Best Selling Books by Mark Long

Brad Martin is devastated when he is purportedly diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. A virile man in his early thirties now facing his own mortality, Brad revisits his abbreviated life with soul-searching truthfulness. Now is the time for him to address the transgressions of his past and the admonitions of the present. His older brother, Danny, whom Brad revered in childhood, has become a source of angst in Brad''s adult years. Ill-advised financial decisions on Danny''s part involuntarily alter his brother''s hope and dreams. But even more pressing is the matter of the two love interests in his life-Sara, his wife and ultimate soul mate, and the insidious Nikki Dee, Brad''s lustful lover. A twisted web of deception, infidelities, and blackmail schemes pursue Brad and those close to him. But it isn''t until the tragic death of his best friend, Doug Reeder, that Brad''s perspective on life takes a spiritual turn, marking a pivotal point in redefining his chosen path. Full of surprising twists and turns, "The Last Lent" culminates in one final declaration of truth. But, which is the definitive truth. the inexplicable revelation of spirituality, or the inadvertent delusion of grandeur? Take a leap of faith in the life of Brad Martin and decide for yourself.

In the quiet town of Paden, where shadows conceal sinister secrets, Cady Lane, a newly arrived pastor''s wife, finds herself entangled in a web of murder, deception, and ancient vendettas. When two preachers are brutally slain, Cady''s quest for justice leads her to a startling revelation: her own husband harbored a dark past. Determined to uncover the truth and protect those she holds dear, Cady crosses paths with a disfigured vigilante seeking retribution for his own shattered life. As the cycle of violence threatens to consume them all, Cady must confront her darkest fears and make a harrowing choice that will determine the fate of an entire community. With relentless suspense and chilling twists, "Sins of the Cloth" explores the depths of loyalty, the power of forgiveness, and the lengths one will go to safeguard the innocent in the face of unspeakable evil.

Core Strategy: A Framework for Planning and Predicting High Growth Ventures Common to all high-growth new ventures is impeccable timing for their product/business model - when either a large volume of customers or a handful of customers, who order large volumes, will soon be in "must have" mode and competitors lack the "motivation/means to co-opt." Conventional approaches to discover and design this "holy grail" have only been providing winners 20% of the time. This book describes a Silicon Valley tested framework that increases the acceleration and predictability of new venture strategy making by 2x - 4x over conventional approaches. The Core Strategy Framework provides a surprisingly easy-to-use pattern recognition logic for planning technology, product, production, business model, management team and finance requirements. The Core Strategy Framework offers an unconventional but critically decisive and proven schema for identifying your marketplace''s circumstances of customers, competitors, complementors and the technological/innovation trajectory of lead platforms and the migration of end-users'' value expectations. The Core Strategy framework provides a common navigational language that allows technologists, business experts and venture investors to transform the current hip-shoot fuzzy Front End Innovation into a predictable next-generation process.

The intent of this book is to cover the basics that I believe have been either left out of your education or forgotten over time. Hopefully it will become one of those well-worn books that you drop on the desk of the new guy when he asks you a question. There is something for every student, engineer, manager, and teacher in electrical engineering. My mantra is, "It ain''t all that hard!" I believe that way more than 50% of the people who read this book will get something out of it, so good luck, read on: It ain''t all that hard! Well, that about says it all. If you do decide to give this book a chance, I want to say thank you, and I hope it brings you success in all you do!

"In this Windows Presentation Foundation Basics training course, expert author Mark Long will teach you the basics of Windows Presentation Foundation. This course is designed for users that have no previous knowledge of Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), although knowledge of C# and Visual Basic is recommended. You will start by learning how to get and install Visual Studio. From there, Mark will teach you about WPF and XAML. This video tutorial also covers WPF layout, WPF layout with panels, and WPF content controls. You will also work through building the sample application. Finally, you will learn about WPF items controls, WPF basics, and the WPF look and feel, including learning how to apply styles and use skins. Once you have completed this computer based training course, you will have learned the basics of Windows Presentation Foundation. Working files are included, allowing you to follow along with the author throughout the lessons."--Resource description page.

"Database administration, design and development continue to be some of the most sought-after skills in Information Technology, but where do you start to learn such a big topic? In this course, Mark Long teaches you the fundamentals about Microsoft''s SQL Server database management system to help you take the first step on a path to becoming part of this exciting field. Mark has worked with SQL Server for almost 20 years and brings his experience along to present database fundamentals in an easy to understand manner to get you started. This course will also help you prepare to take Microsoft''s 98-364 Database Fundamentals MTA exam so you can become Microsoft certified right away."--Resource description page.

"In this Securing Windows Networks training course, expert author Mark Long teaches you the tools and functionalities available to secure Microsoft networks. This course is designed for users that have a basic understanding of Microsoft networking. You will start by learning the basics of system security, then jump into learning about operating system security, including users and groups, permissions and rights, and managing user accounts. From there, Mark will teach you about Windows access control, protecting local data, and securing data in transit. This video tutorial also covers file sharing, securing the registry, system hardening, and Windows firewall. Finally, you will learn about security monitoring, backup and recovery, and Windows 10 security enhancements. Once you have completed this computer based training course, you will be able to apply these tools, principles, and functionalities available to secure your own Windows networks. Working files are included, allowing you to follow along with the author throughout the lessons."--Resource description page.

Microsoft Visual Basic has evolved throughout the years, but has steadily remained one of the most popular programming languages today. Visual Basic .NET is undoubtedly the most significant change to occur to Visual Basic yet. Significant new features include: unity of programming models, extension of the program to include mobile device capabilites, Performance Counters and Server Explorer, flashy new capabilities in Windows Forms, anchoring controls, opacity and transparency properties, and much more. In this six hour tutorial, Microsoft Certified Instructor Mark Long will introduce and expand upon Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and what users can do with it. Simply click one of the topics below to start learning today! * Captions not available on CD version.

"In this CompTIA A+ 220-802 Exam training course, expert author Mark Long will teach you everything you need to know to prepare for a career in IT and successfully complete the A+ 220-802 exam. You must pass the A+ 220-801 and A+ 220-802 exam to receive the CompTIA A+ certification. You will start by learning about the various Windows operating systems, including how to install Windows and use the command line tools. You will then learn about networking command line tools and administrative tools, such as performance monitor, Windows firewall, and task manager. Mark will teach you about the control panel utilities, including folder and power options and user accounts. This video tutorial will also cover how to configure Windows networking, sharing resources, and security. You will also learn about different mobile devices, such as Android, iOS, and Bluetooth. Finally, you will cover troubleshooting techniques, including common hard drive symptoms, network issues, and printer symptoms. Once you have completed this computer based training course, you will have the developed the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the A+ 220-802 (2012 Objectives) exam. "--Resource description page.

Virtual computing is one of the most exciting and in-demand aspects of Information Technology. From the user''s laptop to the back office server, virtual computing is changing the way we think about and utilize our physical machines. VMWare is the industry leader in virtualization technology and product innovation. Workstation 8 is the latest version of the most popular desktop virtualization software available. It provides a mature, stable, and innovative environment for creating and managing virtual machines. It is also the place to begin to introduce yourself to the world of virtual computing and the place to begin your quest to become certified on VMWare''s extensive product line. In this VTC course, author Mark Long will introduce you to Workstation 8 and guide you through the process of using Workstation to create, manage, and utilize virtualization on your computer, whether you are using a laptop or a multi-processor server. To begin learning today, simply click on the movie links.

"In this course, Microsoft Certified Trainer Mark Long covers the topics that will be on the Microsoft Exam 70-640. You will learn about Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, Certificate Services and much more as Mark guides you through many of the steps so you can follow along. He also explains the technologies and points out a number of exam topics to watch for, while directing you to more technical information for further study and preparation. There are a number of step-by-step guides and additional documents included in the work files folder accompanying this course. To begin learning today, simply click on the movie links." --Resource description page.

Microsoft ASP.NET has taken many of the best active server technologies and combined them into one powerful set of coding instructions which allow interaction between the user and the server. Today''s companies and their customers rely on a back-and-forth flow of data that can be specific and more importantly, updated based on individual requests for information. Why is this important? A customer shopping at an e-store can have specific pages generated and delivered based on their shopping habits. As they continue to shop or change their habits, the information can be updated, or even updated at their request. In this seven hour tutorial, Certified Instructor Mark Long will introduce and then expand on Microsoft''s ASP.NET. Simply click one of the topics below to start learning today!

Microsoft''s SQL Server platform is one of the top three relational database products in the world''s enterprise marketplace, which means that those with SQL Server skills are in high demand everywhere. This course is designed for those who want to become a SQL Server administrator. The course prepares you to take Microsoft exam 70-764, the first of two tests you must pass in order to earn the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): SQL 2016 Database Administration certification. Passing the 70-764 exam indicates to the world that you have what it takes to administer the SQL database infrastructure. Learn about the topics that will be covered on Microsoft exam 70-764 Get closer to earning the MCSA SQL 2016 Database Administration certification Understand the structure and implementation of SQL Server security Discover how encryption is utilized and implemented in SQL Server 2016 Learn how to manage indexes on the SQL Server platform See how data backups and restorations happen on the SQL Server 2016 platform Survey the tools used to monitor and tune SQL Server performance Mark Long is a long term contributor to O''Reilly Media having authored more than a dozen book and video titles including CompTIA Security+ SY0-401 (2014 Objectives), Windows Presentation Foundation Basics, Learning Windows PowerShell, and Securing Windows Networks. Mark holds many certifications including Microsoft''s MCSE, MCDBA, and MCT; and as the head of his own consulting company, he solves IT issues for numerous Fortune 500 companies.

"Explains why written policies and procedures are paramount for efficient incubator operations and provides you with sample documents to help guide your efforts."--From publisher description.

"In this Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 training course, expert author Mark Long teaches you the fundamentals of the latest version of Exchange. This course is designed for the absolute beginner, meaning no previous experience with Exchange is required. You will start by learning the basics of Exchange, including how it works, the terminology, and mail flow. You will then learn about the active directory, administration center, and the basics of database maintenance. Mark will teach you mailbox basics, public folders, and how to manage Exchange data. This video tutorial will also teach you client access basics and configuration."--Resource description page.

Novice developers working with WPF/XAML understand the basics of how to use layout panels and controls to make user interfaces for apps that often look, feel, and function... basic. Wouldn''t it be great if those same interfaces could be made more polished, more scalable, more functional, and easier to use? WPF wizard Mark Long shows you how in this entertaining and engaging course covering five key functionalities of WPF: Dependency properties, data binding, templates, triggers and dialogs. Master your understanding of these core concepts says Long and your Windows apps will become masterful too. Master the core WPF functionalities that transform apps from beginner basic to polished pro Refresh your knowledge of XAML, .NET classes, properties, attributes and property elements Dive deep into custom dependency properties - a game changer in the .NET environment Uncover the value of data binding to see how it will simplify the way you work with data Expand your knowledge of control and data templates to boost your data presentation skills Explore triggers to learn how to make cool things happen with mouse-overs and more Unlock the potential of dialogs, custom dialogs, and Windows common dialogs Twenty-five year IT veteran Mark Long is a noted expert on all things Windows. He is a long term contributor to O''Reilly Media having authored twelve book and video titles including Windows Presentation Foundation Basics, Learning Windows PowerShell, and Securing Windows Networks.

"Microsoft Access 2013 is the latest version of the number one database application in the world, and this is a big release. Access 2013 brings quite a few changes, all designed to make database applications easier to design and implement. The ability to quickly create web applications that run in the user''s browser, regardless of which device they use, is one of the major changes in the latest release. In this VTC course, author Mark Long takes you step by step through Access 2013 to quickly get you up to speed on these changes. Access is everywhere, from small one-person businesses up to the largest corporations in the world. It''s where most data first gets stored before progressing to SQL Server, cloud delivery, and enterprise data services. Understanding Access is vital to real world database creation/maintenance/design and this course will show you what you need to get there."--Resource description page.

"Microsoft''s C# programming language first appeared in the early 2000s. Microsoft''s design goals were to create a clean, concise programming language that was redesigned from the ground up based on the new programming paradigms that the Internet created. Over the past nine years, C# has become one of the most popular programming languages in the world. In this course, Mark Long introduces you to the basics of the C# language and gives you a foundation to continue to develop your skillset with C#. Work files are included. To begin learning today, simply click on the movie links." --Resource description page.

"IPv6 is the next generation of the suite of protocols that make the Internet possible. By mid 2011, the available TCP/IP addresses will be exhausted and moving from IPv4 to IPv6 will no longer be a good idea, it will be an absolute requirement. Marketers are quick to announce that ""IPv6 provides integrated and interoperable technologies to enable exciting new scenarios for personal and enterprise computing."" IT technicians and administrators fully understand that first and foremost, IPv6 will be a technical challenge. Rebuilding a 747 airliner while it is still in flight is one way to look at it. In this course, Mark Long will teach you the new concepts, terminologies, and processes of IPv6 to help you get ready for this exciting, albeit challenging, new functionality. To begin learning today, simply click on the movie links." --Resource description page." --Resource description page.

"The CompTIA Network+ N10-006 (2015 Objectives) certification is recognized internationally as validation of the technical knowledge required for foundation-level IT network technicians. Network+ certification exhibits third-party validation that the successful candidate has the knowledge and skills necessary to manage, maintain, troubleshoot, install, operate, and configure basic network infrastructure. In this course, Mark Long takes you step by step through the process and technologies you need to get ready to take this exam."--Resource description page.

"Microsoft SQL Server 2012 is a cloud-ready information platform that will help organizations unlock breakthrough insights and quickly build solutions to extend data across on-premises and public clouds, backed by mission critical confidence. SQL Server 2012 continues the evolution and maturity of a trusted platform that continuously leads in industry-relevant and real-world application performance benchmarks. It still includes many of the same capabilities and characteristics that administrators have come to trust for over 10 years while also launching some new features that change how databases make data available across the enterprise. In this VTC course, author Mark Long will introduce you to SQL Server 2012 from an administrative viewpoint and helps prepare you for the Microsoft 70-462 Administration certification exam."--Resource description page.

"Software developers need a solid environment to work in that will help bring their applications to life. And collaboration is more important than ever before, as today''s development projects expand in complexity and scope. The Visual Studio development system is a comprehensive suite of tools designed to help software developers create innovative, next-gen applications. VTC veteran author Mark Long will introduce you to the Visual Studio 2008 development environment. Helping you get started developing useful and expandable next-gen applications. To begin learning today, simply click the links" --Resource description page.