Dry is absolutely right. Read Rob's review of part 1 to get the whole joke. I should have prepared some martinis to get in the mood.
You may have noticed that I haven't been reviewing as many books as I usually do recently. This is because Technical Issues was truly onerous to get through. That is not to say the book has no value. Rather, this book attempts to be valuable to everyone.
Specialists Need Not Apply
This book is for project managers, a difficult and underappreciated role to be sure.
Whether you have risen through the ranks, or have been shuffled over to the role, project management requires a broad perspective and skillset. If you are a generalist, I cannot recommend this book enough. If you are a specialist, it will grate on your patience, but you will be required to oversee more sooner or later. Think of it as building your job security.
Topics include the Internet, iTV, Mobile, Audio, Video and Graphics. Likely, you will have a specialty in at least one of the areas covered. You can feel free to skim through the relevant chapter. Being a diligent reviewer, I took in every word through bleary eyes.
Focus is Good
Technical Issues is prefaced with a clear statement of intent: to provide project managers with a comprehensive overview of the technical issues that may arise in developing a new media undertaking. Sadly, knowing a particular acronym, without knowing how to apply it, will get you pretty far. This book takes that very tack.
It attempts to stride that difficult balance between depth and breadth. There are many technical terms used, but the descriptions boil down to little more than surface offerings at times.
I would say the scope of the book is too broad. Creating an adequate overview of new media is like finding a jacket to protect you in every environment; it's not possible. I'd like to see a Technical Issues for game development, broadcasting, web development. Hey, you can sell more books, right?
Timeliness
Technical Issues is already in its third edition. Published in 2002, its relevance is already arguable. Real Media just isn't the industry standard in streaming media anymore.
On the other hand, access to technology is relative to geography. Although it strives to speak to both sides of the Atlantic, the authors are obviously British; this ironically makes their discussions on wireless telecommunications very timely, if not forward thinking to a New World reader.
And the Third Chapter Was Just Right...
As a web developer, one with a personal history with audio, the majority of the chapters were remedial if anything. I did find the chapters on Mobile telecom and television useful. I didn't know about PAL. Now I do. Surely, you will find a similar portion of the chapters valuable.
Personally, I don't appreciate books that try to be everything to everyone; but that doesn't diminish the effectiveness of this book. It delivers what it promises: a broad if not comprehensive look at this big industry we call new media.
Managing Multimedia: Project Management...
Elaine England (Author), Andy Finney (Author)
Paperback - 248 pages 3 edition (December 18, 2001)
Language: English
Addison Wesley ; ISBN: 0201728990