Computer Glossary: The Complete Illustrated Dictionary (With CD-ROM) [Paperback]

Alan Freedman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0814470947 | ISBN-13: 978-0814470947 | Edition: 9th

For quick, clear, comprehensible answers to every computer question imaginable, The Computer Glossary has been America's hands-down favorite reference for nearly twenty years.

Now, best-selling author Alan Freedman delivers an all-new edition of his powerhouse answer book, packed with 6,000 definitions -- along with 175 illustrations -- of the sometimes bewildering terminology, arcane jargon, abstract concepts, and advanced technologies from the world of computers.

Users learn about the newest developments from the Internet, the Web, and wireless communications, as well as updated information about Windows, Macintosh, UNIX, networking, client/server, graphics, object-oriented programming, standards, major products, vendors, industry profiles, and much, much more.

Both comprehensive and easy to use, The Computer Glossary is perfect for every level of computer user -- beginners, power users, or systems professionals.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The seventh edition is substantially expanded with over 6,000 computer terms. This dictionary covers basic computer vocabulary, graphics and multimedia terminology, and a sampling of cyberslang and Internet terms, plus programming, networking, UNIX, and PC jargon. Profiles on industry leaders and historic happenings make this glossary interesting as well as useful. Definitions are tailored to the type of word. Basic terms are defined in layman's language while the specific technical jargon is defined with more technical terms. Comprehensive cross-referencing gives you quick access to what you're looking for. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

With each new technological development, a new vocabulary springs up and makes most computer lexicons go out of date before you can say "pre-emptive multitasking." The Computer Glossary, now in its eighth edition, has managed to stay as up-to-date as possible, as evidenced by the rate at which the number of pages in this handy reference work have multiplied since it was published as a 92-page booklet in 1981. Now close to 500 pages, Freedman's tome continues to rank very highly among computer dictionaries rated by PC Magazine. Unfortunately, no definition is given for "SHTML" (server-parsed HTML), which can be found in one of the Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing websites around the world (). This is, however, a minor omission considering the rest of Freedman's coverage. This edition comes with a CD-ROM version of its content, handy for performing keyword searches of more elusive terms. Freedman teamed up with computer experts Alfred and Emily Glossbrenner to produce The Internet Glossary and Quick Reference Guide, an extensive guide to a proliferating Internet vocabulary. Who says techie dictionaries have to be dull? These authors were able to inject some fun into their work with entries like "Easter egg," an undocumented, usually whimsical surprise hidden in a computer program by its creators, often without the knowledge of management. The glossary lists some of the key stroke sequences and mouse clicks required to view these little goodies, usually names of the product developers accompanied by interesting graphics. (Examples can be found at ). The acronym "SHTML" was not found in this compilation either, and there was neither an entry for "PDF" nor a cross reference to "Acrobat" as there was in The Computer Glossary. However, The Internet Glossary uses the correct definition for PDF ("portable document format") in its "Acrobat" entry, while The Computer Glossary defined it incorrectly as "portable data format," another minor oversight. Despite these glitches, both books are worthwhile additions to most reference collections.?Joe J. Accardi, Northeastern Illinois Univ. Lib., Chicago
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 458 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM; 9th edition (June 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814470947
• ISBN-13: 978-0814470947
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,855,397 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Could Be Better, December 31, 1999

By 

cjf - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Computer Glossary (Computer Glossary (Book and CD Rom), ed 8) (Paperback)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent reference, especially for MCSE candidates, February 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Computer Glossary (Computer Glossary (Book and CD Rom), ed 8) (Paperback)

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.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Excellent, Not Worse, December 18, 2000

By 

Ahmad Akram (HOLBROOK, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Computer Glossary: The Complete Illustrated Dictionary (With CD-ROM) (Paperback)

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!