BKINTGIZ.RVW   950511
 
"Internet Gizmos for Windows", Diamond/Sobel/Hilley, 1995, 1-56884-451-4
%A   Joel Diamond 76702.1023@compuserve.com
%A   Howard Sobel
%A   Valda Hilley valda@cpress.com  72520.1710@compuserve.com
%A   Larry Budnick
%A   Howard Gold howard@savvy.com
%C   155 Bovet Road, Suite 310, San Mateo, CA   94402
%D   1995
%G   1-56884-451-4
%I   IDG Books
%O   415-312-0650 fax: 415-286-2740 mkoloski@mcimail.com kaday@aol.com
%P   913
%T   "Internet Gizmos for Windows"
 
I'm not quite sure how they come up with their numbers on the front cover, but
inside there are chapters talking about thirty-nine packages of software for
Windows or Windows NT.  These are, variously, demo programs, shareware and
freeware.  The book chapters appear, for the most part, to be portions of the
documentation for the programs.
 
The printed material is not always clear about what the packages are, and what
they contain.  Do the Spry, Distinct and Frontier samplers come with SLIP
software?  What does "X-ray" actually do?  Is "Sticky" just another form of
email?
 
Installation instructions are also problematic.  The Trumpet WinSock seems to
have SLIP capabilities, but the text keeps referring to network cards and
drivers.  This is particularly tragic, since almost all of the other programs
require WinSock.
 
The introduction states that the printed material should help you evaluate
which packages to try.  In some cases, the detailed documentation provides a
good overview, but, in many cases, you won't know much more after reading a
chapter than when you began.
 
Since all of these packages appear to require a direct Internet connection,
either dial-up IP or a dedicated network link, it could be argued that
installation instructions are not needed, since you will be able to call on the
services of your Internet provider's customer support, or the network support
within your company.  In that case, however, the bulk of the material available
here will already be accessible online.
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1995   BKINTGIZ.RVW   950511
 
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