Using the IBM Personal Computer. (book reviews) Susan Glinert-Cole.

Using the IBM Personal Computer

Introductory Texts

I know there must be more than three of these on the market, but for some reason, these are the only ones that have recently crossed my path. Using the IBM Personal Computer by Kenniston Lord, Jr. from Van Nostrand Reinhold starts off with a bit of a baffle. It starts off asking "Is There a Computer in Your Future?' which tells the reader how nifty a computer can be for balancing a check-book and keeping track of car mileage. It then leaps right into the next chapter, "How a Computer Works,' which is a description of Basic. After the poor confused reader has dutifully typed in a few of the programs, the Basic editor is finally explained. Sequential files are introduced many chapters before DOS and disks. Similarly, a slew of little music programs (Marine's Hymn, Onward Christian Soldiers, and God Bless America) are listed in the chapter on graphics.

About a third of the book lists programs that would be of use to a small business-- accounts receivable, mailing list, and so on. A two-page epilogue makes a few statements about BasicA. The organization of this book is very poor, although there is a fair amount of information there. It isn't a beginner's book; there is too much missing or sketchily covered. A more knowledgeable person would probably be after more specific information than provided here.

Review Grade: C+