Computer Telephony Encyclopedia [Paperback]

Richard Grigonis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 22, 2000 | ISBN-10: 1578200458 | ISBN-13: 978-1578200450 | Edition: 1

If you want to grasp the full length and breadth of the rapidly developing computer telephony field, this book is the place to start. Author Richard Grigonis thoroughly explains even the most abstruse ideas in a concise manner that is aimed at all kinds of readers -- students, business executives, telecom managers, call center supervisors or entrepreneurial developers. Each encyclopedia entry is both an adroit explanation of computer telephony technology and a buyer's guide-like discussion of real-world products based upon technology currently available for business and residential communications solutions. ;

Get up to speed on hundreds of computer telephony topics with thorough, practical and straightforward explanations that include usage and how the subject relates to other technologies.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Given the rapid ascendancy of computer telephony and the breadth of technologies involved in the field, it's high time that we had a reference guide to make sense of it all. Richard Grigonis understands that the simplistic definition of computer telephony--the convergence of computers, telephone systems, and data networks--only scratches the surface of all that's involved. The Computer Telephony Encyclopedia, then, is all-encompassing, if a little intimidating to everyone but those already knee-deep in the field.

Grigonis, chief technical editor of Computer Telephony magazine, takes readers through the computer telephony field from A to Z, with a sense of both scholarship and style. Although sometimes it's difficult to wade through entries for call centers and billing systems that are pages long, Grigonis frequently balances his acronym-laded prose with humor (the section on telemarketing is a perfect example).

Grigonis covers a wide swath of technology and applications, including voice over IP, DSL, and videoconferencing, as well as such esoteric fare as E&M signaling and session initiation protocol. A section on Who's Who in Computer Telephony provides brief sketches of some of the key figures in the field, with contact information provided in some cases.

With the Computer Telephony Encyclopedia, Grigonis has provided an indispensable guide to a complex subject, a book that should sit on the desk of every telecom manager. --John Frederick Moore

About the Author

Richard Grigonis is senior technical editor of Computer Telephony magazine. The winner of several programming awards, Richard has also designed and implemented complete LAN and business systems. He has also advised foreign governments on computer telephony and call center technology.

Product Details

• Paperback: 563 pages
• Publisher: CMP; 1 edition (January 22, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578200458
• ISBN-13: 978-1578200450
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,664,351 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice companion to Newton's Telecom Dictionary., March 1, 2001

By 

Taed Wynnell (Sunnyvale, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Computer Telephony Encyclopedia (Paperback)

I suspect that it may have been intended, based on the title; the _Computer Telephony Encyclopedia_ is a great companion to _Newton's Telecom Dictionary_. Whereas the dictionary has a paragraph or two on thousands of topics, the encyclopedia, as expected, has on average of a few pages on a few hundred topics -- literally ranging from "A & B (Robbed) Bit Signaling" and "A/D Converter" to "Zulu Time" and "Zzzzzzz". While I feel that Newton's is a better and more useful book (a must-own for everyone in the industry), I think this is an excellent second book to buy if you've ever wanted more detail than Newton's provides.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best resource in the industry!, August 17, 2000

By 

Keith Dawson (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Computer Telephony Encyclopedia (Paperback)

Richard Grigonis has made some very complicated technology much more accessible, much more useful with this fabulous piece of work. He's got everything covered, which is quite an accomplishment in a field where things change so rapidly. This is one of those books that's going to get a lot of wear and dog-eared pages from constant use. Computer telephony has been one of those fields that's been filled with a lot of cheerleading and hype and not a lot of good, solid, thoughtful analysis and reporting -- except for Grigonis' work. His work really stands out, because he thinks hard about the issues, understands the tech, and has a really strong grasp of how the tech is used in real life. Not too many people would tackle something so enormous as an encyclopedia devoted to one of the most complex -- but critical -- technologies of our day. He's done amazing work, highly recommended.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much better than Newton's Dictionary, July 16, 2000

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Computer Telephony Encyclopedia (Paperback)

Don't get me wrong, I've been buying Newton's tome since the 3rd edition. Its very useful. But if you really want to get the lowdown on technology today then Grigonis' book is the one I'd chose. Mr. Grigonis know's his stuff and he writes in plain english too. Grigonis once worked for Newton. In a strange twist the student is now better than the master. (Read the intro for a hilarous rundown of what it was like working for zany Mr. Newton. Worth the price of admission alone.) Plus bonus section of Who's Who with nice writeups on industry notables such as Jon Shapiro and Barry Sher....Only complaint: the title is too narrow-- should be called "Technology Encyclopedia"