BKESCSSG.RVW   961203
 
"Essential Client/Server Survival Guide", Robert Orfali/Dan Harkey/Jeri
Edwards, 1994, 0-442-01941-6
%A   Robert Orfali
%A   Dan Harkey
%A   Jeri Edwards
%C   115 Fifth Ave., New York, NY   10003
%D   1994
%G   0-442-01941-6
%I   Van Nostrand Reinhold (VNR)
%O   +1-800-842-3636 +1-212-254-3232 fax: +1-212-254-9499 aburt-murray@vnr.com
%P   527
%T   "Essential Client/Server Survival Guide"
 
A book with "client/server" in the title cannot possibly be fun.  A book with
cartoon Martians on the cover (and acting as guides throughout the book), well
... remember "Bob"?  Combine these two features, and you magically get a book
that provides a solid, comprehensible, and complete overview of that enormous
field previously known as distributed computing.
 
Well, not magically.  The authorial team is to be commended for their ability
and discipline in pulling off the task: making sure all aspects are explained
equally well, and ensuring that the lighthearted touches support the material
rather than getting in the way.
 
The book covers basic concepts, operating systems, middleware, database,
transactions, groupware, objects, and management.  Due to the age of the work,
some technologies have dropped in importance, but overall it has aged
remarkably well.
 
The conceit about teaching the technology to Martians is inessential to the
intent of the book.  The Jokes and cartoons do, though, contribute to the text,
enhancing both readability and comprehension.
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996   BKESCSSG.RVW   961203

======================
roberts@decus.ca         rslade@vcn.bc.ca         slade@freenet.victoria.bc.ca
link to virus, book info at http://www.freenet.victoria.bc.ca/techrev/rms.html
Author "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses" 0-387-94663-2 (800-SPRINGER)