New Release Books by Sean McManus

A recipe for having fun and getting things done with the Raspberry Pi The Raspberry Pi makes it easy to learn about computers and computer programming, and Raspberry Pi For Dummies makes it even easier! Using this extremely affordable and compact computer, you can learn to code in languages like Scratch and Python, explore how electronics work, create computer-generated buildings in Minecraft and music in Sonic Pic, become Linux-savvy, make Internet-of-Things devices, or just play around! This book gets you up and running on your Raspberry Pi, starting with setting it up, downloading the operating system, and using the desktop environment. Then, the only limit is your imagination! It doesn’t matter whether you have a Raspberry Pi 4, Raspberry Pi 400, Raspberry Pi Zero W or an older model: we’ve got you covered. Raspberry Pi For Dummies explores the latest technology—the Raspberry Pi 4 and 400, Scratch 3 programming language, new games bundled with the Raspberry Pi, and the hottest Add-Ons out there. This introductory guide is the perfect place to start if you want to get a taste of everything the Raspberry Pi can do! Set up your Raspberry Pi, install the operating system, and connect to the Internet Learn the basics of the Linux desktop and Linux shell so you can program, work, and play Use Python, Scratch, and Sonic Pi to write your first programs and make games and digital music Discover how circuits work hand-in-hand with your Pi If you want to make the most of the Raspberry Pi for school, work, or play, you’ll love this easy-to-read reference.

There are no stupid questions here. Everyone has to start somewhere, after all. In The First-Time Gardener: Growing Plants and Flowers, Sean and Allison McManus, the gardening pros behind the popular website and podcast Spoken Garden, answer all of your questions and more. Caring for outdoor plantings can be intimidating, especially if the process is completely new to you. Before running to the hardware store to stock up on plastic bags of mulch and tools you don’t really need, arm yourself with the know-how to plant and tend outdoor areas correctly and safely. Doing so saves you time, money, and energy—and helps make the process a whole lot more fun! With help from this easy-to-follow beginner gardening guide, you’ll learn: Tips for selecting the best plants and flowers for your growing conditions The best planting techniques for different types of plants How to mulch trees, shrubs, and garden beds correctly Pruning dos and don’ts for common garden plants Ways to keep weeds out of outdoor areas—without using synthetic herbicides How to recognize and manage different pests and diseases naturally Insider tips on everything from the difference between annuals and perennials to choosing the best organic fertilizer Plus, you’ll find time-management advice and tips for effective, resource-conscious gardening You will close the book not only knowing how to care for your home's outdoor plantings using earth-friendly methods, but also knowing the satisfaction of a beautiful, all-natural landscape. This book is part of The First-Time Gardener's Guides series from Cool Springs Press, which also includes The First-Time Gardener: Growing Vegetables. Each book in The First-Time Gardener's Guides series is aimed at beginner gardeners and offers clear, fact-based information that's presented in a friendly and accessible way, including step-by-step instructions and full-color illustrations throughout.

100 Top Tips – Microsoft Excel will help you boost your productivity and get more value from your spreadsheets with this powerful book of tips. It showcases: · Time-saving features (including data entry shortcuts) · Towerful functions for processing text and numbers · Insightful data analysis features, including pivot tables and what-if analysis. · How to use graphs · Debugging formulas · Printing clearly And much more! Whether you’ve been using Excel for years and never gone beyond the basics, or are just entering the world of spreadsheets, this book will quickly supercharge your skills. As you would expect from the In Easy Steps brand the book is written in an approachable style with step by step instructions provided for many of the tips, and full colour screenshots guiding you through the processes.

The Scratch programming language is widely used in schools and on the Raspberry Pi. Its drag-and-drop commands make it an ideal language for all ages to learn to program. And this popular book, Scratch Programming in easy steps, now fully updated for Scratch 3, is packed with ideas and games that illustrate what’s possible with Scratch. Scratch makes it easy to create your own games, animations, music, art or applications. It’s the perfect way to learn programming because it takes away a lot of the complexity. That means you can focus on having great ideas and bringing them to life. With Scratch Programming in easy steps, 2nd edition as your companion, you’ll learn how to: · Build games that require skill, knowledge or quick fingers · Add music · Create eye-catching visual effects · Keep score · Avoid common pitfalls and learn how to fix bugs Scratch Programming in easy steps, 2nd edition will help you to get creative and become a super Scratcher! Table of Contents: 1. Introducing Scratch 2. Drawing with Scratch 3. Spiral Rider 4. Super Dodgeball 5. Space Opera 6. Quiz Break 7. Evil Robot 8. Space Swarm 9. Physical computing with Scratch 10. Seven shorties 11. Making and sharing projects

Program a graphical adventure game in this hands-on, beginner-friendly introduction to coding in the Python language. Launch into coding with Mission Python, a space-themed guide to building a complete computer game in Python. You'll learn programming fundamentals like loops, strings, and lists as you build Escape!, an exciting game with a map to explore, items to collect, and tricky logic puzzles to solve. As you work through the book, you'll build exercises and mini-projects, like making a spacewalk simulator and creating an astronaut's safety checklist that will put your new Python skills to the test. You'll learn how to use Pygame Zero, a free resource that lets you add graphics and sound effects to your creations, and you'll get useful game-making tips, such as how to design fun puzzles and intriguing maps. Before you know it, you'll have a working, awesome game to stump your friends with (and some nifty coding skills, too!). You can follow this book using a Raspberry Pi or a Microsoft Windows PC, and the 3D graphics and sound effects you need are provided as a download.

Millions of children and young people worldwide are using Scratch to make their own games and animations. Following on from the success of Scratch Programming in easy steps, Cool Scratch Projects in easy steps gives you great ideas to create computer games and other projects that’ll impress your friends and family – and you’ll have endless fun creating and playing them! The book provides step-by-step instructions for building projects that show off some of the cool things you can do with Scratch. It starts with two simple projects to get you started. Find out how to: • Make a game with animated cartoon characters • Build a drum machine and make random music • Use anaglyph glasses for 3D effects and 3D Art • Design amazing mazes in a 3D environment • Create your own stop motion films • Use the ScratchJr app to create games and interactive stories anywhere using your iPad or Android tablet Cool Scratch Projects in easy steps has projects for Scratch 2.0 on a PC/Mac and Scratch 1.4 on the Raspberry Pi, and includes a Raspberry Pi Camera Module project. Each project includes suggestions for customizing it, so you can make it your own! Table of Contents: Magic Mirror Gribbet! Drum Machine 12 Angry Aliens 3D Artist Space Mine 3D Maze Maker and Circuit Breaker 3D Maze Explorer 3D Maze Explorer: Finishing touches Sprites, Cameras, Action! Super Wheelie in ScratchJr Five shorties

How to Code: By breaking this daunting subject down into the 10 super skills needed, young readers can get to grips with computer coding and build on their skills as they progress through the book. From writing simple coding instructions using Scratch software, to learning the coding skills to create your own computer game and even design your own website, this book leads the way.

Did you know there are five different types of garden bulbs? Each type of bulb requires a different handling and planting orientation to thrive and grow. If you're tired of wasting money on garden bulbs that never grow, this eBook will teach you the proper planting steps and know-how so you can confidently plant your bulbs. The incorrect planting of any of your bulbs could lead to a bulb's inability to grow roots, needing more energy to break through soil and higher stress levels, increased disease and pest problems, and an overall less chance of survival in your garden. Here is your quick, one-stop resource to clear up all your misconceptions to plant your bulbs correctly the first time. We know you're willing to put in the work, so we kept this eBook under 30 pages packed with actionable steps you can start today. Don't gamble on your bulb's chance of survival. Learn to plant it right the first time.

There are literally millions of websites on the Internet, but most are ugly and ineffective. So how do you create a site that looks good and makes money? Web Design in easy steps, now in its sixth edition, reveals the key principles of good web design. It guides you through the process of creating a website, from planning to search engine promotion. Learn: The fundamentals of professional web page layout and create content that’ll get your message across.All about effective navigation to make your website easy to use so your visitors stay longer.The techniques to make your website attractive for all and ensure it works on different devices.How to use HTML, CSS and JavaScript and get started with your new website.Ecommerce and social media basics to open your online shop, and start marketing it! Avoid creating another ineffective website on the net. Use Web Design in easy steps to create a successful site that looks good and achieves its purpose.

Full of activities, quizzes, and skill tests; includes stickers, a model, and a poster game; full of challenging, educational and creative fun; divided into sections that include website designer, animator, and music producer.Discover the essential skills required on the way to becoming a computer coding expert in this innovative activity book. Coder Academy encourages imaginative play and problem solving, and the fresh, contemporary artwork helps to make basic coding concepts accessible.

The Interviewer's Pocketbook has had a major overhaul in this new third edition and now focuses exclusively on the recruitment interview. The opening chapters look in detail at the necessary skills for conducting an interview: questioning techniques, listening skills and interpretation of body language. Types of question are explored, with ways in which to use them, as well as questions to avoid asking, while a helpful example interview shows the techniques in action. Later chapters cover preparing for and conducting the interview, including looking at job descriptions and specifications, preparing evidence questions, and evaluation of candidates.

The Customer Service Pocketbook is for everyone who contributes, directly or indirectly, to giving the customer excellent service. This third edition has been fully revised to reflect the changes in responding to customers' needs via a variety of different channels, including social media. The book covers why good service matters, listening skills, how to turn complaints into opportunities, effective communication methods and much more. The importance of setting standards, measuring customer service and mystery shopper programmes is discussed. Recognising and respecting internal customers is also addressed and there are case studies, checklists and an action planning section.

A HILARIOUS SATIRE OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY It took ten years to create the perfect song. Clive Bigg is the only man who can bring it to the masses, but his record label has built defences to keep fresh ideas out. Can Jonathan break in and convince Bigg to gamble on his track? The future of the music business is at stake. In this entertaining techno-thriller, Sean McManus takes a slice through the music industry: from the boardroom to the stage; from the studio to the record fair. The story explores how fans relate to their favourite bands, how businesses can use technology to manipulate consumers, and what would happen if the music business disappeared overnight. Sean McManus is a professional writer who has contributed to magazines including Musician, Making Music, Melody Maker, and Future Music. He has written more than ten non-fiction books about technology and business. This is his first novel. Reviews "A fun novel about the problems faced by musicians in making their mark on a music industry that's falling apart. A bitter satire thatworks its way up to a memorable finale." Metal Hammer magazine "Raising a number of surprisingly sophisticated issues, this book is enjoyably cynical about the seemingly cold-hearted and impenetrable nature of the record industry and peppered with a number of highly comical cameos from the cream of rock'n'roll, which ensures that it never feels like heavy going." Record Collector Magazine "The novel satirises the music industry and the clichéd types that populate it, the lead character an affable fellow who you can't help but like - his meditations at his monitor screen, desperately trying to sort ideas, will be familiar to most of us who create music either for a living or for love. Amusing and well written." MusicTech Magazine

Apple’s iPad puts a limitless world of entertainment, communication, and everyday functionality in the palms of your hands. iPad for the Older and Wiser, 4th Edition quickly teaches you how to make the most of your new gadget with easy-to-follow instructions. Fully updated to include the iPad Air and iOS 7, this step-by-step guide shows you exactly how to set up your device and discover what it can do – all in jargon-free language. Learn how to: Set up your iPad and copy music and photos from your computer Keep in touch with email and messages Browse the web and shop online Have video chats with your friends and family Discover a digital library of books and magazines Use Siri to dictate memos, create and send emails, and answer questions Explore new places and get directions with maps Take photos and videos and share them with friends Enhance your iPad or iPad mini with amazing apps

For almost forty years, Fr Sean McManus has been at the heart of the Irish American campaign to pressurise the British government regarding injustice in Northern Ireland. This is a deeply personal account of how his lone voice mainstreamed Northern Ireland on Capitol Hill, after the Catholic Church removed him from Britain. He became ‘Britain’s nemesis in America’, founding the Irish National Caucus in 1974. Also chronicles the events and social context that influenced him, growing up in a parish divided by the Border.

Provides parents with step-by-step instructions for helping children learn the basics of computer programming, with simple projects and exercises and information about coding in Scratch and Python.