-Review:The Complete Idiot's Guide To The Internet - Uk Edition

Telecomworldwire, Feb 17, 1999

TELECOMWORLDWIRE--(C) 1994-9 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD PRODUCT:THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO THE INTERNET (UK EDITION) PLATFORM:N/A SUPPLIER:QUE/COMPUTER MANUALS PRICE:GBP18.49 ISBN:0-13-997099-1 Having read and loved previous texts from the 'Idiot's Guide' range, I was looking forward to getting stuck in to this one.

For those not familiar with the style, the Idiot's Guides are written for beginners and they aim to explain everything in a clear, non-patronising manner. This book provides a thorough introduction to the Internet, and is suitable for anyone who needs a good grounding in the basics, as well as being a useful reference source for those who already know their way around the Web. The authors assume that you already know the basics of using a computer, but that's about all the prior technical knowledge that is required. The book progresses in a logical order from a brief introduction, on to e-mail and surfing, newsgroups and chatrooms, search engines, security issues, conducting business online, shopping, etc, etc. As well as the ins and outs of using the Net, the book also features hints on finding sites to suit your personal interests (the 'Best of the Web' section is certainly worth a look). The style of the text is very easy to read, and as with all the Idiot's Guides there are lots of useful tips and amusing cartoons. The book was written in association with Virgin Net (and comes complete with a Virgin Net CD), so you should expect a bit of plugging for Virgin brands in places. However, it's all done in a humourous way and the text manages to remain impartial for the 'Finding a Service Provider' section. Finally, there is a really useful glossary at the back which explains the technical terms simply without being patronising. CONCLUSION: Highly recommended for anyone who is starting out (or feeling a little lost) on the World Wide Web. Whether you choose to 'dip in' or start at the beginning it's easy to understand and, unless you're a computer whizz, you'll certainly learn some useful stuff. All in all, this must be one of the most approachable books available on an increasingly complex subject. Reviewed by Patricia Johns.