Vitanzas CyberReader and Internet Confusion Essay -- Vitanza CyberRea

Vitanzas CyberReader and Internet ConfusionA rock falls off a cliff and hits another. Both these rocks in issue collide with many other rocks as they fall down the cliff. Finally, all the rocks splash into the water with a mess of confusion and chaos. Victor Vitanzas compiled text, CyberReader , made me tactile property as if I had finally reached the cushioned bottom with a sense of relief and triumph, tinged with a bit of confusion. Vitanza attempts to, solely does not successfully accomplish his goal, which is in his own words is to introduce. . .the Internet (the Net) and the World Wide Web (WWW) (vii). He progresses from an explanation of the terms used in the virtual world to an explanation of a wide array of advantages and disadvantages of the Internet. Each side is unselfishly supported by specific examples giving readers a chance to make their own opinions. Vitanza has chosen articles which co-ordinated the basics of the Internet, its history and its downside in an open a nd honest manner. Unfortunately, CyberReader is not for those who want a clear cut step-by-step method to the Internet. Vitanza begins CyberReader with articles defining virtual reality, profits and hyperreality. One murky chapter follows another, providing readers with a glimpse into the world they are entering when using the Internet. To begin with, although the articles attempt to focus on making analogies to real life-time events, they tend to be vague. In fact, as in the section titled, Enchanted Castles, by Umberto Eco, there is often not even a direct link made to the Internet. Compounding the confusion, Vitanza at times leans towards over explanation rather than understatement. The authors plunge into a long, endless spiel on privacy, censorshi... ... the Internet and types of writing engraft there, which leads to confusion after confusion. Already a massively misinterpreted medium, computer technology and the Internet need a clear cut explanation, rather than a confou nd and inaccurate jumble of articles. Although Vitanzas CyberReader attempted to provide a concise, easy to follow path through the World Wide Web, he fell far short-circuit of his goal. Navigating through this confusing compilation was a long enduring battle, and quite frankly, the battle wasnt worth it. The CvberReader may become useful after many revisions and edits, but for now it is a book that computer classes, English classes and amateur computer users can do without. Work CitedVitanza, Victor. CyberReader. Needham Heights, Mass. Simon & Schuster, 1996. or Online. Internet. 18, November 1996. Available http//www.abacon.com/cyber/