Networked Life
20 Questions and Answers

How does the internet really work? This book explains the technology behind it all, in simple question and answer format.

Mung Chiang (Author)

9781107024946, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 10 September 2012

503 pages, 300 b/w illus. 20 tables 100 exercises
25.3 x 18.8 x 2.3 cm, 1.16 kg

'… an engaging undergraduate textbook that explains the foundations of many of the networks that now are part of our daily routine … The author organizes the material in the Socratic style, using practical questions instead of the more common (dry) survey of concepts and techniques. It provides just enough information to whet the reader's appetite and spur interest in networks …' Fernando Berzal, Computing Reviews

How does Google sell ad space and rank webpages? How does Netflix recommend movies and Amazon rank products? How can you influence people on Facebook and Twitter and can you really reach anyone in six steps? Why doesn't the internet collapse under congestion and does it have an Achilles' heel? Why are you charged per gigabyte for mobile data and how can Skype and BitTorrent be free? How are cloud services so scalable and why is WiFi slower at hotspots than at home? Driven by twenty real-world questions about our networked lives, this book explores the technology behind the multi-trillion dollar internet and wireless industries. Providing easily understandable answers for the casually curious, alongside detailed explanations for those looking for in-depth discussion, this thought-provoking book is essential reading for students in engineering, science and economics, for network industry professionals and anyone curious about how technological and social networks really work.

1. What makes CDMA work for my cell phone?
2. How does Google sell ad space?
3. How does Google rank webpages?
4. How does Netflix recommend movies?
5. When can I trust product ratings on Amazon?
6. Why does Wikipedia even work?
7. How do I viralize a YouTube video and tip a Groupon deal?
8. How do I influence people on Facebook and Twitter?
9. Can I really reach anyone in 6 steps?
10. Does the Internet have an Achilles' heel?
11. Why do AT&T and Verizon Wireless charge me $10 a GB?
12. How can I pay less for my internet connection?
13. How does traffic get through the internet?
14. Why doesn't the internet collapse under congestion?
15. How can Skype and BitTorrent be free?
16. What's inside the cloud of iCloud?
17. Netflix, iTunes, IPTV: which way to watch video?
18. Why is WiFi faster at home than at a hotspot?
19. Why am I only getting a few percent of advertised 4G speed?
20. Is it fair that my neighbour's iPhone downloads faster?

Subject Areas: Computer science [UY], Computer networking & communications [UT], Computer security [UR], Electrical engineering [THR], Internet & WWW industries [KNTX1], Media, information & communication industries [KNT], Economics [KC], Information theory [GPF]