Date: Thu, 27 Jul 1995 13:35:35 EST
From: "Rob Slade, the doting grandpa of Ryan Hoff"
Subject: "The Internet Direct Connection Kit" by Harrison

BKINTDCK.RVW   950524
 
"The Internet Direct Connect Kit", Peter Harrison, 1994, 1-56884-135-3,
U$29.95/C$39.95/UK#28.99
%A   Peter Harrison
%C   155 Bovet Road, Suite 310, San Mateo, CA   94402
%D   1994
%G   1-56884-135-3
%I   IDG Books
%O   U$29.95/C$39.95/UK#28.99 415-312-0650 fax: 415-286-2740 kaday@aol.com
%P   283
%T   "The Internet Direct Connect Kit"
 
The cover blurbs, as usual, overstate how much "free" stuff you get, and how
unique this package is, but Harrison has put together a very practical kit. 
The disk included with the book contains the Cello World Wide Web browser,
WS_FTP, WinQVT/Net ... and Trumpet Winsock, to make it all work.
 
All of these programs are available from the net, so their inclusion with the
book is simply a convenience.  In works of this type, the authors often do
little more than regurgitate the documentation.  Harrison does more.  He
includes documentation, but it also pointers and tips about the weaknesses and
relative strengths of specific programs (even going so far as to note the
superiority of a commercial program to one provided with the book), network
factors and common difficulties.  The material is very realistic and helpful. 
The chapter on Trumpet Winsock setup could incorporate more detail, but it does
contain points I've never seen in any previous book.
 
It is occasionally difficult to find a point, and some areas could benefit from
additional content.  The Internet access list has nothing in my area, despite
the presence of eighteen local, five regional, and three national providers. 
Still, Harrison has chosen a minimal suite of software which provides basic
Internet clients (and includes an ftp server), and has backed it up with a
solid book for the intermediate Internet user who wants to go to a "direct"
connection.
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1995   BKINTDCK.RVW   950524

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