What's Inside

by Tony Rizzo

Those of you who have explored Network Computing Online, our Web version of the magazine (http://tech web.cmp.com/nwc), already know about the original content to be found there. This month we begin a large-scale expansion of our on-line only offerings by including there all of the articles that formerly did not make it into the print version of the magazine simply because we didn't have the room to include them.

For example, this month you will find exclusively online "Crystal Radios and Rabbit Ears," written by contributing editor Dave Molta. The workshop offers additional information that will be greatly appreciated by those of you reading our feature on wireless bridges, also written by Dave, that appears on page 76. Our cover story on Network Management, written by Art Wittmann and Bruce "steal the basketball" Boardman, is also a must-read. It's on page 52.

Also exclusively online is Bruce Robertson's workshop, "Windows95 Shortcuts." In print you will find Art's much needed workshop on virtual LANs on page 110, and contributor Shane Yamkowy's article on consolidating NetWare servers, on page 120.

On the Reviews front, we forge ahead with the monster evaluation of RAID products we began in our October 1st issue. Eric Carr keeps on applying the screws to RAID and continues to find positive things to say about RAID in general. Turn to page 92 for the blow-by-blow. Also this month we scope out TGV's cool Windows TCP/IP stack. Ron Anderson does the honors on page 104. And finally, Barry Gerber reviews Tandberg Data's Panther 5000 tape drive, a lso available exclusively online.

But wait--there's more! We are also, beginning with this issue, inaugurating exclusively online a new series of extensive and detailed articles in a series we are calling "Network Computing's Interactive Network Design Manual." The brainchild of executive editor Tim Haight, it is a collection of large-scale articles that provide heavy-duty information on the many topics associated with designing, building and maintaining your networks. There are substantial value-added features in these articles, with expanded graphics, hot links to related Web sites and much more. Tim's grown a few grey hairs getting this project operational. Make it worth his while--jump online and make sure to scope it out. We look forward to hearing from you on this. Our first article in the series, "Designing Your Organization's Network for Internet Access," was written by Dave Molta.

Now, before I sign off, let me address the many of you who I know will be writing me to let me know how unfair it is to provide all of this cool new content online, since you don't have Web access and therefore cannot get to it. I understand. But keep in mind that publishing online is not becoming a way of life--it already is a way of life. Without a doubt we will continue to grow our online offerings. If you cannot get to this online information send us a quick e-mail message. We'll keep tabs on these and if we see substantial interest we will consider making the content available in print. This isn't a promise. We currently do not have plans to do so. But make yourself heard and things could change. My bottom line advice, however, remains constant: get connected. You no longer have a choice in the matter.

October 15, 1995