The Essential Guide to Computing: The Story of Information Technology

It is very cool book, I would say valuable book to build up your understanding of IT in general. It converges many technologies into one coherent pattern so you start to understand many things. I combined reading of this book with "UNIX Essentials" DVD and it nice to explore many of the conceptions in action. If you are lacking some evenness with your IT knowledge pick this one it is nicely shape your vision of it.

There is a great breadth of information presented in a very lucid fashion. The material is easy to understand, and the author adds a great sense of humor. However, with the rapid advancements in technology, the book is a bit dated. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a gain a great breadth of knowledge in the field of Information technology, in a short period of time.

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO COMPUTING is simply an extraordinary achievement. It reflects a breadth of knowledge and clarity of presentation that is remarkable. It makes every effort to distill knowledge about computers and computing in an easy, reader-friendly, memorable way. For computer users everywhere -- in organizations, schools, colleges and universities, and individuals -- this volume gives multiple ways of getting to know more about computing in its fast changing environment. First, you get to know the foundations of how computers and computing works in practical, everyday language. Second, you get a reference book that explains key terms, key workings, and key interconnections among the parts.The most noteworthy aspect of the book is its superb coherence in presenting vast amounts of computing knowledge arranged in for easy understanding. Information and explanations in one chapter are referenced in subsequent ones, never failing to explain connections among them, with a view to present an overall picture of how computers and computing works. Each chapter highlights technical terms related to computing and information technology, provides an overview of specific aspects as for example "An Overview of How Storage Works" (Chapter 2, p.40), and highlights in grey explanations of widely used terms such as "Disks From a User's Perspective" (p. 56). Each chapter also ends with a summary list of questions that focus on self-evaluating one's grasp of the chapter's contents.E. Garrison Walters' book will continue to enrich the understanding of all who enjoy working with computers at work or for pleasure. I wish this book had been available to guide me in computing long before I found it, and, that I had written it ! It is a remarkable achievement!

This book is a stunning tour de force. It covers the full breadth of computer technology, from the BIOS to Internet security, in surprising depth. The writing is concise and lucid. The page layout, with highlighted "Tech Talk", side bars, neat tables and crisp graphics, is easy on the eye and persuasive to the mind. The contents favor microcomputers. Half of the book is devoted to their hardware and software. The rest is a thorough study of Networks and the Internet. A partial listing of chapters indicates the breadth of coverage: "Memory, Storage, and Input/Output", "Silicone Economics", "Microcomputer Operating Systems", "Databases, Applications, and Software Reliability", "Digital vs. Analog: Communications Basics", "Types of Networks", "The Internet and Network Security". The depth is shown by a list of sections of one chapter: "Programming Terminology", "Structured Programming", "Programming Languages by Level", "Object-Oriented Programming", "Programming Tools". The technical development, occasionally quite demanding, is interspersed with engaging historical tidbits. The Glossary is extensive, the Recommended Reading list is commented, the 13-page index appears complete. An invaluable source of information and insight for all who are involved with computers: professionals, educators, students, and laypersons.

Finally, an IT book for the rest of us. Walters is lucid, concise, engaging, informative, and funny, and manages to do so without insulting your intelligence. He lays out the contours of the development of the computer industry, its successes, its failures, and why, and most importantly, what that means for the the computer systems and software that are available in the market. For me, computer literate, but no computer engineer, the Essential Guide to Comuting helped me determine what kind of computer configuration (memory, chip speed, graphic card, video card, etc.,)best met my needs. I highly recommend EGC.