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Book Review
Speed!: Understanding and Installing Home Networks
Author: Mike Wolf
 Date:
November 26, 2000
Reviewer: Chris Kaminski
Date: October 19, 2000
408 Pages
Price: $18-$25
Mike Wolfs extensive knowledge of the home networking industry is clearly laid out
for everyone learn from. Aimed at beginner to moderate level home network enthusiast,
this book is both easy to read and surprisingly thorough. Humor is interjected throughout
to keep things from getting too dry. 
Starting with understanding and planning a network, Mike guides us through the entire
home networking process including how to make a purchasing decision and installation.
Once your LAN is up and running, the book explores the world of network gadgets,
multi-player gaming, and audio/video applications.
This is the first book that covers Windows XP networking from the
home network standpoint. The book does a great job with not only Windows XP, but
Windows 95,98,ME too. In addition, an entire chapter is devoted to folks with both
Mac’s and PC’s that connecting. Linux is not covered, but it would have
been hard to squeeze that kind of info into just a chapter or two.
Another topic the books covers well is selecting a broadband provider. Not all broadband
technologies are made equal and Mike helps you decode techie and sales talk into
meaningful information. Again, the info in the chapter is timely and explains the
differences between Cable, DSL, Satellite, and fixed wireless services.
Speed!: Understanding and Installing Home Networks is definitely on
the HomeNetHelp MUST READ list.
Chapter List
1) It’s a Networked World
2) Home Network Building Blocks: What makes your network tick
3) Network Relationships: Network types and topologies
4) Your home network planning guide
5) Home Network Equipment: Choices Choices Choices
6) Understanding and installing an Ethernet network
7) The Wonderful world of wireless networking
8) Other networking topologies, Phoneline, Powerline, and Structured wiring Ethernet
9) Setting up Home Network Software
10) Getting around the Home Network
11) Sharing Files and Printers on the Home Network
12) Networking with Macs
13) Getting on-line the high speed way
14) Internet Sharing on a Home Network
15) Home Networks and Entertainment: Audio, Video and Gaming
16) Using non-PC Devices on the Home Network
17) Communicating on Your Home Network
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