Braun, Eric. (1994). The Internet Directory. New York: Ballantine. $25.The author calls this “the most complete hardcopy guide to the resources from around the world that are available via the Internet,” and it probably is just that. The listings of usenet newgoups, gopher servers, mailing lists, WAIS, FTP, and other resources are exhaustive. Each chapter begins with a description, hints on “netiquette,” and brief comments on use. Some chapters offer so many alphabetic listings that your are left to browse until you find a resource of interest. Others include helpful annotations on content. Not for the timid.
Butler, Mark. (1994). How to Use the Internet. Emeryville, Calif.: Ziff-Davis. $7.95.For the beginner who is just getting connected, this guide provides step-by-step directions on how to use the resources available on the Internet. Full-page illustrations make understanding Internet resources easy and visual; pictures from live-session screens show exactly what your own computer screen should look like; and numerous Tip Sheets explain trouble spots and offer practical advice.
Fraase, Michael. (1994). The Mac Internet Tour Guide. The Windows Internet Tour Guide. Chapel Hill, N. C.: Ventana Press. Includes disk. $24.95 (Windows). $27.95 (Mac).In an informative yet conversational format, these Tour Guides help you with just about everything you need to know to connect to and use the Internet. From the chapter describing infrastracture to chapters explaining resources, you'll feel comfortable using these books for your voyages through cyberspace. Each chapter includes headings, diagrams, screen shots, and tips. The Windows disk includes Chameleon, a basic software package that allows you to access services on the Internet. The Macintosh disk includes Eudora software for e-mail and Fetch file transfers software to help you upload and download files at various archives on the Internet. Buyers are entitled to two free electronic updates and become members of Ventana's Visitor's Center on the Internet.
Harris, Judi. (1994). Way of the Ferret—Finding Educational Resources on the Internet. Eugene, Ore.: International Society for Technology in Education. $24.95.Judi Harri's “Mining the Internet” column in The Computing Teacher inspired this book. In it, she shows educators how to locate primary source materials, free and inexpensive software, news and discussion groups, cooperative classroom projects, and opportunities for personal contacts. Carefully developed analogies help users grasp the basics of Internet tools and activities. In addition to the technical information you need to connect to and navigate the Net, the book provides tips on effective personal and practical classroom uses of its extensive resources. An excellent reference tool.
Krol, Ed. (1994). The Whole Internet User' Guide & Catalog. Sebastopol, Calif.: O'Reilly & Associates. $24.95.The best description for this reference tool comes from the author, who says it's aimed “at the `garden variety' computer user: not the expert or the computer afficionado, just someone who has a job to get done.” He provides thoughtful explanations of each of Internet's functions—perhaps too thoughtful for the nuts-and-bolts user—and provides screen diagrams along with step-by-step instructions. A thorough reference guide.
Kurshan, Barbara, and Deneen Frazier. (1994). Internet (and More) for Kids. Alameda, Calif.: Sybex. $16.95.The authors take an enthusiastic look at the Internet for kids, teachers, and parents. Online activities include gathering information, sharing information with students around the world, communicating with experts, doing science experiments, participating in discussions and forums, playing online games, and more. Especially suited for middle and high school students. A basic understanding of the Internet and its tools is recommended.
Levine, John, and Margaret Levine Young. (1994). The Internet for Dummies Quick Reference. Boston: IDG Books. $8.95.IDG's Dummies reference books for various electronic applications and services have gained a reputation for their friendly approach to otherwise confusing content. This guide to the Internet is no exception. With references to the expanded text, The Internet for Dummies, this companion guide is an excellent portable reference with helpful icons, screen diagrams, and plain-English headings. Each task is identified as easy, tricky, or very trickly to accomplish, and the content is suitable for beginning to advanced users.
Maxwell, Christine, and Czeslaw Jan Grycz. (1994). The New Riders' Official Internet Yellow Pages. Indianapolis: New Riders Publishing. $29.95.This volume truly resembles the commercial phone directory from a large city. Open the yellow thumb-indexed pages, and you'll find alphabetized display “ads” listing each of the resources and services available on the Internet at the time of publication. After a brief introduction explaining how the Internet works and how to use the book, you are on your own with the listings. Each entry includes a one-line description, keywords, the intended audience, and names and e-mail addresses of contacts. If you are already comfortable using the Internet, this volume will lead you to its vast resources.
Pfaffenberger, Bryan. (1995). World Wide Web Bible. New York: MIS Press. Includes Windows-compatible disk. $27.95.This book introduces the hypertext concept, outlines in how to connect to the Web, and explains how to navigate a variety of Internet resources, including FTP, Gopher, WAIS, and USENET. By installing the software included on disk, you can learn how to use HTML, a document markup language, to build your own home page, create hypertext documents, and put these documents on the Web. For the user with lots of time to explore and learn.
Protheroe, Nancy, and Elizabeth Wilson. (1994). The Internet Handbook for School Users. Arlington, VA.: Educational Research Service. $24.In addition to basic instruction on accessing communication tools, online information access tools, and search tools, this book includes answers to questions about school Internet use and a helpful guide to K—12 Internet resources. This volume is particularly useful for principals, media specialists, and other school and district staff concerned with program planning.
Protheroe, Nancy, and Elizabeth Wilson. (1994). The Internet Manual for Classroom Use. Arlington, VA.: Educational Research Service. $16.ERS's Manual provides an overview of communication tools like e-mail, newsgroups, and mailing lists, as well as information access tools like telnet, FTP, Archie, gopher, Veronica, and WAIS. The volume also identifies a number of possible problems that educators using the Internet should keep in mind, like finding electronic viruses, controlling costs, and avoiding objectionable materials. A good reference for basic resources and issues.
Rutkowski, Kathy, ed. (1995). NetTeach News. Herndon, Va.: NetTeach News. 10 issues/year. $45/year subscription.This newsletter provides telecommunications resources for K–12 educators and is available in both paper and electronic formats. It documents resources, applications, and events on the Internet, and offers tours of cyberspace, topical articles, and lots of graphic illustrations. Contact the editor at (703) 471-0593 (or at <LINK URL="mailto:netteach@chaos.co">netteach@chaos.co</LINK>)
Veljkov, Mark, and George Hartnell. (1994). Pocket Guides to the Internet. Westport, Conn.: Meckler-media. 6 volumes, at $9.95 each.If you are looking for a pocket-sized set of references to resources on the Internet, this series may be your answer. Each volume provides step-by-step instructions, as well as tips, hints, shortcuts, and a glossary of terms. They are not intended as a comprehensive guide, but as a starting point to exploring telnet, FTP, usenet, e-mail, basic utilities, and terminal connections. In plain language and with simple diagrams, the authors provide the most basic introduction to some otherwise confusing electronic resources.
