For readers whose work requires them to have a basic understanding of the latest developments in telecommunications and the global information infrastructure, here's an easy-to-understand guide that explains today's hottest communications technologies in plain English. Includes clear definitions of commonly seen, but often misunderstood terms such as ADSL, ISDN, HFC, DVD, and others.

John G. Nellist is a consultant for Sarita Enterprises Ltd. in Canada, where he is registered as an Applied Science Technologist (AScT). He is the recipient of two ASTTBC awards - the Advanced Technology Award in December 1997 and the Outstanding Technical Achievement Award presented in April 1980 for technical competence in fiber optics. Elliott M. Gilbert is a consultant with Communications Systems & Services in California. He has been the consultant for a wide variety of telecommunications projects, holds nine patents, and is the recipient of the General Electric Co. Award to Inventors.