From Amazon
From potty training to database development, the Dummies series has famously sought to gently explain the ordinary mysteries of modern life, a formula ably repeated in this book focused on the Internet for Canadians. Aimed at absolute beginners, the guide starts by explaining in concise, nongeek language the technical foundations of the Internet and how users and their computers plug in to its different facets. From there, it looks at each of the major services--the Web, e-mail, newsgroups, instant messaging--available through the Internet and addresses many of the practical questions common to so-called newbies: How should I choose an Internet service provider (ISP)? Is it safe to use my credit card on the Web? Just what does a colon followed by a closing parenthesis mean? The info is delivered in the inimitable style of the Dummies, roughly described as short blocks of text set off with many tips, anecdotes, and warnings and peppered with an astounding amount of exclamation marks.
While the book uses Canadian examples wherever possible and devotes an entire chapter to logging on to AOL Canada, there is a disappointingly paltry amount of information about specific Canadian content online. The bulk of it comes in a four-page chapter on 10 ways Canadians can use the Net, with rudimentary tips. On the other hand, a lack of concrete examples might be a good thing, as some sites and resources mentioned in the book have changed or become victims of the dot-com meltdown. Still, rookie netizens should be able to use the basic skills set out in the beginning of the book to make their way into the wilds of the virtual world. --M-J Milloy
