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How Do I Choose the Best Computer Vision Book?

D. Nelson
D. Nelson

Computer vision refers to the functions of a computer that are designed to digitally recognize real images, analyze them, and act on them. A security professional, for example, might use computer vision in a surveillance system that is designed to recognize intruders. To choose the best computer vision book, you first should consider from which approach you might read a text. For example, a computer engineering student probably needs a computer vision book that covers theories and instruction. A researcher interested in the intersections between computers and regular society, on the other hand, should choose a computer vision book that is written from a more sociological perspective.

Regardless of what your objectives are, the best computer vision book is probably written by a specialist recognized in his or her field. Before settling on a text, perform a little research. For example, by turning to the back page of a book, you might find an author biography. A biography should include all publications and experiences acquired by an author that make him or her an expert on computers.

The best computer vision book is probably written by a specialist recognized in his or her field.
The best computer vision book is probably written by a specialist recognized in his or her field.

In some cases, you might find that authors have written many books. Make sure at least a few of these books are related to computer vision. An author who has written hundreds of books on gardening and traveling, for example, probably isn't the best author for a computer vision book. Some popular science writers, however, may write about a number of different fields and disciplines. If an author seems to have a broad readership, you might feel safer trusting him or her.

When you are in doubt, it's a good idea to read book reviews and recommendations before choosing a computer vision book. The Internet provides consumers with some great tools for shopping for books and other items. Some online books retailers, for example, include customer reviews on pages where consumers can learn about books. When using customer reviews, however, remember to use some critical thinking. If you need a computer vision book so you can program a system that monitors manufacturing processes, a book that has a reputation for being engaging and well written probably is not your best choice.

Students who need computer vision books should consult their instructors. A professor almost always includes required reading on his or her class syllabus. Students who are interested in finding some supplemental reading that can help them to gain a better grasp of material also should ask their instructors for suggestions.

Discussion Comments

indigomoth

It's a bit of a frightening concept that computers can now use computer vision to identify objects on video. It makes you wonder how long it's going to be before they can identify faces.

Considering how many cameras there are everywhere, it would be very difficult to hide if you were being tracked.

I know that sounds paranoid, but considering how many times human right have been violated in recent decades, in pursuit of terrorists, I don't think it's far fetched to imagine a world where computers were trained to track people with certain facial characteristics.

I guess there's nothing you can do to stop the technology from advancing, but I hope these books contain some information about the ethics of using it.

pleonasm

Any books that deal with computers are going to be very expensive, so as well as the recommendations in this article, I would also suggest that you take yourself to the local library and have a look there.

If you spend an hour or so looking through the books they have available, you'll be able to see just what is on offer from each one.

Sometimes all you need is the time to flick through a book and see if it's got everything you want to know, and if it's laid out so that you can find it. I'd make a list of what you need to know beforehand and check it off.

Then, you can spend the $100 or more that it's likely to cost without worrying that you've bought the wrong book.

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    • The best computer vision book is probably written by a specialist recognized in his or her field.
      By: Chris Tefme
      The best computer vision book is probably written by a specialist recognized in his or her field.