Product Description

For quick, clear, comprehensible answers to every computer question imaginable, The Computer Glossary has been America's hands-down favorite reference for nearly twenty years.

Now, best-selling author Alan Freedman delivers an all-new edition of his powerhouse answer book, packed with 6,000 definitions -- along with 175 illustrations -- of the sometimes bewildering terminology, arcane jargon, abstract concepts, and advanced technologies from the world of computers.

Users learn about the newest developments from the Internet, the Web, and wireless communications, as well as updated information about Windows, Macintosh, UNIX, networking, client/server, graphics, object-oriented programming, standards, major products, vendors, industry profiles, and much, much more.

Both comprehensive and easy to use, The Computer Glossary is perfect for every level of computer user -- beginners, power users, or systems professionals.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2124119 in Books
• Published on: 2000-10-01
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 1.98 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 458 pages

From Amazon.com
The seventh edition is substantially expanded with over 6,000 computer terms. This dictionary covers basic computer vocabulary, graphics and multimedia terminology, and a sampling of cyberslang and Internet terms, plus programming, networking, UNIX, and PC jargon. Profiles on industry leaders and historic happenings make this glossary interesting as well as useful. Definitions are tailored to the type of word. Basic terms are defined in layman's language while the specific technical jargon is defined with more technical terms. Comprehensive cross-referencing gives you quick access to what you're looking for.

From Library Journal
With each new technological development, a new vocabulary springs up and makes most computer lexicons go out of date before you can say "pre-emptive multitasking." The Computer Glossary, now in its eighth edition, has managed to stay as up-to-date as possible, as evidenced by the rate at which the number of pages in this handy reference work have multiplied since it was published as a 92-page booklet in 1981. Now close to 500 pages, Freedman's tome continues to rank very highly among computer dictionaries rated by PC Magazine. Unfortunately, no definition is given for "SHTML" (server-parsed HTML), which can be found in one of the Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing websites around the world (). This is, however, a minor omission considering the rest of Freedman's coverage. This edition comes with a CD-ROM version of its content, handy for performing keyword searches of more elusive terms. Freedman teamed up with computer experts Alfred and Emily Glossbrenner to produce The Internet Glossary and Quick Reference Guide, an extensive guide to a proliferating Internet vocabulary. Who says techie dictionaries have to be dull? These authors were able to inject some fun into their work with entries like "Easter egg," an undocumented, usually whimsical surprise hidden in a computer program by its creators, often without the knowledge of management. The glossary lists some of the key stroke sequences and mouse clicks required to view these little goodies, usually names of the product developers accompanied by interesting graphics. (Examples can be found at ). The acronym "SHTML" was not found in this compilation either, and there was neither an entry for "PDF" nor a cross reference to "Acrobat" as there was in The Computer Glossary. However, The Internet Glossary uses the correct definition for PDF ("portable document format") in its "Acrobat" entry, while The Computer Glossary defined it incorrectly as "portable data format," another minor oversight. Despite these glitches, both books are worthwhile additions to most reference collections.?Joe J. Accardi, Northeastern Illinois Univ. Lib., Chicago
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ingram
The seventh edition of this glossary keeps readers up to date with over 2,000 revisions and new entries. A compendium of computer concepts, terms, jargon, products, and the industry--with cross-referencing and phonetic listings of acronyms--it gives readers faster access to terms and technology than ever before. "Its score of 90% was the highest for the dictionaries we tested."--PC Magazine.