Web Server Handbook, The

Geared to what may now be an oxymoron--the computer-savvy Web novice--The Web Server Handbook offers a brief but thorough guide to the genesis of the Internet and the World Wide Web. Also provided are clear, contextual definitions of common Web utilities, such as Gopher, Telnet, and File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Those who are already well versed in the what of the Web can fast-forward to platform-specific chapters with instructions on setting up your first Web server. However, the chapter devoted to setting up a Unix Web server remains the most relevant, with thorough discussions of server and access control configurations. If the heavy Unix bias of the authors didn't manage to steer you in that direction, the lack of information on setting up a Web server via Windows 95, 98, and NT quickly would. But the explanation of Common Gateway Interface (CGI) programs and the quick reference guides to Unix, Perl, and TCP/IP help to compensate for what's lacking in the way of Windows.

Though some things change, The Web Server Handbook illustrates that many remain the same, even in cyberspace. Oddly prescient are the tips from Palmer and company on what constitutes a good Web site--clean, easy-to-follow pages, careful placement of well-chosen images, and well-written, properly spelled text. And though clearly written before the days of e-commerce as we now know it, the marketing advice given for doing business online remains fresh as well. The Web Server Handbook will make a solid if somewhat antiquated addition to any Internet-oriented reference shelf. --Sarah Roberts-Witt