This third edition continues the fine tradition of previous editions in introducing the novice to the fundamentals associated with the transmission of digital information, while providing sufficient detail to intrigue the more technically oriented. The author covers the theory nicely, while not neglecting practical issues such as cable types, pinouts, installing internal modems, software setup, and use of the AT (Hayes) codes.

Analog and digital modems are covered. Error correction and data compression methods are described. Fax modems and how they operate are the subject of one chapter, and the newer broadband modems (often referred to as cable or video modems) are discussed in another. The last part of the book gives an extensive annotated checklist of features one should consider in the purchase of a modem. It then describes approaches to problem resolution (in part by explaining what the indicator lights mean). Finally, it provides suggestions about the use of a few computer programs.

The subjects the book covers are treated well. Unfortunately, the software discussions end with the Windows 3.1 era. Regarding modem hardware, the book includes modems up to the V.34bis standard (33.6 kbps), which was not yet finalized when this book was published. That leaves out any consideration of the newest x2 modem generation. Presumably that will be in the next edition.