Rating: 
Summary: Solid Reference Book
Review: I find this book to be a very helpful desktop reference for telephony terminology. I have worked many years as a IS data network professional and have recently been required to interface more closely with the telecom side of my department. This book has helped me gain the knowledge and language I require to speak intelligently to employees and vendors with regards to the telephone network. I highly recommend it to anyone in a similar situation.
Rating: 
Summary: The best book I
Review: I have been an MCSE for two years, and a CNE for four years. I recently attended a Cisco Systems boot camp for Systems Engineers which is where I received this book. The detailed definitions and diagrams are great for reference, and I don't think I will ever cover all of the material on the CD. This is a good dictionary that covers telecommunications from a data, voice, wireless, networking, electronics, service provider, and end user perspective. The best quality of this book, is that the definitions coverthe subjects in great detail, yet are defined in a way that are simple to understand.
Rating:
Summary: 3rd IS EVEN BETTER THAN 2nd
Review: I have both the 1st and 2nd edition of this book as well as the 3rd. I also have a copy of the ever popular Newton's Telecom Dictionary 17th edition, and the 15th. I use them both. Suprised, I have read the other reviews on this book and none do a comparison with Newtons Telecom Dictionary so here goes.....Newtons version covers LOTS of terms, with quick simple, sometimes too simple definitions. For acronyms it rules, if it is not here you probably wont find it anywhere. It is very simple and 99.99% text. The mcGraw version also has LOTS of terms even some that I could not find in the Newton Dictionary, but does not include frivilous terminology or interest items that Newtons does. What it does have are TONS and TONS of pictures-diagrams and more MEAT in the definitions (illustrations really help) that are certainly more valuable to the would be techie, or someone that really needs to understand the application of the terminology. The CD included with the book puts it in a class higher than the Newton package, with pages taken from other books and the whole dictionary in adobe format. The other book links are on the page of the definition they refer too. Only bad thing about this book is there are a few typos.... The books are difficult to compare because they are so different in style. Anyone as serious as I am will probably opt for owning a copy of both. Simply stated, the Newton dictionary is more QUANTITY oriented, and the McGraw-Hill dictionary is extremely QUALITY oriented. I would rate them both a 5..... but since the Newtons does not come with the CD I gave it a 4. Anyone that will be working with voice PBX or IP Voice MUST have this 3rd edition book, just for the CD.
Rating:
Summary: 3rd IS EVEN BETTER THAN 2nd
Review: I have both the 1st and 2nd edition of this book as well as the 3rd. I also have a copy of the ever popular Newton's Telecom Dictionary 17th edition, and the 15th. I use them both. Suprised, I have read the other reviews on this book and none do a comparison with Newtons Telecom Dictionary so here goes..... Newtons version covers LOTS of terms, with quick simple, sometimes too simple definitions. For acronyms it rules, if it is not here you probably wont find it anywhere. It is very simple and 99.99% text. The mcGraw version also has LOTS of terms even some that I could not find in the Newton Dictionary, but does not include frivilous terminology or interest items that Newtons does. What it does have are TONS and TONS of pictures-diagrams and more MEAT in the definitions (illustrations really help) that are certainly more valuable to the would be techie, or someone that really needs to understand the application of the terminology. The CD included with the book puts it in a class higher than the Newton package, with pages taken from other books and the whole dictionary in adobe format. The other book links are on the page of the definition they refer too. Only bad thing about this book is there are a few typos.... The books are difficult to compare because they are so different in style. Anyone as serious as I am will probably opt for owning a copy of both. Simply stated, the Newton dictionary is more QUANTITY oriented, and the McGraw-Hill dictionary is extremely QUALITY oriented. I would rate them both a 5..... but since the Newtons does not come with the CD I gave it a 4. Anyone that will be working with voice PBX or IP Voice MUST have this 3rd edition book, just for the CD.
Rating:
Summary: This is the one!
Review: I have several dictionaries and reference books on telecom/networking. This one kicks ... them all. Since the review rules ask for details, I'll list a few: 1. The CDROM has cross references of at least a dozen other books on various telecommunications topics, data and voice. it is truely great value to get information on topics from other books without having to search or buy them :-) 2. I have the CD on my work computer, which makes it even more convenient. 3. Pictures. Under ADSL it does not just give text information, there is a photo provided. 4. Defines telephony meaning as well as data net meaning when both apply to a term. Trunk is covered as a voice definition, but also refers to data trunks in ethernet as well. 5. Adds little but meaningful "techie" comments, for instance I forgot that you could use a ping command with a DNS name. -RAX-
Rating:
Summary: A MUST HAVE
Review: I like the book. The illutrations and definitions are great. The CD that comes with it is a must have. It is like having 20 books on telecom and data networking. I am so glad I chose this book over others, there is tons of material that is right where you need it when you need it. I recommend this book so much I even bought one for a freind.
Rating:
Summary: very straight forward and clear
Review: I liked this book because the illustrations help me to understand what I am reading about. It is also well written, the definitions are not long and drawn out, they are direct and to the point. I like to just sit and read it as a refresher. It does not blur old stuff in with the new like many other books. I personally recomend this telecom book to my friends over many others, including textbooks.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, well written definitions!!!
Review: I LOVE THIS BOOK I am in the midst of ordering more books here, and I saw this one come up in my search so I can not help but to comment on it! I have only had it for about a month and it is thrashed. I have tried very hard to get co-workers to explain telephony terms to me, and usually end up being more confused after listening to their explanations. The definition for T1 in this book is better than I have ever seen. Coming from a computer networking background and trying to work with telephone people was frustrating before I got this book. What I like the most, is that definitions are written so I can understand them, not telephone people. It is so ironic, that this is the least expensive book on my desk, yet the one that I use the most. I wish all technical books were written this way!!!!
Rating:
Summary: CD is *****AWESOME*****
Review: I was tickled when I started viewing the CD. Unbelievable. The cross reference to other books with a click has left me speechless!
Rating: 
Summary: lacking in substance and difficult to use
Review: I work as a technical writer for a telecommunications company that markets enhanced directory assistance in the wholesale and retail markets. Since my primary audiences are engineers and technicians, I write about and have to understand the technical aspects of how switches, telephony, and telecommunications applications function. About this dictionary (the 3rd edition), though it appears to have many definitions, when you look into it, it's amazing how many concepts it does not cover. For example, it has very poor coverage of SS7 terminology. Further, McGraw-Hill writers don't seem to understand that people often refer to the same concept using slightly different terminology so the dictionary lacks "see also" references. This is an area where Newton's shines. Even if the term is in the McGraw Hill, it's hard to find. I was excited about the CD-ROM, but it's a only PDF file of the hard copy manual. The PDF does not include any search functionality beyond what the book offers itself. The CD-ROM would be much more worthwhile if it took advantage of modern-day help system technology to make an online document with advanced search features and multimedia presentations, neither of which are difficult to create. Overall, the McGraw-Hill dictionary has definitely not been worth its price. If you're looking for substance and ease-of-use, buy Newton's.
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