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Internet Annoyances: How to Fix the Most Annoying Things about Going Online (Annoyances)
vBulletin Book Store > vBulletin books beginning with I
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Internet Annoyances: How to Fix the Most Annoying Things about Going Online (Annoyances) |
Author: Preston Gralla
Published: 2005-01-20 |
List price: $24.95
Our price: $19.46
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As of: October 08th, 2008 05:55:05 AM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 still informative even after two years
I read this book two years after it came out. Surprisingly, there are only a few out-of-date items (dead urls, new Google features, Internet Explorer 7 now has tabs..). There's still quite a lot of useful, relevant information in it. It's worth at least a loan from the library.
The sections I personally learned something new from were the fixes to Privacy Annoyances and the Shopping Annoyances (warning about restocking fees at online electronics stores).
Althought it's true you can google for solutions to a problem, this is worth having as a handy reference because it's a big help if, say, you're having issues getting connected to the Internet in the first place. And all the solutions are categorized already, so all you have to do is flip to the relevant chapter instead of wading through search-engine results.
Sometimes the Internet Makes Me Go &*%^*&*&&^%!
How many times have you gone online to only get frustrated? Web sites do not work the way you think they should. How many times have you had problems with your computer or wireless connection, and have no idea why? Do you have a website and often wonder who is linking to you? Does your email client drive you batty? It is these things and more that drive Internet Annoyances (256 Pages, O'Reilly, 2005, ISBN 0596007353) by Preston Gralla.
Laid out like a text book, Gralla attempts to cover a wide range of topics in a condensed space. For the most part, he succeeds. Where I get lost is that it is such a whirlwind that jumps from one topic to another, which can be disconcerting. But you know what? That's OK, because there is a lot to be aware of, especially as technology matures. The book satisfied my need to learn at least one new think from a book, and I learned a few. What did I learn? Extra ways to protect a wireless router that I was not aware of. I learned how to find hidden products on E-Bay (the book does not mention that sellers are also now taking advantage of this human error trick. Gralla also does a good job, at a high level, of covering pop-ups, spam, instant messaging and more.
While this book is not on my "must read" recommendation list, you will not be disappointed if you buy it. And it is also a good book to pass along to people looking for quick guidance. This means it will not make you an expert, but will open you to new knowledge and experiences.
The Scorecard
Par on an Average Par 4
Internet Annoyances
SCUG Book Review: Internet Annoyances
By Gregory West
Editor, SCUG Report
Sarnia Computer User's Group - www.scug.ca
By Preston Gralla.
Published by O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Category: Internet.
ISBN: 0-596-00735-3
Format: Paperback, 239pp
U.S. $24.95 / CAN. $36.95
Anyone who has been surfing the Internet knows that around every corner there is always something new and exciting. "Internet Annoyances" is one of those things, a cyberspace goldmine book that is loaded with far too many tips and tricks for Internet travelers to mention here. Preston Gralla is an author of more than 30 books about the Internet and computing, as well he was the founding editor of PC/Computing. He helped establish ZDNet online service and now he shares these experiences in this fascinating book.
Preston Gralla spent years collecting emails about annoying issues that Internet users have complained about and turned these problems into solutions. This book is organized into 10 chapters covering various aspects of computering problems and their solutions: Email and Spam, Making the Connection, Wireless, Web Hosting / Design and Blogs, Browsers, AOL, Instant Messaging, Searching Annoyances, Security, and Shopping / Auction annoyances. This book is deigned for you to flip about looking for those computer annoyances that irritate you the most. Of course, if you have a specific problem you can easily find a solution in the well-organized Index at the back of the book.
The pages are loaded with tons of screen shots identifying the specific topics, along with the problem stated and "The Fix" where you will be led systematic in a correction process that is easy to follow. Along with the screenshots, there are many highlighted features of both manufacturers programs and links to many free programs. A lot of the time these work just as well, if not better than those you have to pay for do. To take you a bit farther there are periodic "tip" boxes that help explain why you need to do this certain action, thus helping you learn more about the Internet and its various aspects of use. For instance, in the Security chapter you are given warnings and solutions about how to "Block Snooping Neighbours", "Spoofed Emails", "Phishing Expeditions", and of course a great section on Adware and Spyware, Trojans / Worms and Viruses. In the Shopping and Auction chapter you will learn about the various frauds such as identity theft and how to prevent it, faster form filling, and many Ebay tips.
Anyone who has a wireless setup at home, or for those who travel and use public WIFI access, Chapter 3: Wireless Annoyances is a must read. This section leads you into safe surfing and gives you step-by-step tips on how to secure your system from hackers and how to stop "BANDWIDTH VAMPIRES". You will also learn how to boost your signals, extend your wireless range, and find those hotspots while on the road.
This book is great for those who are just heading out on their first adventure into the World Wide Web, and for those who want to take their adventures to the next level. As the author points out, "Don't expect to read this book straight through from cover-to-cover. It's best to jump around, first solving those annoyances that annoy you the most, then discovering other annoyances you can head off at the pass." It pays to be aware out there on the World Wide Web, and this book does just that for you.
some annoyances are dangerous
For most of us, a huge value of our computers is being able to hook to the Internet. This once science fictional dream has now become an everyday reality. Alas, as this book mentions, such a reality also includes many annoying problems.
One way to read this book is to divide those annoyances into two groups. The first group is the little things, like tweaking the various Microsoft Office products. The second group of annoyances can be more troublesome. Like viruses/worms and spam. Malware.
Consider spam. The universal scourge. The book has a good, quick discussion of the main antispam techniques, like Bayesians or hashing. Plus advice that is a little cynical, but realistic. Like how the Can Spam act has largely proved useless. Or how you should not use naughty words in your outgoing email, to minimise chances of it being tagged as spam by your recipient's email provider.
Hotspots are also discussed heavily, due to their popularity and often insecure mode of operation. There is a great danger of someone running a packet sniffer. So your key communications should use https, if you are engaged in sensitive matters, like using your credit card. But the book does not go into how a phisher could launch a deadlier man in the middle attack. Where she replaces the hot spot device with her own, or subverts the device's software. Then, she runs a pocket universe, where she might have copied the websites of various banks, and she directs http queries to those banks to her fake websites [pharms]. This method totally negates https. Granted, it is technically quite hard to do and so is still somewhat uncommon. But the book should warn of it, if you want to stay ahead of the curve.
 Another outstanding Annoyances book...
I recently had the chance to read and review the book Internet Annoyances by Preston Gralla (O'Reilly). All I can say is that I'm really getting hooked on this Annoyances series. Internet Annoyances is no exception...
Chapter List:
Chapter 1 - Email and Spam Annoyances: General Email Annoyances; Spam; Outlook 2003 and Outlook Express; Gmail; Eudora 6
Chapter 2 - Making The Connection Annoyances: General Connection Annoyances; Broadband: Cable and DSL Connections; Routers and Home Networks
Chapter 3 - Wireless Annoyances: Home Wireless Networks and Routers; Cell Phones and the Net; WiFi Security; HotSpots
Chapter 4 - Web Hosting, Design, and Blog Annoyances: Domain and Hosting Hassles; Design and Maintenance Help; Blogging
Chapter 5 - Browser Annoyances: Pop-Ups, Ads, and Flash; Favorites and Bookmarks; Working the Interface; Speedups and Shortcuts; Cookies
Chapter 6 - AOL Annoyances: General AOL Annoyances; Email
Chapter 7 - IM Annoyances: General Instant Messaging Annoyances; AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), Windows Messenger; Yahoo! Messenger; ICQ
Chapter 8 - Searching Annoyances: General Search Annoyances; Government and the Law; Google; Amazon; eBay; Yahoo!
Chapter 9 - Security Annoyances: General Security Annoyances; Spyware; Trojans, Worms, and Viruses; Firewalls
Chapter 10 - Shopping and Auction Annoyances: General Shopping Annoyances; eBay Annoyances; Amazon Annoyances
Index
As you can see, this book covers quite a bit of ground. Each chapter/subsection consists of a number of annoyances in the form of "questions" from readers or contributors. Imagine a weekly newspaper Q&A column and you get the idea. Gralla then answers the question in a straight-forward, understandable way that often includes a liberal dose of humor. What's even better is that he often includes links to websites that offer some unique service or twist on the subject (like using Teoma as a search engine for tech subjects) or a lead to a piece of software that will dramatically change the way you do something (like the Asterisk Key utility to show you the passwords behind the asterisks in a password field). And sometimes its just letting you know that Amazon.com *does* have a 1-800 number for customer service where you can speak to a real person (1-800-201-7575).
You won't necessarily learn something from every tip included in the book. You may even skip entire chapters (don't ask me questions about the AOL chapter, OK?). But that's OK and to be expected. Odds are that you'll pick up at least 10 - 20 tips or tricks that will make the whole book worth every penny you spend on it. Just the fact I don't have to continue to see IE launched as a quarter-size window any more was worth the price of admission for me!
Great stuff here, and a recommended read...
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