The Internet for Dummies (4th Edition) [Paperback]

John R. Levine (Author), Carol Baroudi (Author), Margaret Levine Young (Author), John Levine (Author)

Book Description

Series: 4th Edition | Publication Date: February 21, 1997

A manual for Internet novices, this fourth edition reference leads the reader through the process of getting onto the Internet. It covers email, newsgroups, free software, BBSs and browsers.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Even if you're not a dummy, the sixth edition of The Internet for Dummies is one of the best user's guides to the Internet now available. Many so-called Internet books are nothing more than printed collections of Web addresses, but John Levine, Carol Baroudi, and Margaret Levine Young recognize that deciding to use the Internet involves financial commitments and computer-hardware decisions as much as it does looking at neat pictures. That said, don't expect to set up your own e-commerce site with this book, and don't expect to find step-by-step instructions for starting your computer. But do expect to get some good advice about picking an ISP (Internet Service Provider), protecting your privacy (and your kids), and connecting with Windows or a Mac. The authors also do an exceptional job of explaining such terms as PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) and what it is for, and they even talk about the old Unix shell account (with a Lynx text browser) for those not getting a PPP account. You'll find tips for optimizing your browser for speed, building your first Web page, managing e-mail, subscribing to mailing lists, and, yes, shopping. What is most impressive, however, is the balanced approach the authors take in evaluating Web sites (they do give some Web addresses), online services, and browser software. They offer the pros and cons and let you sort it out. They also include their own Web address so you can look for updates to the book and check on their latest favorites. --Patrick O'Kelley --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"...this is a cracking read for anyone with an interest in the Net, regardless of ability." (Internet Made Easy, Book of the Month)

"?guides even the most tentative surfer through the World Wide Web, refusing to breath through 'simple' steps such as knowing you've got a modem and choosing an ISP?invaluable title?" (Internet Made Easy, December 2002) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 374 pages
• Publisher: IDG Books Worldwide; 4th edition (February 21, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764501062
• ISBN-13: 978-0764501067
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,157,349 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 7th Edition of the Great Internet Dummies Book !, April 27, 2000

By 

Irvin Goodman - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Internet for Dummies (Paperback)

360 pages of all the facts you'll need about the Web, e-mail, service providers, and search engines. An encyclopedia of the easy to locate information you'll need to surf like an "expert." Provides a complete table of contents and an index of more than 2,200 entries. Topics range from The Net at Home and Work, Your Kids, Web TV and Shopping, to Your First Home Page, Mail, Messages, Chats, and Swiping Files from the Net. Written in the fun, but informative style of the "Dummies" series. At $ 15.95 you'll find a wealth of information to help you. I keep this book on my desk and refer to it often. My two sons are systems analysts and programmers, but I find the things I need faster in this book, than trying to understand what the boys are saying with their technical jargon ! After they answer my question, I still look it up in the book so I can understand the "practical" steps I need to take to get what I want.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The book was extremely useful and not intimidating, September 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Internet for Dummies, Fifth Edition (Paperback)

Internet for Dummies was an extremely useful book which is now a little dog-eared: take that as a good sign. It showed how to get online and do things like create web pages without intimidating beginners with jargon, and this book cured my schizophrenia.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Start-up, August 18, 2000

By 

A. Petrotchenkov (Moscow, Russia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Internet for Dummies (Paperback)

I hope, almost everyone has heard of the "For Dummies" books. The series' direct method and clear (sometimes playful and fun) language make learning easy. It is also a well-known computer book series in Russia. "The Internet For Dummies" is the chance to find out in a simple, clear and fun guide which takes the horror out of meeting the Internet for the first time.

As a computer writer, I am always delighted to discover new great book that makes understanding the computer. Many so-called Internet books are nothing more than printed collections of Web addresses. "The Internet For Dummies" is a guide designed just for newbies. Authors do an exceptional job of explaining a large number of Internet terms. You'll also find here a lot of tips for optimizing your browser for speed, building your first Web page, managing e-mail, subscribing to mailing lists, and go shopping on-line. "The Internet for Dummies" is a great start to learning the Internet.