BKWEBNAV.RVW   980523

"The Web Navigator", Paul Gilster, 1997, 0-471-16495-X,
U$24.95/C$34.95
%A   Paul Gilster gilster@interpath.com
%C   5353 Dundas Street West, 4th Floor, Etobicoke, ON   M9B 6H8
%D   1997
%G   0-471-16495-X
%I   Wiley
%O   U$24.95/C$34.95 fax: 416-236-4448 lwhiting@jwiley.com
%P   490 p.
%T   "The Web Navigator"

Since the rise in popularity of the World Wide Web to *the* interface
of choice to the Internet we've had all the various introductions to
the Internet that concentrate solely on the net via browser.  Now
comes the useful one.

Chapter one states outright that the view of the net in this book is
limited to the browser window, in contrast to most works in the genre
that imply the Web is all there is.  There is the obligatory
collection of different types of sites on the Web, but Gilster manages
to use the space to point out features and ideas rather than simply
presenting a montage of KEWL! screen shots.  The history of the Web is
accurately and interestingly portrayed in chapter two.  Getting
connected to the net can never be completely covered but chapter three
manages to present an astounding range of information.  It is also
backed up by a very useful appendix dealing with dial up networking in
Windows 95.  Gilster admits his choice of Netscape Navigator in
chapter four before going on to give a review of the major browser
functions.  Unfortunately some material is specific not only to the
browser but to the release as well, but this is unavoidable with the
graphical interface.  Chapter five, dealing with plug-ins and other
components, is valuable, but also shows how quickly these items go in
and out of style.

The advice on email covers not only configuration, but also advanced
topics such as netiquette in chapter six.  Most of chapter seven
concentrates on accessing Usenet news via the browser, but it also
deals with telnet and gopher functions.  Advanced or coming
technologies like Java, Internet telephony, and the Virtual Reality
Modelling Language (VRML) are quickly reviewed in chapter eight. 
Searching, in chapter nine, covers all aspects including search
engines, directories, people finders, and agents.  Publishing on the
Web is discussed more in concept than in detail in chapter ten. 
Issues of security and privacy are covered clearly in chapter eleven.

While the book starts very strongly indeed, matching the quality of
"The Internet Navigator" (cf. BKINTNAV.RVW) and "Finding it on the
Internet" (cf. BKFNDINT.RVW), later chapter are sound but not quite as
vital.  Still this book would have to have serious consideration as
possibly the best introduction for those approaching the net through
the Web interface.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1998   BKWEBNAV.RVW   980523