Online! The Book

Rating:
Summary: The missing manual for the internet
Review: As an average computer user with some moderate knowledge of computers, software and the internet, I was curious about "Online-The Book." Would I benefit from reading it? John Dvorak is one of my favorite writers on computing subjects and I've been reading his columns for years. But how can anyone write a book about everything online? The authors, Dvorak and co-author Chris Pirillo (who has the infamous Lockergnome computer guru site) have really done an admirable job covering the subject.

This book isn't just about surfing the net. It starts with your computer, the basic components of hardware and software, to networks, the history of online systems from BBS's to university intranets to todays' internet. There is a fascinating, if horrifying section about spam email and how the spammers work. (Hint, if you have a homepage, remove your email address or alter it like "my-name-at-whatever-dot-com.") Dvorak et. al. also cover ebusiness, and most importantly, internet security and issues of identity theft and spoofing to gain passwords. Firewalls are discussed, as are internet hoaxes and scams. SSL or "secure socket layers", the technology that keeps your credit card and banking information secure when ordering online is also described.

The book is really aimed at the widest swath of basic users who have some or even a fair amount of knowledge. If you go online, this is a very excellent reference that EXPLAINS how things work in reasonably simple terms, but without dumbing down the information. I found a lot of useful facts here. I'd recommended as a shelf reference for most computers users, and it could even be a good textbook for a community college course for people learning about using computers on the internet.

Rating:
Summary: For the Mind that Loves Being Online
Review: By nature, I'm the type of Internet user who only goes looking for information when I absolutely need it. It is pretty easy to get lost while online. Not to mention, distracted by tantalizing tidbits of information.

Most books about the Internet seem to focus on Web sites or specific Web toys and topics. This book not only covers all the basics of online life, it also fills in the gaps with amazing secrets you won't find anywhere else. Yes, there are also plenty of URLs, yet that is not the main focus.

John C. Dvorak and Chris Pirillo have created the ultimate Internet manual. In a matter of hours, you can read the latest information on hardware basics, ISPs, Music Downloads, E-Commerce, Gaming, Downloading, Email, Spam, Security, Viruses, Creating Your Own Web Site, Web Programming Languages, The Blog Phenomenon, Streaming Media, The Inner workings of a Modem, Networking, PDAs, Internet Marketing, Webcams, Content Management Instant Messaging, Peer-to-Peer Communication and Internet Law.

John C. Dvorak writes the Inside Track column for PC Magazine and has been writing opinion columns about computers since the 1970s. Internet Guru Chris Pirillo has a site where you can find everything from the "Top 50 Windows XP Tips and Tricks" to "The 10 Quick Steps to Being a Great Radio Guest." If you are a Windows Fanatic or want to keep your mind updated with the latest information, Chris has it covered. Ok, so he has lots of sites and even developed a Brain Trust.

Wendy Taylor, the former editor of PC Computing, worked as the project manager and coordinated the knowledge flowing in from a team of experts from various organizations. Her organization of the material is awe inspiring.

This Book is divided into four main sections:

The Basics of Surfing - Shows the value of the Internet
Detailed Information on Downloads, Security and Virus Protection
How to Create a Web site
A Collection of Technical Information

So, how will this book be of benefit to you?

1. Are you buying a new computer? - Read chapter 2 on Hardware Basics and find out that in exclusive circles people are talking about "overclocking." Beware the blue screen of death. The great feature of this chapter is the ability to quickly find information fast. If you are ordering a computer online and want to know the details about SDRAM, pg. 32 gives a basic overview. Then, skip on over to chapter 11 to read about security and chapter 12 to learn about viruses. Read about some famous viruses and learn how they operate. Did you know your computer is probably filled with spyware? Learn how to delete cookies and install antivirus programs.

2. Love to Shop? This book has ideas on how to get the best combination of price and service for your next purchase. It also shows you how to establish yourself as a seller at major sites like eBay and Amazon Marketplace. You can sell just about anything at Amazon. There are a variety of programs and I've tried zShops and loved how fast items sold. Amazon now sells gourmet food!

3. Did your phone company offer to rent you a Cable modem or DSL router? How much are you willing to pay to surf fast? Do you want to save money? How much time do you think you will be spending online? This book has helpful advice for every question I've ever had about online life.

4. Interested in Meeting People? I'm glad the authors to talk about the emotional strain of online life. While it can be freeing to tell your best friend all the details of your life, it can be equally unpleasant to find you trusted the wrong person. It is however, very likely that you have a number of soul mates out there who can make your online life feel more like home. You might never meet them unless you were online. This section discusses chatrooms, lurking, netiquette, instant messaging, online dating, emoticons, acronyms, chat shorthand and even an interesting section on Japanese emoticons.

5. Do you have your own Web site? The authors have summarized the basics. These are all concepts I learned by trial and error. I'll agree, FrontPage is amazing. Chapter 14 explains the basics of web programming Languages. HTML, WML, HDML, XML and JavaScript all make their appearance.

6. Want to go Wireless? Read about how you can wear your computer or buy a smartphone.

7. Starting a Business? Read the chapters on Internet Marketing and E-Commerce.

8. Interested in Downloading Music? Read an article about the RIAA and Napster.

An Exclusive Online Guide should appear soon. You have to love books that have their own site with additional information.

"Online! The Book!" is the Official Netizen Brain Update! My little online heart also did a few flips. There is some exciting information in this book. I spent all night in a reading trance except when I was giggling over the witty lines. You can spend two years finding some of the secrets of online life, or you can just spend the evening dining on intellectual treats from "Online! The Book!"

~TheRebeccaReview.com

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You Are Here Traveling with JohnnyJet.com: The Ultimate Internet Travel Guide

e.encyclopedia: The ultimate online learning resource

Rating:
Summary: This book is terrible
Review: I was trying to do research about the Internet, and this book didn't provide any useful information at all!! How can a book by that Tech TV guy not be a good source of information!?? I feel like I was ripped off. I am not a happy customer.

Rating:
Summary: do not start reading this!!
Review: if you get this book and start reading it, you will not be able to put it down! the written style is one of fun and lots of information. the author goes into detail about everything you want to know about the web, and lots of things you didn't even think of. it is a must have for someone that wants to get the most for their money.

Rating:
Summary: Good newbie guide to the Internet
Review: If you read PC Magazine on any kind of a regular basis, you already know 95% of what's in this book. If you're relatively new to the Internet, it's a great way to get up to speed quickly. A very thorough newbie guide to the Internet.

Rating:
Summary: An Archive of Online-Related History and Information
Review: Online! The Book was hard for me to read, and didn't reward my efforts very well. I have never found a book that contained so many details that I was not interested in, did not help me or did not add to my knowledge. I don't really care to know the complete history of every development on the Internet. Further, many chapters repeated the same points (such as on Spam).

The book is pitched as being helpful for everyone from those who have never logged on before to those who are techies and want to know more. While that may be true, the book's structure makes no attempt to separate beginner information from advanced. So beginners will probably get the idea that they need to know everything here. In addition, in the areas where I am very interested in learning more . . . there wasn't enough detail for me. I suspect most people will prefer more specialized books in their areas of interest.

The main benefit I got from the book was some new Web sites to check out on subjects that interest me. But that wasn't enough benefit to make it worth reading the whole book. I could probably have picked up similar information by surfing the Web or reading more focused books in much less time.

Here are the chapter subjects: The Online World; Hardware Basics; Internet Service Providers; Finding What You Need; Music; E-Commerce; Meeting People; Gaming; Downloading Online Content; Email and Spam; Security; Viruses; Get Your Web Site; Web Programming Languages; Blogs; Streaming Media; How Modems Work; Networking; Portable Devices; Internet Commuting; Webcams; Content Management; Business Web Sites; Enterprise Instant Messaging; Peer-to-Peer Communications; Internet Law; and Voice Over Internet Protocol.

While the authors seem knowledgeable (and their credentials suggest that they should be), they needed to have some professional readers to help them shape the content to readers' needs. For example, in all of the discussion about hardware I saw nothing about how a newbie might call Dell and have a custom machine designed and built to fit their needs. Also, there's nothing here for a newbie who enters a library and wants to use an Internet computer. Both experiences are probably pretty widespread, but are ignored here.

If you are new to computers and the Internet, find someone who is kind and patient to teach you the basics. Start out by telling that person what you want to do, and they can get you going in much less time than it takes to read this book.

As I finished the book, I found myself thinking about how important it is to get feedback from readers as authors write their books. Otherwise, the books are mainly relevant to the authors.

Rating:
Summary: THE Internet Manual
Review: The Internet doesn't come with a manual, but if it did, this is it. This sounds like an exaggeration, but it is not because the book literally covers almost everything for people at all levels computer literacy.

That sounds like a tall order, doesn't it? I agree, yet Dvorak, Pirillo, and Taylor have pulled it off. The book has almost 700 pages of rock solid content in 28 chapters covering hardware, music, meeting people, gaming, networking, email, and more.

Though I read as much as I can about technology since getting my first computer in 1980, the book has material that cover areas I know less about such as enterprise instant messaging and peer-to-peer communication.

The topics are tackled at the 30-foot level and the 30,000-foot level. For example, we know emails are those messages that fill up our mailboxes with some in the ugly disguise of spam. The email chapter has contents on its history, protocols, clients, spam (of course), header analysis, filtering, and etiquette.

Protocols, header analysis, and filtering are uncomfortable terms for some people. Techie words and concepts are clearly explained without leaving the reader scratching his head and re-reading the paragraph until his eyes cross. Most of the technical terms and tips are in a gray box, so if you don't want to deal with it you skip over the visual cue. Tips are also in little boxes with a photo of Pirillo running into a window (again) or Dvorak in his Hulk Hogan wanna-be garb.

Business folk benefit from chapters on commuting, Internet marketing, content management, business Web sites, Internet law, and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). The Ten-Step Commute chapter takes a trip into the world of teleworking with advice on how to sell it to the boss, setting up remote access, and security.

This is not the heavy, boring textbook students lug around campus. The authors throw in their senses of humor throughout the manual. You could find the stuff in the book (where else?) online, but it takes many searches and hours to find the gold nuggets. Take a break and let the book do its job.

Believe it or not, I didn't notice the sub-title of the book when I wrote the first paragraph. When I got the book, I went right inside the cover. Online! The Book lives up to its sub-title, "Because the Internet does not come with a manual."

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book!
Review: This book covers everything you need to know about the internet and how to navigate it. For those that were curious how to make the most out of their experience with the world of being online, I would definitely suggest this book... whether someone new, or a seasoned veteran. It covers numerous topics on email, spam, webpages, viruses, streaming media... the list goes on and on. Definitely a 'must have' book. :)

Rating:
Summary: Good newbie guide to the Internet
Review: This book is a relatively simplistic reference guide to getting started on the Internet. It is definitely geared to users of the AOL set; in other words, the uninitiated. While numerous topics are addressed, none are approached with any kind of detail or particular interest, or particular order. It's merely a collection of factoids laid out in print.

There are some useful things to be gleaned from the text. For example, good information about how to stay off of spam mailing lists, how to avoid being infected by viruses and how to stay away from some of the Internet's most common pitfalls are provided.

The book also promotes some stereotypical behaviors that are generally associated with being taboo on the Internet. It is also written from a blatantly Windows-centric point of view. While not every book can be about Linux, MacOS? or other non-Microsoft technologies, Mr. Dvorak seems to be particularly dismissive of alternatives, citing high learning curves and lack of support, neither of which is really true anymore.

For the most part, I found little to endear me to this book, though there are a few genuinely interesting nuggets of advice and examples of useful computer- and network-related technologies interspersed within the monotony. Someone browsing bookstore shelves will probably be more attracted to a "Dummies" book than to this one. If I were standing next to one so inclined, I don't think I would try to dissuade them, either.

Rating:
Summary: Hyperbole! The Book
Review: Titling a volume `Online! The Book' and putting "The perfect gift for any computer user!" amongst other hyperbole on the back cover must rank as this years greatest act of hubris.

If only John C. Dvorak and Chris Pirillo (with Wendy Taylor) had been able to deliver. If only they had not strewn the book with error, verbiage and irrelevancy. Ah, well.

This volume in its 700 pages (divided into 28 chapters) tries to cover everything from hardware basics to voice over IP, in between touching on e-commerce, security, web programming, networking, content management and business websites, to name just six of the topics perhaps each better suited to a volume of their own.

This book skims, and skims fast, over a number of important and vital topics while dwelling on others that many will find useless. Chris Pirillo seems to be an expert on marketing, so that gets thirty pages, while web programming languages get ten. We get forty pages of `Hardware Basics,' which cover information vital to getting online such as operating systems, varieties of Intel chips, video cards and gaming audio drivers. I know that if I wanted to find the perfect spot to put sidebars about Babbage and von Neumann (essential to any book about getting online) I'd put them in the chapter on viruses. It seems as if the three authors said "we're contracted to seven hundred pages so let's just throw in topics we know a lot about until we get to seven hundred pages -- then stop."

Then there are the errors. We get editing errors like the text that tells us a `geostationary satellite' orbits at `about 22,300 miles,' next to a diagram showing the number 20,300 miles. We get errors in logic like the sidebar that has "DNS servers may run Apache, which is an open source Web server program" and goes on to imply that all DNS servers will run a web server. We get errors in grammar. We get paragraphs like "Although there are dynamic Web page URLs (meaning they change, or at least part of it does), most are static (stay the same). These can be dynamic by use of a programming error or dynamic because someone named the URL extension without adding a link elsewhere on the web site." With sentence construction like that I'm still not sure if the claim intended is true or not.

Did I like anything about this book? Sure, the chapter on `How A Modem (Really) Works' was full of good solid information. Other chapters were similar, particularly the two following on networking and handhelds, phones and PDAs. Others did contain some good information, just surrounded by dross.

You can go to the book's website, which is basically just a single page with yet more hyperbole ("Everything is here. Well-written. Comprehensive.") or visit the Prentice Hall page, which actually gives you a table of contents and a sample chapter. Just don't go straight to the Prentice Hall PTR home page and search for books with "Online" in the title, as that won't find it. Instead search for books with "Book" in the title.

I'd only recommend this book to those who want to spend a lot of time finding the good bits, a few minutes chuckling over some of the errors, and thirty dollars on a paperweight. If you're really looking for a `perfect gift' for people new new to the net, then find something cheaper covering just the essentials, and for those more expert, find a volume that actually covers a topic of interest well.