Book Review – How the Internet Works, by Preston Gralla

How The Internet Works, by Preston Gralla, is in its 8th edition. It is a book for anyone who wants to know how the internet works at a simple level. Primarily aimed at beginner and intermediate level people it includes the occasional item that even most professionals will find interesting.

This is a very good book to help an expert to learn how to explain technical answers to beginners. Simple, clear explanations explains most of the internet technology we use today. The simple language is supported by colorful graphics that prove a picture really is worth a thousand words

Each item is covered in a short two or 3 page section. Nearly every topic is illustrated making it even easier for the beginner to understand. If you need to know a more technical answers then you should consider a more advanced book.

All the facts you’ll need about the most of the tools we use on the internet. A lot of these tools are the things we don’t even realize that we are using. the normally just run and we only become aware that they exist when things stop working. A short example list includes:

Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
internet service providers (ISP)
File Transfer (FTP)
TCP/IP
web browsers
Winsock

Topics range from connecting to the Internet, using Mail, Instant Messages (Chats), News Groups, File Transfer (FTP), and shopping from the Net. On sale for under $20.00 you’ll find a cost effective book full of useful information that will help you. Oddly, buying the 8th edition is $5.00 less expensive than the 7th edition. Go figure. Keep this book on your desk as a reference for practical answers to internet problems.

This book is very useful for working with international clients that are using a basic English. The experience of having to describe something to a person that does not fluently speak your native language can be a frustrating one. Especially if the topic is one that you are an expert in and the non-native speaker is not. Using

How The Internet Works
allows an internet expert re-discover some of the more words that can be used to explain a concept, how to configure an FTP connection or a TCP/IP subnet. There needs to be a book like this for every subject that your international clients may have questions on, maybe it is time for you to write your own book!

Preston Gralla is the award-winning author of more than 30 books, including

Windows Vista in a Nutshell
Complete Idiot’s Guide to Protecting Your Child Online
Big Book of Windows Hacks
Windows Vista Pocket Reference
Internet Annoyances
PC Pest Control
Windows XP Power Hound,
Windows XP Hacks
and co-author of Windows XP Cookbook.