Book Description
The content and services available on the web continue to be accessed mostly through direct human control. But this is changing. Increasingly, users rely on automated agents that save them time and effort by programmatically retrieving content, performing complex interactions, and aggregating data from diverse sources. Programming Spiders, Bots, and Aggregators in Java teaches you how to build and deploy a wide variety of these agents-from single-purpose bots to exploratory spiders to aggregators that present a unified view of information from multiple user accounts.
You will quickly build on your basic knowledge of Java to quickly master the techniques that are essential to this specialized world of programming, including parsing HTML, interpreting data, working with cookies, reading and writing XML, and managing high-volume workloads. You'll also learn about the ethical issues associated with bot use--and the limitations imposed by some websites.
This book offers two levels of instruction, both of which are focused on the library of routines provided on the companion CD. If your main concern is adding ready-made functionality to an application, you'll achieve your goals quickly thanks to step-by-step instructions and sample programs that illustrate effective implementations. If you're interested in the technologies underlying these routines, you'll find in-depth explanations of how they work and the techniques required for customization.
Customer Reviews:
Lots of working code but not much of a tutorial.......2006-07-16
Bots are the simplest form of Internet-aware programs in that they simply carry out a repetitive task once unleashed on the web. A spider travels the web in a complex fashion, moving from one part of the World Wide Web to another collecting information from one site and then jumping to another based on that information. An aggregator is a bot that is designed to log into several user accounts and retrieve similar information.
If you need a complete bot, spider, or aggregator written in Java, complete with source code and a detailed manual about that source code so that you can customize it to suit your needs, this is a five star book. However, if you are looking for a book about information storage and retrieval and network programming that focuses on the theory of operation of such software with application code written in Java, you will be sorely disappointed.
The author did such a fine job of documenting his work with excellent diagrams, comments, and the book that reads like a user's manual, that I easily took his Web spider code and modified it to perform many additional tasks that his basic package does not do. All of the hooks are available in his code for you to modify it to collect or examine just about any kind of data accessible via the web.
I highly recommend this book if you are taking an information storage and retrieval class and you would like to read and study something applied on spiders, bots, and aggregators versus the theory you get in most textbooks. Just understand you are getting code plus a user's manual, not a tutorial. You are definitely going to need other resources on Java network programming if you want to study, understand, or modify the included source code. I suggest the latest edition of "Java Network Programming" by Elliotte Rusty Harold for help with the network programming part of bots, spiders, and aggregates. I also suggest you look at "Spidering Hacks", which has many good ideas of features you can add to your web spider.
Not much information for such a long book.......2004-06-24
The essence of this book could probably have been compressed into a few chapters. I read the whole thing in about a day, skimming over many sections (e.g. the structure of HTML, including discussion of anchor tags) that I, like most programmers, already know well. I think I would have preferred a focussed tutorial on Heaton's Bot package instead of a detailed but boring treatment of every technology (however elementary) used in the process of constructing spiders and bots.
Aside from this, Heaton is not a great writer. Attempting to be particularly organized and structured, he comes off as excessively stiff; I stopped counting the number of times he wrote "I will now show how to..."
I purchased this book expecting the process of constructing a spider or bot to draw on a range of specialized skills, but it appears to be quite simple: basic knowledge of Java network programming (i.e. sockets), HTTP, HTML and XML parsing would appear to suffice. I'm sure there is all sorts of complex stuff Heaton does not talk about, but I wish he had!
At the moment I'm wondering whether this book deserves a space on my finite bookshelf.
Create a Object Oriented Bot Package Step by Step.......2004-04-26
I use this book as a supplement to a class that I teach, as it gives the students the necessary stills to programmatically spider, and generally access, information on the Net.
As some of the other reviewers point out, this book does center around the creation of a "bot package". However, I see this as one of the book's greatest strengths. The author explains step by step how to take basic concepts, continually build upon them, progressing onward to more complex spiders and bots. Specifically:
1. Create an advanced HTTP object that overcomes many of the shortcomings of the one which is built into Java. (namely cookie support, referrer support, HTTP authentication, and more)
2. Add forms/page processing on top of the HTTP object. You are shown step by step how to process the data you collect from step 1.
3. Create a bot that wields the page/form processing created in step 2.
4. Create a spider, that, using steps 1-3, can access pages across an entire site.
5. Expand the spider to support thread pooling and a JDBC database.
Rather than providing a bunch of disjoint code samples, like many books do. The author guides you step by step through the above path, revealing the techniques at every step. For the reader who does not care about the intricate nature of bot programming, sadly, some of my students. You can skip to the API documentation and get right onto creating your own bots. You can also download updated versions of the "bot package" from the author's site. I actually did this before buying the book.
The downsides to the book are the example programs use of GUI's. I would rather every example had been straight console, the GUI only gets in the way, for a book targeting bot programming. Also the author very annoyingly putting an underscore in front of every class-instance variable, which gives some of the code something of a C++ look I suppose.
If you are already programming bots and spiders of your own, I don't think you will get much more from this book than you are likely already doing.
But for someone who wants to get started in this exciting area, there is nothing else like it, and I highly recommend it.
Misleading Title.......2003-12-23
As another reviewer commented this book should be called using the com.heaton.bot package api reference. All you learn is how to use this package of java classes, not how to actually create spiders, bots or aggregators from the ground up. I feel the title is misleading for such an expensive book. The only way I will learn what I want is to read the authors source code - which btw is very ugly however functional.
happy.......2003-11-07
Visual Cafe produces the Swing so one can view the examples from the book. So what?
When beginning to program with HTTP protocols, it's easy to enter incorrect methods and parameters that lead to dead-ends and frustration. As I learn about and use the Heaton API, I am pleasantly surprised with the methods available and how easily they're implemented and that they lead to success.
The source code is included on the CD with updated versions at the Heaton Website.
Book Description
Relatively few academics or practitioners have systematically explored growth stocks. Growth stocks usually involve exciting companies whose sales and earnings are growing significantly faster than other companies and the economy in general. This book finds that high expectation growth stocks or the ones that everyone loves have poor relative returns. Low expectation growth stocks, however, have strong performance. The author uses the PE/GROWTH ratio to rank the market's expectations for these stocks. The book shows how investors may be able to ascertain whether the interests of a public company's management are aligned with those of shareholders. Sophisticated and institutional investors will find the book's thorough analysis and insightful perspective on growth stocks very informative. The short-term mean reverting aspects of growth stocks are uncovered, and other market microstructure anomalies are discussed. The work addresses practical trading ideas and the need for diversification. Ideal as supplemental reading for courses in investment management and finance, this book examines the components of trading costs and presents arguments for a patient trading style.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent practical book.......2002-01-23
This is a very easy to read book but full of useful information obviously gained from the school of hard knocks. But also a sound theory behind it. Excellent if you can get your hands on it.
Book Description
Teaches consumers and their lawyers how to fight the debt collector! Author is a consumer protection attorney who has been suing the debt collector for over a decade. Learn their secrets. Learn their tricks. Learn how to sue them. Complete with sample complaints and End Notes.
Customer Reviews:
Worth the price.......2007-09-30
I used this book to successfully fight a $20,000 debt that was not even mine. It's true that debt collectors do not want you to know your rights. I wrote a total of 4 letters to the agency, gave them documentation on why I didn't owe it (proved that it had actually been paid off) and they left me alone. It even gives sample letters to write. I highly recommend this book based on actual experience.
Decent Book.......2006-05-26
This is a decent book. I am a 3L law student thinking of doing collections. This book is an excellent choice for the average person with no legal education. As a law student though I always expect more though but it does set out the basics in an unbiased manner with the law printed in the appendix. Definitely worth the price.
STAY AWAY from To Pay or Not to Pay: Insider Secrets to Beating Credit Card Debt and Creditors by Stanley G. Hilton. I also purchased that book and it was horrible. Even as a 3L I know that many of the "solutions" he outlines are not realistic (suing a doctor for malpractice to stop a collection is pure insanity). Stick with DiMaggio's book.
Collection Agency Harassment: - ok.......2006-04-17
so -so review, Mostly common sense. But a few good tips on mounting a counter attack although it doesn't let you know the practicalities of enforcing the FDCPA, namely that federal and state agencies typically don't respond to your complaints except with a form letter and no action.
Empowering!.......2005-06-23
This book gave me the information I needed to take control. Collection agencies do not have a right to harass you when obviously you've hit a rough time. After reading this book I am no longer intimated by a letter or phone call because I now know my rights and how I can use them.
This book was a great source of education and empowering!
This Book Says It All!.......2005-04-05
I would first like to state that I read both of Rich DiMaggio's books: Credit Repair and the other, Collection Agency Harassment. I have also seen him speak. He is an outstanding speaker and a really intelligent man. When I get done listening to him, I finally feel like I have power over "the system". Truthfully--he would probably speak for your group, too, because he has a true passion about these subjects. He gives advice based on 15 years in the courtroom against the credit industry.
These are 2 distinct books, and should not be lumped into one category. There is overlap because debt collectors use our credit reports against us, but the similarities stop there. Mr. DiMaggio will teach you how to draft exacting letters of disputes, and where to send them. He explains the intricacies of the bankruptcy law, charge-offs, divorce, false identities, FICO scoring an more. I don't have a clue what Chrissy is saying about misleading titles. This book is the best I have seen.
(By the way, if you go to the web site, the author actually responds to emails!)
Customer Reviews:
Worth the Money.......2000-03-31
This was my first year filling out my tax forms, and it helped me fill out the forms. It also made me aware of many tax deductions, and they we to use them
Average customer rating:
- She's a fighter!
- THE IWO JIMA AGAINST CORPORATE GIANTS
- This book can help you get out of credit problems (or avoid them in the first place)
- A Super Encyclopedia Showing How To Avoid Credit Problems !!
- A compelling story and a good read
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Give Me Back My Credit!
Denise, Richardson
Manufacturer: Infinity Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Credit Ratings & Repair
| Personal Finance
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Personal Finance
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0741434741 |
Product Description
Denise Richardson paid a little extra on her mortgage each month, hoping to shorten the length of her mortgage and pay less interest charges. That simple, recommended practice catapulted her into an epic David vs. Goliath battle(s) stealing her true credit identity and a decade of her life. After reclaiming her good name-briefly, she realized others were shredding her credit and would steal another five years of her life. Denise paints a human face on the insidious effects of Identity theft, inaccurate credit reporting and loan servicing fraud while offering chapter lessons that provide knowledgeable tips to help prevent becoming a victim of a system gone terribly wrong.
Customer Reviews:
She's a fighter!.......2007-04-26
Denise's story is shaking up the credit industry. In clear, concise and honest language she tells her painfully true story of what can and does happen to honest and innocent people. I am buying copies of GIVE ME BACK MY CREDIT for all my friends...especially students being offered unsolicited credit. An excellent, compelling read.
THE IWO JIMA AGAINST CORPORATE GIANTS.......2007-03-22
Author Denise Richardson and I decided to exchange our literary works. I sent her my novel "The Kids on the Block," and Denise sent me hers; "Give Me Back My Credit." Even though "The Kids on the Block has some sad parts, for the most part it is humorous and hilariously funny. Denise's true story is, on the other hand, tragic, nightmarish and bloodcurdling to say the least. I do not expect Denise to have much humor left after what she went through in fighting an arrogant, error-plagued, contemptuous Mortgage Bank and the three national credit bureaus.
Denise is the Iwo Jima against corporate giant's who, not only ruined her credit, but made her life worse than a living hell.
If you are like me and feel safe and confident since your credit score is above the 700's do not be too complacent and seat on your recliner thinking all is good and well. I jumped out of my seat after reading the first two chapters!
In author Denise Richardson's book "Give Me Back My Credit" she tells how her nightmare and living hell began. She, too, thought and felt safe and confident that everything about her mortgage on the home she owned was better than best. She made it a point to make extra payments to the principal of the mortgage loan, and of course, her credit rating was excellent as well.
Years later Denise decided to refinance her home. Much to her astounding surprise, she finds out the Mortgage lender had made many dreadful, inexcusable accounting errors on her mortgage loan. The lender never credited the extra mortgage payment to the principal of the mortgage loan.
The mortgage lender had not only been misapplying those extra payments, but was using her money to their benefit. After she found out the inexcusable mistake the lender had been making for years, the mortgage lender refused to correct their accounting errors. Denise's nightmare and living hell began.
From face-to-face battles against the corporate giants to inefficient attorneys and courtroom dramas the fight to regain, restore and have the errors corrected by the Mortgage lender only compounded into a bigger nightmare. From there it spread like a cancerous disease to the three national credit bureaus of Experian, Trans Union and Equifax.
This is a story the reader will not forget. The reader will learn from it and, sadly to say, from Denise's nightmare.
I didn't think I needed to read "Give Me Back My Credit;" I was wrong! I hope the book finds its way to the halls of high school and college administrators and make the book required reading for all students.
If you feel you don't need to read her book, you, too, will be wrong.
This book can help you get out of credit problems (or avoid them in the first place).......2006-11-10
Denise's first-person account is moving and her story is full of useful information and lists of important resources. It's unfortunate that she had to go through all of this, but she's written it down so we can learn from her experience. This book will help you understand the landscape of red tape and motivate you to cut through it.
A Super Encyclopedia Showing How To Avoid Credit Problems !!.......2006-11-09
The author, Denise Richardson, holds nothing back in sharing her experiences with the "credit system." There's over 200 pages of information that can help you avoid the "hell" that she went through in dealing with creditors. There are 14 chapters detailing what happened to her and how she resolved the problems. It includes credit bureau errors, mortage problems, debt collectors, identity thieves and much, much more. Her experiences and resolutions can only help you avoid these financial problems, saving you countless time, money, and frustration !!
A compelling story and a good read.......2006-11-03
Give Me Back My Credit is a David and Goliath story and a must-read for anyone trying to correct errors on their credit report. All Denise Richardson did was try to pay off her mortgage ahead of schedule. Her reward for this should have been a life without debt or worry. Instead, it was the beginning of a running battle stretching out over 15 years and involving multiple law suits.
Although Denise has won each and every battle she has fought against some of the largest companies in the financial services industry, her victories have come at a high personal cost. Her book doesn't just tell her story. It also gives the reader needed information before starting any similar struggle, and tells us all how to avoid some of the most unpleasant of the pitfalls that she found facing her.
Customer Reviews:
Decent book.......2006-04-03
I agree with Mr. Keller: book reads more like a practical guide.
It doesn't resemble a traditional treatise like Siegel's "New York Practice". Caselaw and primary law is almost non-existant.
Double spaced and large font pages seemed a bit sneaky. Forms are provided in 6 pt micro type so don't expect any blank form copying.
As an overview this book is nice solid beginner's reading. Author shares some practical and personal insights which are useful. Hint: If you happen to fall behind in bills, it's a good idea to read this book. It'll tell you what Mr. New York Bill Collector can do to you (and what he can't or won't bother to do).
Good law and even bad law books are very expensive. This book sells for 15$ and it provides many solid hints.
A Good Overview.......2003-06-11
This is more like an introduction and overview than a guide or a reference. Having read the book, I'm still not sure that the author means a guide for attorneys, rather than a guide by an attorney.
The upside is that it is a quick read and contains a lot of sensible-sounding advice. The downside is that it is poorly edited and lacking in depth. The forms at the end are badly labeled, badly laid out, and nearly illegible. Also, they are specific to New York Courts and would be difficult to translate to other states. Part of the problem is that the New York statutes and rules the forms are designed to satisfy are, for the most part, not identified. Advice for collecting out of state is mostly just "hire local counsel."
Still, I would have paid to have lunch with the author to get his perspcetive on collections, and the book gives more than that for about the same cost in time.
Terrific Reference.......2003-05-31
As a banker, one never wants to have to be in the position of collecting bad debts. Mr. Lewis has done a great job describing the process -- a terrific reference for anyone who needs an experienced perspective on the process!
Reading a book that is very interesting and helpful.......2003-05-23
I read this book, and found it very interesting and very helpful to me.I would strongly recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn about real estate.
Average customer rating:
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On Your Own, NORTH CAROLINA SMALL CLAIMS COURT: A Debt Collection Guide For North Carolina Businesses
Mary A. Nixon
Manufacturer: Universal Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Business Law
| Reference
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Law
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
All Amazon Upgrade
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Business & Investing
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Law
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
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Professional & Technical
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
ASIN: 1581128851 |
Book Description
If you are interested in representing yourself or your business in Small Claims Court in North Carolina in order to collect your debts or settle disputes, ON YOUR OWN - NORTH CAROLINA SMALL CLAIMS COURT is the book for you! Employing an attorney to represent you or your business may or may not make economic sense. The debt you are seeking to recover may be less than the fee charged by an attorney. While it may be economically desirable for an attorney to represent you or your business in Small Claims Court in some situations, you may find it more advantageous to represent yourself or your business ON YOUR OWN. An individual or business with a small claim may wish to pursue the indebtedness without an attorney, but may not possess sufficient knowledge about the way the court operates to feel competent to do so. If the debt is too small to justify employing an attorney or if the case never gets to court because the plaintiff does not have an adequate amount of knowledge of his or her interests, the debt goes unpaid. The plaintiff loses either way, because the debt is still not paid.
By reading and studying this book, you will gain knowledge to assist you in maintaining more control over your bottom line. Larger net profits are important for any business enterprise. The materials contained on the pages of this book will show you how to better manage your company's small claim debt collection efforts by effectively using the Small Claims Court. You should be able to significantly increase your odds of collecting your judgment in Small Claims Court -- a court specifically designed by state law for the litigant with multiple small claims.
ON YOUR OWN - NORTH CAROLINA SMALL CLAIMS COURT isa book that offers basic guidance to the individual who has never been to Small Claims Court, yet provides material that should be of assistance to the individual who has represented himself or his business on a regular basis. I cannot overemphasize methodical study and
Customer Reviews:
Very Good.......1998-09-25
I think I got my moneys worth out of this book. I learned a lot about the NC Magistrates Court, and it has given me the ammunition I need to make an informed decision on whether to take someone to court or not. If you can't afford a lawyer to prosecute someone for $3000.00 or less, then check this book out. I think it's very good.
Great Overview.......1998-08-24
For someone who's never been to small claims court this book gave clear, understandable info on what to expect and therefore insight on how things work in this particular judiciary. Eminently valuable!
Book Description
Dealing with Debt sets forth an overview of the various types of debt facing consumers today, the manner in which different categories of debt are treated, and ways a consumer can manage debt and solve financial problems without having to resort to drastic measures, such as bankruptcy. The
almanac also discusses debt consolidation and credit counseling, and advises the consumer on how to negotiate directly with creditors and tax collectors regarding debt before the debt collection process begins. The author describes the debt collection process and provides an overview of the law
applicable to debt collection, and highlights the things the debtor should expect when debts go unpaid, including judgments, wage garnishment, repossession, and foreclosure.
Dealing with Debt specifically addresses the state and federal laws designed to protect the debtor from harassment, threats, and other illegal tactics used by those seeking to collect on a debt, as well as scenarios where bankruptcy may be the preferred route once all other options have been
considered are also presented. Special attention is paid to an overview of the new rules governing consumer bankruptcies that took effect pursuant to the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005. Finally, this almanac discusses credit rehabilitation, and ways in which a
debtors can begin to repair their damaged credit rating once they have been able to resolve their financial problems.
The Legal Almanac Series consists of over 70 handy guides for the lay-person on all aspects of the law. Each volume includes an overview of the topic followed by chapters on the major issues in that subject. Each volume contains an Appendix containing several primary source documents as well as
practical forms and checklists. A Glossary defines any technical terms used in the text.
Product Description
This is more than just a nuts-and-bolts manual on how to collect a judgment. It is an advanced-level discussion to more thoroughly address post-judgment collection remedies. This manual will present practical techniques and strategies to most effectively utilize those enforcement statutes, rules and procedures available to the judgment creditor and judgment debtor. The readers will also receive many invaluable tips to enable them to have a more successful judgment collection.
Average customer rating:
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Credit Repair and Debt Collection Practices
John M. Carter
Manufacturer: Dageforde Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Credit Ratings & Repair
| Personal Finance
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Consumer Law
| Business
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Law
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0963751549 |
Average customer rating:
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Transgenic Plants: Fundamentals and Applications (Books in Soils, Plants, and the Environment)
Manufacturer: Marcel Dekker
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Gardening & Horticulture
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Biochemistry
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Physiology
| Plants
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Botany
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Genetics
| Botany
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Genetics
| Evolution
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Soil Science
| Agricultural Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Agricultural Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Agronomy
| Agricultural Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Agricultural Sciences
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Botany
| Biological Sciences
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Genetics
| Evolution
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Reference
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0824787668 |
Books:
- Quicken 2003 for Dummies
- R Reference Manual: Base Package, Vol. 1
- Residential Network Cabling
- Rhythm Games for Perception and Cognition (Revised Edition)
- Security and Usability: Designing Secure Systems that People Can Use
- Shanties from the Seven Seas
- Simply C#: An Application-Driven Tutorial Approach
- SolidWorks 2006 Tutorial
- SPSS for Introductory Statistics: Use and Interpretation
- String Quartets, Opp. 20 and 33, Complete
Books Index
Books Home
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- Thermopylae: The Battle That Changed the World
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- Think and Grow Rich: The Landmark Bestseller--Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century
- The Oath: A Surgeon Under Fire
- Reinventing the Retail Bank: Cross-Marketing Investment Products to Create the Full-Service Financia
- Second-Wave Enterprise Resource Planning Systems: Implementing for Effectiveness
- Riches of the Wild: Land Mammals of South-East Asia
Web Content Mining with Java
Spidering Hacks
Mining the Web: Discovering Knowledge from Hypertext Data
Introduction to Neural Networks with Java
Constructing Intelligent Agents Using Java: Professional Developer's Guide, 2nd Edition
