Rating: 
Summary: More than a Dictionary
Review: I work in Cable TV, and this book has helped me adjust to the telephone and internetworking world like no other. It is formatted as a dictionary, yet the entries are defined in an encyclopedic manner. The CD ROM has endless amounts of detail on major topics taken from other books....and to my suprise, I thought that the 1,000 additional pages on the CD was some kind of gimmick! It is sure no gimmick and there is more excellent stuff here than I imagined!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing and very U.S. oriented
Review: I'm a telecom trainer in England, and I can't recommend this book. The author seems to think that telecoms is the same the world over -- the definitions do not acknowledge that some of them only apply in the U.S. For example, the definition for "0" says that it is "the 'in fact' standard number to dial for reaching a local phone company operator or answering service." It would be very unwise to rely on this book in the U.K. Some examples: it says ISDN Primary Rate has 23 B channels whereas in most countries (including all of Europe) it in fact provides 30 B channels; in the UK we have "exchanges" not "central offices", we don't have CSU/DSUs, and so on. I don't mind it being a dictionary of U.S. telecomms terms, but it should mention that many of its terms do not apply outside the U.S. That said, even for a U.S. reader, I would not recommend it. Many terms that should be there, aren't. Why is "relational database" covered, but not "firewall"? Other definitions are just wrong (the CCITT is not "one of the four parts of the ITU"), or confusing: a Terminal Adapter is defined as "a device that converts an ISDN line into a regular POT (Plain Old Telephone) service so that you can connect a standard telephone or modem to an ISDN line." Not all TAs do this, and it is not the primary function of any TA (which connects a PC directly to an ISDN line -- no modem). Some PC-specific terms (e.g. FAT16) are presented as generic. The photos are useful, but often fuzzy, and the CD is merely an Acrobat version of the book. Fine as far as it goes, but not "fully searchable" as claimed. So overall, this is not nearly as good as it should be. I shall continue to recommend instead Mitchell Shnier's excellent "Computer Dictionary -- Data Communications, PC Hardware and Internet Terminology", which is better written, more accurate, and cheaper.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing and very U.S. oriented
Review: I'm a telecom trainer in England, and I can't recommend this book. The author seems to think that telecoms is the same the world over -- the definitions do not acknowledge that some of them only apply in the U.S. For example, the definition for "0" says that it is "the 'in fact' standard number to dial for reaching a local phone company operator or answering service." It would be very unwise to rely on this book in the U.K. Some examples: it says ISDN Primary Rate has 23 B channels whereas in most countries (including all of Europe) it in fact provides 30 B channels; in the UK we have "exchanges" not "central offices", we don't have CSU/DSUs, and so on. I don't mind it being a dictionary of U.S. telecomms terms, but it should mention that many of its terms do not apply outside the U.S. That said, even for a U.S. reader, I would not recommend it. Many terms that should be there, aren't. Why is "relational database" covered, but not "firewall"? Other definitions are just wrong (the CCITT is not "one of the four parts of the ITU"), or confusing: a Terminal Adapter is defined as "a device that converts an ISDN line into a regular POT (Plain Old Telephone) service so that you can connect a standard telephone or modem to an ISDN line." Not all TAs do this, and it is not the primary function of any TA (which connects a PC directly to an ISDN line -- no modem). Some PC-specific terms (e.g. FAT16) are presented as generic. The photos are useful, but often fuzzy, and the CD is merely an Acrobat version of the book. Fine as far as it goes, but not "fully searchable" as claimed. So overall, this is not nearly as good as it should be. I shall continue to recommend instead Mitchell Shnier's excellent "Computer Dictionary -- Data Communications, PC Hardware and Internet Terminology", which is better written, more accurate, and cheaper.
Rating:
Summary: Impressive reference--Photos and graphs are excellent.
Review: Impressive reference. I found the photos and graphs to be excellent exhibits to assist in further defining and explaining the terminology. Jess Holden
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Project
Review: Jade Clayton's McGraw-Hill Illustrated Telecom Dictionary, now in its second edition, is a wonderful work I consult first when looking up a term. Deliberately focused on telephony terms, the book contains 3,000 definitions, along with 400 photos, diagrams, or charts. Clayton has a strong background with companies and explains topics well. The only comparable dictionary in this price range is Harry Newton's Telecom Dictionary, which tries to cover the entire field of communications. Keeping in mind Clayton's emphasis on traditional but up-to-date telecom definitions, Jade's book has many things Newton's work does not have: original writing throughout, a lower list price, photographs and diagrams, signature binding that won't fall apart, and a searchable CD ROM that features the book's entire text, as well as content from other McGraw Hill publications. This CD makes the book an even greater value, letting you keep the dictionary open on your computer while you work on your telecom research or writing. The extra material also lets you go further with many topics. This CD ROM and book project is quite an accomplishment.
Rating: 
Summary: The world of telecommunications in one volume!
Review: McGRAW-HILL ILLUSTRATED TELECOM DICTIONARY by Jade Clayton provides convenient and easy-to-understand definitions of commonly used terminology and technology in the telecommunications industry. This is the perfect reference whether the reader has a technical or non-technical background, offering: · An alphabetized format for quick access
· More than 2,000 new and standard terms related to tele/data communications services, hardware, technology, tools, and common slang
· Over 300 illustrated definitions
· Acronyms, defined
· Up-to-date coverage of emerging technologies McGRAW-HILL ILLUSTRATED TELECOM DICTIONARY is a valuable reference for public telephone company professionals, telephone equipment/service vendors, telephone equipment manufacturers, telephone equipment distributors, as well as instructors and students of all levels that have subject matter relating to computer science, information systems, telecommunications, and electronics. ! Jade Clayton is a communications engineer for American Express. He designs and coordinates communication services that involve multiple telecommunication companies around the world.
Rating:
Summary: Sub-standard, very disappointed.
Review: Not a well thoughtout and often incomplete in many areas of today's telecommunication. Its volume does not justify its contents. Recommend Newton's telecom dictionary instead.
Rating:
Summary: CD-ROM
Review: Please note that only the 2nd Edition of this title comes with the CD-ROM. The older first edition does not have a CD-ROM.
Rating:
Summary: Often incomplete and sometimes inacurate
Review: The best parts of the book are its explanations of telephony plant. When the book attempts to explain larger industry topic and operational support, it becomes very vague and at times quite inaccurate. Is good book to give you an idea about the telephony industry, but don't quote it!
Rating: 
Summary: Missing something
Review: The book is big and contains a lot of terms. However, it is not even close to comphrensive. Are DWDM, LMDS, MMDS and DTM popular words? Are these things you want to learn more? Are they important in this Telecosm? They are ALL NOT in this book. Totally disappointed
| 
