Monday, February 10, 2003		Book Review

Finding online, taking guidance offline
Review by Peeyush Agnihotri
The Rough Guide Website Directory; Angus J Kennedy and Peter Shapiro; Published by Rough Guides Ltd., London and distributed by Penguin Group; Pages 368

TO find something on the Net, search engines are used. Then that is online. Offline you have books, rather pocket books, like The Rough Guide Website Directory. Such books serve two purposes. One, they supplement those already on the Net to fine-tune their search and secondly, they help the uninitiated to understand how search engines work and what sites to visit for a particular content.

This 6"x 4" book, most of which is in three colours only (black-and-white and shades of brown), can truly be called the laptop of the IT-book world. Small and concise. Nevertheless precise, in the sense that it can teach a thing or two to even the most veteran of the surfers as most of them simply bumble their way around in search of right information. Theirs is a hit-and-try approach rather than being an organised one. Part I of the book that is labelled introduction tells readers how to go about finding some information. Part II of the book is divided into 65 categories, listed alphabetically viz a for amusement, antiques etc., b for babies, betting, business etc and so forth.

Part I that comprises just 8 per cent of the whole book tells the readers about the basic working of the Net, especially search engines, including the method of using it and its limitations. The book suggests the use of subject directory also rather than throwing darts into the entire Web. Then it explains vortals and the differences between general directories and specialised directories. The book also throws light on search agents and Weblogs. How to find someone’s e-mail address is another interesting topic.

Part II, named directory, has categories in alphabetical order. Appears everyone wants to start Net surfing on the right note, as the music chapter is the longest one. Another remarkable aspect is that all site addresses have a brief description about them and they certainly are not very ‘diplomatic’ for some sites. For example, the third link under the Silver Surfers chapter describes bettergovernmentforolderpeople.gov.uk as a dull, tedious and cumbersome site, "as its domain name."

The book is more Western-oriented as some chapters depict. Gay and Lesbian section has 17 links while two-paged Asian interest chapter has six links merely. Four of these Asian interest links are India-centric, one is devoted to the Sri Lankan diaspora and the sixth one is about Tehelka. Yes, the shady defence deal scandal is creating ripples internationally. The directory describes Tehelka as a "very influential newsletter from India which has a role in exposing corruption in politics and helped break cricket match-fixing scandal." A typical example of being politically drubbed locally and getting accolades globally.

Just to tell how much e has infiltrated into our lives, the books and literature section has a special box devoted to e-books. Similarly, music has a special MP3 section while business category has a special e-shopping slot.

The pets section has links for dogs, cats, reptiles, fish, horse, rabbits and hold your breath, even mouse. No, not the electronic click-click stuff but the furry one. A link, RSPCA Online, allows the kids to adopt a cyberpet before getting the real thing.

The food and drink section gives the hyperlinks of best of recipes worldwide, including details on the best of cheese, beers and cigars. The chapter has three boxes devoted to specialist shopping sites, eating out and buying groceries online.

The fortune-telling chapter has some unheard of and interesting links like mood ring. Put your hand on the mouse and the site will tell you how you are feeling.

The book can’t be termed exhaustive as many links have been left out in almost all chapters. Then there is no chapter on Communities. But all this is understandable as the WWW in itself is an ocean that just refuses to be zipped in one book. Nonetheless, this pocket-sized book, meant to save a surfer from online frustration, is a great effort as it has links covering all categories in abundance. Truly, small is bountiful here.