The Bottom Line
As someone who spends a LOT of time on the Web, this book was especially interesting for me to read, since I've unfortunately experienced most of the annoyances listed by the author. Excellent resource, and very little techno-speak - making it a invaluable learning tool both for those just getting started on the Web or those who have more experience.
Pros
- Very easy to understand
- Question and answer format makes it simple to find what you're looking for
- Good, useful information that you can start using now
Cons
- None
Description
- Simple, easy to read question and answer format
- Extensively researched with loads of information on anything from browser hijacking to Eudora
- Good reference for those new to the Net or otherwise; a handy tool for learning about what to avoid
Guide Review - Internet Annoyances by Preston Galla - A Review
I did a lot of head-nodding while reading this book. I've had the dubious pleasure of going through most of the Internet annoyances that the author speaks of, and I gained a lot of insights from his valuable experience in dealing with them all.
This book is extensively researched and painstakingly lists the various trials and tribulations that eventually all Web visitors will most likely experience. Chapters include:
- General Email Annoyances and Outlook 2003 (these chapters especially had a lot of dog-eared pages in my copy)
- Fighting Spam - again, lots of dog-eared pages, lots of pink highlightings
- Search Annoyances...for anyone who's been stymied by the mysterious idiosyncrasies of Ebay, Amazon, Google, and the like
- and my personal favorite right now, Security Annoyances, since I'm battling a humoungous virus on my system.
You will want to use this book as a hands-on, instantly ready resource. Put it right next to your computer in wait for the next time (and there will be a next time!) you get a suspicious email from those pesky Nigerian millionaire ex-patriates, or when you are inundated with pop-ups from Windows Messenger, or just about anytime when you're online. I've already used it quite a few times for a reference tool, and I'm hoping that the author's publisher will encourage him to update this book on a regular basis. I highly recommend it.
