BKNPCTCP.RVW   950725
 
"Networking Personal Computers with TCP/IP", Craig Hunt, 1995, 1-56592-123-2,
U$29.95
%A   Craig Hunt
%C   103 Morris Street, Suite A, Sebastopol, CA   95472
%D   1995
%G   1-56592-123-2
%I   O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
%O   U$29.95 800-998-9938 707-829-0515 fax: 707-829-0104 nuts@ora.com
%P   408
%T   "Networking Personal Computers with TCP/IP"
 
Most computer users work on PCs.  Personal computers are cheap and widely
available, with a variety of support resources (not the least of which is the
guy-next-door-down-but-two).  Some computer professionals, however, would make
the case that PCs are not "real" computers: PCs have much more in common with
consumer goods than information technology.  There is a very real gap between
those who use internetworks and workstations, on the one hand, and those who
use PCs, on the other.
 
The very concept of a network is one of the distinctions.  To computer
professionals, a network is a system of different communications links which
allow computers to exchange data and distribute processing tasks.  To a PC
user, a network is a wire-that-runs-around-the-office-and-we-all-share-a-
printer.  It's no wonder the two sides don't communicate.
 
Hunt's book is primarily aimed at network administrators for larger systems who
are beginning to integrate PCs into the structure.  There are some very helpful
tips about Intel/BIOS/ISA hardware, operating system(s), and utilities.  DOS,
Windows, Windows 95 and NT systems, and TCP/IP implementations are addressed. 
Email, file, and print services are covered.  There is even a chapter devoted
to the integration of NetWare and TCP/IP.  Among the appendices, a list of
vendors and texts is particularly helpful.
 
The book assumes a technical background, but no specific knowledge of the PC
itself.  The material is generally quite clear, however, and those familiar
with personal computers may also find this a very helpful introduction to some
of the concepts and activities in the wider computing world.
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1995  BKNPCTCP.RVW   950725
======================
ROBERTS@decus.ca    rslade@cln.etc.bc.ca    rslade@freenet.vancouver.bc.ca 
"If you do buy a computer, don't turn it on." - Richards' 2nd Law of Security
Author "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses" 0-387-94311-0/3-540-94311-0