Publisher: K-i-s-publishing
Marcin Lewandowski
It takes talent to be a great photographer, but in the digital era, it also takes a level of technical proficiency. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic was designed as a one-stop solution for photographers to perfect their final products on a desktop-focused workflow, which includes local storage of your photos in files and folders on your computer. Knowing how to efficiently navigate through Lightroom means that you’ll be able to concentrate on being creative instead of wondering “what does this button do”.Complete with step-by-step explanations of essential concepts and practical examples, you will begin with importing photographs into Lightroom. You’ll focus on how to sort through, sequence, develop, and export ready files in various formats, or even design a book and create gallery-ready prints. Next, you will learn how to make informed decisions within Lightroom and how to approach your work depending on the set of photographs you are working on. This guide also illustrates real-life usage and workflow examples that are not just for aspiring professionals, but also for artists and amateurs who are still getting to grips with the technical side of photography.By the end of this book, you'll be confident in importing, editing, sorting, developing, and delivering your photos like a professional.
Alexandru Busuioc, David Carr, Markus Gray, Vijay...
Do you want to build your own websites, but have never really been confident enough to turn your ideas into real projects? If your web development skills are a bit rusty, or if you've simply never programmed before, The PHP Workshop will show you how to build dynamic websites using PHP with the help of engaging examples and challenging activities.This PHP tutorial starts with an introduction to PHP, getting you set up with a productive development environment. You will write, execute, and troubleshoot your first PHP script using a built-in templating engine and server. Next, you'll learn about variables and data types, and see how conditions and loops help control the flow of a PHP program. Progressing through the chapters, you'll use HTTP methods to turn your PHP scripts into web apps, persist data by connecting to an external database, handle application errors, and improve functionality by using third-party packages.By the end of this Workshop, you'll be well-versed in web application development, and have the knowledge and skills to creatively tackle your own ambitious projects with PHP.
IT Governance Publishing, Jamie Lynn Cooke
Agile frameworks have revolutionized the way business analysis is integrated into projects, but the role of the Agile business analyst is still evolving. This book explores how business analysts can thrive within Agile teams, offering insights into both the challenges and opportunities they face. By understanding the power and limitations of Agile, the reader will gain practical tools to not only survive but thrive in an Agile environment. The text outlines why having a dedicated Agile business analyst is crucial and provides actionable advice on how to build the right team and minimize risks. The author goes beyond theory to offer concrete steps that help business analysts add value to Agile projects. The reader will walk away with a deep understanding of the evolving Agile landscape, including the critical role of business analysis and practical tips for improving team dynamics, managing risks, and maximizing value. This book is perfect for professionals looking to integrate Agile business analysis into their teams and projects to achieve better outcomes and continuous improvement.
Victor Dantas, Chris Huntingford
Written by Victor Dantas, a five-time Microsoft MVP, and Chris Huntingford, MVP, Microsoft Certified Trainer, and FastTrack Recognized Solution Architect, this book distills the collective wisdom of two global thought leaders at the forefront of technological innovation. The Power Platform Playbook for Digital Transformation is your guide to strategizing, implementing, and scaling digital transformation using Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, Power Pages, and Copilot Studio. It equips you with tools to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and scale automation without deep coding expertise.Unlike technical manuals that focus only on implementation, this book takes a holistic approach, combining strategy and execution. You’ll learn how to build enterprise-grade applications, automate repetitive tasks, and integrate Power Platform with Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and third-party services. Real-world case studies, best practices, and step-by-step guidance equip you to implement governance, security, and compliance while ensuring long-term success.Whether you’re a business leader driving transformation, an IT professional managing enterprise automation, or a business analyst optimizing processes, this book provides a clear roadmap to leveraging Power Platform for scalable, AI-enhanced digital innovation.
Emiliano Paternostro
Pro Tools has long been an industry-standard Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) for audio professionals, but it can often be overwhelming for new and experienced users alike. The Pro Tools 2023 Post-Audio Cookbook acts as a reference guide to the software and breaks down each stage of a project into manageable phases. From planning a session, editing a sequence, performing a mix to printing the final masters, you can approach this book either sequentially or peruse the self-contained recipes.You’ll come to grips with workflows for music production, motion picture, and spoken word production, helping you gain expertise in the area of your choice. You'll learn aspects of music mixing like side chain processing to keep instruments from overshadowing each other and conforming for motion picture. The author’s expertise with Pro Tools will help you discover and incorporate different techniques into your workflows. You’ll also learn to build consistent and replicable workflows and templates by understanding what happens behind the scenes in Pro Tools. With this cookbook, you’ll be able to focus on the creative aspects of your audio production and not get mired by the technical hurdles.By the end of this book, you’ll be well-equipped to handle even the most complex features of Pro Tools to deliver immaculate results for your clients.
The Professional Scrum Master Guide. The unofficial guide to Scrum with real-world projects
Fred Heath
This book demonstrates the real-world applications of Scrum in a variety of scenarios, all with practical examples. You’ll understand why the structure of your Scrum team matters, and how to create and manage sprint and product backlogs. Each chapter concludes with relevance to the exam, reinforcing what you’ve learned as you work through the book and making sure you have an edge when it comes to earning your certificate.The statements made and opinions expressed herein belong exclusively to Packt Publishing Ltd and are not shared by or represent the viewpoint of Scrum.org. This training does not constitute an endorsement of any product, service or point of view. Scrum.org makes no representations, warranties or assurances of any kind, express or implied, as to the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, availability or currency of the content contained in this presentation or any material related to this presentation. In no event shall Scrum.org, its agents, officers, employees, licensees or affiliates be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of profits, business information, or loss of information) arising out of the information or statements contained in the training. Any reliance you place on such content is strictly at your own risk.
Fred Heath
Ever wondered why you’d use Scrum over other process frameworks? Or what makes Agile just so agile? Or why you should bother with the PSM certification? This book has you covered.The Professional Scrum Master (PSM I) Guide is a comprehensive tutorial that will not only introduce you to the basics of Scrum, but build you up to be ready to pass your PSM I exam first time round. Where other books avoid detail, this guide provides you with detailed practical examples to take you from being an apprentice to becoming a master.Assuming you’re a total beginner, this book will introduce you to Scrum methodologies with detailed use cases, teaching you the secrets of Scrum in such a way that you’ll be well-equipped for the PSM I exam.This book demonstrates the real-world applications of Scrum in a variety of scenarios, all with practical examples.You’ll understand why the structure of your Scrum team matters, what you can achieve with properly planned sprints, and how to create and manage sprint and product backlogs. The chapters are regularly concluded with quizzes relevant to the exam, reinforcing the values you learn on your journey. Finally, it concludes with some exam preparation and myth-dispelling to make sure you have an edge when it comes to earning your certificate. This is a guide that’ll ensure you won’t fall behind in an ever increasingly agile world.
Stacia Viscardi
A natural and difficult tension exists between a project team (supply) and its customer (demand); a professional ScrumMaster relaxes this tension using the Scrum framework so that the team arrives at the best possible outcome.The Professional ScrumMaster's Handbook is a practical, no-nonsense guide to helping you become an inspiring and effective ScrumMaster known for getting results.This book goes into great detail about why it seems like you're fighting traditional management culture every step of the way. You will explore the three roles of Scrum and how, working in harmony, they can deliver a product in the leanest way possible. You'll understand that even though there is no room for a project manager in Scrum, there are certain “management” aspects you should be familiar with to help you along the way. Getting a team to manage itself and take responsibility is no easy feat; this book will show you how to earn trust by displaying it and inspiring courage in a team every day.The Professional ScrumMaster's Handbook will challenge you to dig deep within yourself to improve your mindset, practices, and values in order to build and support the very best agile teams.
Tobias Zwingmann, Armand Ruiz
Artificial Intelligence has the power to dramatically enhance business performance—but knowing where to begin can be overwhelming. The Profitable AI Advantage offers a clear, actionable roadmap for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and CTOs to identify, design, and scale profitable AI initiatives. You'll learn how AI expands margins by reducing costs, increasing throughput, minimizing risk, and unlocking new revenue streams—without incurring proportional costs.Instead of relying on complex financial models, this guide presents simple thresholds, cost caps, and quick-sizing techniques you can apply to your own financials. The book moves efficiently from foundational AI concepts to practical applications, covering predictive AI, generative AI, and agent-based tools.Frameworks like the Pain Points and Bottlenecks Canvas and the Integration-Automation AI Framework help you identify high-impact opportunities, design use cases, build roadmaps, and prototype solutions quickly and cost-effectively. With real-world case studies from seasoned AI expert Tobias Zwingmann, you’ll sidestep pitfalls, streamline implementation, and drive measurable P&L impact.By the end, you’ll be equipped to scale AI strategically, align your teams, and boost decision-making, productivity, and competitive edge.
The Python Apprentice. Introduction to the Python Programming Language
Robert Smallshire, Austin Bingham
Experienced programmers want to know how to enhance their craft and we want to help them start as apprentices with Python. We know that before mastering Python you need to learn the culture and the tools to become a productive member of any Python project. Our goal with this book is to give you a practical and thorough introduction to Python programming, providing you with the insight and technical craftsmanship you need to be a productive member of any Python project. Python is a big language, and it’s not our intention with this book to cover everything there is to know. We just want to make sure that you, as the developer, know the tools, basic idioms and of course the ins and outs of the language, the standard library and other modules to be able to jump into most projects.
Andrew Bird, Dr. Lau Cher Han, Mario...
Have you always wanted to learn Python, but never quite known how to start?More applications than we realize are being developed using Python because it is easy to learn, read, and write. You can now start learning the language quickly and effectively with the help of this interactive tutorial.The Python Workshop starts by showing you how to correctly apply Python syntax to write simple programs, and how to use appropriate Python structures to store and retrieve data. You'll see how to handle files, deal with errors, and use classes and methods to write concise, reusable, and efficient code.As you advance, you'll understand how to use the standard library, debug code to troubleshoot problems, and write unit tests to validate application behavior.You'll gain insights into using the pandas and NumPy libraries for analyzing data, and the graphical libraries of Matplotlib and Seaborn to create impactful data visualizations. By focusing on entry-level data science, you'll build your practical Python skills in a way that mirrors real-world development. Finally, you'll discover the key steps in building and using simple machine learning algorithms.By the end of this Python book, you'll have the knowledge, skills and confidence to creatively tackle your own ambitious projects with Python.
The Python Workshop. Write Python code to solve challenging real-world problems - Second Edition
Corey Wade, Mario Corchero Jiménez, Andrew Bird,...
Python is among the most popular programming languages in the world. It’s ideal for beginners because it’s easy to read and write, and for developers, because it’s widely available with a strong support community, extensive documentation, and phenomenal libraries – both built-in and user-contributed.This project-based course has been designed by a team of expert authors to get you up and running with Python. You’ll work though engaging projects that’ll enable you to leverage your newfound Python skills efficiently in technical jobs, personal projects, and job interviews. The book will help you gain an edge in data science, web development, and software development, preparing you to tackle real-world challenges in Python and pursue advanced topics on your own. Throughout the chapters, each component has been explicitly designed to engage and stimulate different parts of the brain so that you can retain and apply what you learn in the practical context with maximum impact.By completing the course from start to finish, you’ll walk away feeling capable of tackling any real-world Python development problem.
The Ransomware Threat Landscape. Prepare for, recognise and survive ransomware attacks
IT Governance Publishing, Alan Calder
The Ransomware Threat Landscape offers an in-depth examination of ransomware, explaining how it works, its modes of access, and the consequences of attacks. The book begins by detailing the mechanisms of ransomware, how cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities, and the damage it causes to organizations. It further explores the types of ransomware, their infection methods, and how attackers use ransomware for financial gain.The guide provides practical, actionable advice on basic and advanced cybersecurity measures to protect against ransomware. Topics like cybersecurity hygiene, staff awareness, and the importance of creating an anti-ransomware program are covered. The book emphasizes the role of a well-structured risk management framework and its application in preventing attacks and mitigating fallout from infections.For organizations of all sizes, the book offers tailored controls to strengthen defenses. It also explains the steps needed for a comprehensive recovery plan. Advanced prevention strategies for larger enterprises are discussed, making this guide suitable for IT professionals, security experts, and organizational leaders aiming to protect their systems from ransomware threats.
Brandon Richey, Ryan Yu, Endre Vegh, Theofanis...
Are you interested in how React takes command of the view layer for web and mobile apps and changes the data of large web applications without needing to reload the page? This workshop will help you learn how and show you how to develop and enhance web apps using the features of the React framework with interesting examples and exercises.The workshop starts by demonstrating how to create your first React project. You’ll tap into React’s popular feature JSX to develop templates and use DOM events to make your project interactive. Next, you’ll focus on the lifecycle of the React component and understand how components are created, mounted, unmounted, and destroyed. Later, you’ll create and customize components to understand the data flow in React and how props and state communicate between components. You’ll also use Formik to create forms in React to explore the concept of controlled and uncontrolled components and even play with React Router to navigate between React components. The chapters that follow will help you build an interesting image-search app to fetch data from the outside world and populate the data to the React app. Finally, you’ll understand what ref API is and how it is used to manipulate DOM in an imperative way.By the end of this React book, you’ll have the skills you need to set up and create web apps using React.
Vincent Vandenbussche, Akin Osman Kazakci
Regularization is an infallible way to produce accurate results with unseen data, however, applying regularization is challenging as it is available in multiple forms and applying the appropriate technique to every model is a must. The Regularization Cookbook provides you with the appropriate tools and methods to handle any case, with ready-to-use working codes as well as theoretical explanations. After an introduction to regularization and methods to diagnose when to use it, you’ll start implementing regularization techniques on linear models, such as linear and logistic regression, and tree-based models, such as random forest and gradient boosting. You’ll then be introduced to specific regularization methods based on data, high cardinality features, and imbalanced datasets. In the last five chapters, you’ll discover regularization for deep learning models. After reviewing general methods that apply to any type of neural network, you’ll dive into more NLP-specific methods for RNNs and transformers, as well as using BERT or GPT-3. By the end, you’ll explore regularization for computer vision, covering CNN specifics, along with the use of generative models such as stable diffusion and Dall-E.By the end of this book, you’ll be armed with different regularization techniques to apply to your ML and DL models.
Alessandro Palmas, Emanuele Ghelfi, Dr. Alexandra Galina...
Various intelligent applications such as video games, inventory management software, warehouse robots, and translation tools use reinforcement learning (RL) to make decisions and perform actions that maximize the probability of the desired outcome. This book will help you to get to grips with the techniques and the algorithms for implementing RL in your machine learning models.Starting with an introduction to RL, youÔÇÖll be guided through different RL environments and frameworks. YouÔÇÖll learn how to implement your own custom environments and use OpenAI baselines to run RL algorithms. Once youÔÇÖve explored classic RL techniques such as Dynamic Programming, Monte Carlo, and TD Learning, youÔÇÖll understand when to apply the different deep learning methods in RL and advance to deep Q-learning. The book will even help you understand the different stages of machine-based problem-solving by using DARQN on a popular video game Breakout. Finally, youÔÇÖll find out when to use a policy-based method to tackle an RL problem.By the end of The Reinforcement Learning Workshop, youÔÇÖll be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to solve challenging problems using reinforcement learning.
Glenn Smith, Tim Jackson, Gez Smith, Andrew...
Scaling Agile is a complex undertaking, and the SAFe® Release Train Engineer (RTE) is key to its success. Written by three SPCT-certified experts with over 20 years of experience each, this book is your essential guide to mastering the RTE role.You’ll learn how to differentiate the RTE role from Scrum Masters and PMOs and understand how to enable flow across the Agile Release Train (ART). The book walks you through every critical phase of PI Planning, including pre-planning logistics, live and online facilitation, and post-planning execution. You’ll also explore advanced areas, such as working with Solution Trains, Lean Portfolio Management, and the Lean-Agile Center of Excellence (LACE).With real-world examples, tips, and a guided approach, this book builds your competence and confidence, from launching new ARTs to running effective System Demos and Inspect and Adapt workshops. It also offers exam prep tips for SAFe RTE certification and insights on coaching PI execution and delivery improvements.By the end of this book, you’ll be equipped to lead ARTs with authority, drive meaningful change in your organization, and expand your influence across the enterprise.*Email sign-up and proof of purchase required
Paola E. Annis, Giuliano Caglio, Marco Barra...
Cloud teams and ICT cost controllers working with Azure will be able to put their knowledge to work with this practical guide, introducing a process model for structured cost governance. The Road to Azure Cost Governance is a must-read if you find yourself facing the harsh reality of monthly cloud costs gradually getting out of control.Starting with how resources are created and managed, everything you need to know in order to track, display, optimize, rightsize, and clean up cloud resources will be tackled with a workflow approach that will leave the choice of operation to you (be it the Azure CLI, automation, logic apps, or even custom code). Using real-world datasets, you'll learn everything from basic cost management to modeling your cloud spend across your technical resources in a sustainable way. The book will also show you how to create a recursive optimization process that will give you full control of spending and savings, while helping you reserve budget for future cloud projects and innovation.By the end of this Azure book, you'll have a clear understanding and control of your cloud spend along with knowledge of a number of cost-saving techniques used by companies around the world, application optimization patterns, and the carbon impact of your cloud infrastructure.
Akshat Paul, Peter Philips, Dániel Szabó, Cheyne...
The beauty of Ruby is its readability and expressiveness. Ruby hides away a lot of the complexity of programming, allowing you to work quickly and 'do more' with fewer lines of code. This makes it a great programming language for beginners, but learning any new skill can still be a daunting task. If you want to learn to code using Ruby, but don't know where to start, The Ruby Workshop will help you cut through the noise and make sense of this fun, flexible language.You'll start by writing and running simple code snippets and Ruby source code files. After learning about strings, numbers, and booleans, you'll see how to store collections of objects with arrays and hashes. You'll then learn how to control the flow of a Ruby program using boolean logic.The book then delves into OOP and explains inheritance, encapsulation, and polymorphism. Gradually, you'll build your knowledge of advanced concepts by learning how to interact with external APIs, before finally exploring the most popular Ruby framework ? Ruby on Rails ? and using it for web development.Throughout this book, you'll work on a series of realistic projects, including simple games, a voting application, and an online blog. By the end of this Ruby book, you'll have the knowledge, skills and confidence to creatively tackle your own ambitious projects with Ruby.
The Rust Programming Handbook. An end-to-end guide to mastering Rust fundamentals
Francesco Ciulla
The Rust Programming Handbook is a deeply engaging and meticulously crafted book designed to immerse programmers into the intricate world of Rust’s core principles and sophisticated features. This book not only enhances your coding skills but also prepares you to tackle complex challenges in software development, optimizing your code for better performance and reliability.You will explore Rust’s powerful concurrency models, rigorous memory safety guarantees, and its versatile trait system. Discover the foundational elements that make Rust a standout language for developing safe and efficient applications. The book will show you how these core principles can seamlessly transition into real-world applications. You will learn how to apply Rust's capabilities to systems programming and web development, extending the reach of its safety and efficiency benefits across different programming domains. Whether it's creating low-level system components or high-performance web services, the book provides practical examples to integrate Rust effectively into a variety of projects.Elevate your coding skills and become a sought-after professional in the tech industry with this essential guide. Rust from Beginner to Professional is your definitive toolkit for mastering advanced Rust programming techniques and writing high-quality code.
Srini Munagavalasa
Salesforce business analysis skills are in high demand, and there are scant resources to satisfy this demand. This practical guide for business analysts contains all the tools, techniques, and processes needed to create business value and improve user adoption.The Salesforce Business Analyst Handbook begins with the most crucial element of any business analysis activity: identifying business requirements. You’ll learn how to use tacit business analysis and Salesforce system analysis skills to rank and stack all requirements as well as get buy-in from stakeholders. Once you understand the requirements, you’ll work on transforming them into working software via prototyping, mockups, and wireframing. But what good is a product if the customer cannot use it? To help you achieve that, this book will discuss various testing strategies and show you how to tailor testing scenarios that align with business requirements documents. Toward the end, you’ll find out how to create easy-to-use training material for your customers and focus on post-production support – one of the most critical phases. Your customers will stay with you if you support them when they need it!By the end of this Salesforce book, you’ll be able to successfully navigate every phase of a project and confidently apply your new knowledge in your own Salesforce implementations.
Srini Munagavalasa
Salesforce business analysis skills are in high demand, and there are scant resources to satisfy this demand. This practical guide for business analysts contains all the tools, techniques, and processes needed to create business value and improve user adoption.The Salesforce Business Analyst Handbook begins with the most crucial element of any business analysis activity: identifying business requirements. You’ll learn how to use tacit business analysis and Salesforce system analysis skills to rank and stack all requirements as well as get buy-in from stakeholders. Once you understand the requirements, you’ll work on transforming them into working software via prototyping, mockups, and wireframing. But what good is a product if the customer cannot use it? To help you achieve that, this book will discuss various testing strategies and show you how to tailor testing scenarios that align with business requirements documents. Toward the end, you’ll find out how to create easy-to-use training material for your customers and focus on post-production support – one of the most critical phases. Your customers will stay with you if you support them when they need it!By the end of this Salesforce book, you’ll be able to successfully navigate every phase of a project and confidently apply your new knowledge in your own Salesforce implementations.
Fred Heath
Curious why so many rely on Scrum and what makes Agile so effective? Learn from seasoned software engineer and Scrum expert Fred Heath, everything you need to become a certified Scrum Master. With over two decades of experience across the software development lifecycle, Fred brings invaluable insights from his extensive work in Scrum, both as a Scrum Master and developer. In this updated guide, he not only takes you from Scrum basics to mastery but also offers practical, real-world knowledge to help you become an effective Scrum Master.The first part of the book introduces the Scrum fundamentals and prepares you for Level I certification, covering the importance of Scrum team structure, the benefits of well-planned sprints, and how to create and manage sprint and product backlogs.The second part elevates your skills to the Level II certification standard, exploring advanced topics such as Scrum anti-patterns, scaling Scrum, and how to support developers and product owners. Each chapter concludes with quizzes to reinforce the concepts you've learned. The book wraps up with exam preparation tips and myth-busting strategies to give you a competitive edge in passing your Scrum Master exams.By the end of this book, you'll be proficient as a Scrum Master ensuring you won’t fall behind in an ever-increasingly agile world.
IT Governance Publishing, Richard Bingley
Becoming a successful security consultant requires a unique set of skills that span both the business and security worlds. This handbook serves as a practical guide to help professionals navigate the complex landscape of security consulting. It covers everything from the entrepreneurial aspects of starting a business to the essential security disciplines like private investigations, information security, and protective security. You’ll also explore the growing importance of resilience in both personal and organizational contexts.The book also delves into the crucial elements of security legislation and regulation, offering a thorough understanding of the legal frameworks that affect security professionals. From UK human rights laws to international laws related to corporate management and conflict, readers will gain the knowledge necessary to operate securely and legally in a variety of environments. Whether you are just starting out or looking to refine your security consulting expertise, this handbook provides the insights needed to thrive in the ever-evolving security industry. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking to build a reputation as a trusted expert in the security consulting field.