Computer Confluence, Comprehensive and Student CD

Beekman writes for an already well educated person, who does not hark from a computing background. Superficially, you might first think the book will teach you how to use a computer. You know, like an Idiot's or Dummy's book. But Beekman has far broader scope. The book is not about learning to use a particular type of computer or software package. Rather, he steps back to give a survey of all that computers can do and indeed might do in the future. This is a forward looking book, after all. Most importantly, he describes what can happen when you connect computers together. Into the Internet and thence the Web. Arguably, the book is as much about the latter as anything else. In many ways, this feels like a well written history book. The perspectives herein and the sweep of the discussions has those cadences. Explicitly reinforced by numerous sallies into computing history. Gives the reader an appreciation for broad and continuing trends. Not just for esthetics. A major aim is to help the reader cultivate her own understanding of these trends. So that in her own career or habits she can benefit from anticipating what can be done with computers.