INTERNET 201

Continuing the brief review we started in the last issue about resources on Java and knowledge management, we focus on books for advanced users and two software programs.

Now for the advanced entries:

1. Anuff, Ed. "The Java Sourcebook." ISBN 0-471-14859-8

2. Daconta, Michael C. "Java for C/C Programmers." ISBN 0-471-15324-9

3. Flanagan, David. "Java in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference for Java Programmers." ISBN 1-56592-183-6

This group is a mixed bag, all valuable for advanced users with different backgrounds. The easiest to recommend is Daconta's work, specifically geared to C/C programmers who will find the transition to Java nearly seamless. Flanagan's book is a must resource, one of those that somehow finds a spot on the already overcrowded desktop of any programmer. Anuff's effort is the most basic, excellent for those without a background in object-oriented languages and who need a refresher on compilers, interpreters, classes, methods, etc. To use any of these books productively you need to get the latest version of the JDK, or Java Development Kit, for your specific platform (1.0.2 Java Developers Kit for SPARC Solaris, Windows NT/95 and 1.0 for Apple Macintosh). You find it at http://java.sun.com/java.sun.com/general-binary-license.html.

Also in this advanced category, though not a book but a software program, is Symantec's Caf? 1.2 for Windows 95 and Windows NT. Using Caf?'s tools, Java programmers can create and debug applets and applications entirely inside the Windows environment. The program includes JDK version 1.0.2 with the Java class library source code and samples. Readers can find changes in the Symantec program since its release at http://cafe.symantec.com/. All users interested in the Java language should seriously review this URL: http://java.sun.com:80/products/JDK/CurrentRelease/api/preface.html.

Beyond JavaScript, VBScript and Java is the continuing need to manage all the data, information and knowledge that these languages make readily available to those plying the Internet and intranets. One of the better general productivity tools I've found is the newest version of askSam, 3.0b Professional for Windows.

For example, using an askSam template, I can import my Eudora e-mail and then create a database of the messages, index it and search for URLs of interest. This works extremely well on a content-heavy discussion group like Gleason Sackman's Net-Happenings list of new Web sites in digest form (net-happenings@lists. internic.net). Recently, a two-day list carried 58 new entries! The program also contains a word processor, report writer and mail merge. But you will need to read the documentation on this feature-rich application.

John Makulowich writes, talks and trains on the Internet. You can reach him at john@trainer.com. The URL for his home page is http://www.cais. com/makulow/