Telecom/1996-04-telecom-walnutcreek.iso/book.reviews/crossing.inet.threshold

Text File | 1995-01-02 | 3.7 KB | 79 lines

Date: Sat, 05 Feb 1994 14:38:57 MDT
From: Rob Slade <[e-mail]>
Subject: Book Review: "Crossing the Internet Threshold" by Tennant/Ober/Lipow


BKCRSTHR.RVW  931229

Library Solutions Institute and Press
2137 Oregon St.
Berkeley, CA   94705
510-841-2933   510-841-2636
or
1100 Industrial Road, Suite 9
San Carlos, CA   94070
fax: [phone]
"Crossing the Internet Threshold", Tennant/Ober/Lipow, 1882208013, U$45.00
[e-mail] [e-mail]
[e-mail]

This book is useful for newcomers to the Internet.  This book is
useful for trainers.  This book is useful for librarians.  Ultimately,
this book is most useful for those training librarians who are new to
the Internet.

The contents cover the basics as an introduction to the Internet.
There is an "Internetworking Overview" which is a bit long for a
beginner but helpful for a trainer.  "Important Information for
Beginners" is important, but primarily to those needing either to get
a connection to the Internet or to keep current with Internet
developments.  The bibliography is generally sound and with helpful
annotations.  (There are some gaps, such as no mention of O'Reilly and
Associates "!%@::" (cf BKDEMAC.RVW), but most of the other references
one might name are more recent publications.)  Three chapters cover
email, remote login and file transfers (ftp).  There are very helpful
"fact sheets" on the basics of related functions, such as archive and
gopher, as well as projects such as Freenet.  In addition, there are
trainers' aids, and appendix materials.

A newcomer to the Internet might find this material a bit disorganized,
but very definitely helpful and useful.  It is heartening to see the
very strong emphasis on Internet etiquette and culture which all too
often gets short shrift, even in introductory guides.  The grouping of
discussion lists and electronic journals with email is a logical
extension which is not always made.  The work is not limited to the
novice, though; many Internet users would find the fact sheets to be a
handy quick reference.

The material here was originally developed for a workshop and,
unfortunately, it is all too obvious at some points.  The Internet
maps and certain other materials could be useful in seminars, but have
no associated explanatory materials.  The exercises are useful but
missing information at certain points.  For example, the list of
special databases to try out does not always have full information on
how to log in.  This would, of course, be supplied in the workshop,
and can be figured out by an experienced "net surfer," but it would be
nice to see more help for novice users.  The training resources, as
well, would require some work.  The "Introduction to Networking"
overhead, for example, is far too cluttered, and, realistically,
should be subdivided into at least five parts.  This is, however, the
first of a series of related works.  As the material is subdivided,
and the different audiences defined, the material will undoubtedly
improve.  The work shows a fundamental understanding and promise which
bodes well for future editions, once organization and isolated
materials are improved.

Still, the book is useful to all those parties mentioned in the
opening paragraph.  For those serious about Internet training, or the
use of the Internet in a library situation, this should definitely be
on your bookshelf.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993   BKCRSTHR.RVW  931229. Resdistribution
permitted only via TELECOM Digest and associated newsgroups/mailing lists.

======================
DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters
Editor and/or reviewer [e-mail], [e-mail], Rob Slade at 1:153/733
DECUS Symposium '94, Vancouver, BC, Mar 1-3, 1994, contact: [e-mail]