Subject: Book Review: Free Electronic Networks From: bill.shefski@pics.com (Bill Shefski) Date: Sun, 28 Nov 93 22:20:00 -0500 Organization: Pics OnLine MultiUser System - 609-753-2540 Reply-To: bill.shefski@pics.com (Bill Shefski) ***Special to Telecom Digest*** November 28, 1993 The first ever paper-and-ink book on the subject of the relay messaging networks that connect privately owned and operated electronic bulletin board systems (BBS) hit the stores this week. _Free Electronic Networks_ is written to help get a novice up and started on their first tentative steps into the most accessable area of cyberspace, but has hard information for the veteran, including a history of telecommunication and a meaty directory of BBS phone numbers all over the world. Free Electronic Networks by William J. Shefski Prima Computer Books, Rocklin CA 496 pp. Table of Contents 1. Webs in Cyberspace - geography, history and sociology of computer-mediated communication. 2. Who Echoes - profiling several actual regular people one might encounter on the echo nets. 3. Echo Tech - outlining the various relay-style networking technologies. 4. Tools for Echoing - survey of software from the user end, including evaluations of communication and offline mail reader programs. 5. How to Echo - a basic, hand-holding walk-through from behind the eyes of a hypothetical new user. 6. What Echoes - interesting phenomenon -- and nonsense -- one encounters while cruising the nets. Appendix - including a glossary; a listing of the names of mail reader software for many computing platforms; a directory containing the phone numbers of BBSs attached to 70 different echo networks; and an index of their discussion area topics. Wide distribution of this title in the English-speaking world is anticipated, but if your bookstore does not stock it, and/or if you'd like to have a reduced-price, author-inscribed copy, you can be part in an ongoing "virtual booksigning party" by using the form below. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Please send me one copy of _Free Electronic Networks_. I saw the information in TELECOM Digest. Enclosed is my money order for $23 (U.S. funds only please). My Name _____________________________ My Address _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ Name for Inscription ----------------------------- (if different than above) Send to: Bill Shefski P.O. Box 233 Clementon, New Jersey 08021 USA North American postage included. Outside North America please include suitable return postage estimated for 500-page soft-bound volume. NJ residents include sales tax. Thank you. See you on the nets.........BS Pics OnLine MultiUser System 609/753-2540 HST 609/753-2605 (V32bis) Massive File Collection - Over 45,000 Files OnLine - 250 Newsgroups