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Head Rush AJAX

 
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Dear Brett McLaughlin,

why do you call your book "Head Rush Ajax" instead of Ajax?
 
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Because that is the name of the series....

Eric
 
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Actually, the series is called Head First, so it would probably be really interesting to hear why it's called Head Rush as opposed to Head First (or if this will spawn other Head Rush books).
 
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I recall reading that this is, indeed, a new series, with (now I'm looking at the book's Amazon page) "an even faster look and feel."
 
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Head First vs. Head Rush

Elisabeth Freeman:
From the Head First newsletter (shameless plug):

So, what exactly is Head Rush? Author Brett McLaughlin says it best, "It's kind of like drinking a Slurpee on a really hot day," he explains. "You're burning up, the Slurpee's nice and cold, so you take a big hit
and--yow!--you get instant brain freeze. That's the way Head Rush works."



Brett McLaughlin:
Thanks Beth... I didn't remember that Slurpee comment, actually

Anyway, I'd say the biggest difference between Head First and Head Rush is that Head Rush is more tightly focused. In other words, Head Rush takes a smaller body of knowledge, and really focuses very specifically on that, without taking a lot of tangents or detours. So, in the case of Head Rush Ajax, we're focusing very specifically on Ajax -- and not on PHP, or lots of JavaScript that doesn't relate to Ajax, or HTML, or CSS, or .... [insert slightly off-topic technology here].

That's not to say we fly through the material; the first 100 pages of Head Rush Ajax really ground you in the JavaScript request object you use to make asynchronous requests, and we take our time on that. But, because the focus is so tight, it makes it possible to cover a smallish topic in 400 pages. Since most HF books are like 700 pages, that's quite a thing

It's also true that Head Rush is -slightly- faster paced, although not a ton. We do assume you're working alongside, and the look and feel of the book is also slightly edgier. But, still totally accessible. If you know just a little JavaScript (emphasis on "little"), and have a copy of HF HTML/CSS lying around, you're very ready to take on Head Rush Ajax.

 
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I tried to ask actually
https://coderanch.com/forums/
 
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Is the style of writing similar to Head First series books?
 
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Hmmm so Head Rush is a new series,

The Head First series had cover models with shots taken from overhead, making the head appear bigger and the body skewed.

The Head Rush has got a guy posing upside down, so one assumes that blood is rushing to his head, was this intentional or am I seeing/reading/assuming too much? If this is so then will future Head Rush boox have models posing upside down in different positions?
 
Christophe Verré
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I agree that the new serie should have been called Head Down
 
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Hey everyone. Head Rush is essentially a little brother to Head First. The style is very similar, but most of the elements are different. For instance, we have a "Just Do It" instead of "Exercise", and "Frequently Asked Questions" instead of "No Dumb Questions". You'll feel very comfortable if you've ever read Head First, though -- and of course you'll love it if you haven't :-)

Head Rush is a little more focused in topic, too. You won't ever read Head Rush C++, but you might read (ahem) Head Rush UML. Head Rush really drills down on exactly what you need to get the job done, while Head First is a little more comprehensive. Both are important, but the topic really guides us to which format and approach makes the most sense.

Hope that helps!
Brett
 
David Dong
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Dear Brett McLaughlin,



Thanks for the information.
I am understand why you name the book head rush now.
I will keep you up date with any question I have on my mind.

Thanks,
David
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