BKCVLCYB.RVW   960108
 
"Civilizing Cyberspace", Steven E. Miller, 1996, 0-201-84760-4, U$26.85
%A   Steven E. Miller smiller@aw.com
%C   1 Jacob Way, Reading, MA   01867-9984
%D   1996
%G   0-201-84760-4
%I   Addison-Wesley Publishing Co./ACM Press
%O   U$26.85 800-822-6339 617-944-3700 Fax: (617) 944-7273 bkexpress@aw.com
%P   413
%T   "Civilizing Cyberspace: Policy, Power and the Information Superhighway"
 
On the rising wave of information superhighway books, and the increasing
backwash of anti-net tomes, no single author has been able to produce a work
that even remotely compares with Miller's.  Neither dazzled by technical
brilliance nor dreading the cyborg juggernaut, he provides the fruits of a
working relationship with the technology, thorough research, and insightful
analysis.
 
The book specializes in public policy, but since that can touch everyone and
everything it is not a limitation.  Miller is thus able to examine all aspects
of information structures and strictures.  His material is clear and well
reasoned: it does not provide ready answers at every point, but raises all
pertinent issues.  Even esoteric topics are handled well: obviously not all
areas can be covered in depth, but Miller knows more than he says and gives
accurate and helpful resumes.
 
One shortcoming in the book is the less than rigorous division of topics. 
While many issues in public policy interrelate, many chapters seem to flow
together without an obvious break.  This may be difficult to resolve, but it
was rather odd to find the same (fairly lengthy) quote used in almost identical
discussions on both pages 64 and 204.
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996   BKCVLCYB.RVW   960108

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DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters
Editor and/or reviewer        ROBERTS@decus.ca         rslade@vanisl.decus.ca
DECUS Symposium '96, Vancouver, BC, Feb 26-Mar 1, 1996, contact: rulag@decus.ca