Vitanzas CyberReader and Internet Confusion Essay -- Vitanza CyberRea

Vitanza's CyberReader and Internet Confusion A rock falls off a cliff and hits another. Both these rocks in turn 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 Vitanza's compiled text, CyberReader , made me feel 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, but 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 incorporate the basics of the Internet, its history and its downside in an open and honest manner. Unfortunately, CyberReader is not for thos e who want a clear cut step-by-step method to the Internet. Vitanza begins CyberReader with articles defining virtual reality, cyberspace 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 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 connection 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 found 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 confusing and inaccurate jumble of articles. Although Vitanza's CyberReader attempted to provide a concise, easy to follow path through the World Wide Web, he fell far short of his goal. Navigating through this confusing compilation was a long enduring battle, and quite frankly, the battle wasn't 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 Cited Vitanza, Victor. CyberReader. Needham Heights, Mass.   Ã‚  Simon & Schuster, 1996. or Online. Internet. 18, November 1996. Available: http://www.abacon.com/~cyber/