Microsofta Computer Dictionary

The Microsoft Computer Dictionary, Fifth Edition, is, in my opinion, still the best all-around computer dictionary out there. For technical writers, consultants and anyone who needs to use technology related words precisely, this is the place to go. (There is also another volume from Microsoft Press on networking terms.) It's 10,000+ entries are unambiguous and precise. There are a few illustrations, but they add little to the value of the dictionary. Microsoft stopped supplying a CD-ROM with the dictionary which is a great loss. The big problem is that the Fifth Edition was published in 2002 and much has transpired since then, adding hundreds, if not thousands of new terms and acronyms to the lexicon of information technology. Yes, there are online dictionaries that purport to be more current, but the lack the authority of the Microsoft Computer Dictionary. I hope Microsoft and its Microsoft Press unit have not dropped future revisions for this. It has been a valuable resource. Jerry

The Fifth Edition of the Microsoft Computer Dictionary was a great addition to my personal library. I am new to personal computers and am very much in need O- level literature. Books like this one and other Microsoft publications are indeed a great boon to amateur scientists of my age. Dr. Amit Das, 8/80 Visnulayam Street, India, PIN 533464.

Using it while studying for Certifications. Have always found what I eas lookig for in it! Every serious computer enthusiast needs a reliable resource library. Add this one to yours.

This book is not for the novice computer user. I bought this book for my 74 year-old father, who has just recently dipped his toe into the vastness of the Internet. He needed something that would let him look up the terms he reads about so that he'd understand what a URL is, know how to read an emoticon, and be able to chose between compressed or uncompressed JPEGs. While the book gives him that information and more, it does so using more complicated definitions than he'd like. He gripes that when he looks something up, the definition is filled with words he doesn't know, which he then has to go look up as well!So, while this book might be an excellent resource for an experienced computer user, it's not geared towards the novice. What he needed was "The Internet for Dummies" or something like that, but wouldn't get the joke if I'd sent it to him. Bottom line, buy this book if you have a basis from which to work, avoid it if you're just beginning in computer and online work.

Vital reference data for anyone involved with computers. Not totally complete. For example, it doesn't define some terms used in database programming, such as cursor.However, this cleared up a lot of fog in several areas. Covers definitions from systems used decades ago up through modern systems. Covers many acronyms. Very heplful illustrations.