The ABC Of Life In The Information Age

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: Most people who drive to work do not bother with the esoteric details of the internal combustion process under the hood of the automobile that transports them from point A to point B. What they see is a car with four wheels and some creature comforts within, like air-conditioning and a disc-changer. They vaguely know that there is an engine somewhere under the bonnet that moves the vehicle and a steering wheel that points it in the direction the driver wants it to go.

Well, this might be driving the point a bit too far, but that is how it is with most people who use a personal computer to navigate the Web. Then there are those, of course, who stand with the friendly neighbourhood auto mechanic while he fixes whatever is wrong, and actually learn something in the process.

Deciphering Cyberspace: Making The Most Of Digital Communication Technology is for non-techies like the latter, who have questions about the technology that powers modern tools like the wireless Internet, cellular telephony or computing networks, but cannot find comprehensible answers. Anchored by Leonard Shyles, the book attempts to explain modern communication, new media and networking technologies to lay readers in an easy-to-digest language, starting with the most fundamental concepts.

In his introduction to the book, Dr Shyles, who teaches communication at Villanova University, Pennsylvania, says, “Deciphering Cyberspace begins from the premise that all communication systems are composed of physical elements that enable them to function; therefore, to assess their capabilities, it is essential to understand the technical properties of such systems. Understanding the physical nature of digital media is critical in deciding which systems are best suited to your needs. Knowing how systems work rather than merely being able to operate a particular device that may become outdated in a year or two enables you to function more effectively in the new media environment. For this reason, the book explains the physical principles that govern the functioning of all digital communication systems, not merely those currently in use.”