Rating: 
Summary: Endless tirade without constructive suggestions
Review: Being absolutely fascinated by the author's book "Cuckoo's Egg", I was extremely disappointed by this book. Even I agree with a lot of opinions the author holds in this book, the author portraits things almost in an apocalyptic way. I disagree with that. I believe a lot of problem in the information superhighway and society can and must be fixed. However, it takes some positivism, and constructive suggestions to do so. To focus on the negatives will definately not change anything. It took me about 9 month to read the book from cover to cover, because it created such a negative mood in me, that I could only read a couple of pages and needed some positive couter balance. I believe this book is not worth the time to read it.
Rating: 
Summary: Let the Buyer Beware
Review: Cliff Stoll writes in such an engaging folksy style that you want to spend the evening with him at a cozy neighborhood restaurant. Not a cyber-cafe, mind you, but somewhere in the "real" world. Stoll likes technology. He is no modern day Luddite. He does, however, dare to ask some hard questions. Why, for instance, are we spending so much money on putting computers in the classrooms when there is no proof that they will magically turn our kids into scholars, but just might turn them into high-tech goof offs? Stoll wants people to do a cost-benefit analysis before computerizing systems that may work just fine the way they are. You may not agree with all his objections, but it is worth hearing them. One downside is that a lot of the technical information is already very dated after five years, but this does add weight to his argument that there are many hidden costs (maintenance being one of them) when you decide to computerize the classroom.
Rating: 
Summary: Good points - weak arguments
Review: Clifford is certainly in a good position to debunk the hype of the Internet, and I looked foward to reading this book. In general, he makes good points - computers can not replace human experience, and are not the answer for all our problems. The book is somewhat dated, which does render some sections less useful, particularly regarding commerce online. The largest problem, however, is the lack of solid evidence and argument. Clifford deliberately writes loosely, in a "personal" fashion. While intentional, it detracts from his points greatly. He continually makes contradictory claims, as pointed out in other reviews. More reasoned, fair discussion and less shallow emotional statements would help to carry his point further. Probably better for people who have only heard the hype, and are not experienced enough to know for themselves the real benefits and drawbacks of the Internet.
Rating: 
Summary: The Internet will not be the same.
Review: Clifford Stoll's "Silicon Snake Oil" is an interesting and entertaining book to read because it is written in story-like style and he talks about one technology that almost everyone is using right now: the Internt. With his experiemce in the Internet and technology development, Stoll talks about the impact and influence of computers and the Internet on society, for example, computerized classrooms and libraries. He claims that the Internet and computer are not daily necessities and cannot provide a richer or better life. He also implies that people today rely on computers too much and take craftsmanship for granted. He uses his own daily life experience as examples to show the readers that computers and the Internet are helpful and useful tools, but there are also some downsides of using these tools. One interesting argument that he talks about is why libraries should not be computerized and on-line. One point that Stoll makes in his book is that people should treat and think of computers and the Internet as tools that help us to achieve our goals, not treat them as the ONLY tools that are available. Examine the penmanship in younger generation and you will see Stoll's viewpoint. Overall, this book gives me several eye-opening perspectives and ideas regarding computers and the Internet. I felt I've been brainwashed after reading this book because I would never think of computers and the Internet as Stoll did. However, Stoll is a little too pessimistic about the information highway. Many things have changed during the last 7 years and it would be great if Stoll continue his thought or argument on this topic.
Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable book about the Internet
Review: Silicon Snake Oil is written by Clifford Stoll a Berkeley astronomer with extensive experience in the Internet and its development. It is written in a non-technical style that makes it very easy and enjoyable to read, but contains a tremendous amount of information about the Internet. His comments cover email, computerized education, bulletin boards, user groups and a wide range of computer topics. He provides a comprehensive analysis on why libraries should not be replaced by computer online information services. For those with extensive computer experience the books provides nostalgic memories of our problems we have had with computers and the Internet. For those new to computers it provides a different historical prospective to wonders of the informational super highway. For both it puts computers and the Internet into prospective, that computers and the Internet should not replace original thought, penmanship, letter writing, libraries or card catalogs, but should be just an additional tool. The books 1995 publishing makes its vocabulary a little dated, but the concepts are very relevant to today's computers users. I feel reading this book will increase the value I get out of technology and help me keep it in perspective.
Rating:
Summary: Good but not great
Review: Stoll wrote one of the best spy books of the information age before anyone knew that it could even happen. This follow up is very interesting reading, and I agree with most of it. The best part is his feeling to turn off the computers in schools and go back to the personal interaction of learing. That is so true, we are harming our children for the future.
Rating: 
Summary: Increasingly Dated effort
Review: Stoll's book is showing the effect of time. While much of the info may have been cutting edge when written, it has now been surpassed by events. I found little logical flow in the book and it ends with a disappointing and self serving Usenet discussion about an earlier book he wrote that lends little to the book's thesis.
Rating:
Summary: This book is a definite page-turner, I highly recommend it.
Review: Technology in the form of the Internet, with its push toward virtual reality and far fetched promises, is receiving too much emphasis in our daily lives according to Clifford Stoll author of this book. Stoll is an astronomer, an author, a computer wizard and a long-time user of the Internet. This book is a close examination of the Internet and its impact on society and the world including several aspects such as: libaries, education, myths concerning the Internet, the skills that are being learned and utilized, the culture of exclusion, and rapid evolution of computer technology. All of these elements have evolved with the advent of the Internet lead to the de-humanization of life, as we know it. Stoll said, "The falsehood of the Internet is that it will provide us with close, meaningful relationships, with cheap, good information and with useful life skills." Stoll's style of writing is easy to read and brings the complex concepts used to discuss technology to a comfortable and entertaining level that heightens the impact of the piece. The Internet is shown as a useful tool while at the same time Stoll warns us of the dangers that occur when a tool is thought to be and used as the cure-all for society. Like Thoreau, Stoll would like to see society move toward simplicity, back to the basics. He uses several personal examples as well as powerful metaphors to address his legitimate concerns about the overuse of the Internet. The author challenges the idea that the Internet is essential. He points out that the Internet is just as easily used to work ing and for entertainment. This raised the question: Does is make doing work more efficient? Stoll justifies his criticism of the Internet, which is an important tool in his life and his work by saying, "For I'm mainly speaking to people who feel mystically lured to the Internet: lotus-eaters, beware. Life in the real world is far more interesting, far more important, far richer, than anything you'll ever find on a computer screen." The Internet is rumored to be: fast and cheap; used by a large number of people; bringing diversity and culture to the common people; a good place to meet others; the ultimate forum for democracy; and starting a literary revival; all of which are discussed in chapter 2. Stoll's belief that the anonymity of people on-line causes some concern is demonstrated in this particularly humorous excerpt, "There are several guys on-line for every woman. But, like the outlook for women in Alaska, the odds are good, but the goods are odd." Stoll recognizes the need that people feel for a community, but he believes that the Internet can only provide an imitation, a mock, a metaphorical reality that will never compare to or create a better society than what already exists. On-line reality is "surrogate to experience," a "simulation of the physical world," a "digital dumpster," because when you turn off your computer the community vanishes. Silicaon Snake Oil is clearly a hand reaching out to touch the shoulder of all the technology buffs and promoters who are at this moment glued to a computer screen. Stoll is sending a message to Internet supporters to consider the benefits of reality, simplicity, and humanity before embracing and approving the magical elixir that is said to make the world a better place, otherwise known as the Internet.
Rating:
Summary: can we turn our backs on computer network ?
Review: The book is about Stoll's perspective on the hidden costs of new information technology, especially on the role of computer networking in our lives. Instead of viewing computers and networks as good components to make a better society, Stoll's commentary actually supposes that computers and networks are frustrating, expensive, and unreliable. Can we just simply turn our backs on the network? Why? Because according to Stoll, [computer networks] isolate us from one another and cheapen the meaning of actual experience. They work against literacy and creativity. They undercut our schools and libraries(p.3). Although the Internet provides easier life to our society, a society deals with people, not computers. Human interactions and contacts involve with belonging. Of course, computer networks may also establish a community with the interaction, such as cybersex and cyber-relationship. However, this type of community is without church, cafe or theater. Yes, it has plenty of human contact, but no humanity. Then, what is missing from this neighborhood? We chat without speaking, smile without grinning, and hug without touching. We lose the real life experience and the humanity! Throughout the book, Stoll's basic mode of argument is to compare two functional techniques: a computational technique (ex. email) and a less-computational technique (ex. postal service). Stoll intents to highlight various positive aspects of the latter technique that are missing in the former. For example, the post office allows a variety of style on envelops, signatures, letterheads, checks, and logos. With the email technique, everyone and every business use the same and uniform style to communicate - ASCII text. The only difference between your messages and others' is the contents. Similarly, Stoll applies this style of argument on the comparisons of libraries with and without computer networks, a classroom with and without computers, and typewrites versus word processors. It is an entertaining and a thought-provoking book. Stoll cares about what happens to our networked neighborhood, and more importantly, what is happening in our larger society while facing the wave of computer networks. "Computers themselves don't bother me; I am vexed by the culture in which they are enshrined(p.3). No one who is interested in such issue will regard reading Stoll's book.
Rating:
Summary: Stoll is right about certain points.
Review: This book by Clifford Stoll was intriguing and entertaining. Although a little outdated by today's computer standards, the real message of the book is that while the Internet and the computer is helpful and entertaining, they are not necessities of life. I believe that Stoll thinks that everyone is so pro-computer, that they don't look at the negatives of computers. He believes that the increased use of computers in an individual's life takes away from someone's life. He states that "Life in the real world is far more interesting, far more important, far richer, than anything you'll ever find on a computer screen." I totally agree from where he's coming from. I believe that there's more to life than just using the Internet or computer for work. I am a big fan of face-to-face communication and like to see someone actually smile instead of seeing :) typed on the screen. But I also believe that while believing this way has its advantages, being able to use a computer in this world is becoming a necessity. Everyone is moving towards a technological advancement, that not being able to use the computer and the Internet sets an individual back somewhat, and that's sad to say. I think the world is placing the skill of using the computer and the Internet up there with the skill of reading, writing, and even eating. I agree with Stoll when he implies that using e-mail is impersonal. It very much is, because there is a lack of emotion. In face-to-face communication, it is the emotion that makes the communication personal. Stoll states that the Internet is a false society, that nothing can compare to the real thing. Stoll believes that the Internet is mainly used for an entertainment purpose. That may have been true in 1996, but the amount that e-commerce has grown since 1996 is an indication that the Internet is not only for entertainment purposes. The Internet has grown so vast that I believe that Stoll's comments are outdated. However, his statements about how secure and private the Internet is still applies today. Although companies have made the Internet a little more secure, I still know of some people who don't send private information over the Internet because of their lack of faith in a site's security. Stoll also goes into the dangers of using computers in the classroom. Having just completed a totally on-line course, I think that having classes on-line is a good idea for probably only college students. I think that having teachers in the classroom with students is necessary to promote learning in lower-level grades of education.
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