BKCSTNET.RVW   950807
 
"Casting the Net", Peter H. Salus, 1995, 0-201-87674-4, U$26.85
%A   Peter H. Salus
%C   1 Jacob Way, Reading, MA   01867-9984
%D   1995
%G   0-201-87674-4
%I   Addison-Wesley Publishing Company
%O   U$26.85 markj@aw.com tiffanym@aw.com 800-822-6339 617-944-3700
%P   297
%T   "Casting the Net"
 
As with his earlier "Quarter Century of UNIX" (cf. BKQRCNUN.RVW), Salus has
collected the important players and papers, to set out a history of the modern
computer net.  (This is not limited to the more strictly defined Internet, but
encompasses the global, interconnected data communications web which John
Quarterman (after William Gibson) has dubbed "The Matrix.")
 
As well as the conceptual and ARPANET foundations, there are snippets from the
development of Ethernet; email; OSI and protocol wars; UNIX; Usenet; Bit, Fido,
and proprietary nets; applications; and security.  A selection of the less
serious RFCs provide diversions throughout the book.
 
Salus' sources are excellent, but his writing style tends to be a bit terse. 
Still, for those who are seriously interested in the history of the net, this
is reliable material, compiled in one place.
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1995  BKCSTNET.RVW   950807

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