BKCDPDST.RVW 970119 "CDPD: Cellular Digital Packet Data Standards and Technology", John Agosta/Travis Russell, 1997, 0-07-000600-8 %A John Agosta %A Travis Russell %C 300 Water Street, Whitby, Ontario L1N 9B6 %D 1997 %G 0-07-000600-8 %I McGraw-Hill Ryerson/Osborne %O 905-430-5000 800-565-5758 fax: 905-430-5020 louisea@McGrawHill.ca %P 243 %T "CDPD: Cellular Digital Packet Data Standards and Technology" This book is a serviceable reference to the standards and technology of cellular digital packet data (CDPD). Those implementing CDPD applications will find all the necessary details in regard to packet composition and header formation. I must admit that the implicit, and almost completely subjective, "but" in the preceding paragraph surprised me. After all, the topic is technical, and one doesn't generally expect more than the facts. However, in comparison to Sreetharan and Kumar's "Cellular Digital Packet Data" (cf. BKCDPD.RVW), the current work is somewhat lacking. There is little excitement or sense of challenge. In addition, the complacent tone of the book is unattractive. The acceptance of a monthly cost exceeding that of a year's telephone or Internet service, for a data budget which would be consumed in less than a minute's worth of Web browsing, reflects a smugness that seems to be all too prevalent in the telecommunications industry as a whole. It does not presage well for the use of CDPD in applications other than the limited, low traffic, high transaction value situations such as point of sale terminals. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1997 BKCDPDST.RVW 970119 ====================== roberts@decus.ca rslade@vcn.bc.ca rslade@vanisl.decus.ca "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke http://www2.gdi.net/~padgett/trial.htm