Customer Reviews

Mobile and Wireless Networks

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

 

 

This book is a must for anyone just entering the cellular telecommunications field or who just wants to fine tune his knowledge. The author definitely understands the ins-and-outs of this ever so changing field. He presents a down to earth comparison of mankinds technological advances to nature, which was superb. He gives a general explanation of essential aspects of cellular communications and then dedicates a chapter to each to further expand on the same. He keeps the explanations to a level that is understandable to a person with no technical background but yet instructional for any engineer or computer programmer. His presentation is analytical and systematic but not boring. This book is a great technical reference guide, outstanding for training personnel on general and specific topics in cellular telecommunications. It should be a part of everyones professional library. A must if you are thinking of working in the telecommunications field or just wish to understand what its all about.

From Uyless Black: Some ten years after writing technical books and receiving reviews on them, I've decided to respond to the input from readers. I should have done so sooner, but here it is now. You will now see this note placed on the comments for each book that is listed on this site, so don't bother re-reading. The note is the same for all the technical books.

The "pros" comments have dealt mainly with an easy to understand format. The "cons" comments have focused on the books (a) not being suited for college classes, (b) too many typos, and (c) mere recitations of ITU and Internet standards. There are other positive and negative comments, but these four points stand out.

The books were intended to be general references; general in relation to the topic itself. They were designed specifically to provide a relatively non-technical overview of ITU and Internet standards. They were used mostly by professionals who had degrees, and needed to (quickly) come to a general understanding of a set of standards. Afterwards, the readers could then go into the details of the standards themselves. Thus, my task was to distill many pages of highly detailed specifications into a few pages of summaries. One of the principal criticisms of the books was the very reason they were written.

I fault myself and my three publishers for not catching the typos, of which there are just too many. I was being asked by my publishers and my clients to hurry-up and get the next summary text out the door, as the clients' projects were beginning. That is why I wrote so many books in a short time. The technologies were coming out in rapid succession, and people did not have the time to read perhaps thousands of pages of standards. I did not take sufficient time to proof. But my publishers, sometimes with two to three proof readers---and at least one technical expert---reading a manuscript also dropped the ball.

I think my books provided a valuable service to my readers. My clients used them extensively, and I believe I was able to "short-cut" them to later read the details more efficiently. Nonetheless, in hindsight the books were insufficiently edited and written with too much haste.

I've been quite surprised that these books are still being sold. Not because they do not have merit, but that they are out-dated. The market for them does not come from the publishers, but from being on the used book market. My recommendation to you is not to buy technical books that are (sometimes) over ten years old.

One last point, which I hope you find humorous, perhaps ironic. Some readers compared some of my work unfavorably to an esteemed writer and lecturer. I read some his books. One contained a figure what was quite similar to a figure in one of my books; so similar in fact, that it included an error I had made in the figure. He did not source my figure, but led the reader to think it was his own creation----and his own error!

I would welcome any thoughts you might have. You can send them to Blackssteets@aol.com.

I bought this book hoping it to be of the same high quality content as Mr.Black's previous books. I was quite disappointed with the multiple grammatical and technical errors in the book. Seems like this book was published in a hurry without any proof-reading. I have found better books on wireless communications.

dear sir, my name is madiha naeem and iam writing from Pakistan.Sir i need some information.and iam need of that information.Sir can you send me some information on this subject(wireless communication)