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REFERENCE CHANNELS
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Book Review:
Poor Richard's Home and Small Office Networking By John Paul Mueller My wife has been after me for the last 3 months to write this review, but I've successfully put it off until now. Why? Well, it's not because the book is bad. In fact, for the beginner, this is a very good book. Mueller is very This book covers practically every topic a small business owner may need, from the cabling and hardware to special software. It talks about the myriad different physical ways that data can be moved from computer to computer: SneakerNet (yup, the good old floppy), Ethernet, wireless networks, and so on. In addition, it covers the even more limitless and confusing software that goes with it. Perhaps best, Mueller gives lots of advice on network administration: How to set up a small network, how to decide what to purchase, how to make the whole thing work together, and how to fix it when it breaks. He even covers teleconferencing and other topics that one may not initially think of as "networking". So, why did I put it off? Sounds like I liked the book, doesn't it? I guess it comes down to a disappointment. You see, the back page claims that the book explains how to set up a Virtual Private Network. That's great, I thought! We here at VentureConsult work at two different sites, and the most common complaint has been sharing computer files between the two sites. We've tried the various "simple" solutions - SneakerNet, e-mail, FTP, and so on. I thought we could just tie the two networks together through the Internet, and this book would tell me how. Well, it didn't. He describes it, he gives the pros and cons of it, and he gives alternatives to it. He doesn't describe how to set up aVPN. We here at VentureConsult still haven't tied our networks together because I haven't had the time to find the right book that tells me how to do it. Is this a reason to slam what is, in all other respects, an admirable book? Probably not. Mr. Mueller probably did not get a chance to review the contents of the back cover. Still, it left a funny feeling about the book. I would say that this really is a good book for the beginner. It will help you get started on what is a complex, frustrating, but rewarding area of computer sharing. But use the book as an introduction text, and be ready to go looking for a more specific book when your questions get too detailed. If you are a skilled computer user and are familiar with networking concepts, this book is rated at $$$ - you will get something out of it, but another book may do you in better stead. If you are a beginner at networking concepts, this book is rated at $$$$$ - use the book to learn about the field, but know you will need other books as you get further into the subject. But then, isn't that always the case? -Stu Bell ABC's Rating System: $ - A few useful items; $$ - Some good content; $$$ - Well balanced and worthwhile; $$$$ - Recommend highly; $$$$$ - Excellent! Buy it now |
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