Approved-By:  "EDTECH Moderator" <21765EDT@MSU.BITNET>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.edtech
Date:         Fri, 6 Nov 1992 15:22:28 EST
From:         Gleason Sackman <sackman@plains.nodak.edu>
Subject:      Review of LaQuey, "The Internet Companion" (from NETTRAIN)

---------- Text of forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 09:02:00 CST
From: "James Milles, SLU Law Library" <MILLESJG@SLUVCA.SLU.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list NETTRAIN <NETTRAIN@ubvm.bitnet>
Subject: Review of LaQuey, "The Internet Companion"

(1) LaQuey, Tracy.  The Internet companion:  a beginner's guide
    to global networking.  Reading, Massachusetts:  Addison-Wesley
    Publishing Company, 1992.

    ISBN 0-201-62224-6

    Order Direct from Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Inc.,
    1 Jacob Way, Reading, MA 01867.  (800) 447-2226   $10.95

(2) Reviewed by:  Colegate V. Spinks.  Angelo State University
    (ZCVS@ADM.ANGELO.EDU)

(3) Target Audience: (beginning users, non-users)

(4) Rating: ****

(5) Number of lines in review: 38

(6) Summary:

    The "Internet Companion" provides non-intimidating, short and
    concise descriptions of various internet tools and resources
    that are available.  There are numerous anecdotes and graphic
    illustrations thoroughout the text that describe what Internet
    is all about.

(7) Text of review

    This is probably the most useful book I have read for the pre-
    internet user, beginning user, network trainer, and
    administrator.  It is well organized, providing useful
    discussions without the technojargon that turns off or
    frustrates many individuals.  The book begins with a brief
    history and organizational aspects of the Internet.  Other
    sections include electronic mail, remote login, file transfer,
    in-the-know, how to get access, available resources and Internet
    providers, and an extensive bibliography.  Throughout the book
    the numerous anecdotes provide interesting perspectives on how
    the internet has benefited many users.

    The "Internet Companion" provides a surprising amount of depth
    on the subject matter without getting into technical or system-
    dependent descriptions.  Far too often, new users are dropped in
    at the deep end.  This text provides an easy, low impact
    entry into the Internet world while providing the new user a
    foundation on which to build.

    I give this book my highest recommendation.  I have purchased
    this book to help train new users and brief administrators.  The
    following is a summary of topics discussed in each chapter.

    * Communications: Electronic mail, sending, receiving, managing,
          mail list, LISTSERV, net news, etiquette and ethics.
    * Finding Information: Remote login, resources such as library
          card catalogs, bulletin board systems, freenets, and
          campus wide information systems (CWIS), file transfer,
          Archie, Wide Area Information Servers (WAIS), Gopher,
          World Wide Web (WWW)
    * In-the-know: Urban legends, Games, UNIX, system security,
          confidentiality, viruses, Internet organizations,
          finding electronic mail addresses and how to get help.
    * Getting Connected: What you need, type of connections,
          selecting a provider, connecting your business or
          organization.
    * Extensive Bibliography
    * Internet resources and providers.

+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
: Colegate Spinks, Analyst/Network Specialist, Angelo State University :
: 2601 WEST AVENUE N, BOX 11020, SAN ANGELO, TEXAS  76901              :
: Internet:ZCVS@ADM.ANGELO.EDU, Voice:915-942-2333, Fax:915-942-2109   :
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+

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