The Internet: The Missing Manual Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book reminds me a lot of those "Internet Yellow Pages" books you used to see from 1994 until about 1996 when modern search engines and the growing sophistication of computer users made them unnecessary.
I thought I would peruse this book and see if it had anything of value to offer, and I have to say that unless you've been stranded on a desert island for the last twelve years, I can't see how it could be of much help. These days, pretty much all age groups from preschoolers to senior citizens have this much knowledge of the internet. In 2006 do we really need a book that tells us the different ways to connect to the internet, how to shop online, how to gamble online, and the perils of banking online? I don't think so.
I gave this book three stars mainly out of residual respect for the Missing Manual Series that is very helpful for learning the MAC and its various applications as well as software packages such as Photoshop Elements. Nothing in the manual is incorrect. It is well written and well illustrated. It is just too basic to be helpful for anyone who knows how to access an Internet search engine.
The table of contents is as follows:
Part I: GETTING ONLINE
1. Getting Online
Broadband Connections (Fast); Dial-Up Connections (Slow); Wireless Connections (Awesome); Software; Advanced Connection Tricks (Windows); Advanced Connection Tricks (Mac OS X);
2. Surfing the Web
Your First Web Page; Portals: Dashboards of the Web; Browser Choices;
Part II: FINDING INFORMATION
3. How to Search the Web
Search Basics; Directories at Your Service;
4. Searching by Information Type
White Pages, Yellow Pages; Driving Directions; Health and Medicine; Job Hunting; Getting the Facts; Word Definitions;
5. News and Blogs
News Sites; Online Newspapers; Sports, Weather, and Entertainment; Blogs; Feeds: Having the News Come to You;
6. Reviews and Ratings
Movies; Restaurants; Music; Books; Consumer Electronics; Cars;
Part III: SHOPPING, TRAVEL, AND FINANCE
7. Shopping
How to Shop Online; The Top Shopping Sites; Finding Good Deals; Shopping for Big-Ticket Items ;
8. Planning Trips
Booking Tickets and Reservations; Last-Minute Deals;
9. Finance
Online Banking; Finding Loans Online; Trading Online and Tracking Investments; Doing Your Taxes Online;
Part IV: ENTERTAINMENT AND MEDIA
10. Games and Gambling
Games for the Whole Family; Action Games; Massive Multiplayer Games; Virtual Worlds; Fantasy Sports; Gambling;
11. Music and Audio
Digital Audio and the Internet; Listening to Digital Audio; Online Music Stores; Streaming Music Sites; Internet Radio; Podcasts;
12. Videos, Movies, and TV
Videos and Movies Online; DVDs by Mail; Watching Webcams;
13. Photos
Finding Photos; Sharing Photos Online; Sending Photos to a Printing Service; Sending Photos via Email;
Part V: COMMUNICATING WITH OTHERS
14. Email
Email Program vs. Web-Based Email; Setting Up Your Email Program; Writing and Sending Messages; Reading and Organizing Email; Fighting Email Pests
15. Instant Messages and Chat
Instant Messaging: An Introduction; IM Services: The Catalog;
16. Discussion Groups
Finding and Searching Groups; Creating New Groups;
17. Social Networking
Socializing and Dating Services; Professional Networking;
18. Skype & VoIP: Internet Phones;
Skype: Computer-to-Phone Plans; Phone-to-Phone Plans;
Part VI: INTERNET POWER AND PROTECTION
19. Your Own Blogs, Web Sites, and Podcasts
Blogs; Super-Simple Web Pages; Professional Web Sites; Podcasts;
20. Living on the Web
Online Backup and Storage; Online Word Processing Programs; Project Planning and Group Calendars; Online Meetings/Web Conferencing ;
21. Staying Safe
Know Your Enemies; Fighting Internet Pests; Defeating Spyware; Controlling Cookies; Phishing Lures; Sealing Your Computer's Firewall; Protecting Your Kids;




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The Internet is almost synonymous with change--that's one of its charms, and one of its headaches.You may think you know the Internet, but are you really up to speed on internet telephones, movie and TV downloading, blogging, gaming, online banking, dating, and photosharing?
This utterly current book covers:Getting Online. Readers will have all the information they need to decide what kind of broadband connection works best for them, which browser they should use, and what kind of spyware-fighting and virus-and spam-protection measures they need to protect themselves.
Finding Information. Google may be the leading search site, but it's certainly not the only game in town. This book introduces a diverse and useful collection of sites that help uncover everything from health care information, to shopping, travel and finance, to dependable reviews and ratings.
Movies, music, and photos. The Web's teeming with entertainment--and not just the sort of postage-stamp sized videos that only a geek could love. Learn where to download movies, watch TV online, listen to music, play games, and post and share photos with friends.
Keeping in touch. Email's only the beginning. This book introduces readers to the many tools that make the modern Internet such a great way to stay connected. From Web-based discussion groups to instant messaging programs, and from blogs and podcasts to Internet-based phone calls, this book will help you join the conversation.

Ideal for anyone just venturing into cyberspace, this book is also perfect for more experienced users who could use an update to today's most exciting internet applications.

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