BKCMPDCT.RVW   980704

"Computer Dictionary", Mitchell Shnier, 1998, 0-7897-1670-4,
U$19.99/C$28.95/UK#18.49
%A   Mitchell Shnier
%C   201 W. 103rd Street, Indianapolis, IN   46290
%D   1998
%G   0-7897-1670-4
%I   Macmillan Computer Publishing (MCP)
%O   U$19.99/C$28.95/UK#18.49 800-858-7674 317-581-3743 info@mcp.com
%P   798 p.
%T   "Computer Dictionary"

Such a simple name for such an all-encompassing project.  The jacket
refines the field somewhat, promising data communications, PC
hardware, and Internet terminology, but that is still a major task.

The entries in this work are rather fewer than one would expect of a
dictionary, and longer.  In style it is more closely akin to an
encyclopedia.  As with any such tome there will be quibbles about what
should or should not be included, but I can pretty much guarantee that
any reader will be disappointed at the lack of entries.  The length of
articles does mean that other material is included, but neither the
structure of the book nor the index will make it particularly easy to
find.

There are errors.  The location for Microsoft Internet Explorer's
cookie storage is incorrect, as are some related specifications.  The
definition of hacker is certainly incomplete, and a rather ironic
reversal of how many would see the situation.  IPNG (sic) points to
IPNG for a definition.  (Fortunately, IPV6 [sic] happens to be on the
same page.)  The final adjustment in the Gregorian calendar is wrong. 
Spoofing gives the technical description, but not the (more common)
Internet usages.  Usenet refers only to newsgroups, and not the
original network.  The virus entry is pretty awful.

Sarcastic or tongue-in-cheek comments are not always visible as such
to the uninitiated: entries such as "Airplane Magazine Syndrome" are
identifiable, but interjections in the middle of more serious listings
may simply bemuse.  The quality of information is generally high but
some entries, particularly those that have been updated, may be
confusing as added material attempts to correct errors while making
absolutely minimal changes to the original text.

A feature of Shnier's work is the inclusion of a very large number of
entries for computer companies.  Commercial entities seem to get
preferential treatment: there is an entry for Sun's WABI system, but
not the Linux WINE project that does essentially the same thing.

In some places the material is quite up to date, such as in the
inclusion of listings for AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) and USB
(Universal Serial Bus).  Knowledgeable readers, though, will note
important recent developments missing from many entries, and the lack
of other items such as the fairly major V.90 protocol standard.

Despite a change of title and publisher, this is basically an update
of Shnier's earlier "Dictionary of PC Hardware and Data Communications
Terms" (cf. BKPCHDCT.RVW).  In fact, the reference to an online
version of the book still points to
http://www.ora.com/reference/dictionary.  (Does O'Reilly know about
this?)

Despite these failings, this work is one of only two that makes a
serious attempt to keep up to date.  While this text has its flaws it
stands a far better chance of being of use than do the many others of
its ilk that are merely laughable.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1998   BKCMPDCT.RVW   980704