'… 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
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?