Gamification with Moodle. Use game elements in Moodle courses to build learner resilience and motivation

Natalie Denmeade

This book describes how teachers can use Gamification design within the Moodle Learning Management System. Game elements can be included in course design by using, badges, rubrics, custom grading scales, forums, and conditional activities. Moodle courses do not have to be solo-learning experiences that replicate Distance Education models. The Gamification design process starts by profiling players and creating levels of achievement towards meeting learning outcomes. Each task is defined, valued, and sequenced. Motivation loops are devised to keep the momentum going. In a gaming studio, this approach would require a team of specialists with a large budget and time frames. Preparing for a class rarely has these optimal conditions. The approach used in this book is to introduce game elements into the course design gradually. First, apply gamification to just one lesson and then build up to gamifying a series of lessons over a term. Each example will indicate the difficulty level and time investment. Try it out to see what is most effective with your learners and choose wisely in your use of technology. By the end of this book, you will be able to create Moodle courses that incorporate choice, communication,challenge, and creativity.

Unreal Engine 4 Game Development Quick Start Guide. Programming professional 3D games with Unreal Engine 4

Rachel Cordone

Unreal Engine is a popular game engine used by developers for building high-end 2D and 3D games. This book is a practical guide designed to help you get started with Unreal Engine 4 and confidently develop interactive games.You’ll begin with a quick introduction to the Unreal Engine 4 (UE4) ecosystem. Next, you’ll learn how to create Blueprints and C++ code to define your game's functionality. As you progress, you’ll cover the core systems of UE4 such as Unreal Motion Graphics (UMG), Animation Blueprints, and behaviour trees to further build on your game development knowledge. The concluding chapters will then help you learn how to use replication to create multiplayer games.By the end of this book, you will be well-versed with UE4 and have developed the skills you need to use the framework for developing and deploying robust and intuitive games.

Learning Linux Shell Scripting. Leverage the power of shell scripts to solve real-world problems - Second Edition

Ganesh Sanjiv Naik

Linux is the most powerful and universally adopted OS. Shell is a program that gives the user direct interaction with the operating system. Scripts are collections of commands that are stored in a file. The shell reads this file and acts on commands as if they were typed on the keyboard.Learning Linux Shell Scripting covers Bash, GNU Bourne Again Shell, preparing you to work in the exciting world of Linux shell scripting. CentOS is a popular rpm-based stable and secured Linux distribution. Therefore, we have used CentOS distribution instead of Ubuntu distribution. Linux Shell Scripting is independent of Linux distributions, but we have covered both types of distros. We start with an introduction to the Shell environment and basic commands used. Next, we explore process management in Linux OS, real-world essentials such as debugging and perform Shell arithmetic fluently. You'll then take a step ahead and learn new and advanced topics in Shell scripting, such as decision making, starting up a system, and customizing a Linux environment. You will also learn about grep, stream editor, and AWK, which are very powerful text filters and editors. Finally, you'll get to grips with taking backup, using other language scripts in Shell Scripts as well as automating database administration tasks for MySQL and Oracle.By the end of this book, you will be able to confidently use your own shell scripts in the real world.

PowerShell Automation and Scripting for Cybersecurity. Hacking and defense for red and blue teamers

Miriam C. Wiesner, Tanya Janca

Take your cybersecurity skills to the next level with this comprehensive PowerShell security guide! Whether you're on the red or blue team, you'll gain a deep understanding of PowerShell's security capabilities and how to apply them.With years of hands-on experience, the author brings real-world use cases to demonstrate PowerShell’s critical role in offensive and defensive security.After covering PowerShell basics and scripting fundamentals, you'll explore PowerShell Remoting and remote management technologies. You'll learn to configure and analyze Windows event logs, identifying crucial logs and IDs for effective monitoring. The book delves into PowerShell's interaction with system components, Active Directory, and Azure AD, including stealth execution methods. You’ll uncover authentication protocols, enumeration, credential theft, and exploitation, providing strategies to mitigate these risks. A dedicated red and blue team cookbook offers practical security tasks. Finally, you'll delve into mitigations such as Just Enough Administration, AMSI, application control, and code signing, emphasizing configuration, risks, exploitation, bypasses, and best practices.By the end of this book, you’ll confidently apply PowerShell for cybersecurity, from detection to defense, staying ahead of cyber threats.

Clojure High Performance Programming. Become an expert at writing fast and high performant code in Clojure 1.7.0 - Second Edition

Shantanu Kumar

Applying and Extending Oracle Spatial. This guide takes you straight into the attributes of Oracle Spatial and teaches you to extend, apply, and combine them with other Oracle and open source technologies. A vital manual for solving everyday problems

Siva Ravada, Simon Greener

Spatial applications should be developed in the same way that users develop other database applications: by starting with an integrated data model in which the SDO_GEOMETRY objects are just another attribute describing entities and by using as many of the database features as possible for managing the data. If a task can be done using a database feature like replication, then it should be done using the standard replication technology instead of inventing a new procedure for replicating spatial data. Sometimes solving a business problem using a PL/SQL function can be more powerful, accessible, and easier to use than trying to use external software. Because Oracle Spatial's offerings are standards compliant, this book shows you how Oracle Spatial technology can be used to build cross-vendor database solutions. Applying and Extending Oracle Spatial shows you the clever things that can be done not just with Oracle Spatial on its own, but in combination with other database technologies. This is a great resource book that will convince you to purchase other Oracle technology books on non-spatial specialist technologies because you will finally see that spatial is not special: it is a small, fun, and clever part of a much larger whole.

Virtual Filmmaking with Unreal Engine 5. A step-by-step guide to creating a complete animated short film

Hussin Khan, HaZ Dulull

Virtual Filmmaking with Unreal Engine 5 is the first Unreal Engine book to guide you through the complete process of virtual film production. Encompassing the full spectrum of filmmaking, this book demonstrates the use of an industry-standard tool used by studios such as Disney, ILM, DNEG, and Framestore.Walking through the process systematically, you’ll collect references and create a simple storyboard to plan your shots. You'll create virtual environments, import 3D models and add materials and textures to build photorealistic, dynamic worlds. You'll also create actors using highly customizable MetaHumans, understand how to import, re-target, and animate them. You’ll bring it all together with cinematic lighting and camera animation before exporting your film.By the end of this book, you’ll have discovered new tools for your toolkit to work on your virtual film projects in Unreal Engine 5, leveraging Quixel Megascans, Lumen, Nanite, and MetaHuman technology.

Apache Roller 4.0 - Beginner's Guide. A comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to set up, customize, and market your blog using Apache Roller

Alfonso V. Romero, Brian Fitzpatrick, Alfonso Vidal Romero

Apache Roller enables you to build a fully-featured, multi-user blog server apt for all kinds of blogging sites. It is an ideal tool to create your own blogging network with unlimited users and blogs, forums, photo galleries, and more! While it is exciting to have a list of interesting features it can offer you, it might be a little difficult to get started with it by your self.This book will teach you how to get started with Apache Roller and make the most of all its features using step-by-step, detailed instructions. You will learn how to establish your internet presence with an Apache Roller blog and use the latest web tools to enhance your posts and attract visitors. You will also learn how to promote your blog on popular social bookmarking services and customize it to suit your need.This hands-on and practical book introduces you to Apache Roller. Starting off with the configuration and installation of your own blog, you'll then quickly learn how to add interesting content to your blog with the help of plenty of examples. You'll also learn how to change your blog's visual appearance with the help of Roller themes and templates and how to create a community of blogs for you and your colleagues or friends in your Apache Roller blog server. The book also looks at ways you can manage your community, and keep your site safe and secure, ensuring that it is a spam-free, enjoyable community for your users.