Customer Reviews

How the Internet Works: Millennium Edition

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book presents this somewhat complicated subject in clear understandable language and diagrams. Both the novice and the experienced user/surfer will discover new facts or clear up a misconception about the technologies of the Internet. Many terms are defined and explained, including the interactions of computers and associated hardware devices, communications, software, and protocols.

I purchased this book a year or two ago and have come back to it many times as a reference. This is a visually-based book, which uses many illustrations to explain the functioning of the internet to the reader. Yes, there are a lot of areas where it glosses over things and it is very repetitive, but there are many parts where the large, clearly illustrated examples are without question the best explanation of some very complex systems. The book does spend a lot of time on simpler, less awe-inspiring technology like email and explaining how HTML works, but this is well balanced out by the visually-based explanations of how routers and other more dynamic aspects of the internet work together.

The book also clearly spells out the differences between various access systems (DSL vs. Cable modems, vs. dial-in modems, vs. Satellite access) and also spends enough time outlining wireless internet access and other systems to allow the reader to see how the same 'system' used for the internet applies to these newer, more cutting edge applications. I think the book does a great job of showing and explaining all of the complexities behind the internet, without bogging the reader down with too much jargon and detail.

I work in the IT / Computer Repair industry, and I personally feel that this book is very helpful to most individuals who have little familiarity with The Internet and all the intricacies of email, firewalls, modems, Instant Messaging, etc.
This book is very, very Basic..., yet I can guarantee you, as a Help-Desk Agent, that many adults (including myself) can gather useful information from this book. The old saying is true: "a picture is worth a thousand words." In this book, that is mostly what you get...a lot of illustrations.
There is much reiteration of the same material throughout the book, which creates Filler, but the Illustrations are very helpful to the average beginning Internet user.
This book is not designed to be the Ultimate Internet Guide, but it IS a wonderful book to read through and donate to your local library, or to give your parents or grandparents to help them understand the Wonderful World of the Web.
Most people generally tend to forget that not everyone is hip to the Internet technology and terminology. This book caters to individuals who are struggling to incorporate all this new-fangled gadgetry into their lives. I wouldn't recommend this book to Techs, but I would certainly recommend it to anyone trying to integrate with the rest of society, online.

Normally I don't review books but because this one is so GREAT I find myself compelled to . I teach HW classes and this book has been a great reference materiel. also for people who want to get a basic
understanding of "How the internet Works". my classes are a little high level and not for everyone but this book is. I have told many people to read it. The Illustrations are the best I have ever seen.

Simple, easy top read, give lots of indepth info for the non-techie and answers to all the questions you've wanted to ask.

Great starter book on the internet for someone who wants to understand better everything from digital media technology to ASPs to how ISPs work.

As an Internet instructor, I have found the book a must for my students. The book has improved since the previous edition by adding new information about the novelties of Internet technology. Moreover, you will find the drawings the most facsinating feature of the book. Take my word as professional in the field, there are stacks of data for you there. useful

Overall this is a great introductory book to the Internet, amazing in its thoroughness. The introductions to the chapters tend to get repetitious and wordy, but they are informative and enjoyable. The illustrations, however, are remarkably tough to follow, with numbers flying here and there and the same PC/server diagrams on every page. Also, I am amazed an Internet intro book does not have a glossary...

I had to buy this for a class. What a disappointment. It throws out all this jargon but all the explanations are way too superficial. I understand that this is just supposed to be an introduction - but all it did was get me more confused. I was better off when I didn't read the text and just asked people in the field how something works.

One good thing is that it is pretty up to date. It discusses the Melissa virus and other recent happenings.

Excellent resource... though sometimes a bit on the simple side. Most of us know how to use email we just may not know how it works. But the illustrations are great. Redundant at times, but I guess hearing something twice reinforces it. Good job. I used this book as an introduction to my independent study class on Internet programming languages.

I bought this book ages ago and never understood it. Now, after working on the net, it all makes sense.

In general, you will not understand the internet using this book, but it does makes a great prompt if you know it already. I keep it on my desk as work when I get a bit stuck visualising packet transfer etc.

If you want to learn about how the internet works, this book is not for you as it covers too much information at one go without linking it together.