Living and Working in Spain: How to Prepare for a Successful Stay, Be It Short, Long-Term or Forever (Living & Working Abroad)

Customer Reviews:

A joke of a book.......2002-05-06

I came across this book yesterday in a library and spent some time reading its most relevant chapters. I was very amused by the fantasies made up all along these chapters by its imaginative author.

Here are some (non 100% literal) excerpts from the book: "Robbery is widespread in Spain", "Spaniards usually live in blocks of apartments but if you decide to occupy a loft in one of them you should always check the roof, as you're likely to get soaked with the leaks", "If you want to build a house, you'll have to hire a foreign builder in order to get the house built to basic European standards", "The postal system is so inefficient that you'll have to rent a P.O. Box or have your mail sent to Gibraltar", "If you go to a Post Office you'll have to spend a very long time queuing, first to buy the stamps and then to send the letter", "Finding a telephone booth is almost impossible, let alone a working one, so your best bet is to find a good hotel, where you'll have to tip the receptionist", "Lying is part of the Spanish way of life", "It will take some time until the Spanish public services are brought up to what's common in `the rest of Europe'",...

I found these last two statements particularly hilarious, coming as they do from a Briton. After reading this book, anyone who has never been to Spain or knows little about the country, say an average American, should expect to find a land raided by sombrero-wearing bandits on the back of their donkeys.

As it happens, I was born in Spain and, in all, have spent over 30 years there, so I might be quite partial, myself. But nothing depicted in this book seems to have any resemblance with real facts. Most of all, I fail to understand why the publisher has decided to have such a misinformed/biased individual write this "How To" book.

The one aspect where Spain does lag behind its Western European counterparts is the labour market. But, in spite of the title of the book, no information whatsoever is given on this important matter. And, if you're serious about living in Spain, your source of income should definitely be your first concern, as you'll find a high level of unemployment and low nominal salaries, especially compared to what's usual in Anglo-Saxon countries. Nevertheless, if you are a native English-speaker and are willing to work as a language teacher, few countries offer as many possibilities as Spain. I personally met a 19 year old Irish girl who, with no secondary education or previous working experience, was making 1800 Euro a month, just teaching to the executive staff of a few local companies. Agriculture and the catering industry are also a constant source of lower-paid jobs.

Other than that, you should take the precautions you would normally take in your own country, under the assurance that things such as general public services, the health system, children's education, criminality, the banking system, transport, telephone, or the performance of helpdesks and consumer-facing staff are very well above the current British standards. In fact, at 19,100 USD, the Spanish per-capita GDP is now 85% that of Britain, with some regions in the north surpassing the British average and standing on top of the poorest British regions. Looking at the Italian and Irish examples, and considering the growth differential of the last decade, one could assume that this gap will close in the coming years.

That said, of course, one should still expect the problems and inconveniences any foreigner faces when moving to a different country, especially if their command of Spanish is not good.

As a summary, I would advice to stay away from this book and spend your money somewhere else. In the preceding paragraphs you have already found more factual information than you will in its 185 pages. While xenophobic nationalists are always a species to be avoided, they're probably at their worst when they try to sell you "information" about one of the countries they despise.

Quite wordy but interesting as a reference book........2001-08-24

I ended up selling this book after having skimmed through it. It's very wordy and not so easy to get around in. Probably a good reference book.

Book Description

From the explosion of interest, research, and applications of evolutionary computation a new field emerges-evolutionary electronics. Focused on applying evolutionary computation concepts and techniques to the domain of electronics, many researchers now see it as holding the greatest potential for overcoming the drawbacks of conventional design techniques. Evolutionary Electronics: Automatic Design of Electronic Circuits and Systems by Genetic Algorithms formally introduces and defines this area of research, presents its main challenges in electronic design, and explores emerging technologies. It describes the evolutionary computation paradigm and its primary algorithms, and explores topics of current interest, such as multi-objective optimization. The authors examine numerous evolutionary electronics applications, draw conclusions about those applications, and sketch the future of evolutionary computation and its applications in electronics. In coming years, the appearance of more and more advanced technologies will increase the complexity of optimization and synthesis problems, and evolutionary electronics will almost certainly become a key to solving those problems. Evolutionary Electronics is your key to discovering and unlocking the potential of this promising new field.

Book Description

This digital document is an article from American Review of Canadian Studies, published by Association for Canadian Studies in the United States on June 22, 1999. The length of the article is 892 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Organizing dissent: contemporary social movements in theory and practice.
Publication: American Review of Canadian Studies (Refereed)
Date: June 22, 1999
Publisher: Association for Canadian Studies in the United States
Volume: 29 Issue: 2 Page: 359-61

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Average customer rating:

Organizing Dissent
Maria Lorena Cook
Manufacturer: Pennsylvania State University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ORBX78

Organizing dissent: The politics of opposition in Mexican unions

Average customer rating:

Organizing dissent: The politics of opposition in Mexican unions
Maria Lorena Cook
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Mexico | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Taking Up Space is a sociological memoir about being fat and the physical, emotional and economic costs of trying to pass for thin in a culture that stigmatizes fat people. Making her own life a case study, medical sociologist Pattie Thomas, Ph.D., with the help of her co-author and husband Carl Wilkerson, M.B.A., outlines how stigma limit and shape the life chances of all people and are supported within culture. Through narrative text, poetry, essays, photos and drawings, Dr. Thomas shares her own process and demonstrates how a sociologically examined life can be a source for personal growth. An extensive resource section challenges both the popular reader and the academic to further exploration. Kathleen LeBesco, author of Revolting Bodies: The Struggle to Redefine Fat Identity, has called Taking Up Space "a road map through the minefield of the 'war on obesity.'" Foreword by Paul Campos, author of The Obesity Myth (published in paperback as The Diet Myth).

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful book!.......2006-01-29

This book is so full of information that it is an education in itself. I wish anyone with an opinion on "obesity" would read it. It might actually change one's perspective.

We all deserve regard and respect. Dr. Thomas states her case clearly and well. I'm grateful to her for writing this book.

Janet

We All Have The Right To Our Own Space!.......2005-12-30

Taking Up Space is a poignant saga of how one woman has come to grips with being large in a society where "thin" is worshiped as the ideal. Dr. Pattie Thomas uses her brilliant writing style to share the pain of her battles. Not just the emotional and psychological pain of being large in a small world, but the actual physical pain of two chronic diseases that she has to contend with. In Taking Up Space, Dr. Thomas often refers to herself as the reluctant warrior. But as she shares her battle with personal weight issues; as she bravely takes on the societal and medical stigmas that daily drain people of size, she truly becomes a brave sumo warrior who leads the way into battle against the poison darts that are constantly hurled at us.

Taking Up Space:How Eating Well & Exercising Regularly Changed My Life.......2005-11-03

Dr. Thomas has written one the finest & certainly one of the most honest books on the subject of living fat in this fatphobic American culture that I have ever read, & I have been involved in fat acceptance for over 25 years, & have read every book I could find on the related subjects of fat & health, fat & legal rights, fat & social acceptance, etc. Dr. Thomas tells us what this "war on obesity" is like from the inside & she shows us the cost, in terms of time, money, health, & self-esteem, of trying to fight one's biology. I identify deeply with her struggle to accept her naturally fat body & learn to live in peace with & even to love it, as it has also been my struggle. I particularly identify with the multiple issues faced by those of us who are fat & disabled, & those who are aging (as indeed we all are) in a culture which so worships youth & its extremely dysfunctional view of health & beauty.

Taking Up Space will be one of the most valued & appreciated volumes in my personal library & it will be re-read many times. I applaud Dr. Thomas's honesty & I admire her courage. It is my sincere hope that many people will read this important book & that many minds & eyes will be opened & that the understanding between fat people & the thin world will be deepened. We all need to do whatever we can to explode these harmful myths, to end fat hatred & to call a ceasefire in this pointless & very destructive war on the bodies, souls, & psyches of the majority of our citizens.

Book Description

A melancholy Dr. Broth, professor emeritus of non-Euclidean, paleolinguistic astrohistoriography, strolls the topiary gardens of a campus arboretum. He has just returned from a conference on the Hyde-body problem, and his luggage -- one bulging attaché case -- did not appear at the baggage claim. Unfortunately, it contained the only copy of his just-finished manuscript, his life's work...lost!

Now join the delightful, puzzling, and hilarious adventures of Dr. Broth, the humble gardener Ollie, and their more-or-less trusted companion McGuffin (a time-traveling alpaca), as they hurtle through time and space in search of Dr. Broth's treasured manuscript. Visit postapocalyptic Chicago, Mercury, ancient Greece, revolutionary France, New York a few years ago, the Peru of the Incas, and a Scotland about to be overrun by clones, among many other places neither you nor any reasonably sane person would look for lost luggage. Of course, McGuffin is never too sure where, or rather when, his time traveling will land him -- and you won't be either as these marvelous characters dash off into the mind-boggling unknown.

With 80 original puzzles varying wildly and unpredictably in difficulty and format, everyone from brain-teased veterans to young intrepid detectives will find a treasure trove of worthy challenges in these pages. Quite simply, as Dr. Broth would agree, there's never been a puzzle adventure like it. Let the search begin!

Customer Reviews:

A Puzzle Book with a Twist..........2003-12-07

This is the first puzzle book I've come across with a storyline running through the complete book.There are 80 good puzzles which need to be solved along the way.From what I've said ,it might sound like this is a mystery book--not so this is definately a book of puzzles.The puzzles are all quite different,but of the types that puzzle lovers are familiar with.The storyline is quite funny.The conversation along the way is fun:

"'Grand small talk? What's that?"asked Ted.
"That's an oxymoron," said Dr.Broth.
"And that,"said Mel nodding toward a peasant woman in a short skirt,"is one foxy moron.If they've got to be stupid,might as well make 'em foxy.That's what Uncle Sal used to say,anyway."
Not your typical puzzle book ;but different and a lot of fun to be enjoyed by anyone who likes puzzles.

FIRST RATE WINNER FOR MICHAEL ABRAMS.......2001-04-07

Michael Abrams has an excellent puzzle book for lovers of puzzles of all ages. Along with a very pleasing and amusing story line, Michael offers up puzzles from easy to difficult, and always fun.Being the puzzle editor for DISCOVER magazine's BRAINBOGGLERS column has served Michael well in capturing the right puzzle at the right time to make the reader fully engaged . . . and then realizing the answer in one of those AHA! moments. Thank you, Michael, and I hope there are more adventures on the way.

brain-boggling is right!.......2000-12-13

although the puzzles really drive me nuts...i love this book! the quirky illustrations match the clever, playful storyline. a friend left the book at my house and i won't let him have it back until i'm done reading it! my mom just lOves puzzles... guess what she's getting for Christmas!

Bran Boggling while Tummy Joggling.......2000-11-11

Dr. Broth, Ollie and a host of other really odd characters not only succeeded in boggling my mind(I have solved about half the puzzles over the past three weeks), they also provoked some amusement and out loud laughter. If I found myself stumped on any of the harder puzzles, my clenched jaw soon loosened at what I think is a really delightful and amusing story. My ten year old daughter is now begging for an Alpaca doll for Christmas! (anyone know where to get one?) So, I definitely recommend this new puzzle and story book to anyone who enjoys challenging their brains and having a good laugh at some cleverly imagined, nutty adventures though space and time.

A "Must Have" for Puzzle Lovers.......2000-11-10

Our two teen-age sons, my husband and I made a game out of reading this delightful book. When we discovered "Dr. Broth and Ollie's Brain-Boggling Search for the Lost Luggage, we began to play 'puzzle-a-day', fashioned after public radio's "chapter-a-day". Each evening after dinner, we read another section of the charming story and challenged one another to be the first to solve the puzzle. The puzzles spanned the difficulty continuum. Some we solved so quickly, we had to do another right away. Many were quite challenging to our tired 'end-of-the-day' minds. There were even a few we had to 'sleep-on'. Thanks to Michael Abrams and Jeffrey Winters for many hours of family fun. And 'hats-off' to Marc Rosenthal for his wonderful illustrations!

Book Description

Are you studying for the 70-271 or 70-272 Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) certification exams and need a little extra help? This Exam Cram 2 bundle features study guides on supporting users, troubleshooting a Windows XP operating system and troubleshooting desktop applications on a Windows XP operating system. Both books focus on exactly what you need to know to pass the exams and are ideal supplements to classes and other training materials. Already know Windows XP and simply need to practice before the exams? This Exam Cram 2 bundle will also work for you. Over 400 practice questions with detailed answer keys are included on a CD-ROM. “Cram Sheet” tear cards are also included for last-minute reviews of key facts. These study guides are perfect for the soon-to-be certified or for the already-certified who need a solid reference book.

Customer Reviews:

On Target.......2007-08-26

The product provided for me or any student all the information needed to successfully take both these test. Excellent!

Jodie719.......2007-08-08

Excellent resource for obtaining the Desktop certification. Will recommend this series to someone who is serious about becoming Microsoft certified for desktops. Thanks.

Helped me pass the exam.......2007-07-03

These books were easy to read. I loved the pullout fact sheets. I read through them just before the exams. I did both practice test in each book. I read the books cover to cover without confusion and I passed both exams on my first try.

XP Pro.......2007-01-03

These books are very good, and will help anyone who wants a Microsoft certification. Microsoft certifications help in obtaining high paying, quality jobs.

Good work for hte new exams........2004-09-22

Microsoft's release of the MCDST Certification has you taking 2 exams, 70-271 and 70-272.What you need is something to use as a final study tool and this set is just the right answer. What you have here is a fairly complete breakdown of the exam objective condensed for easy reading.

No technical manual is usually fun to read since the material is technical, however these 2 books are easy to follow and the reading level is set for the experience technician. Understand that manual(s) is a scaled down finer points set of text, and you will need other resources in order to pass the exam.

The 70-271 book was a little more informative and I found it had information that lapped over to the other exam. As with other EC2 manuals, there is the Cram sheet in front and the cd in the back. This set uses the Measure UP test engine, which could use a few updates and more questions as well as a way to up[date on the web.

Fixing the test engine is a minor draw back and this book should help in the final prep. Overall well put together and researched

MCDST 70-271 Exam Cram 2: Supporting Users & Troubleshooting a Windows XP Operating System (Exam Cram 2)

Average customer rating:

Pretty Good
Good, but problematic....
Don't use this book as a primary study guide
Don't buy this book, it's awful.
Good book, relevant material

MCDST 70-271 Exam Cram 2: Supporting Users & Troubleshooting a Windows XP Operating System (Exam Cram 2)
Dan Balter , Philip Wiest , and Ed Tittel
Manufacturer: Que
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0789731495

Book Description

The new Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) credential proves that you have the skills to successfully support end users and successfully troubleshoot desktop environments running on Windows XP. MCDST candidates must pass two core exams (70-271 and 70-272). The 70-271 exam, when combined with the 70-272 (the application exam for desktop support technicians), validates that a candidate can successfully answer (or escalate) all calls from end users. Co-written by best-selling author Dan Balter, the MCDST 70-271 Exam Cram 2 gives readers the essential information they need to know to pass this exam, focusing on exactly what they need to know. This book can be used as a sole study guide for those experienced with Windows XP or it is the perfect supplement guide for more comprehensive training materials, instructor-led classes, and/or computer-based training.

Customer Reviews:

Pretty Good.......2007-05-08

I passed the test so I guess that means the book worked. It was actually supplemental material. My first choice is always Sybex. This is a decent book, it went too much into the Remote Installation for what I had on the test but the test may be different for you.

Good, but problematic...........2006-09-23

I just passed my 70-271 exam and I do believe this book was an important factor in my score. However this book is problematic.

1.) The MeasureUp practice exam questions are 50 of the same questions found in the Microsoft Press book for the same exam. But that book has 261 more questions than this one.
2.) The questions in the book are far more difficult than necessary and many are more appropriate for the MCSA/MCSE exam 70-270.
3.) There are too many typographic errors to name. The major ones have been mentioned by other reviewers.
4.) There is no information on service pack 2.

I intend on using my MCDST credentials as an elective exam for the MCSA, so I appreciate the difficulty of the questions but by attempting to attain an 85% to 90% on the practice exams in the back of this book I had thoroughly convinced myself that I would fail the test and was very close to rescheduling it. I did not, and I passed my test with more than 200 point over the minimum score.

To this books credit I have found the information very useful in my job. I have received several calls from users with processor affinity problems or with 16 bit program errors that I know how to solve immediately because of the high standards set by the questions in this book. I am, therefore, very satisfied with my purchase.

Don't use this book as a primary study guide.......2006-07-30

There's a lot of unnecessary info in this book that you won't even see on the exam. The practice questions in the book are way too wordy and confusing. Exam Cram has helped me in the past, but not this time.

Don't buy this book, it's awful........2005-12-12

I believe my email to the editor explains it all. I have copied and pasted it below.

Mr. Tittel,

I have been a huge fan of your Exam Cram books for the last few years and they have helped me pass my A+, Network+, and CCNA certifications. Currently I am working of my MCDST certification and bought your books expecting the same standards your other books hold. Unfortunately, your Exam 70-271 Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Windows XP operating System is not only a disgrace to your line of books, but to you as the editor. I have to ask; did you even read the book or edit it? There are too many spelling and grammatical errors to even list in this book. Many times it should say drive, and instead it says driver or vice versa. You have many of the wizards name's wrong, such as on page 200 first line under Migrating User Settings with the File Settings and Transfer Wizard it says "The File Settings and Transfer (FAST) Wizard." The funny thing is it's the File and Settings Transfer Wizard, otherwise FAST makes no sense the way it is printed and if that's not bad enough on page 201 you have a screenshot of the wizard showing it's correct name. The questions you ask in this book also are horrendous because they contradict what is true or just make no sense. Here is an example of a contradiction. Earlier in the book it says Windows XP can't be upgraded from Windows 95, this is true, but then in question 6 on page 213 it says "After upgrading a group of computers running Windows 95 to Windows XP Professional." See something wrong there? Here is an example of a question making no sense. Look at question 23 on page 336. The question asks for the Power User group and the Administrator group, so logically and correctly the answer should be A, but no you have it as answer C which is the same exact thing as A but leaves out the Administrator group so it would be wrong. In conclusion I must say this was one of the most poorly written and poorly edited books I have ever read. So please, revise this book immediately and get any remaining ones of the shelves because most people are furious about this, you should check out the reviews on Amazon.com and elsewhere.

Good book, relevant material.......2005-09-15

Overall it was a good book withs lots of relevant material. I actually learned some things about XP that I was not already aware of. I haven't taken the test yet, but with the included Cheat Sheet and CDROM, I think I will be well prepared.

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