Customer Reviews

Microsoft Press Computer Dictionary

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

 

 

This book is not for the novice computer user. I bought this book for my 74 year-old father, who has just recently dipped his toe into the vastness of the Internet. He needed something that would let him look up the terms he reads about so that he'd understand what a URL is, know how to read an emoticon, and be able to chose between compressed or uncompressed JPEGs.

While the book gives him that information and more, it does so using more complicated definitions than he'd like. He gripes that when he looks something up, the definition is filled with words he doesn't know, which he then has to go look up as well!

So, while this book might be an excellent resource for an experienced computer user, it's not geared towards the novice. What he needed was "The Internet for Dummies" or something like that, but wouldn't get the joke if I'd sent it to him.

Bottom line, buy this book if you have a basis from which to work, avoid it if you're just beginning in computer and online work.

Yes, this edition of "Microsoft Computer Dictionary" has been revised and updated, when compared to the previous editions. Its 10,000 entries centered on software, hardware, and internet terms. They are easy to understand. But the fact that Microsoft stopped adding attached CD-ROMs (with this edition), without any significant price reduction is irritating. It depicts the company's insensitivity to the consumer needs.
However, this is not a bad dictionary to use, if you will tolerate this latest arrogance. It contains some new acronyms on XML, Xbox, tablet PCs, and wireless network. But, be aware that there are other computer dictionaries in the market, which offer much more for less money: including attached CD-ROMs.

I personally think that as far as Computer Dictionaries go this is an excellent one , but I must WARN YOU.... If you looking for the accompanying CD that came with all the past versions , YOUR OUT OF LUCK.... I think portability is a big factor and having the book on CD in the field is much easier than lugging the desktop book around.. EITHER "MICROSOFT" PRESS IS GETTING REALLY CHEAP OR BILL IS GETTING PARANOID OVER ALL THE LAWSUITS AND DECIDED TO SAVE SOME MONEY , I DON'T KNOW.. I DO KNOW THAT I GIVE THIS BOOK THREE STARS BECAUSE OF THIS , OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE GIVEN IT A HIGHER RATING... So be AWARE of this.......

Using it while studying for Certifications. Have always found what I eas lookig for in it! Every serious computer enthusiast needs a reliable resource library. Add this one to yours.

This book is missing programmer terms. It just includes buzzwords and so forth. It is not a unified index on MS developer technologies. I kindof feel silly that I thought it was going to be such.

This book gives everything you can think of to look up. This is a good book for all. A perfect reference.

Because I am one who has to know the definition for things before I use it I thought buying this would be good. It has some added extras in the appendix to help out students as well. Anyone who is starting in the IT field should try and purchase one of these. I saw some others out there but this one seems to be the best to me for right now.

Had to have this for a class I was taking. Good book to have for reference on computer terms. Comes with CD also. Price was less than retail, shipping on time AND packaging of product was good.

The Microsoft Computer Dictionary, Fifth Edition, is, in my opinion, still the best all-around computer dictionary out there. For technical writers, consultants and anyone who needs to use technology related words precisely, this is the place to go. (There is also another volume from Microsoft Press on networking terms.)

It's 10,000+ entries are unambiguous and precise. There are a few illustrations, but they add little to the value of the dictionary.

Microsoft stopped supplying a CD-ROM with the dictionary which is a great loss.

The big problem is that the Fifth Edition was published in 2002 and much has transpired since then, adding hundreds, if not thousands of new terms and acronyms to the lexicon of information technology. Yes, there are online dictionaries that purport to be more current, but the lack the authority of the Microsoft Computer Dictionary. I hope Microsoft and its Microsoft Press unit have not dropped future revisions for this. It has been a valuable resource.

Jerry

The Fifth Edition of the Microsoft Computer Dictionary was a great addition to my personal library. I am new to personal computers and am very much in need O- level literature. Books like this one and other Microsoft publications are indeed a great boon to amateur scientists of my age.

Dr. Amit Das,

8/80 Visnulayam Street,

India, PIN 533464.