The best intro book around.   June 15, 2000

Cheers.


The best intro book around.   June 15, 2000
  36 out of 37 found this review helpful

I just started my new job with Nortel about a month ago. I came with PC and Server knowledge - minimal telecom knowledge - just some basic facts like a T1 is 1.544Mbps with 24 channels...stuff like that. I needed to get up to speed real quick, so I got this book, 'The Essential Guide To Telecommunications 2nd Ed.', Communications Systems & Networks (ISBN 0764575228) and Newton's Telecom Dictionary 16th Ed.(ISBN:1578200539). This book will be my intro book, the Communications Systems & Networks will by my intermediate/advanced book, and the Newton Telecom Dictionary for a reference. I am just about done with The Essential Guide To Telecommunications 2nd Ed. and let me tell you this book is awesome (make sure you have the 'Newton Dictionary' by your side so you can look up terms for a more in depth explanation - I bring it everywhere I go). It gives you a GREAT basic foundation of knowledge and gives some side notes that fill in the gaps. I gave it 4 stars and not 5 because I went to the publishers website and was unable to find any eror list, (errata pages) for the book - for any books for that matter...and I doubt that the book is error free, could be but I doubt it. (Sybex's website does a good job of listing errors in their books - even if there are no errors reported, they state that so that you know they're checking) Anyway, the book is GREAT and I highly recommend it - along with the other two books I mentioned. The book does lack in depth details, but that's the point of an 'intro' book...right?

Cheers.


Perfect Overview for consultant with no Telecom background   April 22, 2000
  20 out of 20 found this review helpful

I'm an IT consultant with a good understanding and background in network design, and needed to get a quick grounding in telecom for a project. After spending a day in the bookstore,( and actually buying and returning another title), I found this book and took it home. It was the perfect overview of the subject for me! I got a good understanding of the terminology and foundation concepts, and often go back to certain sections to reinforce my understanding.

I gave it four stars rather than five because ot does have some flaws. As noted in some other reviews, the author glosses over key data communications topics like routing, bridging, VoIP. For those readers who need depth in these topics, there are better sources (Try titles by Radia Perlman or Uyless Black, for example).

For readers who need a strong fundamental understanding of telecom technologies, regulations, and implementations, this is the best general primer out there.


A must read book for anyone interested in Telecommunications   April 3, 2000
  11 out of 11 found this review helpful

This book covers all new telcom technology and explains it in a easy to read format. Helpful to beginners as well as new comers to the industry. My company paid several hundreds of dollars for us to attend a Telcom Fundamentals class. This book is a much better investment. Also recommended are the Newton Telecom Dictionary and the Irwin Handbook.


The Essential Guide to Telecommunications   March 11, 2000
  9 out of 12 found this review helpful

This book is great for those people wanting to learn more about Telecommunications, but come into the process with very little prior knowledge. It provides a good overview of numerous topics. While, the book does not cover anything in great detail. Criticizing it for that reason misses the point. The book was not intended to be extremely technical, it is written for the non-technical reader, as well as the technical. I have referred it to others and have gotten great feedback from them. If you want a good overview of the entire Telecommunications environment, this book is excellent. It is a great starting point.