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FRANK'S REVIEWS for the NJPCUG |
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Book: WORLD WIDE WEB DIRECTORY - 1997 EDITION Publisher: New Riders publishing 1996 916 pages, $34.99 list price When you need to find a telephone number for a person you check the telephone Directory. Well - when you want to find a web site on a particular subject check the World Wide Web Directory. It lists over 7,500 web sites plus over 1,400 college sites (although it misses Bergen Community College and other local colleges). Most of these sites can be found with one of the search engines. But there are many sites listed in this book which you might not think to look for, or which the usual search engines did not find. Plus, the book’s strength is the organization of the site listings - into 31 categories and nearly 250 sub-categories; and the material is cross-indexed with over 14,000 listings. There also is a CR-ROM with an index arranged differently. One way or another, useful sites can be located from this vast array of web sites and subject matter. The book can be used for serious reference or light-hearted entertainment, depending on the needs of the moment. Each site is presented with its internet address (URL) and a short description. Using the categories and the descriptions, it is possible to screen the web sites to a reasonable few that meet criteria. This is a big time-saver. However, the temptation to visit other sites which appear interesting can cause one to spend more time than expected on the web. I never anticipated looking into so many subjects. For example, there is a section on Paranormal Phenomena - Alchemy [1], with sites discussing changing base metal to gold, (or gambling [2] to change gold to base metal). Examples of other sites listed include Congress [3], NASA [4] and Weddings [5]. The subject matter mix is impressive. Whimsical, intellectual, time-wasters or the latest news - there is a lot to choose from. The front of the book discusses the web, its history and its organization. Connecting to the web and use of web browsers is presented as is information on modems and Internet Service Providers. The explanations are short and to the point. The discussion of the web’s history contained information that was new to me, (and this is my fourth internet book review). One problem with the book is caused by the fast-changing environment of the web. Many listed sites are no longer operating. Some inform of changed addresses, others do not. Some site addresses are slightly different than listed and require some manipulation of the address or even use of a search engine to try to find the site. There are quite a few sites I never did find - and I tried only a very small fraction of the listed sites Also, accessing an array of sites like this points out quite clearly the need for a modem and connection faster than 28.8kps, which I do not yet have. And, of course, one needs an unlimited internet access account, which I do have, or else the use charges would be overwhelming. The cost of self-entertainment keeps increasing. This is a big, big book with an overpowering list of useful web sites. From fantasy to finance to fission, it contains so much useful and interesting information it would be a good reference for any user of the internet. Sites referenced: [1] Alchemy: www.levity.com/alchemy/home.html [2] Gambling: www.virtcasino.com [3] Congress: http://thomas.loc.gov [4] NASA: www.nasa.gov [5] Wedding: www.wednet.com |