revolution by Davis, Miller, & Russell.

This book contains no numeric formulas or specific procedures for using analytics, but it is an excellent as an overall survey of business analytics as used today.

4 out of 5 stars Who Is The Audience.......2007-08-30

This book is meant for those who make things happen and need to gain a fresh perspective. It is not meant for those who know a lot but can't make things happen yet keep looking for more information, while criticizing a good effort, which without doubt could have been better.
Information Technology Project Management, Fourth Edition
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great Author
  • Great buy!!!!!
  • Book is Fine
  • Great book
  • Excellent additional book for CAPM or Project + Exam
Information Technology Project Management, Fourth Edition
Kathy Schwalbe
Manufacturer: Course Technology
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0619215267

Book Description

Recreates the experience of dozens of projects, both successful and failed, to provide a real-world context for learning.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great Author.......2007-09-11

Learn alot from the book about Project management. It does not only apply to management but apply to daily life. It teaches you more than there is. Definitely recommended. Like the CD and the material.

5 out of 5 stars Great buy!!!!!.......2007-03-08

The book got to me in a timely manner and was in great shape.

4 out of 5 stars Book is Fine.......2007-01-09

What can I say, the instructor required this book, so I purchased it. Well laid out. Broken down into sections that make sense when learning project management. The examples in the appendix could be done a little better, but the appendix is already over 100 pages. Wish it would have the Index on CDROM for easier searching, but overall it is a good book.

5 out of 5 stars Great book .......2007-01-04

I used this book as the accredited book for my project management course in my master study, actually it is a great book, I did not get enough time to read it all, but it really covers all the project managemnt subtitles, I recommend it for those who have project management experience, and also for those who just need to know something about project manegment, but you make sure you have time to read, it is not a small before sleep book, it is really technical one.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent additional book for CAPM or Project + Exam.......2006-10-14

I was issued this book for my project management class this past spring. The information contained in this particular book was detailed, and the author provided great examples plus a 120-day trail version of MS Project management software to add in practical development. I am using this book as additional information to pass the Certifed Associate in Project Management exam offer by the Project Management Institute.
MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exams 70-290, 70-291, 70-293, 70-294): Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Core Requirements, Second Edition
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Books are great!!! Shipping sucked!!!
  • Good info for a cheap price
  • This can teach old dogs new tricks
  • Good Product ! excellent training material
  • Excellent Condition
MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exams 70-290, 70-291, 70-293, 70-294): Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Core Requirements, Second Edition
Dan Holme , Orin Thomas , J.C. Mackin , Ian McLean , and Craig Zacker
Manufacturer: Microsoft Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0735622906

Book Description

Get in-depth training and practice with the skills measured by the core exams for MCSE certification for Windows Server 2003all in one box! Covering Exams 70-290, 70-291, 70-293, and 70-294, these four, all-new Microsoft study guides pack the tools and features that exam candidates want mostincluding in-depth, self-paced training based on final exam content; rigorous, objective-by-objective reviews; exam tips from expert, exam-certified authors; and a robust testing suite. They also provide real-world scenarios, case study examples, and troubleshooting labs for skills and experience that you can apply to the job.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Books are great!!! Shipping sucked!!!.......2007-10-19

The books are very informative. However, I gave this product four stars because Amazon shipped the book set in a large box and it got all banged up. Luckily the CD was still whole.

4 out of 5 stars Good info for a cheap price.......2007-09-27

This series covers all of what I need to know for MCSE. It comes with a nice price. Well worth it.

5 out of 5 stars This can teach old dogs new tricks.......2007-09-02

This is a one of a kind Self Pace training course that has taugh this old dog new trick... I am well pleased with the results and indepth and detail of the material...

5 out of 5 stars Good Product ! excellent training material.......2007-07-29

This kit is a must for everybody who is intrested in getting certified for the first 4 core exams of the MCSE certificate.

Foreigners outside of USA, please keep in mind that your package may be opened by customs en therefore its resealed and its possible that your package will get damaged (like i had). Books & CDs where in good condition but the box which keeps that books in place was damaged.

Besides that this kit will give you a voucher for 15& of discount on all 4 exams which are valid till 2010.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Condition.......2007-06-27

The study guides I ordered came to me in excellent condition and I paid half the retail cost. I couldn't be happier.
Accounting Information Systems (10th Edition) (Accounting Information Systems)
Average customer rating: 2 out of 5 stars
  • Yawning Hell
  • Only Buy if Required for a Class
  • Caution: Will Cause Drowsiness.
  • Agreed. Boring as dirt.
  • Comprehensive but boring
Accounting Information Systems (10th Edition) (Accounting Information Systems)
Marshall B. Romney , and Paul J. Steinbart
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
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Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0131475916

Book Description

Thorough and up-to-date, this book supports any of the most popular approaches to AIS: focus on transaction cycles and controls; focus on systems life cycle; focus on databases and data modeling; or focus on computer-based controls, fraud and auditing. The book begins with an overview and conceptual foundations then goes on to discuss control and audit of accounting information systems, accounting information systems applications, and the systems development process. For CPAs and corporate accountants.

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Yawning Hell.......2006-05-31

Is this the world's most boring book ? Technically competent but painfully dry. A gift too insomniacs. Good luck on getting past page 1 !

2 out of 5 stars Only Buy if Required for a Class.......2005-05-09

Very boring reading. Chapters tend to repeat themselves. The class I had for this book was one of the most boring classes I ever had. Instructor lectured from power point slides. I could have taken this class homestudy and done just fine, than to sit in class.

1 out of 5 stars Caution: Will Cause Drowsiness........2004-04-03

This book is simply horrible. It takes the stereotypical accountant and shoves him into the pages. It is so lethargic and monotonous that all the valuable information within the book just stops making sense. This book should be read by anyone who has doubts about becoming an accountant. They'll drop everything and go into premed. Horrible!

3 out of 5 stars Agreed. Boring as dirt........2003-05-10

Everything you need is in here, but the book truly is boring as dirt. If you need it for a class, fine. But do not buy it if you just want something to read.

2 out of 5 stars Comprehensive but boring.......1999-09-12

This is a very comprehensive textbook of the subject. It deals with just about every aspect of the AIS realm. It is, however, a very dull book. There isn't much illustrating, no color, and absolutely no life beyond the black and white wasteland of its pages.
Information Systems Today: Why IS Matters (2nd Edition)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Information Systems Today: Why IS Matters (2nd Edition)
    Leonard Jessup , and Joseph Valacich
    Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

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    ASIN: 0131454870

    Book Description

    Contemporary and well written, this book serves as a good desk reference for business professionals who need to know about information systems. Chapter topics include database management, telecommunications, electronic commerce, information system ethics, security, and more. For systems analysts or general business professionals who need to know about information systems.
    Information Systems Management in Practice (7th Edition)
    Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    • Review by Grad Student
    • IS Myths Revealed
    • From a network administrator's perspective
    • Great paperweight, good consolidation of other people's work
    • Ideal for learning about IS management
    Information Systems Management in Practice (7th Edition)
    Barbara C. McNurlin , and Ralph H. Sprague
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    Book Description

    Dealing with the management of information technology (IT) as it is being practiced in organizations today, the emphasis of this book is on the current material that information systems executives find important; its organization is around a framework that readers new to the information can understand. In this 7 th edition, discussions include the rising societal risks of IT, new sections on digital convergence, messaging, and instant messaging, and a revised discussion on wireless technology. The topics of outsourcing and and information security have been updated and enhanced. Information Systems Management in Practice continues to merge theory with practice through real-world case examples. Topics include leadership issues, the CIO’s responsibilities, uses of IT, information systems planning, essential technologies, managing operations, systems development, decision-making, collaboration, and knowledge work. An excellent reference resource for anyone employed in the information technology sector of business, especially managers of and executives in those departments.

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars Review by Grad Student.......2007-07-19

    This was my textbook for a graduate class in Information Systems and I enjoyed the book very much. The first chapter is a great introduction to show where the world of IT is and how we got there. Also the case studies are worth the price alone since they take real world corporations and offer insight into the improvements/mistakes they have made. Up to date also b/c it covers modern topics such as SOA and ESB.

    5 out of 5 stars IS Myths Revealed.......2007-01-05

    Until I studied this book as part my BEng(Hons) curriculam, I was considering that the Innformation Systems as a dumb subject and often relating MIS to the IS. After reading this book there is shift in my paradigm. Barbara starts this with brief history on IS and its strategic importance and goes on explaining the concept of group support and decision support systems. Its a valuable asset for any IS practitioner or a studying professional. I felt certain chapters like networking and database should not part of this book as the IS is more of a concept rather than implementation. However I rate this as highest since this is the best book I have ever seen in the IS engineering.

    5 out of 5 stars From a network administrator's perspective.......2004-05-18

    I read this book as part of my first course in a Ph.D.-MIS program. I thought it was a great overview and history of MIS, and provided insight into alternative IS management styles and strategies. The case studies were relevent, current, well written and interesting. I recommend this book for all network and systems administrators. It gives insight into what thought processes should be occurring at the CIO and IS manager levels.

    1 out of 5 stars Great paperweight, good consolidation of other people's work.......2002-10-20

    This book provides various sources of information but no analysis by the book's authors. It is a patch work of case studies, excerpts, and paraphrasing of other texts to which I hope the original authors are getting paid royalties for.

    Some of the diagrams are simplistic, others are useless. More than half of them are from other sources.

    The book seems to formulate points of interest (e.g. traditional, evolving, and present-day IT roles) without providing analysis of why and how this affects future trends in IS management.

    I had to write a review after reading nebulous fluff like, "Being a manufacturer, LifeScan has instituted quality processes." (which successful company doesn't) or "Way back in 1964,..." (not just back, but WAY back). When you do read something of slight interest it is almost always followed by something like, "so says Mr. so-and-so, in this-paper-that-he-wrote." (e.g. pp. 126-127 whenever "Rayport and Sviokla" is mentioned - 4 times in about 1 page of text and in every paragraph - the authors are paraphrasing a point Rayport and Sviokla made)

    I'm truly amazed this book is this bad after five revisions. The authors seem to have the right information, but they really need to provide their own insights and analysis. And also have my high school english teacher review it to cut the fluff out.

    5 out of 5 stars Ideal for learning about IS management.......2002-08-18

    I bought this book for my MSc in Analysis, Design and Management of Information Systems and I consider that it was extremely helpful. The chapter about the perspectives of IS and the role of the CIO are very interesting. In the chapter about Information Systems Planning, they included lots of concepts related to strategy, linking IS Planning with six different approaches/techniques: Stages of Growth, Critical Success Factors, Competitive Forces Model, Value Chain Analysis, Internet Value Matrix and Linkage Analysis Planning. The chapters about managing systems development are really instructive also. I strongly recommend the book for those IT practitioners whom are seeking a managerial position. It is very useful to managers and strategists as well.
    The Data Warehouse Toolkit: The Complete Guide to Dimensional Modeling (Second Edition)
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • Good for Dimentional Modeling
    • A tool rather than a toolkit
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    • Great Book
    • very bad....
    The Data Warehouse Toolkit: The Complete Guide to Dimensional Modeling (Second Edition)
    Ralph Kimball , and Margy Ross
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    ASIN: 0471200247

    Book Description

    Single most authoritative guide from the inventor of the technique.

    Download Description

    "The latest edition of the single most authoritative guide on dimensional modeling for data warehousing! Dimensional modeling has become the most widely accepted approach for data warehouse design. Here is a complete library of dimensional modeling techniques--the most comprehensive collection ever written. Greatly expanded to cover both basic and advanced techniques for optimizing data warehouse design, this second edition to Ralph Kimball's classic guide is more than sixty percent updated."

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars Good for Dimentional Modeling.......2007-10-05

    I did not get chance to read it, but everybody says it the best source to learn Dimensional Modeling. I our project, the DBA is doing it.

    5 out of 5 stars A tool rather than a toolkit.......2007-07-03

    This book delivers exactly what it says. Except that word "toolkit" in its title - you'd better think about this book being a single tool, not a whole toolkit. Ralph Kimball actually has a whole lot of books on data warehousing published, this is one of them, a tool in the toolkit. This one seems like a good starting point to the entire series, and it only shows a single facet - the dimensional modeling.

    The book explains the basic principles of creating dimensions and fact tables in a data warehouse (assuming a relational star schema), and then dedicates a chapter per industry to show how those principles apply to sales, order management, CRM, accounting, human resources, financial services, telecoms, logistics, education, health care, e-commerce, insurance etc. Each one appears to be significantly different from the others.

    There is a couple of teaser chapters starting with "we have that other book covering this, but will brief you out". Nice and makes you want to read the other books too.

    The book also includes guidelines to the warehouse building process, in terms like "know your business sponsor", "talk to your users" and so on. Difficult to say what it has to do with dimensional modeling, perhaps it's included in all the books in the series.

    There is no word on software, hardware, physical architecture, tuning or performance in this book. It is a textbook in dimensional modeling, period.

    The book is written clearly, has a handful of simple and uniform diagrams and is easy to follow. It only leaves you wondering just how exactly large is the whole data warehouse area, how many pieces you need to collect yet.

    Recommended.

    4 out of 5 stars Building a Data Warehouse.......2007-03-09

    Excelent book, it shows how to build a good data warehouse by using the best patterns. I recommend the book to you, it is not as boring as another books regarding this issue, in addition it is cheap.

    5 out of 5 stars Great Book.......2007-03-08

    This is a great book. Wish there was something like this for relational(3NF) modeling as well.

    Raman Marwah.

    1 out of 5 stars very bad.... .......2006-12-11

    whatever pioneer or genius he is in the DW industry, the book is pretty bad, i wouldn't recommend it at all. the way he tries to convey concepts, explain techniques....
    very bad organization, not clear but confusing sometimes, and very poor logical flow... he tries to make a big deal out of DW, when in fact it's not such a fancy or intellect intensive subject. very simple concepts are even hard to understand. someone else would be able to write a book more powerful and straight to the point in 100 pages MAX, and be much more useful....
    it sucks when leaders don't know how to express themselves, maybe he was looking forward to have readers learn enough in DW to get projects started but not be able to do squat, and get some business from consulting...
    File System Forensic Analysis
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Great resource
    • The bible for File System Forensics
    • super
    • Accept no substitutes -- THE book to read on file systems
    • The best work on the topic
    File System Forensic Analysis
    Brian Carrier
    Manufacturer: Addison-Wesley Professional
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

    PrivacyPrivacy | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    Network SecurityNetwork Security | Networking | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
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    1. Real Digital Forensics: Computer Security and Incident Response Real Digital Forensics: Computer Security and Incident Response
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    5. Windows Forensics and Incident Recovery (The Addison-Wesley Microsoft Technology Series) Windows Forensics and Incident Recovery (The Addison-Wesley Microsoft Technology Series)

    ASIN: 0321268172

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Great resource.......2007-10-14

    Great resource on file systems and file system data structures, although I wish it covered Apple's HFS+.

    5 out of 5 stars The bible for File System Forensics.......2007-08-15

    Great Book. Great job Brian. A must have in your bookshelf if you are serious about computer forensics.
    It only lacks two things to be perfect: a reiserfs and a HFS+ sections.

    Only an error. GPT partition schema isn't used only in big servers. New Intel Macintoshes use it by default for their boot drive.

    5 out of 5 stars super.......2007-03-08

    Thanks a lot, we are very happy to have this book in our library!

    5 out of 5 stars Accept no substitutes -- THE book to read on file systems.......2006-10-10

    I decided to read and review three digital forensics books in order to gauge their strengths and weaknesses: "File System Forensic Analysis" (FSFA) by Brian Carrier, "Windows Forensics" (WF) by Chad Steel, and "EnCase Computer Forensics" (ECF) by Steve Bunting and William Wei. All three books contain the word "forensics" in the title, but they are very different. If you want authoritative and deeply technical guidance on understanding file systems, read FSFA. If you want to focus on understanding Windows from an investigator's standpoint, read WA. If you want to know more about EnCase (and are willing to tolerate or ignore information about forensics itself), read ECF.

    In the spirit of full disclosure I should mention I am co-author of a forensics book ("Real Digital Forensics") and Brian Carrier cites my book "The Tao of Network Security Monitoring" on p 10. I tried to not let those facts sway my reviews.

    FSFA has received lengthy and glowing reviews, so I will keep my comments brief. Of the three books I cited earlier, FSFA was the only one which really grabbed my attention. I am a network-centric security practitioner, but Brian Carrier's organization, thoughtfulness, and delivery really hooked me. I very much appreciate authors who define a framework and explain potentially complicated topics within that framework.

    For example, Brian is very keen to promote the scientific method. His emphasis on hypotheses and looking for evidence to refute them made me take a second look at my own practices. Brian differentiates between "essential" and "nonessential" data, where the former must be accurate in order for a user to access data and the latter not necessarily needing to be accurate. Again, this is a great way to think about digital evidence in any form. Investigation is grouped into preservation, search, and event reconstruction phases. Finally, Brian's separation of data structures into five categories (file system, content, metadata, file name, and application) facilitates comparisons of file systems in the third part of FSFA.

    Besides being well-organized, FSFA does an excellent job covering material not addressed elsewhere. Server partitions, RAID, and LVM are examples. It is important to understand what is NOT present in FSFA, however. Brian very clearly stops at the application level of data, saving that for other books. I think this is a great idea, since it lets FSFA concentrate on its core topics (file systems) and saves the data on those file systems for other books. At the risk of self-promoting, I think FSFA is a powerful companion to "Real Digital Forensics" (RDF), since we provide sample file system images in dd format suitable for analysis using FSFA techniques. RDF also cares more about content than structure, which is where FSFA stops.

    Anyone who even pretends to be a host-centric forensics practitioner must read FSFA. I expect it has the power to save you on the stand should you encounter intense questioning from a defense attorney.

    5 out of 5 stars The best work on the topic.......2006-08-29

    Carrier's book has proven invaluable to this digital forensics trainee, and I expect many of the old hands in the field will be keeping it on hand as well. If you're serious about computer forensics, you need a copy.
    Pattern Classification (2nd Edition)
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • Great product & service
    • A Very Bad Sequel
    • The best book for the discussed field
    • great book
    • Very well written
    Pattern Classification (2nd Edition)
    Richard O. Duda , Peter E. Hart , and David G. Stork
    Manufacturer: Wiley-Interscience
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

    GeneralGeneral | Electrical & Electronics | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
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    2. The Elements of Statistical Learning The Elements of Statistical Learning
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    4. Machine Learning Machine Learning
    5. Data Mining: Practical Machine Learning Tools and Techniques, Second Edition (Morgan Kaufmann Series in Data Management Systems) Data Mining: Practical Machine Learning Tools and Techniques, Second Edition (Morgan Kaufmann Series in Data Management Systems)

    ASIN: 0471056693

    Book Description

    The first edition, published in 1973, has become a classic reference in the field. Now with the second edition, readers will find information on key new topics such as neural networks and statistical pattern recognition, the theory of machine learning, and the theory of invariances. Also included are worked examples, comparisons between different methods, extensive graphics, expanded exercises and computer project topics.

    An Instructor's Manual presenting detailed solutions to all the problems in the book is available from the Wiley editorial department.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Great product & service.......2007-09-21

    This was my first purchase from amazon and I was totally impressed by the quality of the product and the service! I would buy again from the same seller and recommend others to do the same.

    1 out of 5 stars A Very Bad Sequel.......2007-03-09

    I have now used this book 3 times for a class. While the 1st edition did a nice job of covering the material in its time, the additions to in the 2nd addition are a disaster. What the book has going for it is that it at least lists the necessary material for such a course in the table of contents. However, all the additional material is poorly explained at best. The problem sets are too few and the ones that are included are generally weak.

    I have tried to use this book, but after constant student complaints and my own difficulty with the text, I have finally concluded that the problem lies with the text and not with the users.

    I think an indicator of problems was the large number of errors in the first printing; large here is an understatement. Even in later additions, the 4th, the size of the errata is huge. I think this is indicative of the authors' attention to detail and seriousness in preparation. I have found similar errors and ambiguities in the associate Computer Manual.

    The bottom line is that this book has seen its final appearance in our curriculum. I would use any other text, even an older one.

    There is simply not enough room or time to point out all the problems with this text. Do yourself a favor if considering this text for a class. Don't bother.

    5 out of 5 stars The best book for the discussed field.......2007-02-05

    The discussed book is very explanatory and could be students' material for academic lessons.

    5 out of 5 stars great book.......2007-01-16

    easy to read for computer scientists who are not necessarily experts in statistics. the code in matlab is very good, and helps a lot.
    this book is a good introduction to machine learning.

    5 out of 5 stars Very well written.......2006-02-26

    I liked this book because it does a great job explaining the concepts and the reasoning behind the mathematical formulae. Other books such as "The Elements of Statistical Learning" toss the Math formulas at you and expect you to figure out the significance or the importance of 'em. The book does not shy away from Math - but does a great job presenting it.
    Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm (9th Edition)
    Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    • a great overview
    • Gotta agree with the first reviewer
    • This books blows
    • Good Introductory
    • Excellent General Overview of the IT Industry as of 1/06.
    Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm (9th Edition)
    Kenneth C. Laudon , and Jane P. Laudon
    Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

    GeneralGeneral | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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    Information SystemsInformation Systems | Software Engineering | Computer Science | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
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    ASIN: 0131538411

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars a great overview.......2007-09-21

    This book gives a wide range of information in different area in information system.
    the good thing is that it include example from life where the person can understand the topic.
    may some time include extra information that the begginner doesn't need, but overall the book is great.
    I recommend it for people who do'n't have any backgroud in IT

    1 out of 5 stars Gotta agree with the first reviewer.......2007-03-21

    This book leaves me hanging. The book repeatedly talks about leaders needing to be transformational and devise a IS strategy for their organizations -- okay that's great; how about providing some insight. It's one thing to say MIS is a strategic discipline (which this books does) and it's another thing to go out and do it (which this book doesn't describe and hasn't a clue).

    The books if full of manager's jargon but and is light on the details. After reading, you'll be able to sound like a manager and probably be able to do little else.

    2 out of 5 stars This books blows.......2006-12-22

    This book really sucks. Don't get it unless you have to.

    5 out of 5 stars Good Introductory.......2006-04-04

    This isn't a bad text for an introduction to management in IT. It's not technical and certainly places emphasis on managing IT infrastructures. If you're moving up from being a follower to directing and managing employees and departments, then this book may help to get you a glimpse into it.

    5 out of 5 stars Excellent General Overview of the IT Industry as of 1/06........2006-01-18

    I have never left a review on Amazon before (I've been a customer since 1997) and had no intention of doing so, when I initially searched this book description for some unrelated information.

    However, after reading the previous two reviews related to this book I now feel compelled to give my review. Neither of the previous reviews had anything even remotely substantive regarding the actual material in the book. The only pertinent information the previous two reviewers touched upon concerned a typo. I challenge anyone to show me a 700+ page textbook that doesn't contain at least one typo.

    The rest of the review pertains to the reviewer trying to grind an axe with regard to US programmers (which I am not). Maybe if he actually read the book, he would've left a different review. The other review is concerning a vendor/shipping issue.

    I give this book 5 stars because I feel it is a good general overview source concerning the Information Technology industry at the time of this posting (1/06).

    This book is well written and laid out in a very systematical and logical format, which allows the reader to reference the book "ala carte" style. If I want a refresher on networking or databases relating to the corporate world from a managerial perspective, this is a great source.

    If you are looking to learn the latest version of Oracle or become certified in Linux, then I suggest looking elsewhere.

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    2. Corporate Information Strategy and Management: Text and Cases
    3. Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems (7th Edition)
    4. Designed to Sell: Make any home the hottest property on the block with expert advice from the popular HGTV series
    5. Digital Image Processing Using MATLAB
    6. Enterprise Security Architecture: A Business-Driven Approach
    7. Enterprise Service Bus
    8. Event Planning : The Ultimate Guide to Successful Meetings, Corporate Events, Fundraising Galas, Conferences, Conventions, Incentives and Other Special Events
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    10. Foundations of IT Service Management: based on ITIL (English version)

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