                      Simple Internet -- The Book
                         Reviewed by Nathan Kay

    Internet books seem to be the current 'fad' in computer oriented
bookstores these days. Sometimes, it seems that just trying to pick a
good book to learn about the Internet from is as hard as learning how to
'surf' the Internet itself!  My faith in the printing press has been
restored recently by a book titled merely, Simple Internet.
    I must admit, Simple Internet was not quite what I was excepting it
to be. Simple Internet is written in the style of  'private eye' fiction
novels. The book stars the private eye, Archie Finger (named after two
Internet programs), who has been hired to track down a missing man.
    As the plot opens, Archie's only clues are a mysterious Internet
address, and a highly technical book about the Internet. With the help
of his loyal friend Veronica (also named after an Internet program) and
several other helpful people, Archie must explore the vast world of the
Internet, finding hidden clues buried in the many parts of the Internet.
    From finding and signing up with an Internet provider to using the
most advanced programs on the Internet, I watched with wonder as I
looked over Archie's shoulder while he learned. And as I watched him
learn, I saw him review things he's learned, giving clear-cut, simple
explanations of how to do things. There's almost never an explanation of
exactly how the Internet manages to work, in technical detail. Rather,
through Archie, I got the low-down of to make the best use of the
Internet, regardless of t complex mathematics and strange theories that
make it all run.
    Archie seems to like drawing neat little diagrams that make it easy
to visualize what's going on just enough to be able to make good use of
the Internet programs. Several times, this helped me get a grip on what
was going on.
    Simple Internet isn't joking in it's name. The whole point of the
book is that it is simple. I didn't need a degree in computer science,
or mathematics to understand and learn how to use the Internet, just a
few free hours and a willingness to enjoy the humor, while not taking
the fictional plot of the book too seriously. Simple Internet may be
fiction, but it's fiction that is used to teach, not to entertain
(though, several times, I had to put down the book because I was
laughing so hard!).
    In the first chapter, Archie and the reader are introduced the
mystery of the missing man who leaves only the cryptic
'owner@super.geeks.com' address as a clue, as well as being introduced
to the concept of the Internet and what it is. He also gives good ideas
about how to find an Internet provider in your area. From there, it's a
fun, easy, and insightful journey though the Internet. In spite of
myself, I learned more about the Internet reading this book than any
technical document I've seen.
    While reading, I was worried that once I had finished reading a
chapter, I'd have problems remembering where FTP or something else had
been discussed, but one glance at the last few pages set that worry to
rest, for a very complete and well organized index is included, making
finding a discussion of any given program easy to find again.
    Expect to laugh, smile, and learn while reading Simple Internet!
    Simple Internet sells for $16.95 in the USA, and $23.95 in Canada.
   The minimum system for this book is any computer with a terminal
emulation program and a modem.

                           Waite Group Press
                            200 Tamal Plaza
                        Corte Madera, CA  94925

 Send your postal name, address, city, state, zip to 31prod@supportu.com
       for product literature to be sent to you via postal mail.
