NetWorld!: What People Are Really Doing on the Internet, and What It Means to You

By David H. Rothman

The Net is revolutionizing the way millions of people work, learn, fall in love, create art, do business, share news, make friends, and entertain themselves. In "NetWorld ," David H. Rothman explores this new electronic meeting place, as well as the cotroversy that threatens it the epic struggle between Netfolk and those who would crush freedom and privacy online. Here Rothman gives a complete rundown of what's at stake, and tells the story of Washington's Orwellian treatment of Phil Zimmermann, the programmer who popularized a spy-resistant way to transmit e-mail. "NetWorld " isn't about bits and bytes, its about people and what happens when they come together online. Inside you'll discover: The Anglican priest who uses encryption to safeguard confessions he receives in cyberspace Bob and JoAnn Lilienfeld, the husband and wife team who started an electronic toystore called White Rabbit Toys The handsome young Australian who got engaged to the Kansas City college student he met online Nova Scotia teens who are using the Internet to improve their reading and writing skills Rob Lord and Jeff Patterson, who are giving big record companies a run for their money with their Internet Underground Music Archive, where the hottest new bands share their music with fans around the world Dave Harmon, who started Walkers in Darkness, an electronic self-help group for people suffering from depression An engaging, up-to-the-minute portrait of a landmark innovation, "NetWorld " is as relevant to Netheads who log on everyday as it is to people who hate computers. About the AuthorDavid H. Rothman has written more than half a dozen books about people and high technology, including "The Silicon Jungle," "The Complete Laptop Computer Guide," and "The Electronic Activist: How to Speak Out and Organize on the Internet." The "Washington Post" has praised him for "sprightly, thorough reporting on a fast-changing industry," and the "New York Times" and "Library Journal" have described his style as "entertaining." ABC and NBC have both aired stories based on his investigative journalism."

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0761500138
• ISBN13: 9780761500131
• Release Date: October 1995
• Publisher: Crown
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 1.3" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

WHO'S ON THE INTERNET AND WHAT ARE THEY REALLY DOING?

The Internet has Arrived, according to author David H. Rothman. Indeed! Rothman's latest book, "NETWORLD! what people are really doing on the INTERNET and what it means to you", is a detailed examination of this electronic gathering place where real people (not just geeks) gather together for "religion, education, business, love and suicide prevention". Learn about Internet support groups which provide ongoing help and crisis aid. Rothman reports on an electronic self-help group, "Walkers in Darkness", which helps people suffering from depression. This isn't a quick read, either. Rothman's look at the Internet is about people and is loaded with in-depth stories: one couple started a virtual toy store through a Web site; another couple of techies created the Internet Underground Music Archives, which for $100 gives young musicians a chance to post samples of their music on the Net; and the controversial Net censorship issue-- appropriate or not? Will the overcrowding of the Net continue? Will technology improve the frustrating amount of time it takes some graphics to load? Will RealAudio ever make FM stereo a thing of the past? Will commercial books be widely available on the Net for free? Will newspapers and magazines printed on paper cease to exist? Should Uncle Sam play nanny to your kids? Although Rothman doesn't have the answers to these questions, his reflections are on-target and offer a new perspective on the changing dynamics of our electronic Web-culture, whether you consider yourself a "NetHead" (a person who logs on everyday) or you hate computers. Sure, you've probably read the Ann Landers columns on the dangers of the Internet and how many marriages and relationships are endangered because of the temptations on the "sleazier side of the Internet". Rothman dedicates a chapter, dubbed "The Electronic Matchmaker", and explores the topic of e-mail lovers in a charming way as he shares a real-life romance of an Australian who got engaged to a Kansas City college student he met online and a young hacker's search for romance which didn't have a happy ending. Rothman also writes about about Net adultery while giving an example of a real couple and the unfortunate consequences they now face due to on-line infidelity. Another interesting story Rothman relates is about a priest who "hears" confessions on the Net (and uses encryption to safeguard the confessions!). Read all about it in NetWorld! Copyright by Tina Velgos, 1996. For more reviews on computer books and software, visit Tina's REVIEW ZONE http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/2726/index.html