Customer Reviews

The Computer Glossary (Computer Glossary (Book and CD Rom), ed 8)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As with any other computer terminology book I've browsed through, it seems that this book has terms that some others don't, and other books have some terms that this one doesn't. Also, another book will give a better definition of a certain term than this one may. Or vice versa. The solution...? If you really want to have as much of a database of comuter terms as possible, have two or more books. A book with the most definitions may not be the best, because the definitions may not be descriptive enough. so be careful! Keep in mind, new terms are coming out every day rendering the book obsolete. Finding a good website of computer terminology may be an additional method of finding what you need if it isn't in a book. The layman's language and general thouroughness of this book does make it a good choice.

I chose this instead of the weightier Desk Encyclopedia, also published by Amacom, to supplement MCSE study materials and the New Riders Essential Reference for the Core Exams. There is very little I haven't found (a few odds and ends of acronyms), but it has very good illustrations and charts of many concepts that can be extremely arcane. It will even take you back to the early days of computing, and includes cites for a number of vendors who met their demise in the 80's and early 90's. Remember the PC/jr? It's in there.

This is an excellent resource for those whose knowledge of the field extends from basic to excellent, because it's hard to believe that anyone (well, okay, may a few...) could possible stuff all this stuff in one brain.

Buying this 458 pages, 9th Edition book is a better decision. The book is made with not superior paper, but its not bad at all. This is a great book but sometimes you will see that you can't find a word listed. For example, I can't find "software monitor", though they have listed hardware monitor. Then there are many words which are used in conjunction with databases like you cant find what is "pessimistic locking" and what is "optimistic". If anyone say that this book does not cover those topics to which I can't find the meanings and words, then I would say that why is the name of this book "The Computer Glossary. THE COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED DICTIONARY". I think when it's written that it's a COMPLETE DICTIONARY, then it should be complete. On the other hand the book features thousands of the terms and words used and the thing is like about this book is that there are diagrams which are in good quality printing, not at every page but worth enough. The excellent part is that there is a Multimedia CD-ROM version attached in the end of the book, which works great. You can just type the word and you will instantly get the meaning in real time. And all the contents in the CD are exactly those as are in the book. So if you just install the CD you will not even need to open the book. The CD comes with great printing and copy features, which I was not expecting. You can capture full screen or particular text and print it from the inside of the software. Just click on a picture (also listed in CD) and it will automatically prompt for printing. There are many other cool features also which should that it was developed by keen interest. Overall this is a good book and especially the CD but if more terms can be added to it, it can become "the excellent book". Now I have listed the cons and pros, its up to you people there to buy it or not. Enjoy reading!

Many times I have read other updated computer books and have not found them listed in this glossary. I am an intermediate computer user that reads other computer architect books. If the word is listed it will often give a very good explaination. I have many times learned things from this book that the authors from other computer books didn't make clear.

This book is better than all the rest. I checked out an even more expensive book, and it didn't even come close. It seems like there isn't a term missing and its EASY to understand too! A must buy.

The idea of a computer dictionary is good, but this author answers one technical term using a dozen others. This is NOT a way to clarify technical terms for beginners.

This is one of the most comprehensive glossaries around, I have seen nothing else for the price that even comes close. Every MIS shop should have one for quick reference.