Date: Tue, 25 Jul 1995 16:03:20 EST
From: "Rob Slade, the doting grandpa of Ryan Hoff"
Subject: "Free Stuff From the Internet" by Vincent

BKFRESTF.RVW   950525
 
"Free Stuff From the Internet", Vincent, 1994, 1-883577-11-X, U$19.99/C$26.99
%A   Patrick Vincent pvincent@coriolis.com
%C   7339 E. Acoma Drive, Suite 7, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
%D   1994
%G   1-883577-11-X
%I   Coriolis Group/IDG Books
%O   U$19.99/C$26.99 (602) 483-0192 kaday@aol.com
%P   459
%T   "Free Stuff From the Internet"
 
The one word probably most responsible for the current interest in the Internet
is "free".  Free email.  (Well, distance and usage insensitive.  Except for
Compu$pend.)  Free software.  (Well, some public domain and distance
insensitive access to lots of shareware.)  Free advice.  (And worth every penny
you paid for it.)
 
In fact, this book is basically another catalogue of stuff on the net.  Lots of
Gopher (*lots* of Gopher!) sites, mailing lists, ftp sites, and other
resources.  As Vincent, himself, points out, it only scratches the surface of
what is available.  The entries average about half a page, each, and some might
wonder at the need to use that much space in order to give directions on
obtaining four utility programs for manipulating your DOS PATH setting.  Each
item is, however, quite clear, and contains a description, the tool to use, the
site to access, and a directory path or menu list.
 
The listings are divided by topical chapters.  Within the chapters, there is no
discernable organization:  this is a book for browsing, not for reference.
 
Vincent, in common with many others, has confused the World Wide Web with the
Mosaic browser.  The chapter on "The Tightwad's Guide to Mosaic" gives access
directions for the client software, but I wouldn't try to install it without
more info.
 
The inclusion of a list of Freenets is a nice touch.
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1995   BKFRESTF.RVW   950525

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