Telecom/1996-04-telecom-walnutcreek.iso/book.reviews/dr.macintosh.guide

Amigaguide Document | 1995-01-01 | 8KB

Date: 30 Oct 93 15:34 -0600
From: Rob Slade <[e-mail]>
Subject: Book Review: "Dr. Macintosh's Guide to the Online Universe"
Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.
Kelly Ford, Promotion/Publicity Coordinator
P.O. Box 520   26 Prince Andrew Place
Don Mills, Ontario  M3C 2T8
416-447-5101   fax: [phone]
1 Jacob Way   Reading, MA   01867-9984
800-527-5210  617-944-3700
5851 Guion Road
Indianapolis, IN   46254
800-447-2226
Dr. Macintosh's Guide to the On-Line Universe, LeVitus/Ihnatko,
U$24.95/C$31.95
[e-mail] [e-mail] [e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
At the low end of the computer world there are tremendous fights about
"my computer is better than your computer."  Most books aimed at the
beginner show one sort of bias or another.  Only at the higher ranges
of computerdom does one realize that it is not what is on the desk
that counts, but what you *do* with it.  Therefore it is refreshing,
and heartening, to find a book ostensibly for the Macintosh user which
could be an excellent introduction for *any* computer user.
The preface, and chapter one as well, is the pitch.  Here the authors
(or the verbose one, anyway) extol the virtues of the "online life".
Although, as is very often the case, they include some very specific
examples which may not convince the, "but what if I'm not interested
in *that*?" crowd, it is nice to see a conservative approach to the
presentation.  A welcome change from those who promise the earth ...
and often deliver very little.
Chapter two covers the modem side of things.  Actually, it is a bit
broader than that, as it also deals with phone jacks, and even a bit
about phone service (with reference to the missing bits later in the
book).  Some points are discussed very flippantly, such as the
explanation that the modem turns data into "a noise like static" and
then back again.  At other points the book contradicts itself, for
example stating (page 33) that 9600 bps is the highest speed
manufacturers agree on and, then (page 34), discussing the V.32 bis
standard of 14,400 bps modems.  These minor quibbles aside, the level
of detail is probably just right for the new user, and yet pretty much
all the important topics are covered in sufficient depth to give the
newcomer a fighting chance at the modem store.
Chapter three discusses software.  Not in as much detail as hardware;
in fact, it's downright terse.  One aspect I would have liked to have
seen at least mentioned is the ability to put a comm window in the
background ... and still have it operate.  (Don't take this for
granted: it *doesn't* always work.)  Also, while a preference is
expressed for shareware, MacKermit isn't mentioned and it's free.
(Well, OK.  The last version I saw *was* a little shy on features.)
Again, however, these are minor complaints in the face of a well-
prepared and presented coverage of the features to be examined.  There
is also a quick set of reviews of the major programs.
Most books on computer communications are unwilling to tackle that all
important setup and first session(s) on line.  LeVitus and Ihnatko
have done a very thorough job in ensuring that all the bases are
covered.  Everything from cabling to command strings to software setup
to communications parameters are mentioned.  Not always thoroughly,
mind you.  Getting a full "verbose" result from a modem usually
requires two, or even three, different commands.  Again, the material
contradicts itself, stating that a modem *doesn't* require a
"handshaking" cable for data compression on page 77, and that it
*does* on page 93.  (Most salesmen will likely have difficulty finding
a "hardware handshaking cable" at that.  More standard terminology
refers to "terminal" cables, with four connectors wired, "modem"
cables, usually with eight connectors wired, and "serial" or "RS-232"
cables with all twenty-five connectors wired.  These last, of course,
could not accommodate the Mac eight-pin connector.)  However, once
again, these limitations are fairly minor in comparison to the overall
value of this chapter, right down to examples of screens when either
the speed or data parameters are mismatched.
Chapters five and six cover the two most common aspects of the new
users' online life, Messaging (either private email or posting public
messages) and downloading of files.  Again, the progression and the
explanations are both logical and clear.  The examples are all taken
from a TBBS bulletin board: examples from other systems would likely
have been helpful in broadening the concept.  The explanations,
though, are quite complete, and it should be fairly easy for the
reader to extend the concepts to other systems.  (Again, one Mac-
specific reference reminds me of how little "Mac only" material there
is here, and how useful to users, regardless of computer "stripe".)
One oddity is the discussion of "real time conferencing" in chapter
six, with files, when it might more logically be lumped in with
messaging.
Chapter seven gives an overview of the various types of online
services to which one can connect.  Local BBSes, as well as
specialized commercial services, are covered, as is the use of Fido
technology for networking.  Intriguingly, the Internet is lumped in
with CompuServe, America Online and GEnie as part of a "big four".
(The authors make the common mistake of confusing the Internet with
Usenet newsgroups.)  Still, for once we have a book that recognizes
*all* the levels of services, including private corporate BBSes.
The online community, and the etiquette thereof, are discussed in
chapter eight.  This chapter covers pretty much the whole range of
online behaviour, and the different activities that are acceptable on
different types of systems.  Depth, however, may be lacking in certain
areas.  For example, users are warned against the different types of
unacceptable messages, and specifically against abusive messages, or
flames, but nothing is said about the unintentional slights, such as
flippant responses to emotionally charged messages, which may trigger
"flame wars".  (Also, in light of the previous chapter's familiarity
with newsgroups, Usenet's standard "This message will be posted to
thousands of machines: are you sure?" could have been used in support
of the sections on "hogging" -- and fits right in with the authors'
quirky views.)
Chapter nine deals with advanced topics: computer-to-computer
communications, for two individuals, running a BBS, scripting and
others.  Chapter ten talks about security.  First is a basically sound
overview of the virus situation, and then a reiteration and extension
of the discussion of passwords started in chapter five.
There are six appendices.  The glossary is quite reasonable, as is the
"AT" command set listing, although the descriptions are necessarily
brief and may not be terribly helpful with the rather bizarre setup
contortions that are required to deal with real problems.  An overview
of the Macintosh Communications Toolbox is interesting, and the vendor
address listing may be very helpful, indeed.  The "Smattering of
BBSes" is just that, while the serial wiring diagrams would be *very*
useful -- if it weren't for the fact that the two diagrams use
completely different terms for the pins that need to be connected.
The preface starts out with, "You're standing in the bookstore ...
wondering if it's worth buying.  The answer is, yes."  I can agree
with that.  The book may very well be the best way to learn to use
data communications with a Mac: it certainly is one of the best
introductions for new users regardless of the system.  For those
somewhat familiar with computer communications, the section detailing
the guide to the online universe is nothing new, but for neophytes,
this is an excellent introduction.
(Interesting.  Of all the communications books reviewed so far, the
best "introductions" are not the supposed generic and basic books, but
two very system specific books: "Using MS-DOS Kermit" (cf BKUMSKMT.RVW),
and this.)
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993   BKDMGTOU.RVW  930917
Permission granted to distribute with unedited copies of the TELECOM
Digest and associated mailing lists/newsgroups.
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]