Rating: 
Summary: 2ND EDITION IS A MUST HAVE FOR LAN PEOPLE
Review: A long time ago I bought the 1st edition of this book and at the time it was pretty good, since it was the only book you could get with decent illustrations....so I got the 2nd Edition. I have to say that anyone that is getting into voice from the LAN end of the spectrum has got to have this edition (2nd). It is faaaaaar better than the first. I also have the Newton's Telecom Dictionary 17th, which covers more of the frivilous items related to everything, but I find myself reaching for this one more often, mostly because the terms are defined in better detail. If you are looking at getting an updated book for telecom terms, I say try this one.
Rating:
Summary: Great Reference
Review: After receiving this book/CD in a telecom training class, it has been more usefull than the training class itself. It has more than provided me with all of the reference material I have needed while researching options for a new IP Telephone solution for my company. This is probably the most usefull book I have ever had when it comes to general network references. I recommend it to anyone that is interested in mixing voice and data. Now; if someone could just write a book like this about MEN, all my problems would be solved!!! ;-)
Rating:
Summary: 3rd IS EVEN BETTER THAN 2nd
Review: I have both the 1st and 2nd edition of this book as well as the 3rd. I also have a copy of the ever popular Newton's Telecom Dictionary 17th edition, and the 15th. I use them both. Suprised, I have read the other reviews on this book and none do a comparison with Newtons Telecom Dictionary so here goes.....Newtons version covers LOTS of terms, with quick simple, sometimes too simple definitions. For acronyms it rules, if it is not here you probably wont find it anywhere. It is very simple and 99.99% text. The mcGraw version also has LOTS of terms even some that I could not find in the Newton Dictionary, but does not include frivilous terminology or interest items that Newtons does. What it does have are TONS and TONS of pictures-diagrams and more MEAT in the definitions (illustrations really help) that are certainly more valuable to the would be techie, or someone that really needs to understand the application of the terminology. The CD included with the book puts it in a class higher than the Newton package, with pages taken from other books and the whole dictionary in adobe format. The other book links are on the page of the definition they refer too. Only bad thing about this book is there are a few typos.... The books are difficult to compare because they are so different in style. Anyone as serious as I am will probably opt for owning a copy of both. Simply stated, the Newton dictionary is more QUANTITY oriented, and the McGraw-Hill dictionary is extremely QUALITY oriented. I would rate them both a 5..... but since the Newtons does not come with the CD I gave it a 4. Anyone that will be working with voice PBX or IP Voice MUST have this 3rd edition book, just for the CD.
Rating:
Summary: 3rd IS EVEN BETTER THAN 2nd
Review: I have both the 1st and 2nd edition of this book as well as the 3rd. I also have a copy of the ever popular Newton's Telecom Dictionary 17th edition, and the 15th. I use them both. Suprised, I have read the other reviews on this book and none do a comparison with Newtons Telecom Dictionary so here goes..... Newtons version covers LOTS of terms, with quick simple, sometimes too simple definitions. For acronyms it rules, if it is not here you probably wont find it anywhere. It is very simple and 99.99% text. The mcGraw version also has LOTS of terms even some that I could not find in the Newton Dictionary, but does not include frivilous terminology or interest items that Newtons does. What it does have are TONS and TONS of pictures-diagrams and more MEAT in the definitions (illustrations really help) that are certainly more valuable to the would be techie, or someone that really needs to understand the application of the terminology. The CD included with the book puts it in a class higher than the Newton package, with pages taken from other books and the whole dictionary in adobe format. The other book links are on the page of the definition they refer too. Only bad thing about this book is there are a few typos.... The books are difficult to compare because they are so different in style. Anyone as serious as I am will probably opt for owning a copy of both. Simply stated, the Newton dictionary is more QUANTITY oriented, and the McGraw-Hill dictionary is extremely QUALITY oriented. I would rate them both a 5..... but since the Newtons does not come with the CD I gave it a 4. Anyone that will be working with voice PBX or IP Voice MUST have this 3rd edition book, just for the CD.
Rating: 
Summary: lacking in substance and difficult to use
Review: I work as a technical writer for a telecommunications company that markets enhanced directory assistance in the wholesale and retail markets. Since my primary audiences are engineers and technicians, I write about and have to understand the technical aspects of how switches, telephony, and telecommunications applications function. About this dictionary (the 3rd edition), though it appears to have many definitions, when you look into it, it's amazing how many concepts it does not cover. For example, it has very poor coverage of SS7 terminology. Further, McGraw-Hill writers don't seem to understand that people often refer to the same concept using slightly different terminology so the dictionary lacks "see also" references. This is an area where Newton's shines. Even if the term is in the McGraw Hill, it's hard to find. I was excited about the CD-ROM, but it's a only PDF file of the hard copy manual. The PDF does not include any search functionality beyond what the book offers itself. The CD-ROM would be much more worthwhile if it took advantage of modern-day help system technology to make an online document with advanced search features and multimedia presentations, neither of which are difficult to create. Overall, the McGraw-Hill dictionary has definitely not been worth its price. If you're looking for substance and ease-of-use, buy Newton's.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing and very U.S. oriented
Review: I'm a telecom trainer in England, and I can't recommend this book. The author seems to think that telecoms is the same the world over -- the definitions do not acknowledge that some of them only apply in the U.S. For example, the definition for "0" says that it is "the 'in fact' standard number to dial for reaching a local phone company operator or answering service." It would be very unwise to rely on this book in the U.K. Some examples: it says ISDN Primary Rate has 23 B channels whereas in most countries (including all of Europe) it in fact provides 30 B channels; in the UK we have "exchanges" not "central offices", we don't have CSU/DSUs, and so on. I don't mind it being a dictionary of U.S. telecomms terms, but it should mention that many of its terms do not apply outside the U.S. That said, even for a U.S. reader, I would not recommend it. Many terms that should be there, aren't. Why is "relational database" covered, but not "firewall"? Other definitions are just wrong (the CCITT is not "one of the four parts of the ITU"), or confusing: a Terminal Adapter is defined as "a device that converts an ISDN line into a regular POT (Plain Old Telephone) service so that you can connect a standard telephone or modem to an ISDN line." Not all TAs do this, and it is not the primary function of any TA (which connects a PC directly to an ISDN line -- no modem). Some PC-specific terms (e.g. FAT16) are presented as generic. The photos are useful, but often fuzzy, and the CD is merely an Acrobat version of the book. Fine as far as it goes, but not "fully searchable" as claimed. So overall, this is not nearly as good as it should be. I shall continue to recommend instead Mitchell Shnier's excellent "Computer Dictionary -- Data Communications, PC Hardware and Internet Terminology", which is better written, more accurate, and cheaper.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Project
Review: Jade Clayton's McGraw-Hill Illustrated Telecom Dictionary, now in its second edition, is a wonderful work I consult first when looking up a term. Deliberately focused on telephony terms, the book contains 3,000 definitions, along with 400 photos, diagrams, or charts. Clayton has a strong background with companies and explains topics well. The only comparable dictionary in this price range is Harry Newton's Telecom Dictionary, which tries to cover the entire field of communications. Keeping in mind Clayton's emphasis on traditional but up-to-date telecom definitions, Jade's book has many things Newton's work does not have: original writing throughout, a lower list price, photographs and diagrams, signature binding that won't fall apart, and a searchable CD ROM that features the book's entire text, as well as content from other McGraw Hill publications. This CD makes the book an even greater value, letting you keep the dictionary open on your computer while you work on your telecom research or writing. The extra material also lets you go further with many topics. This CD ROM and book project is quite an accomplishment.
Rating:
Summary: Sub-standard, very disappointed.
Review: Not a well thoughtout and often incomplete in many areas of today's telecommunication. Its volume does not justify its contents. Recommend Newton's telecom dictionary instead.
Rating:
Summary: Often incomplete and sometimes inacurate
Review: The best parts of the book are its explanations of telephony plant. When the book attempts to explain larger industry topic and operational support, it becomes very vague and at times quite inaccurate. Is good book to give you an idea about the telephony industry, but don't quote it!
Rating:
Summary: Very Helpful
Review: This is a huge amount of extrememly helpful information. The CDROM is a convenient library of network and telecom info, anyone in majoring in IT or IS needs to have a copy of it on their PC. I recommend it strongly.
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