DSL Books

I was so impressed by this book when I checked it out from the library I realized I had to have a copy of my own for those times when problems crop up that drive me toward the deep end. This book does what it claims. Though it won't answer all of your problems (what book would), it's easy to understand and can provide simple solutions to what seem like complex problems. It also gives the reader various references and free helpful programs on-line. I highly recommend it.

OK for the nontechnical XP users. Most of these hints have been published elsewhere but it is a nice collection.

I love the format Steve Bass uses while writing
about computer annoyances. Many of the tips and solutions
can save you frustrations that are always there even in
a minor way because you may not know how to fix them.

This is not the usual boring computer book. Just the opposite.
I'm reading it the second time with a felt tip marker. After reading a chapter I go to my computer, explore, and make changes. I've learned more reading this book than any other computer book I've purchased. And it's written so the average computer user like me can understand.

After slogging through books on W2KPro/XPPro that are painful to read and no help unless your running 100+ PC's this book was a welcome relief in it's smarts,humor,and direct approach to fixing many of the challenges presented by the above mentioned OS's. Having one of my usual sleepless nights I started tallying up all the money I spent trying to keep MS software running,protected from hackers,bots,spyware,virii worms and it's own predisposition to fail and I realize that with an entire industry built around sloppy software as the norm and a gov't asleep at the antitrust wheel we're not likely to see a real improvement any time soon. When you hear words like regulation stifles innovation reach down and make sure you still have your wallet because it's about to be plundered. It's always about the money. If I had to spend another $25 to have this book included in the box that MS/OS came in then I would've saved hundreds on books that did'nt meet my needs and priceless amounts of lost time.

Webster's New World Telecom Dictionary (Webster's New World)
Fianlly a comprehensive dictionary of Telecom, Data and Computer terms. It is a fantastic addition to my library.

Review by Vladimir Kaminsky

Webster's New World Telecom Dictionary by Ray Horak is a comprehensive telecommunications dictionary of more than 4,600 terms essential to a clear understanding of voice, data, video, and multimedia communications system and network topologies, technologies, applications, and regulations. The book encompasses numerous volumes of materials in the area of telecommunications that can be only compared with information from the Internet.

Horak's background and experience allowed him to be an expert in many telecommunications areas. The book is the witness to this fact: it covers such simple technologies as twisted pair, such complex techniques as Passive Optical Networks, Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing; and such evolving technologies as WiMAX and MIMO.

It is interesting to note that Horak presents dry facts of telecommunications reality with humor and historical references, making it easy to read and more attractive to readers. The book can amaze a reader by its thoroughness to cover various topics, provide references, describe symbols; and it reveals Horak's deep knowledge of the topics and ability to work with huge amount of sources. For an encyclopedic treatment of the subject and a perfect companion to this work, see Horak's Telecommunications and Data Communications Handbook, also published by Wiley in 2007.

Horak is an independent telecom consultant. He is active in litigation support as a consulting expert and testifying expert, often in cases involving intellectual property such as patent, copyright, and trademark and service infringement. He has authored five telecom books and written of hundreds of technical articles, white papers, case studies, and solution briefs.

Vladimir Kaminsky, PhD is a President of Practel, Inc, a consulting company that is specializing in advanced communications technologies and network design.

Regardless of whether you a an undergraduate in a Business Administration curiculum, or an established Telecom or IT Professional, YOU NEED THIS BOOK. First of all, the price is right. And in today's world that is vital. But more important, the information provided exceeds expectation and is presented in language that even an industry novice can comprehend. The drawings and tables provide the proper support documentation without going into overkill.
In my 30+ years of experience in the telecom field, I have often found that the best way to gain client approval for a recommendation is to first educate the client and provide sufficient historical background so that my ultimate recommendation is the obvious solution. The information provided here, and the attention to detail in the way the information is presented, will allow the reader to answer or pose questions in any telecom-related environment.

"Webster's New World Telecom Dictionary" is destined to become my most dog-eared book. I just got my copy a few days ago and already I have referred to it many times. What's especially interesting about the dictionary is how easy it is to read and understand. Ray Horak has a no-nonsense style which shines through in this book. He takes what was surely a gargantuan task - producing content for over 4,000 terms - and makes it look easy with his completely understandable definitions and explanations. The book is also filled with numerous diagrams and tables which make the more arcane definitions a lot easier to understand. If you work in telecommunications, data communications, service automation, contact centers, computer telephony, or any industry tied-in to telecommunications, this book is a must have desk reference.

I review books in my role as a VoIP & SIP trainer for TrainingCity.com. When students ask me what to buy, I always recommend that they have a technical dictionary close at hand.

I am now recommending they have two, the old one and "Webster's New World Telecom Dictionary". I know it seems like overkill, but in fact these two books are both on my list of "must haves" for 2008. Webster's dictionary is focused, includes diagrams, and provides timely, accurate information.

Buying two or more books is never easy, so I often suggest students speak with their managers and discuss buying a "team library" of books that can be shared by everyone in the group. Often companies have a book budget, it can't hurt to ask!

Great book for understanding the fundamentals of DSL however I have to say it includes A LOT of equations and algorithms that went way over my head.
So to be frank, I'd prefer if it included some layman-type analogies to go along with the math.

A really well written book and a very valuable reference for all those working in DSL. The required theory is explained clearly and succintly. Furthermore, in a great improvement on traditional textbooks, this work tackles the working details head on; no holes are left in our comprehension. The range of topics covered gives a joined-up cohesive understanding of DSL technology and each chapter has an excellent list of references subcaterogised by topic to allow the reader to further investigate the basics and state-of-the-art in the areas which have piqued the reader's interest. If only more technical books endeavoured to give such a FULL understanding.

I wanted to learn about the technical and system-level aspects of DSL technology, and this book was really really helpful! It goes into much more detail than a basic guide to DSL, but is not overbearing in complexity - just the right amount of insight that I needed as an electrical engineering MS student looking to learn a new technology. I know that I will be using several of the best chapters in this book as reference later on in my career (Noise Modelling, Error Control Coding, Equalization, etc). Overall: highly impressed with the quality and presentation of information! I would definitely recommend this book to both fellow students and industry members.

Fundamentals of DSL Technology, edited by Philip Golden, is the best book of its kind--it's thorough, comprehensive, and well organized. It's probably the best foundational text on DSL out there. I would recommend it for college course syllabi or as a general resource for those working in the field.

I grabbed this book because I needed a quick primer on DSL technology. It turned out to be just that and much much more. I'm constantly returning to it to delve deeper into the subject. It's definitely one of the best technical texts I've read.

An excellent overview of all areas of DSL engineering and deployment. The last section with it's photo tour of the telephone "plant" is unique and especially informative.
Highly recommended for anyone needing a deep technical knowledge of the current state of DSL

These guys wrote the book on DSL by creating the products, standards, processes, and applications for broadband in the copper loop. As active participants in the DSL Forum and other standards bodies, Starr, Sorbara, Cioffi, and Silverman have been there, done that. They know their stuff, and it shows in this detailed work on the state of the art of DSL in 2003. While not being shameful to get down into the nitty gritty of "Iterative Water-Filling" or "Duplex clear-down sequences", there is good coverage of the business side of DSL and simple questions like "What is Voice over DSL?" For marketers like me, there are great pictures and diagrams throughout the book about all of the stuff they are talking about! Overall, there's something in here for everyone, just don't feel bad if there's a section or twenty that you don't understand -- these guys are the geniuses who thought it all up!

This book describes the state of the art by the folks defining it. Cioffi of Stanford developed much of the original technology, Sorbara and Starr have led the industry's key technical committee, and Silverman's been a leader in the DSL Forum. A good book by pros for pros, that goes far deeper than anything else published. 01/05/02

If you want to understand how DSL works and how to shop for a DSL provider, this is THE book to get. The authors do an excellent job of explaining DSL quickly and clearly. This is NOT one of those books written by a computer geek who understands the subject but doesn't understand how to explain it to others. After reading this book I understand how DSL works, and I was able to purchase DSL service to host a server for my business. For those who want to understand DSL but do not need to know ALL the technical details, this is the book to get.

I work for a small law firm and I've been trying to convince the partners to install a DSL line (30 employees were sharing 4 analog lines for Internet service). After purchasing and reading this book I was able to cobble together a proposal (with judicious sections of the book attached) that convinced management to purchase DSL. Although I'm not a computer network professional (I'm a paralegal) I was able to install and set up sharing of the DSL service without calling in the expensive network consultant we normally use. The book made installation and sharing very easy.

Thanks to this book the personnel in my office can now get on and off the Internet any time they wish.

The author explained DSL, its advantages and disadvantages so clearly that even our most computer phobic partner had no trouble understanding what I was talking about.

I've been wrestling with DSL, Cable, Satellite, Wireless for many months. I wanted a high speed connection for my home but found digging through the confusing technology impossible. Then I found and read Ms. Reynolds book. She does a fantastic job of explaining DSL, what it is, how to get it, why you can't get it, etc. I am no longer confused. Thank you Ms. Reynolds!

This book covers every facet of DSL technology, from the bits and bytes of packets to strategies employed in deploying and implementing DSL networks. Its written in easy to understand style, complemented by gratuitous figures and configurations. The book offers a good blend of theory and practical applications of DSL technology.

I highly recomend this for casual readers interested in this subject, as well as experienced engineers running deployed networks . It provides a great source of information for everyone.

the only one of its kind, covering both pros and cons of each encapsulation method as well as design issues. Highly recommended.

I'm a 36 yr. old avid martial arts, yoga and meditation practicioner and I was reluctant to try Ai Chi because the only people I knew of who practiced it were much older. I could see the amazing benifits my mother was getting from the practice but I still thought it was too weak for me. When she convinced me to reluctantly attend one class, I was hooked!

Ai Chi is just as powerful as any chi-based martial art practice. In fact, I found that by doing the breathing and movements submerged in water, it is much easier to focus and direct chi within the body. This book is the definative course description that goes far beyond movements. The movements are only a small portion of the book, which has as it's main focus the benifits of Ai Chi and the amazing power of the mind and the breath for over-all health.

Ai Chi is the best kept secret among the elderly! If you are looking for stress relief, you will be amazed. If you are suffering from pain of any kind, I HIGHLY recommend you give Ai Chi a try. Especially those persons diagnosed with Fibromialgia, or suffering from Arthritis. Find a guided practice group and read this book!

Once again a usable and sensible composite of the "world of water". All the basics have been incorporated into 134 pages to get you started in water workouts or keep you going. I teach Water Aerobics and P.E. Aquatic Methods courses at the University of Alaska, Anchorage (UAA) and utilized it as a text for my Spring 2001 400 level P.E. classes, along with the more detailed version - "The Complete Reference Guide for Aquatic Fitness Professionals". It's a compact and convenient reference and educational guide. Years of professional experience and research shine bright! Thanks Ruth, you are my mentor and "aqua authority", can't wait to see you again in Alaska. Melinda Post - Teacher - UAA and Board Member -Alaska's Allies in Fitness

This is a very informative and supportive book. Ruth has done an excellent job, again!

The authors have a done a nice job of presenting the case for DSL. I live in an area where the RBOCS have bruised out the CLECS with flying elbow tactics. Armed with this book, I will now call up those bastards and demand that they install DSL in my neighborhood. Will you have a Chinese version coming out? Best consumed with prodigious amounts of durian...