Internet Books

I had no idea how to use dreamweaver. I purchased this book, went through it in a couple of days and now I can design a basic website without using those dreaded html codes. I highly recommend this book due to the fact that anyone can understand it. I'm now working through the Fireworks edition.

Dreamweaver 4 for Visual Learners is a user friendly manual packed full of information. There are tons of graphics and screen shots, and just enough text to explain everything thoroughly. I'm no Dreamweaver expert, and this book took me step by step through the basics; then some more advanced material without any of it going over my head. It will make a great reference for later on as well. Great manual Chris!!

I've read through several manuals learning different computer programs and none have helped me learn a program as fast as this book! The instructions and screen shots are clear and concise, and allow the user to focus on the actual work of creating a website. The author includes using the previous steps for extra practice before introducing the next skill(s). The spiral binding also allows the book to lie flat or be folded in half. A big advantage to users with small computer work areas. I recommend this book to everyone who wants to get started immediately. Visibooks are wonderful - thank you Mr. Charuhas. I'll definitely using your books in other subject areas!

I have been thru this book and used it to learn the basics of Dreamweaver... and I'm so glad I found it! Dreamweaver can be intimidating at first, and this book brought me understanding that only a visual book can do. I highly recommend it (and any of the other ...For Visual Learners books)!!!

As a computer training professional, I've read or reviewed dozens of training books/manuals and this is one of the most effective learning sources I've found. Mr. Charuhas takes the best training method available, visual learning, and incorporates it into a really well written training book. I would highly recommend this material to anyone interested in learning Dreamweaver in a down-to-earth and, more importantly, effective manner. Kudos to Mr. Charuhas.

The steps in this book are easy for students and teachers to follow. Built a web site in a fairly short period of time. Students in my class created e-portfolios with very few problems. This book is a winner!

Teaching with technology can be a reality in the classroom and a success throughout the curriculum. E-Teaching is a tool that will shed new light on this daunting electronic age for veteran and up-and-coming educators alike. It is the perfect guide to supplementing and enriching the learning environment. I've had alot of success using the methods in this book.

Using technology in education today is one of the hottest topics around. This book addresses specific ways in which students and educators alike can use technology to enhance learning. It is well written and easy to understand (cuts through the technical jargon). You must pick up a copy of this book!

My students dove right into the web projects discussed in this book. The steps for creating a web site and web portfolio were very clearly outlined. Student electronic portfolios are the rage right now in education. A must read book for those who want to stay on the cutting edge!

No time for learning new technology, no capacity for electronic teaching methods, no idea how to create a Web page -- no longer! Linworth Publishing, Inc. introduces a book that will drive educators to conquer the Internet and energize student imaginations at the same time!

E-Teaching: Creating Web Sites and Student Web Portfolios Using Microsoft PowerPoint by Jay D'Ambrosio is just the tool educators need to step into the 21st century of teaching using the electronic resources available to them. This book demystifies the very valuable technological asset of Web design, making it very easy to incorporate into any educational setting. This new resource also details the effectiveness of using Web sites as electronic portfolios that will not only spark student enthusiasm but be used as an effective means of alternative assessment in the classroom.

To avoid being left behind in this technologically savvy world, educators must stay a step ahead of our students in learning to use the Internet as a tool to enhance student success and classroom instruction. Now educators can learn how to create, design and publish their own Web sites in a step-by-step method that assumes little or no prior knowledge of Web design and without using complex Web design software or html. Part One focuses on Web design for teachers using Microsoft PowerPoint, while Part Two provides information on assisting students in creating their own Web sites to use as electronic portfolios. Each chapter provides a "Library Media Connection" section that presents information and suggestions for librarians to collaborate with teachers and assist them in integrating technology into the learning environment.

Teaching with technology can be a reality in the classroom and a success throughout the curriculum. E-Teaching is a tool that will shed new light on this daunting electronic age for veteran and up-and-coming educators alike. It is the perfect guide to supplementing and enriching the learning environment.

Two of Jay D'Ambrosio's Web sites were recognized as "Best Bets in Education" by USA Today. He is the founder and owner of Atlantis Web Solutions, a Web development company that specializes in Web and wireless site design. Jay also teaches Adventures in World History at the Seneca Valley Middle School near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

I thought this book did a great job at getting me up to speed on C#. I came from C++ and MFC development, so this definitely fit the bill for bridging me into C#.

Worth the read!

Excellent book. I am a VB 6 programmer making the jump to C#.

C# instead of VB.NET? Mostly because there seems to be more contract jobs for C#.

This is an excellent book. If you are a long time programmer like myself and want to get into C# programming I highly recommend this book. This book can make you a very functional C# programmer in a very few hours.

If you need to learn C# in a hurry, this is the book that will get you up to speed. The entire "Fast Track" series from Wrox were written to help you learn a subject fast and this is especially helpful if your employer decides to convert to C# or any other .Net technology or language. I purchased both Fast Track C# and Fast Track ASP.NET C# Edition together. I am impressed with both books. The Fast Track C# book is 413 pages and the chapters are not to long. This makes the reading very easy and the chapters don't take weeks to read. The book starts out with the basics of .NET and C# and then progresses to more advanced C# subjects. Note: The authors do not go into great detail on the various subjects and you should augment this book with a more advanced books on C#. There are ample examples but the authors do not provide the "results". This is a book for the intermediate developer making the conversion from Java or C++ but I think Visual Basic 6 developers will benefit from this book.

In Chapter 1 - Overview of .Net and the CLR (Common Language Runtime), the authors explain the fundamentals of .Net.

Chapter 2 - Introduction to C#, Chapter 3 - C# Basics, and Chapter 4 - Object-Oriented Features of C# provide the basics that you will need to know about C#. If you are coming from Visual Basic.Net, you might want to skip over these chapters but I read these chapters twice.

The authors explain the more advanced features of C# in Chapters 5 - Advanced C#, 6 - .NET Programming with C#, and 7 - Working with the .Net Base Class. These chapters will help you get beyond the "Hello World" type of applications. These chapters provide some real-world examples.

In Chapter 8 - Building Windows Applications, the authors explain all of the basics to windows development. The GUI or the presentation layer is what the end-user will be most familar with.

The next chapters will help you with real-world applications that you may encounter.

Chapter 9 - Assemblies and ILDASM.
Chapter 10 - Data Access with ADO.Net
Chapter 11 - COM and COM+ Interoperability
Chapter 12 - ASP.Net
Chapter 13 - Web Services

This is an excellent book for C#. It covers almost every topic in C# in a consie, to-the-point fashion. Whether you are new or experienced programmer, this book will give you a head-start on mastering C# concepts. If you are doing MCAD, this is the book you should read first for brushing your concepts. I like the portability of this book (400 pages). Big thumps up for Wrox Fast Track series.

Wrox guys, you have done it really well. I am a beginner to C# but have previous experience with C/C++. Really wanted to get into the C# field. Tried 2-3 books but was bogged down by details everytime. Then I got hold of this book. Man this is awesome...really takes no time if you have some programming background..esp. OO related.

Just devote 1-2 hours for each chapter..and this will cause the Sams 24 hours series some serious worries.

Subtitled, "Understanding the nature and Meaning of the Internet", Jeanne M. Follman, a technical writer makes it all make sense. Like many people, I click away at my mouse and enter the world of the World Wide Web without a second thought. This does not mean that I really understand how it works or what it is or even some of the larger implications of what it all means. Now, however, after reading this small gem of a book, which is only 159 pages long, I see it all differently.

First of all, she makes the technology understandable by her simple and explicit explanations. She repeats a lot of the basic concepts so that they really do stick. Finally, such words as "bit" and "bitstream" make sense. I now know that HTTP means "Hyper Text Transfer Protocol" and URL means "Uniform Resource Locator". Finally, I understand what bandwidth is and the differences between cable and DSL and each of their strengths and weaknesses. And, best of all, I can see how it all fits in with developments in the world concerning the spread of language and ideas.

Ms. Follman brings a sense of wonder and optimism to what we have now and what she sees for the future. And even though she makes it simple, she doesn't talk down to her audience. A friend of mine who is a computer professional thumbed through the book and remarked how much good basic information it contained. I used to think that this was information I didn't need to know. The truth is I don't. After all, I know how to log on to a computer. But what Ms. Follman does in this book is enrich my experience, give it dimension. And, in my mind, the World Wide Web will never look the same to me again. Recommended.

When I wanted to learn how to write in HTML, I picked up this book. It's incredible how easy Ms. Follman makes writing HTML. Plus, I have the honor of personally knowing the author. I think if any book can teach you how to write HTML, this book can!

To "get" the Web is to understand what its capabilities are. I am reminded of the fact that a liquid almost always assumes the shape of its container. With any new resource, we must first grasp what it makes possible before we can take appropriate advantage of those possibilities. With regard to the Web, that process of recognizing its potential functionality continues for all of us. Here is an excellent introduction to "understanding the nature and meaning of the Internet" and especially, the Web. Follman duly acknowledges -- indeed frequently cites -- various sources, such as Berners-Lee's Weaving the Web, as she carefully guides her reader through three Parts: What the Internet Is ("the telephone company for computers"); Why the Internet is the Way It Is ("how computers and telephone companies shape the future of the Internet"); and finally, "the ways in which the Internet shapes communication and exchange and ultimately, us." I highly recommend this book to non-technicians at all organizational levels who are directly or indirectly involved in e-business. I also recommend it to school and college students who are now preparing for a business career. Finally, I recommend it to owners/CEOs of small companies who are thinking about or already embarked upon e-business initiatives. To all a word of caution: Don't expect more of this book than Follman intended. This is an introduction, a primer really, for non-technicians. As she explains, her focus is on "What" and (I presume to suggest) "Why", not on "How." After reading this book, you may wish to consult other sources. Follman includes a brief "Bibliography." Here are three other books you should also consider: K. Eric Wexler's Engines of Creation, Nicholas Negroponte's Being Digital, and Jakob Nielsen's Designing Web Usability.

There is a great deal of noise surrounding the Internet. With all the hype of the dot-com phenomena it is often easy to believe that the Internet is not as revolutionary as once thought. However, that is not the case, and I offer the following point in support. I recently taught some free, introduction to the Internet classes at a local community college. While there were no age restrictions, nearly everyone in the class was fifty or older. Their interests were varied, but most were interested in e-mail and the ability to search for information. In that area, the greatest interest was in finding someone or something that they had encountered earlier in life. Viewing their childlike fascination with what we could find was one of the strongest arguments in favor of how the Internet is changing society that I have seen.
Their level of interest was rather high and a common comment was that there was little material available that would explain the Internet where "an old dog" could understand it. Several students asked me if I could recommend any books that explained the Internet in general, simple terms. This book is one resource that will satisfy that need and most of the major points I was asked in those classes are covered. From now on, when such questions arise, I will recommend this book.

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Jeanne M. Follman scores a hit with this book. As a former college instructor who taught the Internet, I can state positively, that I wish I had this book for use as a textbook. She uses a down to earth writing style that will score with teenagers and young people.

For those who find the complexities of the Internet hard to fathom, Follman does great job explaining how it works, in fast, easy to understand terms. I learned some interesting historical facts (the development of CGI), that I didn't know about the Internet and thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Follman also gives some insights into where the Internet is going and explain why it is important to understand its effects on mankind and our culture.

I think this book should be on the required reading list for every High School through Junior College Student in the US. I think it would make a fine basis for further research.

Strongly recommended for anyone interested in how the Internet works. The concepts are simple but so important that they should not be ignored. Read this book and pass it on to as many of your family members as possible.

Congrats to Follman for a fine book....

I highly recommend this book. The authors have done a terrific job of blending in the full spectrum of issues related to IPv6 in a very readable tone and format. The technical components of the book are excellent but the best parts are the ones that add perspective and address the economic implications of advanced networking and IPv6. This book should be required reading for all non-technical managers and decision makers.

This book advances the current IPv6 debate beyond the various pitfalls and complexities of IPv6 integration and shine light on the economic impact of advanced networking. It would be terrific if the authors could initiate the IPv6 wake-up call that is desperately needed in North America.

Excellent read....

IPv6 adoption doesn't really mean much to most people or organizations today, even though we've all heard at some point that IPv4 IP addresses are being depleted rapidly, the problem is not yet that evident.

In all honesty, we had our doubts about this Cisco Press title, but the first 30 (out of a total of 400) pages put things into perspective. The title helps you clearly understand what IPv6 is all about. Its approach is brilliant - with the handful of real statistics and examples it provides, you will realize that IPv6 is not about a new breakthrough or trend but a solution to an uprising problem.

The fact is that the global network, aka `Internet', relies on a 30 year old protocol originally developed for a much smaller network. The growth of the Internet was unforeseeable, as were the problems to be encountered. The experts agree that the IPv4 addressing space will be completely depleted by the year 2015.

Global IPv6 Strategies kicks off with an analysis of this depletion, providing accurate information and a unique methodology, suddenly you are aware of the impact and significance of this problem. It then tackles the myths and realities of IPv4 and IPv6. Does IPv6 really offer enhanced security compared to IPv4? What about Quality of Service (QoS) and improved routing abilities of the new protocol? These questions are all demystified, along with many more, making clear that which IPv6 can and cannot offer.

Analysis of the IPv6 adoption strategies of governments and businesses all over the world is also covered, showing the actions governments have taken to research the necessity and adoption methodology of IPv6.

A brief chapter is devoted to the new services that will emerge from the IPv6 evolution in many sectors such as the educational, entertainment, business and many more.

The rest of the book is an eye opener - Real example case studies of IPv6 adoption. These case studies show IPv6 planning in the context of the business, operational and technical realities of actual organizations.

The structure the book uses for the case studies are intended to help the readers identify similarities between their environments & IT goals and those of the organizations covered in the case studies.





The structure followed in each case study is as follows:

- Company profile. Overview of the company profile and scope of its business network and IT profile, overview of the IT environment and the way it supports the business goals of the organization.

- IP infrastructure characteristics. Overview of the IP aspects of the environment, listing any challenges experienced or envisaged.

- Perspective on IPv6. Presents the organization's perspective on IPv6 as a technology, and the IPv6 adoption trends within its market space.

- The case for IPv6. Combines the perspective on IPv6 covered earlier in the book, with the early or late adoption position considered by the organization.

- IPv6 planning and implementation. The case made for IPv6 adoption shapes the adoption strategy and its implementation. Determining factors that must be considered.

Global IPv6 Strategies is not a highly technical title. It won't analyse technical perspectives of the IPv6 protocol, but it will give you the necessary knowledge to help you see the importance of the protocol, which will also help you make unavoidable important business decisions in the near future.

Are you an IT professional or department manager. If you are, then this book is for you! Authors Patrick Grossetete Ciprian P. Popoviciu and Fred Wettling, have done an outstanding job of writing a book that provides a global overview of the strategies that developed around the IPv6 adoption and perspectives taken on it within various markets.

Grossetete, Popoviciu and Wettling, begin by introducing you to the importance of the Internet in today's economy. Then, the authors discuss the original case for developing IPv6 as presented by the IETF. The authors also take a closer look at the constraints presented by an IPv6 infrastructure to national economies and individual businesses. They continue by mapping some of the adoption drivers to IPv6 adoption strategies that emerged at the beginning of the 21st century. Then, the authors show you how to apply practical information in the development of IPv6 adoption strategies. Finally, they cover key aspects related to IPv6 planning.

This most excellent book provides practical guidelines based on the extensive IPv6 planning and deployment experience of the authors. Perhaps more importantly, this great book bridges the gap between the technology and the business dimensions of IPv6 to shed some light on a technological evolution with potentially revolutionary business outcomes.

I love that these three guys took the time to write this book. Collectively, they have the technical and business skills, combined with the necessary experience to make business sense of the transition to IPv6. They did a good job of looking at each of the key areas, with both the technical (where Patrick is widely respected) and business (where Fred actually led the Fortune 500's first global transition) focus.

This is the first v6 book that I would recommend to the general business population. Prior attempts have been good at the technical issues, but were written mostly for the v6-immersed set. This book will reward the non-v6 reader with practical benefits in business case, network optimization, security and more.

Good job authors-- and thanks for taking the time.

One thing to keep in mind is that this is not a "cookbook". It is less tactical, and more strategic.

I am not saying these are bad things, in fact when coupled with "Deploying IPv6 Networks" (also from Cisco Press, and some of the same authors!) you have a very holistic view of what IPv6 is, how to implement it, why you should be ready for it, the concerns that lie therein, etc.

/TJ

Wow! This book is great! It combines two great subjects NASA and Computers! This book inspired me to use computers, and learn C++ programing! I think children ages 8-13 would enjoy this book very much.

This book is great! I bought this book and have read it at least 50 times

Cyber.kdz #3 is really number one. This is the book where we learn how the cyber kids met and live their first adventure together. Deeder is the first cyber kid and the secret club forms as a means to clear his father of suspicion in a new AI program that went all wrong and scrubbed a big NASA shuttle launch. Deeder's clumsy approach to Josh and Paul by anonymous email is funny. They both think Deeder is some kind of spooky weirdo. It is through the efforts of Tereza that ... well, read the book ... you'll understand! And, HEY!!, it's really good.

I loved this book. It was really suspenseful and exciting. I checked it out from the library and don't want to give it back!

I think this is a great book. It tells about when the Cyber.kdz are just starting to locate each other. Deeder goes to Florida to meet his dad.While they're at the shuttle something goes wrong and Deeder has to go home along with his dad. They are both depressed. But with the help of the Cyber.kdz, they solve the mystery.

Written primarily for CEOs of technology startups, the concepts are more widely applicable in B2B marketing. The advice is pragmatic - obviously written by an experienced practitioner and not a theorist.

Only one chapter deals with the green banana principle. At any any given time, ten percent of your target is evaluating a product for an immediate purchase decision. If your firm doesn't already have credibility with the prospect, it's too late to win the sale at this stage. You should be establishing awareness and credibility with the other 90% so you'll be considered when they are ready to buy.

My favorite line from the book is this: "Never imitate you competitors. They don't know what they're doing either." That made me laugh.

This book is packed full of extremely timely and useful information for those who want to know what an 'intuitive thinking' marketing pro knows. It's fresh and practical, so it gets 4 stars. The layout and design is clean, crisp and draws you in with packaged snippets of advice and examples. Clean, simple visual communications bumps it up a star for me to a 5.

Keep it around as a reference, pick it up and read a few pages, flip through it until your eyes zoom in on a few words that catch your attention. You'll either learn something or have something you believe to be true reconfirmed. A great reference!

This book is packed full of extremely timely and useful information for those who want to know what an 'intuitive thinking' marketing pro knows. It's fresh and practical, so it gets 4 stars. The layout and design is clean, crisp and draws you in with packaged snippets of advice and examples. Clean, simple visual communications bumps it up a star for me to a 5.

Keep it around as a reference, pick it up and read a few pages, flip through it until your eyes zoom in on a few words that catch your attention. You'll either learn something or have something you believe to be true reconfirmed. A great reference!

I wish I had bought Green Banana Papers before ever spending a dime on marketing. It's a candid conversation with a talented marketing veteran who has made a career out of making the tough decisions and winning. Coleman anticipated all my questions and answered each with clarity, intelligence and humor. Where's the sequel? I don't want the conversation to end!!!!!!!

I found the book very insightful and interesting to read. There is quite a bit of valuable information for new companies, and great ideas to help established companies stay focused. Ms. Coleman uses actual business examples of her theories in the book which drives home the value of the information.

This is a no-brainer. If you want to get a jump on video blogging and don't know where to start - buy this book. It's an easy read that is not that difficult to digest and understand.

Blog on!

Lionel Felix and Damien Stolarz take you step by step in their book Hands-On Guide to Video Blogging and Podcasting into the emerging new tools of a video blog or podcast.

[MORE INFO AT http:satisfyingsolutions.com]

Easy instructions make it simple to use and the book gives you the latest tools to quickly start video blogging and podcasting for your business.

Chapter one gives you an overlook on how to record and edit your video.

In chapter two the authors discuss the anatomy of a blog as well as a brief history of blogs.

As one reads on Chapter three discuss the main uses for video blogging and podcasting. In addition it also shows how mainstream media and corporate uses these two tools.

Chapters four,five, and six explain blogs and what kind of delivery should be given in this new technology.

Chapter seven incorporates the moblogging and podcasting and continues with chapter eight and one the go spaces and video.

Chapter nine fulfills the reader with essential tools for your computer as well as the software and hardware.

Chapter ten gives an insight on production and breaks down the recording, microphones, and editing.

Chapter eleven continues from the audio production and moves into video production.

Chapter twelve explains to the reader the pricing and hosting of band withs.

Chapter thirteen discusses how to go about assembling blog entries.

The next chapter discusses the important facts of licensing and copyrights.

Finally, chapter fifteen discusses case studies from websites such as ericrice and ryanedit.com.

Furthermore, this is a great hands-on tool to take you step by step in the process of blogging. Paul Gillin gives you the motivation to start your own blog and Felix and Stolarz give you the tools to make it your own.

This book supports Paul Gillin's ideas and the book The New Influencers by reiterating the fact that blogging and podcasting is the resource to business communications in digital media. It is so easy to follow along and not only helps with business aspects but entertainment and educational institutions too.

A. J. Baltes

I work for Loyola Marymount University. We recently decided to make all lectures available via Podcasts. I went searching for books on the subject in order to find a solution for the school. This book was by far the best book on the subject. It even gave us some ideas for video blogging that we hadn't previously considered. Without the precise and coherent coverage given to Podcasting in this book I doubt we would have a solution even half as good. Thanks to the authors for their great book. It has been invaluable.

If you want to get into Video Blogging and Podcasting this is the best book on the market today. Covers every aspect in detail while still making it all seem easy.

This hands-on guide is great for nailing down the nitty gritty of podcasting. Sure, there's nothing to it; you can make a podcast in a night. But then, once it's launched, there are SO many things to consider and so many ways to expand it. This is what makes casting a blast!

His nitty gritty on bandwidth, pricing plans, and especially the case studies of existing vidcasts and podcasts helped me a lot with refining my New Civilization Podcast.

Good stuff!

Zack

This is a good resource that serves as a starting point for anyone in the unenviable position of needing to get a network into a more secure posture. If this is your role it is a must have. It covers a lot of ground in a "how-to" manner, instead of the normal books of theory. There are lots of screen prints and step by step instructions for setting up things like TACACS, IPSEC, firewalls, ACL's etc...

If you are a LAN administrator you NEED this book for the section entitled, "Do This Now!", and you'll find the later sections informative as well. If you are involved in network planning or security design this is a must have. The book is laid out well and easy to read with a good logical flow from one topic to another. The language the author chose to use makes it a much easier read than some of the other stuff out there I've seen. I'm definitely glad I picked this one up!

It is evident that the author has real world knowledge and experience. His writing style is clear and easy to read but he still keeps it too a high technical level. The author isn't afraid to get into specifics on how to secure your infrastructure. Too many authors today seem to write their security books with vague suggestions on security but don't really give you anything really solid. I began using this book as a reference immediately for a big project I had coming up it gave me the info I needed. This book should be on anybody's shelf that's serious about security

I have been reading networking and infrastructure books for over 15 years and there are a few that make the grade as a keeper.. (one that ends up on ebay or sold in a garage sale is NOT a keeper :) I have this as my new 'keeper' and it will stay by my side and make a few trips up and down the west coast in my trusty laptop bag.
The fact that there are examples of each 'fix' or procedure that is important is a goldmine of information. My favorite line was early in the book when Wes made the statement.

"If you don't have a firewall, stop reading this book right now and go buy or build one and implement it on your network."

Now, how many books actually tell you to put it down and go do something then show you HOW to if you run into problems or have some questions.
Wes really wants to help you in beginning those first steps to protecting your data and network all the while being able to talk to all levels who touch or SHOULD be touching security.
From the CIO/CTO/IS Manager all the way down to the guy sitting in from of a Cisco command prompt. They are all taken care of with this book in clear concise explanations and very easy to grasp diagrams..

Rating: Buy...

rob in kirkland

Practical, hands-on 'guide' to securing your environment. Even includes securing those pesky wireless network upstarts! Very nuts-&-bolts. Real world applications, as shown by Mr. Noonan's inclusion of various network equipment and its operations. From implementations of firewall ACLs, AAA, routers & switches command line/GUI consoles, to deployment of VLANs, DMZs and intrusion detection systems - this book has got it all!!! No network admin should not have this on their book shelf!

This book cover internet security in an informal ways (conversation dialogue). Easy to understand for novice computer users.
The only reason I didn't give a 5 stars is because I didn't learn anything new.

I have enjoyed all the Harley Hahn books I've read so far, but this book is my all time favourite. As always, Harley combines a fun style of writing with useful technical instruction and the reader will learn a lot of interesting facts in a very enjoyable way.

As I read Internet Insecurity, I wished that Harley had written it 3 years ago, when I was just beginning to use the internet. If I'd known then what I've since learned from the book, I would have avoided learning about online relationships the hard way, for instance. Because the dangers of the internet are not what we commonly think of, and although we need to know about computer viruses, and be aware of privacy issues, the most painful mistakes that we make are due to a lack of understanding of this new technology, which is set to change our lives in so many ways.

I would recommend Internet Insecurity to anyone using the internet. As well as being a fascinating way to learn all about the origins of the internet, computer viruses, online shopping, sex and relationships, it is the only book I have found which addresses the concerns we all have, and separates the real from the imaginery fears associated with the internet. I found the book both thought provoking and yet entertaining, and I have certainly learned a lot from reading it.

I found this book by accident while looking for another computer book. I flipped through it. It captured me so I decided to buy.

Even though I work on computers for a living, I still found several useful information from the book. Reading the last chapter which touched on the relationship issue, I wished the author had written the book several years ago. If I'd had the book then, I might have saved myself several regrets and become wiser without having to learn what I know now the hard way myself.

Other than a light touch of useful technical info, the author gives a very insightful perspective on the computer technology, esp. the internet world itself. I really, really enjoyed this book as I savored and immersed myself in the author deep thoughts and the extensive background info, which gave me a better understanding of how things've become.

I give this book 2 thumbs up and highly recommend it as a must read for anyone who'd love to broaden their mind and perspective.

Along with the thoughts of previous reviewers, I find it difficult to come up with more adequate adjectives for this fine book. Such a wealth of information, based on extensive research!!
I was hardly prepared for the fascinating history, psychology, education, and thoroughly compelling subjects covered in this humorous, personal approach. It is not a book that you can put down and refer to periodically. It's a page turner from cover to cover.
If all who participate in activities on the web were to seriously consider the observations and suggestions provided within these pages, what a considerate, happy place the net would remain.
Hopefully, all responsible human beings will follow these guidelines.

On the second page of his latest book, "Internet Insecurity," Harley Hahn says, "this is not a normal computer book, not by a long shot." And he keeps the promise.
The computer sections of bookstores are filled with volumes on hacking and computer safety, many of them written for people who run servers, networks and large computer operations or who are charged with tracking the hackers. Some of them seemingly just want to scare us into shutting down out computers and never accessing the Internet.
Hahn's book is neither of these. It's written so even beginners can understand it, and it follows through on another promise made on the first page:
"I do not want you worrying needlessly about things that are not really a problem. For example, regardless of what you might hear, you do not need to worry about computer viruses or about unknown perpetrators breaking into your system -- not if you take a few simple precautions ... There are far more important things I want you to think about: how the Internet affects your privacy, your security, your money, your relationships, your work and your family."
I cringed when I read that, but Hahn is well-respected, and I wanted to see what he had to say, so I bought the book. While I'm not going to give up my anti-virus software or my firewall, I understand where he's coming from and agree that -- if we all followed his advice -- we'd probably be safe. I'm just not sure that most people are willing to follow the advice he offers.
I'll come back to this, but first let's look at some other parts of the book, which covers such topics as business and the Internet, privacy (how much you can really expect and ways to keep as much as you can), Internet communication (e-mail and chatting) and privacy, viruses and protecting yourself against them, money and the Internet and your family and the Internet.
First, Hahn doesn't write about just technology. He discusses, as he puts it, "psychology, history, philosophy, science, money and relationships." And, yes, they really do all tie together and are related to the Internet.
For instance, it's not easy to understand privacy and what we think we know about it without understanding why we think we need it and knowing that, despite what you think, it's not guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution. And it's difficult to grasp business practices until, as Hahn points out, we stop thinking of corporations as individuals rather than as ... well, corporations. Businesses do what they do to improve the bottom line. If that includes using personal information they gather about you to sell you more products, they will do so. They're even likely to sell that information to others to make even more money.
Summarizing such ideas in just a few words doesn't do them justice. Hahn builds his cases carefully and logically and gives you the information you need to protect yourself against what he sees as the real dangers.
The chapters on Internet communications and its effects on families are among the most important in the book -- because the subject seems to be considered so seldom. No one questions the value of e-mail, but, Hahn emphasizes that neither e-mail nor a chat room is true personal contact. In chat rooms especially, you don't know for sure that the person you're chatting with is who -- or what -- he or she says, or even if it's truly a he or a she.
It's dangerously easy, he says, to believe you truly know and have connected with someone simply because you've shared personal information via a keyboard and computer screen.
"...The Internet is important because it is capable of bringing great emotional forces into our relationships, forces which we were not designed to bear. These forces are strong and, if we are not careful, they may cause significant damage to the emotional fabric of our lives and to the lives of our loved ones," he writes.
"Does this mean that we should avoid having relationships that depend on the Net? In some cases, yes. Certain activities are nothing more than a breeding ground for unhappiness and only serve to distract us from what is really important in our lives."
Now, as for viruses, Hahn lists the kinds of attachments that can be dangerous to your computer, explains how to show full file names (Windows hides the extensions by default) so you can recognize them and then says not to open them if they arrive by e-mail. Simple? Reasonably so, if you have any experience at all with using Windows Explorer. Advice we all have the will power to follow? I'm not so sure.
Firewalls? Unless you're running a server or a business network, you don't need one, he says. Such programs are more intrusive than anti-virus programs, the false alarms they set off will "scare you silly, and if you really want to scare yourself silly, there are much better ways to do it."
I visited Hahn's Web site, signed up for his newsletter and left a comment that I enjoyed the book but was uncomfortable with his antivirus and firewall advice. I commented that I'd keep them because I'd rather "be a little safer" with my Norton AntiVirus and Zone Alarm.
To my surprise, he replied:
"Are you sure that it's not really that you would rather 'be a little safer' but that, perhaps, you would rather 'feel a little safer'? Remember, most people aren't technically apt, and AV and IF programs can cause them a *lot* of mysterious problems. ..."
Good point on the "feel a little safer." But, because I do need to get e-mail attachments as editor of The Outer Edge, I'll stick with the programs for a comfort zone.
Is the book worth the cost? If you're concerned about what problems you can have on the Internet and how to protect yourself against them, definitely.