Written to reflect the mid-1990s, when people are as likely to put their own machines on the Net as they are to dial into their local BBS, The Online User's Encyclopedia: Bulletin Boards and Beyond is a must-buy for newbies and wizards alike.
Bernard Aboba's book contains detailed information about online services, software, modems, standards, protocols, and viruses. Liberal screen shots and generous debugging advice help get new users online smoothly.
Internet chapters compress the details of network protocols and current Internet services into precious few pages. Not a lot of hand-holding, but it's all here.
Other chapters are tutorial in nature, ranging from sage tips on minimizing your phone bill to how to deal with file formats.
The final chapters feature essays by and interviews with Bruce Sterling, Tom Grundner, Vinton Cerf, Tom Jennings, and others whose thinking continues to shape the Net. It's a neat collection of net.lore.
Alas, the index sucks. When you find a nugget while brow-sing, catalog it yourself. Otherwise, you may never see it again.
The Online User's Encyclopedia: Bulletin Boards and Beyond, by Bernard Aboba, US$32.95. Addison-Wesley: (800) 822 6339, +1 (617) 944 3700.
STREET CRED
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