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Kevin and Debra Rollins Center for eBusiness - How the Internet Works
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Kevin and Debra Rollins Center for eBusiness

How the Internet Works

How the Internet Works

Preston Gralla

A book review by D. Richard Dance, CPA and President/CEO of upChannels
and Ann H. Jenkins, Office Manager of upChannels in Seattle, Washington
Copyright upChannels LLC

June 2002

I have noticed it's summertime and have been basking in the sunny weather and warm temperatures we are having in Seattle. I have also been trying to fit in more waterskiing (for health and fitness reasons of course). Consequently, I haven't been able to get into the book that I had previously designated to review this month. So I decided to find a book that met the following criteria: a book related to e-business, you could read it in sections, your wife and children might appreciate it, you would consider taking it on vacation, you could read parts of it between water ski rides.

Introduction

I have noticed it's summertime and have been basking in the sunny weather and warm temperatures we are having in Seattle. I have also been trying to fit in more waterskiing (for health and fitness reasons of course). Consequently, I haven't been able to get into the book that I had previously designated to review this month. So I decided to find a book that met the following criteria:

  • A book related to e-business.
  • You could read it in chunks.
  • Your wife and children might appreciate it.
  • You would consider taking it on vacation.
  • You could read parts of it between water ski rides.

Preface

Let me just say at the outset that How the Internet Works is a gem of a book, a reference that should be in your collection.

To Understand the Book

To understand this book all you need to know are three things:

A. The big thought.
B. The topics the book covers.
C. An example illustration from any chapter.

Then you will be hooked for the summer.

The Big Thought

This book is an illustration of how each part of the Internet works.

"How the Internet works" is broken up into 50 chapters with a standard format as follows:

  • Chapter Title Page
  • One Page of Narration
  • A Two Page Mind Map of how it works

Mind Maps

Mind maps are a great way to convey information for anyone interested in the Internet.

It looks simple, but simply conveys what you need to know to gain understanding of the subject. I am a believer of mind maps and have written articles on the subject. I particularly enjoy Edward Tuft's one day course entitled "Presenting Data and Information" and his books and charts on the subject. Email me at rdance@upchannels.com if you are interested in more information on mind maps.

My Guarantee to You

Back to the subject at hand-I am going to guarantee that you will be smarter about the Internet and your explanations to others will be more concise and crisp if you buy and study Preston Gralla's book.

Author's Qualifications

Just look at Gralla's qualifications:

  • He has written 20 books.
  • He is an executive editor and columnist for CNet and ZDNet.
  • He writes for magazines and newspapers, does TV and radio shows and networks.
  • He was founding managing editor for PC Week and PC/Computing.

This Edition

This is the 6th edition of the book. Two million copies had already been sold before I bought my 2002 edition printed by Que.

This edition has new illustrations and all prior illustrations have been re-done to make it a more coherent, rich, and visually pleasing experience.

The book is divided into 8 parts with about 6 chapters per part.

Parts and Chapters

Part 1: Understanding the Internet's Underlying Architecture

  • What Is the Internet
  • How Computer Networks Send Data Across the Internet
  • TCP/IP
  • Understanding the Internet's Software Structure
  • Internet Addresses and Domains
  • Routers
  • Internet File Types

Part 2: Connecting to the Internet

  • Internet Connections
  • Modems
  • Internet/Television Connections
  • Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
  • ISDN
  • Internet Connections from Online Services
  • Wireless and Palmtop Connections
  • Home Networks

Part 3: Communicating on the Internet

  • Email
  • Email Spam
  • Newsgroups
  • Internet Chat and Instant Messaging
  • Internet Phone Calls

Part 4: Using the World Wide Web

  • Web Pages
  • Web Browsers
  • Markup Languages
  • Hypertext
  • URLs
  • Image Maps and Interactive Forms
  • Web Host Servers
  • Web Sites and Databases
  • Internet-Based Software

Part 5: Using Common Internet Tools

  • Telnet
  • FTP Downloading
  • Internet Searching
  • Agents
  • Java, ActiveX, and JavaScript
  • CGI Scripting

Part 6: Enjoying Entertainment and Multimedia on the Internet

  • Music and Audio
  • Napster and File Sharing
  • Video
  • Multicast IP and the MBone
  • Virtual Reality
  • Animation on the Web

Part 7: Shopping and Doing Business on the Internet

  • How Intranets Work
  • Shopping on the Internet

Part 8: Protecting Yourself on the Internet

  • Firewalls
  • How Hackers Can Cripple the Internet and Attach Your PC
  • Viruses
  • How Internet Sites Can Invade Your Privacy
  • Cyrptography, Privacy, and Digital Certificates
  • How the FBI's "Carnivore" Program Works
  • Parental Controls on the Internet

Guiding Principle

The guiding principle of the book is this: "No matter how much of a cyberpro you are - or how much of a novice - there is a lot you don't understand about the Internet. Even if you are a cyberpro (and especially if you're not), you will find out a lot you never knew." Enjoy!

Where to Obtain the Book

It can be purchased directly from the following sources:

Amazon.com web site (www.amazon.com) Paperback | $20.99
Barnes and Noble web site (www.bn.com) Paperback/Que/Sept. 2001 | $23.99
Booksamillion web site (www.bamm.com) Paperback | Our price $22.34, Club price $20.11

Standard Information about UPchannels

UPchannels is a spin off from SoftResources, which provides unbiased software selection. UPchannels does three things well:

1. Consults with software companies on how to grow.
2. Provides XBRL financial reporting training.
3. Provides PKM (Personal Knowledge Management) training.

All of this is provided through channels of information. For more information, visit www.upchannels.com.

Copyright © 2000-2009. Kevin and Debra Rollins Center for eBusiness. All Rights Reserved.

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