From: mc@shore.net (Michael Crestohl)
Subject: REVIEW: THE INTERNET UNLEASHED - SAMS Publishing 1994
Date: 15 Nov 1994 22:53:56 -0500

Review: THE INTERNET UNLEASHED - Everything You Need to Master the Internet
Authors: Over 40 of the world's top Internet experts - seven pages of credits! 
SAMS Publishing 1994  ISBN: 0-672-30466-X  $44.95 USA $58.95 CAN

This 1400 reference is touted by SAMS PUBLISHING as "the only book that 
gives you the experience of over 40 of the world's top Internet experts".
And, after spending six hours looking it over I will certainly say it IS
that!  As we all know only too well, the Internet is constantly changing
and it's never quite the same from one day to the next.  THE INTERNET
UNLEASHED is an extremely detailed snapshot of the Internet as it was in
the first quarter of 1994.  This is not to say it is outdated or obsolete -
far from it!

I am impressed at the credentials of the authors to teach us about their
various fields of expertise. As a random example, who could better write
the chapter about ClariNet, (ClariNet: Electronic Newspapers and More) than
Brad Templeton, the President of ClariNet Comunications?   There are 61 
other chapters in eleven parts contained in THE INTERNET UNLEASHED covering 
every aspect of the net you'd ever want to know about.  Plus their e-mail
addresses are listed so you can contact them directly if you so wish.
However, there's no guarantee you'll get a reply.

Part I and II of the book begin with a comprehensive history of the Internet.

Part III takes up the question of how to get connected - the various options
available from a number of access providers with a list of same.

Part IV deals with communicating with others - three chapters on e-mail alone
with separate chapters on mailing lists, LISTSERS, USENET and IRC.

Part V explains the other Internet functions related to finding and sharing
information: sixteen chapters covering finding people on the Internet,
FTP, TELNET/RLOGIN, ARCHIE, GOPHER, VERONICA, WAIS, WWW, MOSAIC, CWIS,
HYTELNET and the aforementioned chapter on ClariNet.  

In Part VI, VII, VIII and IX,  the editors have added a new dimension to 
the book -  showing us how to use the net effectively.  There are numerous 
chapters showing us how to use the Internet for business, library research,
in education and in cummunity/government.

Part X covers Internet issues and controversies, including crackers, virii, 
security, electronic literacy, privacy, copyright and freedon of online 
speech.

Part XI, ends this work with a quick look at some of the more interesting
sides of the Internet: MUDs, MOOs, MUCKs, the Internet Hunt and virtual 
reality.

Finally the appendices include several reference sources such as a list
of access providers, tools every user should have, UNIX basics and tips, 
Internet domain names and a collection of software, mostly for WINDOWS 
on a 3-1/2" HD disk.  This includes a CHAMELEON "sampler" which is TCP/IP
SLIP connection software, HGOPHER - a Windows Gopher client, a UUENCODE/
UUDECODE utility and a searchable database of on-line Internet resources
including USENET newsgroups, mailing lists and LISTSERV lists.  For MAC 
users a Macintosh disk is available.

The book is well named - it allows you to unleash the immense power of the
Internet.  In my opinion it is the most comprehensive work on the Internet
I've seen yet.  I feel there are more suitable books for newcomers, if for
no other reason that it would, by virtue of it immensity, would intimidate
them.  However, once the newbie status has been shed, THE INTERNET UNLEASHED
becomes a continuing education source to answer virtually any question
somebody might have.  The table of contents and index are detailed and
comprehensive which is important to this kind of reference work.
I am not going to sit down and read this book in its entirety - but over 
the next several months absorb it in small amounts. I know that when I'm 
done I'll know far more about the Internet than I do now.  I highly 
recommend THE INTERNET UNLEASHED to every library's reference section and 
to any individual who is really interested in becoming extremely
knowlegeable on the subject.  

THE INTERNET UNLEASHED is one of a series of UNLEASHED titles published
by SAMS.  The only other dealing with the Internet is THE WORLD WIDE WEB
UNLEASHED and I am hoping to review it in the near future.


Copyright 1994
Michael Crestohl