Donald I. Barker (M.B.A., Eastern Washington University) has authored, coauthored, and contributed to thirty-five cutting-edge textbooks, many bestsellers, on subjects ranging from computer operating systems and expert systems to Internet research and social media marketing. He pioneered the "hybrid" college textbook, combining the power of the Internet with the convenience of paper to deliver the most up-to-date learning experience possible, along with devising the process for putting textbook ancillary materials online. In addition, Don was instrumental in establishing the lucrative practice of packaging student versions of software with textbooks. As an assistant professor of information… systems at Gonzaga University, he was honored as the winner of the Best Theoretical Paper Award by the International Business Schools Computer Users Group Annual North American Conference and received several Jepson Scholarship Awards for notable publications in the field of artificial intelligence. As senior editor of PC AI Magazine, he wrote popular columns for the magazine and BotSpot.com. Before commencing his academic career, Don was a business development specialist for the Small Business Development Center in Spokane, Washington, receiving the award for Outstanding Leadership and Service to Small Business. In addition, he was the sales manager for the largest consumer electronics retailer in Spokane. Today, Don continues to push the technology envelope by authoring trailblazing textbooks, as well as developing and teaching innovative online courses. For more information about Don, visit: www.linkedin.com/in/donaldibarker.
Melissa S. Barker is a marketing and public relations professional, specializing in social media marketing and search engine marketing. She designed and implemented a social media marketing campaign for the Virtual Private Library, a popular subject directory, which included the production of a widely viewed five-star rated promotional YouTube video called, "The Virtual Private Library and the Deep Web," as well as a feature article, "Top 10 Internet Search Tips." She lives Washington State.
Katherine Pinard has over 20 years of experience writing and editing books about computer concepts, applications, and technology. She has co-authored or contributed to ten books published by Cengage Learning and has edited over 50 titles for the company.