Tech Review
The Secret Guide To Computers
29th edition
Author and Publisher: Russ Walter
ISBN: 0-939151-29-4
Paperback, 607 pages, $ 17.50
Reviewed by Michael Pastore
In November 2000, the remarkable Garry Kasparov lost the world chess championship --
which he had held for 15 straight years -- to the 25-year old Vladimir Kramnik. Getting to
the top is tough, but it's even more difficult to stay there. For years, I've been reading
and reviewing the newest editions of Russ Walter's Secret Guide. And each year, I've
called it the best introduction to computers that you can buy, borrow, or steal.
How does the 29th edition stand up? Is this Swiss army knife of computer
books still on the cutting edge?
Book publishing these days is a complex process, where books are produced by large
staffs, sometimes comprising more than 50 persons, including editors, researchers,
writers, and fact-checkers. Except for a team of elves, Russ Walter works virtually
alone. Yet somehow, once again, he's managed to bring off the miracle. With more than
10,000 improvements over the previous edition, the this newest Secret Guide is a
must-have tutorial and reference book for beginners and experienced users alike.
Except for XML, just about everything important in the world of computing is covered
here. You can learn how to buy the computer that's right for you; how to manage your
computer's operating system; how to use the major word processing programs and
applications; how to use the Internet; how to write programs in a dozen different
languages; and what to do about viruses, maintenance, and repairs. You can read the
book from page first to last, or dip in to any individual section. For example, the chapter
about Microsoft Word is a complete mini-course about this top program, explaining all
the important features, trappings, and tricks.
If you've never opened a Secret Guide before, now is the perfect time. Why? Because
if you can think of a question about computers -- any question that really matters -- it's
likely that your question is answered in this enormous book. If you're an owner of a
previous edition of the book, then it's worth upgrading to the new 29th edition. You'll find
whole new topics, such as Mac OS X, Javascript and JScript, Word 2003, and advice on
buying and fixing CD burners, scanners, and cameras, and much more.
The book is filled with shortcuts that help your computer to run more efficiently. You
know those pesky little icons that that load every time your computer starts, absquatulate
on the bottom of your screen, and waste valuable time and memory? Check the Secret
Guide and in less than two minutes you'll be rid of them forever.
In addition to writing and publishing the best computer book in print -- at an unbelievably
low price -- Walter offers absolutely free technical support. Readers can phone him any
time and ask questions about computers, at 1-603-666-6644. Russ Walter is totally
committed to teaching computer literacy to the world, and if you doubt that for one instant, ask yourself
this question: How many authors do you know who welcome you to telephone them at home?
Great tutorials, fun to read, low price, free technical support -- as the saying goes:
Such a deal!
The Secret Guide To Computers -- and Walter's hilarious new book Tricky Living -- are
available from major outlets, but if you buy it directly from the author you get the fastest
and cheapest shipping, and the chance for a bulk-discount price. Contact: Russ Walter, 196 Tiffany Lane,
Manchester, NH 03104--4782. Phone: (603) 666-6644. Or order by email: find Russ's
current email address at his website, located at http://www.secretfun.com
