VB.NET Web Development: Database and Client Server Programming over the Internet

I’ve noticed this dichotomy, where the technical level is so light or non-existent that the reader is left with some buzz words and very little insight, or the technical level is so deep that the material is inaccessible. I’ve spent over a two decades in information systems and information technology, as a systems analyst, a business consultant, and finally as a university professor. In this time, I’ve often found how managers have a difficult time finding material on new technology, what new technology does, what they can do with new technology, and why they should care (or what they should care about). Managers are often kept in the dark about the possibilities that new technology can deliver. This can put a manager at a distinct competitive disadvantage to other managers who know which technologies to adopt, and how they are best implemented, while avoiding technologies that are more spin than substance.

The goal of this book is three-fold. First, I wanted to provide managers with an overview of the topics in this book. Second, as each chapter progresses, I wanted to get further into detail with each topic so that managers could go as far as they want with each area, to the level of even developing their own Web-based business should they choose to. Finally, I wanted to be sure not to shy away from technological discussion, but rather to delve into it after discussing the topic at a higher level. It is my belief that managers who understand a little of the technology make better technological decisions while they are managing. Again, by understanding the technology, managers can get a quicker grasp on the possibilities made available by the technology.

Ultimately, I want current (and future) IT managers and technologists to enjoy this book (or parts of it) because it delivers both the managerial insights and introduces the technical knowledge needed to effectively manage a business on a Web site, and to make better technical decisions about the online direction of your enterprise.