Author: Michael J. Saylor
Publisher: Hachette+ORM
ISBN: 0306822989
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 225
Book Description
In the tradition of international bestsellers, Future Shock and Megatrends, Michael J. Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy, brings TheMobile Wave, a ground-breaking analysis of the impact of mobile intelligence -- the fifth wave of computer technology. The Mobile Waveargues that the changes brought by mobile computing are so big and widespread that it's impossible for us to see it all, even though we are all immersed in it. Saylor explains that the current generation of mobile smart phones and tablet computers has set the stage to become the universal computing platform for the world. In the hands of billions of people and accessible anywhere and anytime, mobile computers are poised to become an appendage of the human being and an essential tool for modern life. With the perspective of a historian, the precision of a technologist, and the pragmatism of a CEO, Saylor provides a panoramic view of the future mobile world. He describes how: A Harvard education will be available to anyone with the touch of a screen. Cash will become virtual software and crime proof. Cars, homes, fruit, animals, and more will be tagged so they can tell you about themselves. Buying an item will be as easy as pointing our mobile device to scan and pay.Land and capital will become more of a liability than an asset. Social mobile media will push all businesses to think and act like software companies. Employment will shift as more service-oriented jobs are automated by mobile software. Products, businesses, industries, economies, and even society will be altered forever as the Mobile wave washes over us and changes the landscape. With so much change, The Mobile Wave is a guidebook for individuals, business leaders, and public figures who must navigate the new terrain as mobile intelligence changes everything.
The Mobile Wave
Author: Michael J. Saylor
Publisher: Hachette+ORM
ISBN: 0306822989
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 225
Book Description
In the tradition of international bestsellers, Future Shock and Megatrends, Michael J. Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy, brings TheMobile Wave, a ground-breaking analysis of the impact of mobile intelligence -- the fifth wave of computer technology. The Mobile Waveargues that the changes brought by mobile computing are so big and widespread that it's impossible for us to see it all, even though we are all immersed in it. Saylor explains that the current generation of mobile smart phones and tablet computers has set the stage to become the universal computing platform for the world. In the hands of billions of people and accessible anywhere and anytime, mobile computers are poised to become an appendage of the human being and an essential tool for modern life. With the perspective of a historian, the precision of a technologist, and the pragmatism of a CEO, Saylor provides a panoramic view of the future mobile world. He describes how: A Harvard education will be available to anyone with the touch of a screen. Cash will become virtual software and crime proof. Cars, homes, fruit, animals, and more will be tagged so they can tell you about themselves. Buying an item will be as easy as pointing our mobile device to scan and pay.Land and capital will become more of a liability than an asset. Social mobile media will push all businesses to think and act like software companies. Employment will shift as more service-oriented jobs are automated by mobile software. Products, businesses, industries, economies, and even society will be altered forever as the Mobile wave washes over us and changes the landscape. With so much change, The Mobile Wave is a guidebook for individuals, business leaders, and public figures who must navigate the new terrain as mobile intelligence changes everything.
Publisher: Hachette+ORM
ISBN: 0306822989
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 225
Book Description
In the tradition of international bestsellers, Future Shock and Megatrends, Michael J. Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy, brings TheMobile Wave, a ground-breaking analysis of the impact of mobile intelligence -- the fifth wave of computer technology. The Mobile Waveargues that the changes brought by mobile computing are so big and widespread that it's impossible for us to see it all, even though we are all immersed in it. Saylor explains that the current generation of mobile smart phones and tablet computers has set the stage to become the universal computing platform for the world. In the hands of billions of people and accessible anywhere and anytime, mobile computers are poised to become an appendage of the human being and an essential tool for modern life. With the perspective of a historian, the precision of a technologist, and the pragmatism of a CEO, Saylor provides a panoramic view of the future mobile world. He describes how: A Harvard education will be available to anyone with the touch of a screen. Cash will become virtual software and crime proof. Cars, homes, fruit, animals, and more will be tagged so they can tell you about themselves. Buying an item will be as easy as pointing our mobile device to scan and pay.Land and capital will become more of a liability than an asset. Social mobile media will push all businesses to think and act like software companies. Employment will shift as more service-oriented jobs are automated by mobile software. Products, businesses, industries, economies, and even society will be altered forever as the Mobile wave washes over us and changes the landscape. With so much change, The Mobile Wave is a guidebook for individuals, business leaders, and public figures who must navigate the new terrain as mobile intelligence changes everything.
Mobile First
Author: Luke Wroblewski
Publisher: Book Apart
ISBN: 9781952616488
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Our industry's long wait for the complete, strategic guide to mobile web design is finally over. Former Yahoo! design architect and cocreator of Bagcheck Luke Wroblewski knows more about mobile experience than the rest of us, and packs all he knows into this entertaining, to-the-point guidebook. Its data-driven strategies and battle tested techniques will make you a master of mobile-and improve your non-mobile design, too!
Publisher: Book Apart
ISBN: 9781952616488
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Our industry's long wait for the complete, strategic guide to mobile web design is finally over. Former Yahoo! design architect and cocreator of Bagcheck Luke Wroblewski knows more about mobile experience than the rest of us, and packs all he knows into this entertaining, to-the-point guidebook. Its data-driven strategies and battle tested techniques will make you a master of mobile-and improve your non-mobile design, too!
jQuery Mobile
Author: Kris Hadlock
Publisher: Peachpit Press
ISBN: 0132947048
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 660
Book Description
Covering the latest version of the jQuery Mobile Framework, jQuery Mobile: Develop and Design teaches readers step-by-step how to get started, how to write code, and ultimately how to create mobile websites using the jQuery Mobile framework. The book is hands-on, with code examples (with corresponding on-line demos) and activities throughout.
Publisher: Peachpit Press
ISBN: 0132947048
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 660
Book Description
Covering the latest version of the jQuery Mobile Framework, jQuery Mobile: Develop and Design teaches readers step-by-step how to get started, how to write code, and ultimately how to create mobile websites using the jQuery Mobile framework. The book is hands-on, with code examples (with corresponding on-line demos) and activities throughout.
Mobile DNA III
Author: Michael Chandler
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1555819214
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 1321
Book Description
An exploration of the raw power of genetic material to refashion itself to any purpose... Virtually all organisms contain multiple mobile DNAs that can move from place to place, and in some organisms, mobile DNA elements make up a significant portion of the genome. Mobile DNA III provides a comprehensive review of recent research, including findings suggesting the important role that mobile elements play in genome evolution and stability. Editor-in-Chief Nancy L. Craig assembled a team of multidisciplinary experts to develop this cutting-edge resource that covers the specific molecular mechanisms involved in recombination, including a detailed structural analysis of the enzymes responsible presents a detailed account of the many different recombination systems that can rearrange genomes examines the tremendous impact of mobile DNA in virtually all organisms Mobile DNA III is valuable as an in-depth supplemental reading for upper level life sciences students and as a reference for investigators exploring new biological systems. Biomedical researchers will find documentation of recent advances in understanding immune-antigen conflict between host and pathogen. It introduces biotechnicians to amazing tools for in vivo control of designer DNAs. It allows specialists to pick and choose advanced reviews of specific elements and to be drawn in by unexpected parallels and contrasts among the elements in diverse organisms. Mobile DNA III provides the most lucid reviews of these complex topics available anywhere.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1555819214
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 1321
Book Description
An exploration of the raw power of genetic material to refashion itself to any purpose... Virtually all organisms contain multiple mobile DNAs that can move from place to place, and in some organisms, mobile DNA elements make up a significant portion of the genome. Mobile DNA III provides a comprehensive review of recent research, including findings suggesting the important role that mobile elements play in genome evolution and stability. Editor-in-Chief Nancy L. Craig assembled a team of multidisciplinary experts to develop this cutting-edge resource that covers the specific molecular mechanisms involved in recombination, including a detailed structural analysis of the enzymes responsible presents a detailed account of the many different recombination systems that can rearrange genomes examines the tremendous impact of mobile DNA in virtually all organisms Mobile DNA III is valuable as an in-depth supplemental reading for upper level life sciences students and as a reference for investigators exploring new biological systems. Biomedical researchers will find documentation of recent advances in understanding immune-antigen conflict between host and pathogen. It introduces biotechnicians to amazing tools for in vivo control of designer DNAs. It allows specialists to pick and choose advanced reviews of specific elements and to be drawn in by unexpected parallels and contrasts among the elements in diverse organisms. Mobile DNA III provides the most lucid reviews of these complex topics available anywhere.
The Lightroom Mobile Book
Author: Scott Kelby
Publisher: New Riders
ISBN: 0134547489
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 227
Book Description
This is the eBook of the printed book and may not include any media, website access codes, or print supplements that may come packaged with the bound book. Scott Kelby, the #1 best-selling Lightroom book author, brings you everything you need to know about Lightroom Mobile in his newest book. Lightroom Mobile, which is kind of like an extension of the regular desktop version of Lightroom, allows users to use Lightroom on their iPads, iPhones, and Android devices. This is really handy because it lets you do a lot of the main things you use the desktop version for, but with Lightroom Mobile, you can easily do them on your mobile device. Plus, it’s “free,” and that’s a hard price to beat. The Lightroom Mobile Book, first shows you how to get up and running quickly. Then, comes the fun stuff, like telling Lightroom on your computer which collections you want access to over in Lightroom Mobile. Plus, you’ll learn how to manage your collections, add Pick flags and star ratings, move images, play slide shows, and a bunch of other important stuff you’ll want to know right up front. Then, you’ll learn how to edit your images in Lightroom Mobile, using the same Basic panel features found in the desktop version of Lightroom—it’s the same sliders that do the same thing, and it’s even in the same order. You’ll also learn how to easily crop images, as well as use the in-app camera. You’ll learn step by step how to set up Lightroom on your desktop and mobile device, so that during a shoot, you can hand your client your tablet and not only can they see the images coming in live as you shoot, they can make their own Picks, comments, and even share the link with someone at a different location, so they can be part of the shoot, and the approval process, too! There are lots of other handy features you’ll want to know about, and Scott tells you exactly how to use them just like he was sitting there beside you, using the same casual style as if he were telling a friend. In The Lightroom Mobile Book, Scott brings the whole process together in a clear, concise, and visual way. There is no faster, more straight-to-the-point, or more fun way to learn Lightroom Mobile than with this groundbreaking book.
Publisher: New Riders
ISBN: 0134547489
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 227
Book Description
This is the eBook of the printed book and may not include any media, website access codes, or print supplements that may come packaged with the bound book. Scott Kelby, the #1 best-selling Lightroom book author, brings you everything you need to know about Lightroom Mobile in his newest book. Lightroom Mobile, which is kind of like an extension of the regular desktop version of Lightroom, allows users to use Lightroom on their iPads, iPhones, and Android devices. This is really handy because it lets you do a lot of the main things you use the desktop version for, but with Lightroom Mobile, you can easily do them on your mobile device. Plus, it’s “free,” and that’s a hard price to beat. The Lightroom Mobile Book, first shows you how to get up and running quickly. Then, comes the fun stuff, like telling Lightroom on your computer which collections you want access to over in Lightroom Mobile. Plus, you’ll learn how to manage your collections, add Pick flags and star ratings, move images, play slide shows, and a bunch of other important stuff you’ll want to know right up front. Then, you’ll learn how to edit your images in Lightroom Mobile, using the same Basic panel features found in the desktop version of Lightroom—it’s the same sliders that do the same thing, and it’s even in the same order. You’ll also learn how to easily crop images, as well as use the in-app camera. You’ll learn step by step how to set up Lightroom on your desktop and mobile device, so that during a shoot, you can hand your client your tablet and not only can they see the images coming in live as you shoot, they can make their own Picks, comments, and even share the link with someone at a different location, so they can be part of the shoot, and the approval process, too! There are lots of other handy features you’ll want to know about, and Scott tells you exactly how to use them just like he was sitting there beside you, using the same casual style as if he were telling a friend. In The Lightroom Mobile Book, Scott brings the whole process together in a clear, concise, and visual way. There is no faster, more straight-to-the-point, or more fun way to learn Lightroom Mobile than with this groundbreaking book.
Tap
Author: Anindya Ghose
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262340410
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 242
Book Description
How the smartphone can become a personal concierge (not a stalker) in the mobile marketing revolution of smarter companies, value-seeking consumers, and curated offers. Consumers create a data trail by tapping their phones; businesses can tap into this trail to harness the power of the more than three trillion dollar mobile economy. According to Anindya Ghose, a global authority on the mobile economy, this two-way exchange can benefit both customers and businesses. In Tap, Ghose welcomes us to the mobile economy of smartphones, smarter companies, and value-seeking consumers. Drawing on his extensive research in the United States, Europe, and Asia, and on a variety of real-world examples from companies including Alibaba, China Mobile, Coke, Facebook, SK Telecom, Telefónica, and Travelocity, Ghose describes some intriguingly contradictory consumer behavior: people seek spontaneity, but they are predictable; they find advertising annoying, but they fear missing out; they value their privacy, but they increasingly use personal data as currency. When mobile advertising is done well, Ghose argues, the smartphone plays the role of a personal concierge—a butler, not a stalker. Ghose identifies nine forces that shape consumer behavior, including time, crowdedness, trajectory, and weather, and he examines these how these forces operate, separately and in combination. With Tap, he highlights the true influence mobile wields over shoppers, the behavioral and economic motivations behind that influence, and the lucrative opportunities it represents. In a world of artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, wearable technologies, smart homes, and the Internet of Things, the future of the mobile economy seems limitless.
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262340410
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 242
Book Description
How the smartphone can become a personal concierge (not a stalker) in the mobile marketing revolution of smarter companies, value-seeking consumers, and curated offers. Consumers create a data trail by tapping their phones; businesses can tap into this trail to harness the power of the more than three trillion dollar mobile economy. According to Anindya Ghose, a global authority on the mobile economy, this two-way exchange can benefit both customers and businesses. In Tap, Ghose welcomes us to the mobile economy of smartphones, smarter companies, and value-seeking consumers. Drawing on his extensive research in the United States, Europe, and Asia, and on a variety of real-world examples from companies including Alibaba, China Mobile, Coke, Facebook, SK Telecom, Telefónica, and Travelocity, Ghose describes some intriguingly contradictory consumer behavior: people seek spontaneity, but they are predictable; they find advertising annoying, but they fear missing out; they value their privacy, but they increasingly use personal data as currency. When mobile advertising is done well, Ghose argues, the smartphone plays the role of a personal concierge—a butler, not a stalker. Ghose identifies nine forces that shape consumer behavior, including time, crowdedness, trajectory, and weather, and he examines these how these forces operate, separately and in combination. With Tap, he highlights the true influence mobile wields over shoppers, the behavioral and economic motivations behind that influence, and the lucrative opportunities it represents. In a world of artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, wearable technologies, smart homes, and the Internet of Things, the future of the mobile economy seems limitless.
Mobile Usability
Author: Jakob Nielsen
Publisher: Pearson Education
ISBN: 0133122174
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 596
Book Description
How do we create a satisfactory user experience when limited to a small device? This new guide focuses on usability for mobile devices, primarily smartphones and touchphones, and covers such topics as developing a mobile strategy, designing for small screens, writing for mobile, usability comparisons, and looking toward the future. The book includes 228-full color illustrations to demonstrate the points. Based on expert reviews and international studies with participants ranging from students to early technology adopters and business people using websites on a variety of mobile devices, this guide offers a complete look at the landscape for a mobile world. Author Jakob Nielsen is considered one of the world's leading experts on Web usability. He is the author of numerous best-selling books, including Prioritizing Web Usability and the groundbreaking Designing Web Usability, which has sold more than 250,000 copies and has been translated in 22 languages.
Publisher: Pearson Education
ISBN: 0133122174
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 596
Book Description
How do we create a satisfactory user experience when limited to a small device? This new guide focuses on usability for mobile devices, primarily smartphones and touchphones, and covers such topics as developing a mobile strategy, designing for small screens, writing for mobile, usability comparisons, and looking toward the future. The book includes 228-full color illustrations to demonstrate the points. Based on expert reviews and international studies with participants ranging from students to early technology adopters and business people using websites on a variety of mobile devices, this guide offers a complete look at the landscape for a mobile world. Author Jakob Nielsen is considered one of the world's leading experts on Web usability. He is the author of numerous best-selling books, including Prioritizing Web Usability and the groundbreaking Designing Web Usability, which has sold more than 250,000 copies and has been translated in 22 languages.
Mobile Marketing
Author: Cindy Krum
Publisher: Pearson Education
ISBN: 0768694795
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 580
Book Description
Mobile Marketing Finding Your Customers No Matter Where They Are Use Mobile Marketing to Supercharge Brands, Sales, and Profits! Using brand-new mobile marketing techniques, you can craft campaigns that are more personal, targeted, immediate, measurable, actionable–and fun! Now, one of the field’s leading pioneers shows exactly how to make mobile marketing work for your business. Cindy Krum cuts through the hype, revealing what’s working–and what isn’t. She guides you through identifying the right strategies and tactics for your products, services, brands, and customers...avoiding overly intrusive, counterproductive techniques...and how to successfully integrate mobile into your existing marketing mix. Above all, Krum shows you how to effectively execute on your mobile marketing opportunities–driving greater brand awareness, stronger customer loyalty, more sales, and higher profits. Topics include Getting started fast with mobile marketing Understanding the international mobile marketing landscape Targeting and tracking the fast-changing mobile demographic Taking full advantage of the iPhone platform Leveraging mobile advertising, promotion, and location-based marketing Building micro-sites and mobile applications Performing search engine optimization for mobile sites and applications Building effective mobile affiliate marketing programs Integrating online and offline mobile marketing Avoiding mobile marketing spam, viruses, and privacy violations Previewing the future of mobile marketing
Publisher: Pearson Education
ISBN: 0768694795
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 580
Book Description
Mobile Marketing Finding Your Customers No Matter Where They Are Use Mobile Marketing to Supercharge Brands, Sales, and Profits! Using brand-new mobile marketing techniques, you can craft campaigns that are more personal, targeted, immediate, measurable, actionable–and fun! Now, one of the field’s leading pioneers shows exactly how to make mobile marketing work for your business. Cindy Krum cuts through the hype, revealing what’s working–and what isn’t. She guides you through identifying the right strategies and tactics for your products, services, brands, and customers...avoiding overly intrusive, counterproductive techniques...and how to successfully integrate mobile into your existing marketing mix. Above all, Krum shows you how to effectively execute on your mobile marketing opportunities–driving greater brand awareness, stronger customer loyalty, more sales, and higher profits. Topics include Getting started fast with mobile marketing Understanding the international mobile marketing landscape Targeting and tracking the fast-changing mobile demographic Taking full advantage of the iPhone platform Leveraging mobile advertising, promotion, and location-based marketing Building micro-sites and mobile applications Performing search engine optimization for mobile sites and applications Building effective mobile affiliate marketing programs Integrating online and offline mobile marketing Avoiding mobile marketing spam, viruses, and privacy violations Previewing the future of mobile marketing
Mobile Pet Grooming
Author: Jodi Murphy
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780983972006
Category : Dog grooming industry
Languages : en
Pages : 162
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780983972006
Category : Dog grooming industry
Languages : en
Pages : 162
Book Description
Mobile 3D Graphics
Author: Kari Pulli
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0080555918
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 462
Book Description
Graphics and game developers must learn to program for mobility. This book will teach you how. "This book - written by some of the key technical experts...provides a comprehensive but practical and easily understood introduction for any software engineer seeking to delight the consumer with rich 3D interactive experiences on their phone. Like the OpenGL ES and M3G standards it covers, this book is destined to become an enduring standard for many years to come." - Lincoln Wallen, CTO, Electronic Arts, Mobile"This book is an escalator, which takes the field to new levels. This is especially true because the text ensures that the topic is easily accessible to everyone with some background in computer science...The foundations of this book are clear, and the authors are extremely knowledgeable about the subject. - Tomas Akenine-Möller, bestselling author and Professor of Computer Science at Lund University "This book is an excellent introduction to M3G. The authors are all experienced M3G users and developers, and they do a great job of conveying that experience, as well as plenty of practical advice that has been proven in the field." - Sean Ellis, Consultant Graphics Engineer, ARM LtdThe exploding popularity of mobile computing is undeniable. From cell phones to portable gaming systems, the global demand for multifunctional mobile devices is driving amazing hardware and software developments. 3D graphics are becoming an integral part of these ubiquitous devices, and as a result, Mobile 3D Graphics is arguably the most rapidly advancing area of the computer graphics discipline. Mobile 3D Graphics is about writing real-time 3D graphics applications for mobile devices. The programming interfaces explained and demonstrated in this must-have reference enable dynamic 3D media on cell phones, GPS systems, portable gaming consoles and media players. The text begins by providing thorough coverage of background essentials, then presents detailed hands-on examples, including extensive working code in both of the dominant mobile APIs, OpenGL ES and M3G. C/C++ and Java Developers, graphic artists, students, and enthusiasts would do well to have a programmable mobile phone on hand to try out the techniques described in this book. The authors, industry experts who helped to develop the OpenGL ES and M3G standards, distill their years of accumulated knowledge within these pages, offering their insights into everything from sound mobile design principles and constraints, to efficient rendering, mixing 2D and 3D, lighting, texture mapping, skinning and morphing. Along the way, readers will benefit from the hundreds of included tips, tricks and caveats. - Written by experts at Nokia whose workshops at industry conferences are blockbusters - The programs used in the examples are featured in thousands of professional courses each year
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0080555918
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 462
Book Description
Graphics and game developers must learn to program for mobility. This book will teach you how. "This book - written by some of the key technical experts...provides a comprehensive but practical and easily understood introduction for any software engineer seeking to delight the consumer with rich 3D interactive experiences on their phone. Like the OpenGL ES and M3G standards it covers, this book is destined to become an enduring standard for many years to come." - Lincoln Wallen, CTO, Electronic Arts, Mobile"This book is an escalator, which takes the field to new levels. This is especially true because the text ensures that the topic is easily accessible to everyone with some background in computer science...The foundations of this book are clear, and the authors are extremely knowledgeable about the subject. - Tomas Akenine-Möller, bestselling author and Professor of Computer Science at Lund University "This book is an excellent introduction to M3G. The authors are all experienced M3G users and developers, and they do a great job of conveying that experience, as well as plenty of practical advice that has been proven in the field." - Sean Ellis, Consultant Graphics Engineer, ARM LtdThe exploding popularity of mobile computing is undeniable. From cell phones to portable gaming systems, the global demand for multifunctional mobile devices is driving amazing hardware and software developments. 3D graphics are becoming an integral part of these ubiquitous devices, and as a result, Mobile 3D Graphics is arguably the most rapidly advancing area of the computer graphics discipline. Mobile 3D Graphics is about writing real-time 3D graphics applications for mobile devices. The programming interfaces explained and demonstrated in this must-have reference enable dynamic 3D media on cell phones, GPS systems, portable gaming consoles and media players. The text begins by providing thorough coverage of background essentials, then presents detailed hands-on examples, including extensive working code in both of the dominant mobile APIs, OpenGL ES and M3G. C/C++ and Java Developers, graphic artists, students, and enthusiasts would do well to have a programmable mobile phone on hand to try out the techniques described in this book. The authors, industry experts who helped to develop the OpenGL ES and M3G standards, distill their years of accumulated knowledge within these pages, offering their insights into everything from sound mobile design principles and constraints, to efficient rendering, mixing 2D and 3D, lighting, texture mapping, skinning and morphing. Along the way, readers will benefit from the hundreds of included tips, tricks and caveats. - Written by experts at Nokia whose workshops at industry conferences are blockbusters - The programs used in the examples are featured in thousands of professional courses each year