My first book now under my control

I published my first book, Learn to Program with Visual Basic 6, in November of 1998.

The rights to the book were purchased by Apress in July of 2003 when my original publisher, Wrox, went out of business.

In September of 2007 I asked for, and received the rights to the book from Apress, with the intention of self publishing it via own imprint, Smiley Publishing.

Comcast Digital Voice in Cinnaminson---Problems

Anyone else picking up the 1210AM 50,000 Watts on their Comcast Digital Voice service in Cinnaminson, NJ?

The 1210AM Transmission Tower is about 1/2 mile from my house---in fact, I can it right outside my window as I post this.

Contact me and I'll let you know what Comcast's solution was to my problem.

Home Computers will never catch on

Home Computers will never catch on...

Fan Mail---February 13, 2004

Just got some fan mail---it's a nice honest appraisal of my book, including the part about being a bit redundant and being a tome :)

Hello John!

I wanted to write a note and tell you that I really enjoyed your books, "Learn to Program with Visual Basic 6" and "Visual Basic Databases".

They were extremely helpful in learning the basic concepts from a total beginner's point of view.

Between those tomes and some help from the on-line forums I was able to not only learn but re-write a small DB program here at work in a total time of about 14 weeks.

I have at least 3 other VB books here in the office, but they weren't as helpful in covering the basics.

Your writing style can seem a tad redundant at times, but that's absolutely perfect for the beginner.

Whatever it is, it works and I hope you continue to write the way you do. I am going to pick up another book of yours here shortly (C++) and I'm confident that with your approach I should have it down in no time.

Sincerely,

Jason

New Publisher Found

You may recall that the publisher of my first book

Learn to Program with Visual Basic 6

Wrox Publishing, went bankrupt and my book has been in 'limbo' since.

I'm pleased to announce that the rights to the book have been purchased by Apress Publishing and will now be printed and distributed through them.

The ISBN is changed from 1902-745-00 to 1590-591-518.

The book can be purchased online at Amazon via the following link...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590591518/ref=nosim/professorsmileys

My Java book to appear on the Sopranos!

I received word from my publisher that my Java book will be used in the context of the plot of HBO's Sopranos.

If you're familiar with the characters in the show, Svetlana, who will be taking care of Uncle Junior this year, will be using my book to teach herself Java and set up some kind of Web based business.


I'll let you know when I have a firm air date

My Java book to appear on the Sopranos!

I received word from my publisher that my Java book will be used in the context of the plot of HBO's Sopranos.

If you're familiar with the characters in the show, Svetlana, who will be taking care of Uncle Junior this year, will be using my book to teach herself Java and set up some kind of Web based business.

I'll let you know when I have a firm air date.