Client/Server Survival Guide, 3rd Edition

Rating:
Summary: But for the bias, this would have been an excellent piece!
Review: This book put the computer world and the goings-on within it into perspective for me - a relative newcomer. I now know how much I don't know and much more about what I need to know. I particularly enjoyed reading about - and am sold into - their vision of the Object Web. The good humour of the authors helped in getting through the jungle of acronyms. For more enjoyable reading, I suggest that the authors add a glossary for the acronyms at the back of the book. Moreover, some of the details about the players were overwhelming at times. Most disappointing was, however, the obvious bias against Microsoft, the Industry leader. This greatly undermined the reading. It is somewhat hard for me to keep the faith while listening to someone with an obvious bias. There was no need for that. Imagine talking about the top Desktop databases and not mentioning Access. The authors could hardly find one favourable thing to say about Microsoft. I expected better of teachers.

Rating:
Summary: it might worth reading but not worth buying
Review: This book will clear some concept for you in client/server area if you not familar with that before. However, in my opinion, it not worth buying because after you read it once, it's not worth to read again. I bought if for preparing Java Architect Certificate, however, I think it far more than enough if you read this book only. Suggestion, borrow from somewhere to read, not to buy.

Rating:
Summary: Best source made better with time
Review: Updated to cover internet, transaction servers and still a must-have reference

Rating:
Summary: Excellent treatment of the myriad aspects of client/server
Review: We use this book as the required textbook for a graduate-level computer science course I teach at Boston University. It does an excellent job presenting a zillion different topics, and pulls them together better than any other book I've seen. I particularly like the Soapbox sections that are clearly marked as representing the authors' opinions. Server hardware architecture is the only critical subject area where one wishes for more. The Third Edition covers the latest technologies, e.g., XML, with clear, easily understood examples. This book is approachable enough to be useful in a graduate business school class on managing technology projects. Conversely, for the techno-savvy, it is not terribly detailed, but it provides a great jumping-off point for further research.

Rating:
Summary: Great reference and overall perspective
Review: You won't become an expert in anything with this book. It is a great overview on where we are today in client/server technology. Not too techie, but not an insult for those with double-digit experience in the mainframe arena. The authors have made it tolerable enough to read 10 pages without dozing off and hitting your head on the desk. I have made this a reference book rather than trying to plod through it from beginning to end. I don't know every acronym and am curious about other technologies that we currently aren't using at work. I'm a project leader and value the clear descriptions with just enough information to ask the right questions at a meeting or know whether to further pursue a more detailed write-up.