Mastering LibGDX Game Development
LibGDX is a Java-based framework developed with a heavy emphasis on performance, and includes cross-platform support out of the box (Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS, Android, and HTML5) as well as providing all the low-level functionality so that you can focus on developing your game and not battling with the platform. LibGDX also has an engaged and responsive community, active maintenance, and is available for free without a prohibitive license. First, this book will introduce you to the features specific to RPG games, as well as an overview of game architecture. Then, you will create map locations, develop character movement, add animation, integrate collision detection, and develop a portal system. Next, you will learn and develop a HUD and other UI components, as well as an inventory management system. You will then develop NPC interactions including dialog trees, shopkeepers, and quest givers. After this, you will design and create battle features for fighting enemies, as well as eve ...
LibGDX is a Java-based framework developed with a heavy emphasis on performance, and includes cross-platform support out of the box (Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS, Android, and HTML5) as well as providing all the low-level functionality so that you can focus on developing your game and not battling with the platform. LibGDX also has an engaged and responsive community, active maintenance, and is available for free without a prohibitive license. First, this book will introduce you to the features specific to RPG games, as well as an overview of game architecture. Then, you will create map locations, develop character movement, add animation, integrate collision detection, and develop a portal system. Next, you will learn and develop a HUD and other UI components, as well as an inventory management system. You will then develop NPC interactions including dialog trees, shopkeepers, and quest givers. After this, you will design and create battle features for fighting enemies, as well as eve ...
Mastering matplotlib
matplotlib is a Python plotting library that provides a large feature set for a multitude of platforms. Given the depth of the library's legacy and the variety of related open source projects, gaining expert knowledge can be a time-consuming and often confusing process. You'll begin your exciting journey learning about the skills that are necessary in leading technical teams for a visualization project or to become a matplotlib contributor. Supported by highly-detailed IPython Notebooks, this book takes you through the conceptual components underlying the library and then provides a detailed overview of its APIs. From there, you will learn about event handling and how to code for interactive plots. Next you will move on to customization techniques, local configuration of matplotib, and then deployments in Cloud environments. The adventure culminates in an exploration of big data visualization and matplotlib clustering. ...
matplotlib is a Python plotting library that provides a large feature set for a multitude of platforms. Given the depth of the library's legacy and the variety of related open source projects, gaining expert knowledge can be a time-consuming and often confusing process. You'll begin your exciting journey learning about the skills that are necessary in leading technical teams for a visualization project or to become a matplotlib contributor. Supported by highly-detailed IPython Notebooks, this book takes you through the conceptual components underlying the library and then provides a detailed overview of its APIs. From there, you will learn about event handling and how to code for interactive plots. Next you will move on to customization techniques, local configuration of matplotib, and then deployments in Cloud environments. The adventure culminates in an exploration of big data visualization and matplotlib clustering. ...
Mastering MeteorJS Application Development
The web is dead – applications now rule our online experiences. But how are you going to build them? Well, if you've been paying attention, you might already have tried your hand with MeteorJS, the JavaScript framework that helps you build complete full-stack web applications that are responsive and fast with ease. Mastering MeteorJS Application Development shows you how to do even more with MeteorJS – if you're ready to try a comprehensive course through one of the most exciting frameworks in web development today, this is the book you need. Designed to take you through the entire process of building an advanced multipage application with Meteor, you'll be able to bring your web development ideas with surprising ease. You'll not only learn how Meteor makes web development easier, but also how you can make using Meteor easier, by automating and simplifying tasks so you can be confident you have full control of everything in your workflow – especially everything that could g ...
The web is dead – applications now rule our online experiences. But how are you going to build them? Well, if you've been paying attention, you might already have tried your hand with MeteorJS, the JavaScript framework that helps you build complete full-stack web applications that are responsive and fast with ease. Mastering MeteorJS Application Development shows you how to do even more with MeteorJS – if you're ready to try a comprehensive course through one of the most exciting frameworks in web development today, this is the book you need. Designed to take you through the entire process of building an advanced multipage application with Meteor, you'll be able to bring your web development ideas with surprising ease. You'll not only learn how Meteor makes web development easier, but also how you can make using Meteor easier, by automating and simplifying tasks so you can be confident you have full control of everything in your workflow – especially everything that could g ...
Mastering ROS for Robotics Programming
The area of robotics is gaining huge momentum among corporate people, researchers, hobbyists, and students. The major challenge in robotics is its controlling software. The Robot Operating System (ROS) is a modular software platform to develop generic robotic applications. This book discusses the advanced concepts in robotics and how to program using ROS. It starts with deep overview of the ROS framework, which will give you a clear idea of how ROS really works. During the course of the book, you will learn how to build models of complex robots, and simulate and interface the robot using the ROS MoveIt motion planning library and ROS navigation stacks. After discussing robot manipulation and navigation in robots, you will get to grips with the interfacing I/O boards, sensors, and actuators of ROS. One of the essential ingredients of robots are vision sensors, and an entire chapter is dedicated to the vision sensor, its interfacing in ROS, and its programming. ...
The area of robotics is gaining huge momentum among corporate people, researchers, hobbyists, and students. The major challenge in robotics is its controlling software. The Robot Operating System (ROS) is a modular software platform to develop generic robotic applications. This book discusses the advanced concepts in robotics and how to program using ROS. It starts with deep overview of the ROS framework, which will give you a clear idea of how ROS really works. During the course of the book, you will learn how to build models of complex robots, and simulate and interface the robot using the ROS MoveIt motion planning library and ROS navigation stacks. After discussing robot manipulation and navigation in robots, you will get to grips with the interfacing I/O boards, sensors, and actuators of ROS. One of the essential ingredients of robots are vision sensors, and an entire chapter is dedicated to the vision sensor, its interfacing in ROS, and its programming. ...
Mastering VMware vSphere Storage
vSphere Storage is one of the three main infrastructure components of a vSphere deployment (Compute, Storage, and Network). Mastering VMware vSphere Storage begins with an insightful introduction to virtualization and creating your own virtual machines. We then talk about VMware vCenter Server and virtual machine management, as well as managing vSphere 5 using vSphere Management Assistant (vMA) and esxcli and vmware-cmd commands. We then swiftly move on to a very interesting topic, reviewing the vSphere performance and troubleshooting methodology. We then configure VM storage profiles, Storage DRS, and Storage I/O control. More significantly, we will troubleshoot and analyze storage using the VMware CLI and learn how to configure iSCSI storage. By the end of the book, you will be able to identify useful information to make virtual machine and virtual data center design decisions. ...
vSphere Storage is one of the three main infrastructure components of a vSphere deployment (Compute, Storage, and Network). Mastering VMware vSphere Storage begins with an insightful introduction to virtualization and creating your own virtual machines. We then talk about VMware vCenter Server and virtual machine management, as well as managing vSphere 5 using vSphere Management Assistant (vMA) and esxcli and vmware-cmd commands. We then swiftly move on to a very interesting topic, reviewing the vSphere performance and troubleshooting methodology. We then configure VM storage profiles, Storage DRS, and Storage I/O control. More significantly, we will troubleshoot and analyze storage using the VMware CLI and learn how to configure iSCSI storage. By the end of the book, you will be able to identify useful information to make virtual machine and virtual data center design decisions. ...
Microsoft Application Virtualization Cookbook
With an ever-increasing number of applications being deployed in the workplace, Microsoft App-V 5 enables administrators to abstract these applications from clients, in turn reducing the time taken to complete the software deployment lifecycle. Part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, App-V 5 centralizes the management of applications with a variety of deployment methods to suit each environment. With this hands-on Cookbook, you will learn how best to utilize features of App-V that you may already be familiar with, as well as gain insights into features only recently introduced such as the enhanced Connection Groups and Shared Content Store Mode. The book starts with the deployment of a scalable App-V infrastructure and progresses to cover the sequencing of common applications, as well as how you can take advantage of the new Office 2013 and Office 365 deployment methods. ...
With an ever-increasing number of applications being deployed in the workplace, Microsoft App-V 5 enables administrators to abstract these applications from clients, in turn reducing the time taken to complete the software deployment lifecycle. Part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, App-V 5 centralizes the management of applications with a variety of deployment methods to suit each environment. With this hands-on Cookbook, you will learn how best to utilize features of App-V that you may already be familiar with, as well as gain insights into features only recently introduced such as the enhanced Connection Groups and Shared Content Store Mode. The book starts with the deployment of a scalable App-V infrastructure and progresses to cover the sequencing of common applications, as well as how you can take advantage of the new Office 2013 and Office 365 deployment methods. ...
Microsoft Azure
Written for IT and business professionals, this book provides the technical and business insight needed to plan, deploy and manage the services provided by the Microsoft Azure cloud. Find out how to integrate the infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) and platform-as-a-service (PaaS) models with your existing business infrastructure while maximizing availability, ensuring continuity and safety of your data, and keeping costs to a minimum. The book starts with an introduction to Microsoft Azure and how it differs from Office 365—Microsoft's ‘other' cloud. You'll also get a useful overview of the services available. Part II then takes you through setting up your Azure account, and gets you up-and-running on some of the core Azure services, including creating web sites and virtual machines, and choosing between fully cloud-based and hybrid storage solutions, depending on your needs. ...
Written for IT and business professionals, this book provides the technical and business insight needed to plan, deploy and manage the services provided by the Microsoft Azure cloud. Find out how to integrate the infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) and platform-as-a-service (PaaS) models with your existing business infrastructure while maximizing availability, ensuring continuity and safety of your data, and keeping costs to a minimum. The book starts with an introduction to Microsoft Azure and how it differs from Office 365—Microsoft's ‘other' cloud. You'll also get a useful overview of the services available. Part II then takes you through setting up your Azure account, and gets you up-and-running on some of the core Azure services, including creating web sites and virtual machines, and choosing between fully cloud-based and hybrid storage solutions, depending on your needs. ...
Presto Sketching
Do you feel like your thoughts, ideas, and plans are being suffocated by a constant onslaught of information? Do you want to get those great ideas out of your head, onto the whiteboard and into everyone else's heads, but find it hard to start? No matter what level of sketching you think you have, Presto Sketching will help you lift your game in visual thinking and visual communication. In this practical workbook, Ben Crothers provides loads of tips, templates, and exercises that help you develop your visual vocabulary and sketching skills to clearly express and communicate your ideas. Learn techniques like product sketching, storyboarding, journey mapping, and conceptual illustration. Dive into how to use a visual metaphor (with a library of 101 visual metaphors), as well as tips for capturing and sharing your sketches digitally, and developing your own style. Designers, product managers, trainers, and entrepreneurs will learn better ways to explore problems, explain concepts, an ...
Do you feel like your thoughts, ideas, and plans are being suffocated by a constant onslaught of information? Do you want to get those great ideas out of your head, onto the whiteboard and into everyone else's heads, but find it hard to start? No matter what level of sketching you think you have, Presto Sketching will help you lift your game in visual thinking and visual communication. In this practical workbook, Ben Crothers provides loads of tips, templates, and exercises that help you develop your visual vocabulary and sketching skills to clearly express and communicate your ideas. Learn techniques like product sketching, storyboarding, journey mapping, and conceptual illustration. Dive into how to use a visual metaphor (with a library of 101 visual metaphors), as well as tips for capturing and sharing your sketches digitally, and developing your own style. Designers, product managers, trainers, and entrepreneurs will learn better ways to explore problems, explain concepts, an ...
Product Management in Practice
Product management has become a critical connective role for modern organizations, from small technology startups to global corporate enterprises. And yet the day-to-day work of product management remains largely misunderstood. In theory, product management is about building products that people love. The real-world practice of product management is often about difficult conversations, practical compromises, and hard-won incremental gains. In this book, author Matt LeMay focuses on the CORE connective skills - communication, organization, research, execution - that can build a successful product management practice across industries, organizations, teams, and toolsets. For current and aspiring product managers, this book explores? On-the-ground tactics for facilitating collaboration and communication ? How to talk to users and work with executives? The importance of setting clear and actionable goals? Using roadmaps to connect and align your team? A values-first approach to imple ...
Product management has become a critical connective role for modern organizations, from small technology startups to global corporate enterprises. And yet the day-to-day work of product management remains largely misunderstood. In theory, product management is about building products that people love. The real-world practice of product management is often about difficult conversations, practical compromises, and hard-won incremental gains. In this book, author Matt LeMay focuses on the CORE connective skills - communication, organization, research, execution - that can build a successful product management practice across industries, organizations, teams, and toolsets. For current and aspiring product managers, this book explores? On-the-ground tactics for facilitating collaboration and communication ? How to talk to users and work with executives? The importance of setting clear and actionable goals? Using roadmaps to connect and align your team? A values-first approach to imple ...
Practical Monitoring
Do you have a nagging feeling that your monitoring needs improvement, but you just aren't sure where to start or how to do it? Are you plagued by constant, meaningless alerts? Does your monitoring system routinely miss real problems? This is the book for you. Mike Julian lays out a practical approach to designing and implementing effective monitoring - from your enterprise application down to the hardware in a datacenter, and everything between. Practical Monitoring provides you with straightforward strategies and tactics for designing and implementing a strong monitoring foundation for your company. This book takes a unique vendor-neutral approach to monitoring. Rather than discuss how to implement specific tools, Mike teaches the principles and underlying mechanics behind monitoring so you can implement the lessons in any tool. Practical Monitoring covers essential topics including: Monitoring antipatterns; Principles of monitoring design; How to build an effective on-call r ...
Do you have a nagging feeling that your monitoring needs improvement, but you just aren't sure where to start or how to do it? Are you plagued by constant, meaningless alerts? Does your monitoring system routinely miss real problems? This is the book for you. Mike Julian lays out a practical approach to designing and implementing effective monitoring - from your enterprise application down to the hardware in a datacenter, and everything between. Practical Monitoring provides you with straightforward strategies and tactics for designing and implementing a strong monitoring foundation for your company. This book takes a unique vendor-neutral approach to monitoring. Rather than discuss how to implement specific tools, Mike teaches the principles and underlying mechanics behind monitoring so you can implement the lessons in any tool. Practical Monitoring covers essential topics including: Monitoring antipatterns; Principles of monitoring design; How to build an effective on-call r ...