Intro to sockets?

[Sebastian Hammer]

I've checked the list of common questions, and haven't seen this one, so 
I guess it is legal.. :)
   Is there some sort of description of/introduction to the socket-concept
available (either on a file somewhere, or on paper)?? I've tried to get by
on the man pages, but either I'm not looking the right places, or the info
there is a bit thin (The man pages, I think, are generally most useful if 
you know the material beforehand). 

I'd be grateful for any references.

quinn at freja.diku.dk (The Novice)