Google: The Missing Manual

Although Google doesn't require packaging, this book is part of the publisher's "missing manual" series, which supplies the books that "should have been in the box." Writers Milstein and Dornfest do an excellent job of starting with the basics of the powerful and popular internet search engine, proceeding to sophisticated ways to use Google, and concluding with information for webmasters who want to optimize their sites' interaction with Google, including making money. Tips and notes are highlighted throughout, so those who don't want to read closely can skim and find new things to try. The appendix lists sites for Google-watchers with a habit to feed. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Sarah Milstein writes, speaks and consults frequently on Twitter. A Web 2.0 strategist and co-founder of 20slides.com, a site for lively, work-related workshops, she is the author of "Twitter and the Micromessaging Revolution," an O'Reilly Media research report. Previously, she was on the senior editorial staff at O'Reilly, where she founded the Tools of Change for Publishing conference (TOC) and led the development of the Missing Manuals, a best-selling series of computer books for non-geeks. She's also written for the series, co-authoring "Google: The Missing Manual."

Before joining O'Reilly, Sarah was a freelance writer and editor, and a regular contributor to The New York Times. She was also a program founder for Just Food, a local-food-and-farms non-profit, and co-founder of Two Tomatoes Records, a label that distributes and promotes the work of children's musician Laurie Berkner.

(author, Chapters 8 and 9, previous edition) is O'Reilly Media's Chief Technology Officer. He has co-authored various O'Reilly books, including Mac OS X Hacks, Google Hacks, Essential Blogging, and Peer to Peer: Harnessing the Power of Disruptive Technologies, and he's program chair for the O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference. Email: googlemm@raelity.org.