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1994-09-21
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1,335 lines
WELCOME
Congratulations! You've decided to learn about computers! Now
you can get even with the millions of computers trying to learn
about you.
This book turns you into a computer expert even if you're an
idiot. In fact, some of the world's most famous computer experts
have read this book ___ and are idiots!
This book tells you more about computer than your mom
recommends. It guides you through the highs and heartaches,
thrills and chills, as you giggle and gag, frolic and frown.
The computer industry has called me a ``guru'', showered me
with tulips, and found this book ``wise''. But some chapters will
tempt you to call me a ``wiseguy'', yell ``goo-goo'', and shower
me with tomatoes. At least you won't be bored!
This is the only book rated ``best'' by ALL popular computer
magazines. It's the only book that covers all computer topics,
the only book making even the bumpiest computer topics smooth,
and the only major book whose author is foolish enough to give
you his home phone number.
Phone me
I'm the author. My home phone number is 617-666-2666.
It's easy to memorize! After dialing Boston's area code (617),
dial the phone number for the devil's double: 666-2-666.
Dial it when you wonder what-the-devil your computer's doing.
When computers make you ill, dial ``Sick, sick, sick! Too sick,
sick, sick!'' Follow this poem:
Welcome to your new computer.
I'll be your computer tutor.
Hands on keyboard!
Eyes up front!
Press those keys! Do not grunt!
When you get a bit confused,
Snatch this book and come peruse.
If you still can't find the fix,
Call 666-2666.
Call whenever you have a question about computers ___ or life!
I'll help you, free, even if your question is weird or personal.
This free consulting service has saved readers many kilohours and
kilobucks.
Call day or night, 24 hours: I'm almost always in, and I sleep
just lightly. Because of the midnight phone calls, I'm not
married ___ except to the computers I've fallen in love with.
So for free help, phone. (Don't write.) Begin by saying your
name, city, how you got my number (``from the 19th edition''),
and a one-sentence summary of your question. Then we'll have a
pleasant chat ___ unless I'm in the middle of another call or
meeting, in which I'll call you back free.
Each month, I answer thousands of calls personally. I try to
help all callers somehow. I'll give you my best help if you have
the current edition of this book, you have the official manual
for any program you want help with, and you've put the phone near
any ill computer you want cured.
Come visit
Whenever you visit the Boston area, you can drop in, say hi,
use my free library, and wave at my 50 computers.
Drop in anytime: day or night! But in case I'm having an orgy
with my computers, please phone first to pick a time when we're
cooled down. I'll reveal the Secret Path to our pad (just a
5-minute walk from the Porter Square stop on Boston's subway).
Mail the coupon
Mail us the coupon on
this book's last page. It puts you on our mailing list, which
gets you FREE info on our many wild services. You also get
discounts on extra copies of this book.
Love your librarian
These details will help
your librarian fill in the file cards and not get fired.
Title: The Secret Guide
to Computers, 19th edition
So-called author: Russ Walter
(also known as ``Russy-poo'')
Publisher: the same servant
as the author
Address: bedroom at 22
Ashland St., Somerville MA 02144
Copywrong: 1994 by Russ
Walter
International Standard Book Number (ISBN): 0-939151-19-7
Library of Congress: numbers pending; earlier edition 89-51851,
QA 76 .W3
Elfish fun
This book was
constructed by elves and associated critters, aiming to make your
life elful instead of awful.
Grand elves: Yvonne
Bohemier
Lisbeth Shaw
Elfettes: Kira
BarnumMaura Cabral
Friendly ghosts: Cathy
Carlson
Heather Hill
Sorcerer's apprentices: Linda
Gardner
Liz Card
Meadow sprites: Irene
VassosRichard Grant
Wandering minstrels: Larry
Mancini
Jeff Lowe
Artistes bizarre: Cindy
BestSusan Goldenberg
Bubbly brights: Anthony
KindNancy Kafka
Gigantic alien brains: Adam
GreenRoy Krantz
Friends of the Shah: Michael
Krigsman
Celena Sun
Queens from bygone days: Priscilla
Grogan
Julianne Wattles
Cantabrigian consorts: Ken
RussellNaava Frank
Mischievous muses: Lili
TimmonsShannon Linville
Brothers grin: Dan
WalterJim Walter
Women who wonder: Ruth
Spingarn
Donna Liao
Printer devils: John Pow
Semline
Art collectors: Dover
Formatt
Gnome (and is an island unto himself):
Russy-poo
Introductory junk
My editor told me to put
this stuff in. You don't have to read it.
Dedication I dedicate
this book to the computer, without whom I'd be unemployed.
What this book will do
for you Tt'll make you even richer than the author! Alas, he's
broke.
Prerequisite This book
was written for idiots. To see whether you can get through the
math, take this test: count to ten but (here's the catch!)
without looking at your fingers.
Acknowledgment I'd like
to thank . . .
my many friends (whose names I've gladly forgotten);
my students (who naturally aren't my friends);
my word processor (which has a mind of its own);
all others who helped make this book impossible.
Apology Any original
ideas in this book are errors.
Disclaimer The author
denies any knowledge of the scintillating illegal activities he
depicts.
Copyright Our copyright
policy is simple: hey, copying is all right! Make as many copies
as you like, and don't pay us a cent. Just follow the ``free
reprint'' instructions on page 9.
Forward . . . because
it's too late to turn back.
WHAT'S IN THIS BOOK
The Secret Guide to Computers is the world's only complete
computer tutorial: it covers everything important about
computers!
Feast your eyes on the massive table of contents, splashed
across the next page. It reveals that the Guide includes all 8
parts of computer lore: ``Buyer's guide'', ``Operating systems'',
``Word processing'', ``Databases'', ``Spreadsheets'', ``Wild
applications'', ``Programming'', and ``Endnotes''.
Buyer's guide
The Guide begins by explaining computer technology, computer
jargon, and how to buy a great computer cheaply.
It analyzes each of the computer's parts (the chips, disks,
screens, printers, other hardware, and software) and tells you
the best way to buy a complete computer system. It explains how
to buy the most common kind of computers (IBM-compatibles), the
fascinating competitors from Apple, and alternative computers
that are wildly different.
The Guide makes specific recommendations about which brands to
buy and where to buy them. It delves into each manufacturer's
goodies and not-so-goodies. It reveals the nasty details that
salespeople try to hide. It turns you into a German nun, who
knows the difference between what's blessed and what's wurst.
Operating systems
After getting a computer, you operate it by typing commands on
its keyboard or wiggling its mouse. The Guide explains the
popular operating systems: MS-DOS (used by IBM), the Mac system
(used by the Apple Macintosh), and Windows (which makes IBM
imitate a Macintosh).
Word processing
The most popular thing to do with a computer is to make it
replace your typewriter. That's called ``word processing''. The
word-processing chapter explains how to use the fanciest
word-processing programs: Ami Pro (which is hassle-free),
Microsoft Word (which performs many nifty tricks), and Word
Perfect (the old classic still used by most businesses).
Databases
Instead of using file cards, put databases on the computer! The
Guide explains how to use the easiest wonderful database program
(Q&A) and analyzes advanced databases that are harder.
Spreadsheets
Tables of numbers are called spreadsheets. The Guide explains
how to use the fanciest spreadsheet program: Excel. It also
explains how to use competitors (1-2-3 & Quattro), which cost
less to run.
Wild applications
The Guide lets you have wild fun and explore frontiers that are
wildly challenging. You learn how to make the computer handle
graphics, desktop publishing, sound, multimedia, communication
(with the help of telephones and networking), accounting
(incredibly difficult to do right!),
personal programs (everything from lovemaking to therapy!), games
(I confess that they're the real reason why most of us buy
computers), and artificial intelligence (the attempt to make the
computer become human).
Programming
Our world is split into
three classes of people:
avoiders (who fear and loathe computers and avoid them)
users (who use computers but don't really understand them)
programmers (who understand computers and can teach them new
tricks)
The Guide elevates your mind to the heights of class 3: it turns
you into a sophisticated programmer.
Since the Guide's
explanation of ``BASIC'' expands your understanding of computers
so dramatically, don't wait! Start reading it the same day you
start ``Databases'' ___ as if you were taking two courses
simultaneously.
To program the computer,
you feed it instructions written in a computer language. The
Guide explains all the popular computer languages.
It begins with the
easiest popular language (BASIC).
Then it explains DBASE
(the fanciest language for handling databases). It even covers
the hot, new, improved versions of DBASE (such as DBASE 4 and Fox
Pro).
Many colleges require
freshmen to learn PASCAL. The Guide explains it, and even
PASCAL's new Turbo versions.
All modern programs for
word processing, databases, and spreadsheets were created by
using ``C''. The Guide explains Turbo C, Quick C, Microsoft C,
and competitors.
Many elementary schools
require their students to learn how to program in LOGO, a
language that makes turtles dance across the computer's screen.
The Guide explains 12 versions of LOGO.
In the ``good old
days'', when programmers were treated like gods, the most popular
computer languages were FORTRAN (for scientists) and COBOL (for
businesses). Though they're called ``the languages for old
fogeys'' now, many big computers still thrive on them ___ and so
do many careers! The Guide covers a semester's course in each.
A gigantic chapter
analyzes 23 strange tongues and divides those computer languages
into three categories.
mainstream languages: FORTRAN, ALGOL, COBOL, BASIC, PL/I, PASCAL,
MODULA, C, ADA, DBASE, EASY
radical languages: LISP, SNOBOL, APL, LOGO, FORTH, PILOT
specialized languages: APT, DYNAMO, GPSS, RPG, SPSS, PROLOG
The chapter tutors you in all of them. It even includes a
multilingual dictionary that helps you translate programs to
different computer languages.
To top it all off, you
learn how to program by using the most common assembler for the
IBM PC and translate your programs to the Macintosh and other
computers.
Endnotes
I hate to admit it, but
occasionally computers break! The chapter on repairs explains how
to fix them.
We members of the
computer industry all have skeletons in our closet. The Guide
digs up our past and counsels you about how to improve your
career and your future.
You also get an
explanation of numerical analysis, an index to the entire Guide,
and coupons for getting more goodies! Wow!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Buyer's guide10
Chips
Chip technology22
CPU 23
Memory chips28
Disks
Fundamentals32
Floppy disks32
Hard disks36
CD-ROMs 39
Screens
What's a screen?41
Televisions41
Monitors 42
Video terminals43
Liquid crystals43
Printers
Fundamentals44
Dot-matrix printers45
Ink-jet printers47
Laser printers48
Best buys49
Printer technology50
Other hardware
Keyboards53
Graphics-input devices54
Speakers 55
Modems 55
Tapes 57
Cases 58
Surge suppressors58
Software
Kinds of software59
Operating systems59
Languages60
Programs 60
Data 62
Software companies63
Buying software64
IBM-compatibles
IBM technology66
How clones are priced70
Famous clones72
Apple
Original Apple81
Apple 2 81
Luxurious Apples83
Macs 84
Newton 88
Who runs Apple?88
Alternative computers
Commodore89
Tandy 92
Atari 94
Operating systems 95
MS-DOS
Get into DOS 98
Simple commands 102
External commands 108
Edit your disks 112
Batch files 116
Boot 117
Special keys 124
Print on paper 126
Analyze the computer 127
Tricks 129
Copy & protect well 131
Mac system
Start your Mac 136
Use the mouse 137
Pull down a menu 138
Explode an icon 140
Run Teachtext 141
Advanced features 143
Windows
Starting 148
Accessories 151
Main window 157
Word processing 159
Ami Pro
Starting 162
Frames 165
Vocabulary 166
Finish 166
Microsoft Word
Starting 167
Ribbon 169
Advanced editing 170
File menu 171
Q&A Write
Starting 172
Function keys 175
Blocks 176
Final steps 177
Page layout 178
Vocabulary 180
Advanced tricks 181
Word Perfect
Starting 183
Function keys 186
Ending 188
Tricky spacing 190
Fancy characters 193
Search for words 196
Automatic typing 198
Advanced tricks 202
Databases 206
Q&A File
Starting 208
Design file 209
Add data 210
Search/update 211
Print 213
Mass moves 215
Customize 216
Advanced databases
Relational databases 219
Windows wars 219
Spreadsheets 220
Excel
Starting 222
Hop far 225
Adjust rows&columns 226
Move 228
Copy 228
After you've finished 229
Beautify your cells 231
Sort 233
Chart 234
1-2-3 & Quattro
Starting 235
Major editing 239
Column width 241
Final steps 242
Advanced views 244
Wild applications 248
Graphics
Deluxe Paint 249
Exotic graphics 255
Classic art 257
3-D drawing 265
Desktop publishing
What to buy 266
Print Shop 267
Certificate Maker 268
Sound
Speech 269
Music 270
Multimedia
What's multimedia? 271
Tools 271
Communication
Telecommunication 272
Local-area networks 276
Ways to share 278
Accounting
General accounting 279
Specialized accounting 282
Personal programs
Analyze yourself 283
Fall in love 288
Replace people 291
Be poetic 295
Analyze writing 300
Translate Russian 301
Games
Board games 302
Action games 306
Adventure games 307
Artificial intelligence
Natural vs. artificial 310
Early dreamers 310
Understand English 313
Surveying the field 316
Programming 320
BASIC
Fun 322
Using variables 338
Helpful hints 364
Pretty output 368
Subs 376
Fancy calcs 384
Style 398
Weird features 406
Versions of BASIC 422
DBASE
Get comfortable 450
Create a data file 452
See your data 453
Revise your data 456
Switch files 458
Index files 459
Programs 460
Control the flow 463
PASCAL
Fun 466
Math 469
Simple variables 470
IF 471
Loops 472
Logic tricks 473
Advanced variables 475
``C''
Fun 476
Math 479
Numeric variables 480
Character variables 482
Logic 484
LOGO
Turtle graphics 486
Math 489
Structures 490
Programs 492
Workspace 495
FORTRAN
Fun 496
Math 499
Pleasant I/O 503
Logic 505
Lists 507
Functions 511
Exotic features 513
COBOL
Fun 518
Variables 521
Logic 526
Data files 529
Advanced structures 534
Extra comments 539
Strange tongues
Charts 540
Mainstream languages 542
Radicals 555
Specialists 563
Assembler
Number systems 572
Character codes 574
SEXY assembler 575
DEBUG 580
Inside the CPU 584
8088 details 588
Endnotes 590
Repairs
Reduce your risks 591
General principles 593
Booting problems 594
Keyboard problems 596
Printer problems 597
Insufficient memory 599
Our past
Ancient history 600
Micro history 604
Cycles 606
Your future
Become an expert 608
Land a computer job 609
Set your rates 610
Develop your career 611
Computerize home 615
Teach your kids 616
Avoid dangers 619
Read good books 621
Share our knowledge 623
Numerical analysis
Errors 624
Estimates 625
Solve equations 626
Index
Vendor phone book 628
Menus & icons 629
Languages 630
Master index A-Z 632
Coupons
Coupon for friends 638
Coupon for you 639
PRAISED BY REVIEWERS
If you like this book, you're not alone.
Praised by computer magazines
All the famous computer magazines call Russ Walter ``Boston's
computer guru'' and praise him for giving free consulting even in
the middle of the night. Here's how they evaluate The Secret
Guide to Computers. . . .
PC World: ``Russ Walter is a PC pioneer, a trailblazer, the
user's champion. Nobody does a more thorough, practical, and
entertaining job of teaching PC technology. His incomparable
Guide receives nothing but praise for its scope, wit, and
enormous practicality. It offers a generous compendium of
industry gossip, buying advice, and detailed, foolproof
tutorials. It's a wonderful bargain.''
Byte: ``The Guide is amazing. If you need to understand
computers and haven't had much luck at it, or have to teach other
people about computers, or just want to read a good book about
computers, get the Guide.''
Computer Currents: ``Your computer literacy quotient will
always come up short unless you know something about Russ Walter.
He's a folk hero. He knows virtually everything about personal
computers and makes learning about computers fun. If you've given
up in disgust and dismay at reading other computer books, get the
Guide. It should be next to every PC in the country. PC vendors
would do themselves and their customers a big favor by packing a
copy of the Guide with every computer that goes out the door. The
Guide deserves the very highest recommendation.''
PC Magazine: ``The Guide explains the computer industry,
hardware, languages, operating systems, and applications in a
knowledgeable and amusing fashion. It includes Russ Walter's
unbiased view of the successes and failures of various companies,
replete with inside gossip. By working your way through it,
you'll know more than many who make their living with PCs.
Whether novice or expert, you'll learn from the Guide and have a
good time doing so. No other computer book is a better value.''
Abacus: ``Alternative-culture Walter provides the best current
treatment of programming languages. It's irreverent, reminiscent
of the underground books of the 1960's. It's simple to read,
fast-paced, surprisingly complete, full of locker-room computer
gossip, and loaded with examples.''
Infoworld: ``Russ Walter is recognized and respected in many
parts of the country as a knowledgeable and effective instructor.
His Guide is readable, outrageous, and includes a wealth of
information.''
Mac User: ``It's an everything-under-one-roof computer
technology guide.''
Computerworld: ``The Guide by unconventional computer guru Russ
Walter is informative and entertaining.''
Computer Shopper: ``The Guide covers the entire spectrum. It's
incredibly informative and amusing.''
Home Office Computing: ``Russ Walter is a computer missionary
who's a success story.''
Classroom Computer Learning: ``Russ Walter's courses are
intensive and inexpensive.''
Compute: ``Russ Walter is an industry leader.''
Praised by the classics
Earlier editions of the Guide were praised by all the classic
computer magazines.
Popular Computing: ``Russ Walter is king of the East Coast
computer cognoscenti. His Guide is the biggest bargain in
computer tutorials in our hemisphere. If CBS ever decides to
replace Andy Rooney with a `60 Minutes' computer pundit, they'd
need to look no further than Russ Walter. His wry Walterian
observations enliven nearly every page of his book. His Guide is
the first collection of computer writings that one might dare
call literature.''
Personal Computing: ``The Guide is bulging with information.
You'll enjoy it. Russ Walter's approach to text-writing sets a
new style that other authors might do well to follow. It's
readable, instructive, and downright entertaining. If more
college texts were written in the Russ Walter style, more college
students would reach their commencement day.''
Creative Computing: ``The Guide is fascinating, easy to
understand, an excellent book at a ridiculously low price. We
especially endorse it.''
Cider Press: ``The Guide should be given to all beginners with
the purchase of their computers.''
Softalk: ``The Guide fires well-deserved salvos at many sacred
cows. It's long been a cult hit.''
Computer Bargain Info: ``The Guide is widely acclaimed by experts
as brilliant.''
Eighty Micro: ``Theatrical, madcap Russ is a cult hero.''
Interface Age: ``The Guide is a best buy.''
Enter: ``It's the best book about computer languages.''
Microcomputing: ``Plan ahead; get in on the Secret now.''
Praised by mass-market magazines
Mass-market magazines
call the Guide amazing.
Scientific American:
``The Guide is irresistible. Every instruction leads to a useful
result. Walter's candor shines; he makes clear the faults and
foibles others ignore or cast in vague hints. The effect is that
of a private conversation with a well-informed talkative friend
who knows the inside story. The text reads like the patter of a
talented midnight disc jockey; it's flip, self-deprecatory,
randy, and good-humored. His useful frank content and coherent
style are unique. First-rate advice on what and how to buy are
part of the rich mix. No room holding a small computer and an
adult learning to use it is well equipped without the Guide.''
The Whole Earth Catalog
in its ``Coevolution Quarterly'': ``The personal-computer
subculture was noted for its fierce honesty in its early years.
The Guide is one of the few intro books to carry on that
tradition, and the only introductory survey of equipment that's
kept up to date. Russ Walter jokes, bitches, enthuses, condemns,
and charms. The book tells the bald truth in comprehensible
language.''
Omni: ``Guru Russ Walter
sympathizes deeply with people facing a system crash at midnight,
so he broadcasts his home phone number and answers calls by the
light of his computers, cursors winking. He's considered an
excellent teacher. His Guide is utterly comprehensive.''
Changing Times: ``Russ
Walter is a computer whiz whose mission is to educate people
about computers. Like a doctor, he lets strangers call him in the
middle of the night for help with diagnosing a sick computer. His
Guide covers everything you ever wanted to know.''
Esquire: ``The handy
Guide contains lots of fact and opinion untainted by bias.''
Barron's: ``Russ Walter
is an expert who answers questions for free and has been
inundated by calls.''
Praised by computer clubs
Computer clubs call the Guide the best computer book, in their
newsletters, newspapers, and magazines.
Boston Computer Society: ``The Guide is cleverly graduated,
outrageous, and funny. Russ Walter turns computerese into plain
speaking, while making you giggle. He's years ahead of the pack
that claims to have ways of instructing computer novices. His
unique mix of zany humor and step-by-step instruction avoids the
mistakes of manuals that attempt to follow his lead.''
Western Mass Computer Club: ``Russ Walter is considered one of
the few true computer gurus. His Guide is the world's best
tutorial. It's the single best present anyone could receive who
cares to know more about computers without going crazy.''
Connecticut Computer Society: ``Russ Walter's books have been
used by insiders for years. He's special as a teacher because of
three factors: his comprehensive knowledge of many computers and
their languages, operating system, and applications; his ability
to break complicated processes into the smallest components; and
his humor. A valuable feature of the Guide is his candid comments
about various computers and software. He's one of the few people
able to review languages, machines, and software, all in a
humorous, clear manner, with the whole endeavor set off by his
sense of industry perspective, history, and culture. If you're
ever struck with a computer problem, give Russ a call.''
New York's ``NYPC'': ``The Guide is the perfect text for anyone
beginning to learn about computers because it contains real info
in readable form about a range of subjects otherwise requiring a
whole reference library. It's even better for the experienced
computer user, since it also contains many, many advanced
concepts that one person could hardly remember. But one person
apparently remembered them all: Russ Walter. He's a fountain of
computer knowledge and can even explain it in words of one
syllable. His Guide reads like a novel: you can read simply for
fun. It's recommended to anyone from rank beginner to seasoned
power user.''
Sacramento (California) PC Users Group: ``The Guide is the best
collection of computer help ever written. It includes just about
everything you'd want to know about computers. You'll find
answers for all the questions you thought of and some you didn't
think of. No holds barred, Walter even tells you who in the
industry made the mistakes and rotten computers, and who seemed
to succeed in spite of themselves. The Guide is fascinating. It's
recommended for anyone even slightly interested in computers.''
Praised by librarians
Librarians call the Guide the best computer book ever written.
School Library Journal: ``The Guide is a gold mine of
information. It's crystal clear, while at the same time Walter
delivers a laugh a paragraph along with a lot of excellent info.
It's accessible even to kids, who will love its loony humor. Buy
it; you'll like it.''
Wilson Library Bulletin: ``The Guide is distinguished by its
blend of clarity, organization, and humor. It cuts through the
techno-haze. It packs more simple, fresh explication per page
than anything else available.''
Praised around the world
The Guide is praised by
newspapers around the world.
Australia's ``Sydney
Morning Herald'': ``The Guide is the best computer intro
published anywhere in the world. It gives a total overview of
personal computers. It's stimulating, educational, provocative,
and a damn good read.''
The Australian: ``The
Guide's coverage of programming is intelligent, urbane, extremely
funny, and full of great ideas.''
England's ``Manchester
Guardian'': ``Russ Walter is a welcome relief. The
internationally renowned computer guru tries to keep
computerdom's honesty alive. His Guide is an extraordinary source
of information.''
Silicon Valley's ``Times
Tribune'': ``The Guide invites you to throw aside all rules of
conventional texts and plunge into the computer world entirely
naked and unafraid. This book makes learning not only fun, but
hilarious, inspiring, and addicting.''
Dallas Times Herald:
``Easily the best beginners' book seen, it's not just for
beginners. Its strength is how simple it makes everything,
without sacrificing what matters.''
Detroit News: ``Russ
Walter is a legendary teacher. His fiercely honest Guide packs an
incredible amount of info. It's the only book that includes
everything. He gives you all the dirt about the companies and
their hardware, evaluates their business practices, and exposes
problems they try to hide. Phone him. You'll always get a
truthful answer.''
Chicago Tribune: ``The
Guide is the best computer book. It's a cornucopia of computer
delights written by Russ Walter, a great altruist and dreamer.''
Kentucky's ``Louisville
Courier'': ``Walter's Guide will teach you more computer
fundamentals than the thick books in the average bookstore. The
Guide gives his no-bull insights. He not only discusses computer
mail-order sources, which most books avoid; he names the bad
guys. The Guide's biggest appeal is its humor, wit, and
personality.''
Philadelphia Inquirer:
``Russ Walter is the Ann Landers for computer klutzes, a
high-tech hero. His wacky, massive Guide is filled with his
folksy wit.''
New York Times: ``The
computer-obsessed will revel in Walter's Guide. He covers just
about every subject in the microcomputer universe. It's unlikely
you have a question his book doesn't answer.''
Wall Street Journal:
``Russ Walter is a computer expert, a guru who doesn't mind phone
calls. He brings religious-like fervor to the digital world. His
students are grateful. His Guide gets good reviews. He's
influential.''
Connecticut's ``Hartford
Courant'': ``If you plan to buy a personal computer, the best
gift to give yourself is the Guide. It's crammed with info. It
became an instant success as one of the few microcomputer books
that was not only understandable and inexpensive but also witty
___ a combination still too rare today.''
Boston Globe: ``Russ
Walter is a unique resource, important to beginning and advanced
users. His Guide is practical, down-to-earth, and easy to read.''
Boston Phoenix: ``Russ
Walter has achieved international cult status. He knows his
stuff, and his comprehensive Guide is a great deal.''
FAN MAIL
From our readers, we've received thousands of letters and phone
calls, praising us. Here are some recent examples.
Intoxicated
Our books make readers go nuts.
Get high ``I'm high! Not on marijuana, crack, or cocaine, but
on what I did at my computer with BASIC and your Guide.''
(Beverly, Massachusetts)
Strange laughs ``I enjoy the Guide immensely! My fellow workers
think I'm strange because of all my laughing while reading it.
Whenever I feel tired or bored, I pick up the Guide. It's very
refreshing!'' (Acton, Massachusetts)
Poo-poo ``I finished the book at 2:30 AM and had to sit down
and send you a big THANK-YOU-poo. A poet I am not, crazy I was
not, until I started 18 months ago with this computer and then
came poo who sealed my lot.'' (Hinesville, Georgia)
Computer dreams ``Wow ___ I loved your book. My husband says I
talk about computers in my sleep.'' (Los Altos Hills, California)
Bedtime story ``The book's next to the bed, where my wife and I
can see who grabs it first. The loser must find something else to
do, which often causes serious degradation of reading
comprehension.'' (Danville, New Hampshire)
Love in Paris ``If you ever come to Paris, give me a call. I'll
be more than happy to meet the guy I admire most in the computer
industry.'' (Paris)
Sex ``Great book. Better than sex.'' (Worcester, Massachusetts)
Devil ``This book is great. It moves like the fastest Mac,
soars with the eagles, and dances with the devil.'' (Chicago)
God ``I'm a Russy groupie now! You are God! Your book lets me
put it all together.'' (San Diego)
National TV ``Great! When are you going on national TV? America
needs you!'' (Berkeley, California)
National debt ``I think you do a fabulous job with computers!
You should be in Washington & organize our country, and maybe we
could be debt-free.'' (Tavares, Florida)
Beginners
Even beginners can master the Guide.
Godsend ``You're a godsend. You saved me from being bamboozled
by the local computer store.'' (Boston)
Saint ``You should be canonized for bringing clarity and humor
to a field often incomprehensible and dull.'' (Houston)
Companion to the lonely ``Your book's a nice companion when I'm
alone, because it talks. It answers more questions than I can
ask.'' (Carson, California)
Computer disease ``I was scared to go near a computer. I
thought I might catch something. Now I can't wait.'' (Paterson,
New Jersey)
Face-off ``I used to be an idiot. Now I can stare my computer
in the face. Thanks.'' (San Antonio, Texas)
Amaze the professor ``I
love the Guide! I've read it before taking a BASIC course, and
I'm amazing my professor with my secret skills!'' (Olney,
Illinois)
Walking encyclopedia
``Your Guide really helps. I work with a great programmer who's
like a walking computer encyclopedia. Now I know what he's
saying!'' (San Leandro, California)
Muscle in ``So many
computer experts speak a language all their own. They look down
on us and consider us to be outsiders trying to muscle our way
into their world. Thanks for helping the outsiders.'' (New
Iberia, Lousiana)
Facing fear ``Thank you!
I'm 42, married to a computer guru, with two daughters who've
been in front of a computer since first grade. Finally, I feel
that I can face my fear and that I'm not alone.'' (Malvern,
Pennsylvania)
Granny's clammy ``I'm a
58-year-old grandma. My daughter gave me an IBM PC. After weeks
of frustration I got your Guide. Now I'm happy as a clam at high
tide, eager to learn more & more. Wow!'' (Seattle)
Moment of discovery
``After retiring, I searched for something to stimulate my mind.
I bought a computer and tried to unravel its mysteries. The more
I studied big books bought from computer stores, the more
confused I became. Then I stumbled across the Guide. At that
precise moment I discovered the beautiful, crazy, wild world of
the computer! Thanks.'' (Tewksbury, Massachusetts)
Bury the Book of Songs
``This is the microcomputer book that should be buried in a time
capsule for future archaeologists. By reading it, I've made my
computer sing. My wife recognizes the melodies and wants to read
the book.'' (Park Forest, Illinois)
Experts
Experts love the Guide.
PC Week reporter ``I
write for PC Week and think the Guide is the best book of its
kind. I'm sending a copy to my little brother, who's a budding
byte-head.'' (Boston)
Editor at Lotus ``Thanks
so much for sending the Guide. It's great! Seems I'm the only one
here in my office at Lotus who hadn't heard about it. You've got
quite a following. Again, thanks!'' (Cambridge, Massachusetts)
Math professor ``I'm a
math professor. The Guide's the best way in the universe to keep
up to date with computers. People don't have to read anything
else ___ it's all there.'' (New York City)
Diehard mainframer ``It
is really neat! I've been a mainframe computer consultant for
many years, and when your book came yesterday I couldn't put it
down.'' (Cleveland Heights, Ohio)
Refreshed programmers
``I passed the Guide around my team of mainframe programmers, and
most of them bought. It's so refreshing, after the parched
dryness of IBM-ese, to find a book in English!'' (Union, New
Jersey)
Research center ``Our
research center uses and misuses gigabytes of computers. The
Guide will improve our use/misuse ratio.'' (Naperville, Illinois)
Careers
The Guide's propelled many careers.
Land a first job ``Last month, I bought your Guide. I've never
seen so much info, packed so densely, in so entertaining a read.
I was just offered a computer job, thanks to a presentation based
on your Guide. I'm very, very, very happy I bought your book.''
(San Francisco)
Land a top job ``Thanks to the Guide, I got an excellent job
guiding the selection of computers in a department of over 250
users!'' (New York City)
Found Wall Street ``Eight years ago, I took your intro
programming course. Now I run the computer department of a Wall
Street brokerage firm. I'm responsible for 30 people and millions
of dollars of computer equipment. The Guide's always been my
foremost reference. Thank you for the key to wonderful new
worlds.'' (Long Beach, New York)
Consultant's dream ``Inspired by your book, your love for
computers, and your burning desire to show the world that
computers are fun and easily accessible, I entered the computer
field. Now I'm a computer consultant. Your ideas come from the
heart. Thanks for following your dream.'' (Skokie, Illinois)
Kid who grew up ``Years ago, I saw you sell books while wearing
a wizard's cap. I bought a book and was as impressed as a
16-year-old could be. Now I've earned B.A.'s in Computer Science
and English, and I'm contemplating teaching computers to high
school students. I can think of no better way to plan a course
outline than around your Guide.'' (Pennington, New Jersey)
Better late than never
Readers wish they'd found the Guide sooner.
1 year ``I learned more from the Guide than from a year in the
computer industry.'' (Redwood City, California)
5 years ``I've fumbled for 5 years with computers and many
books, all with short-lived flashes of enthusiasm, until I found
your Guide. It's the first book that showed a light at the end of
the tunnel, even for one as dull-brained as I.'' (Boise)
17 years ``Though in a computer company for 17 years, I didn't
learn anything about computers until I began reading the Guide. I
love it! I always thought computer people were generically
boring, but your book's changed my mind.'' (Hopkinton,
Massachusetts)
Prince Charming arrives ``Where have you been all my life? I
wish I'd heard of your Guide long ago. I'd have made far fewer
mistakes if it had been here alongside my computer.'' (White
Stone, Virginia)
Hack a Mac ``Great book. I'm 14 and always wanted to hack.
Thanks to your Guide, I laughed myself to death and look forward
to gutting my Mac. Yours is the friendliest, funniest book on
computers I've seen. I'm finally going to teach my parents BASIC.
If I'd started out with the Guide, I'd have saved five years of
fooling around in the dark.'' (Northport, Alabama)
Pass-alongs
Readers pass the Guide
to their friends.
Round the office ``Send
150 books. I passed my Guide around the office, and just about
everyone who saw it wants copies.'' (Middleburg Heights, Ohio)
Coordinating the
coordinators ``Your book is amazing! I'm telling the other 50 PC
coordinators in my company to be sure they're in on the secret.
Bless you for your magnanimous philosophy!'' (Morristown, New
Jersey)
Hide your secrets ``I
thought the Guide marvelous and proudly displayed it on my desk.
A friend from South Africa saw it and said our friendship
depended on letting her take it home with her. What could I do?
You've gone international. I'm ordering another copy. Should I
hide the book this time?'' (Cinnaminson, New Jersey)
Cries and anger ``I made
the mistake of letting several friends borrow my copy of the
Guide. Each time I tried getting it back, it was a battle. (I
hate to see grown people cry.) I promised to order them copies of
their own. I delayed several months, and now I've got an angry
mob outside my door. While you process my order, I'll try
pacifying them by reading aloud.'' (Winston-Salem, North
Carolina)
Round the house ``Dad
bought your Guide to help him understand my computer. It's become
the most widely read book in our house. We love it!'' (Boca
Raton, Florida)
Squabble with Dad ``I
love the Guide. Dad & I squabble over our only copy. Send a
second so I can finish the Guide in peace.'' (New York City)
Change my brother ``The
Guide changed my computer scorn & fear to interest. Send my
brother a copy, to effect the same transformation.'' (New York
City)
Selling clones ``I took
the Guide to a meeting and used your words as a reason why the
group should buy an IBM PC clone instead of the other computer
they were looking at. It worked.'' (Sparks, Nevada)
Make your guru giggle
``I showed the Guide to my guru. Between laughs, chuckles, and
guffaws, he agreed to use it to teach his high-school computer
class. He even admitted he'd learned something, and that's the
most unheard of thing I ever heard of.'' (Arivaca, Arizona)
Smarter sales reps ``Our
company just released its first software product, and our sales
reps are panic-stricken. I'm giving them the Guide to increase
their computer background. Thanks for a super book.''
(Pittsburgh)
Advancing secretary
``I'm ordering an extra copy for my secretary, to start her on
the path to a higher paying and better regarded position.''
(Belleville, Illinois)
Compared with other publishers
The Guide's better than
any other book.
Better than 10 ``I
learned more from your Guide than from a total of 10 books read
previously.'' (Honolulu)
No big bucks ``Your book
is great! Its crazy style really keeps the pages turning. I
appreciate someone who doesn't try to make big bucks off someone
trying to learn. Thanks.'' (Vancouver, Washington)
Rip-off ``If you can
break even at your book's low price, lots of guys are ripping us
off.'' (Choctaw, Oklahoma)
WHO ARE WE?
This section reveals who we are ___ even if you'd rather not
know.
Interview with Russ
In this interview, Russ answers the most popular questions
about this book and what's behind it.
Why did you write the Secret Guide? I saw my students spending
too much effort taking notes, so I made up my own notes to hand
them. Over the years, my notes got longer, so that the 19th
edition totals 607 pages. Each time I develop a new edition, I
try to make it the kind of book I wish I had when I was a
student.
What does the Guide cover? Everything. Every computer topic is
touched on, and the most important topics are covered in depth.
Who reads the Guide? All sorts. Kids read it because it's easy;
computer professionals read it because it contains lots of secret
tidbits you can't find anywhere else.
Why do you charge so little? I'm not trying to make a profit.
I'm just trying to make people happy ___ by charging as little as
possible, while still covering my expenses. Instead of ``charging
as much as the market will bear'', I try to ``charge so little
that the public will cheer''.
Do you really answer the phone 24 hours a day? When do you
sleep? When folks call in the middle of the night, I wake up,
answer their questions, then go back to bed. I'm near the phone
85% of the time. If you get no answer, I'm out on a brief errand,
so please call again. If you get an answering machine, I'm out on
a longer project: just leave your number and I'll call you back
at my expense, even if it's long distance.
Why do you give phone help free? Are you a masochist, a saint,
or a nut? I give the free help for three reasons: I like to be a
nice guy; it keeps me in touch with my readers, who suggest how
to improve the Guide further; and the happy callers tell their
friends about me, so I don't have to spend money on advertising.
At computer shows, do you really appear as a witch? I wear a
witch's black hat and red kimono over a monk's habit and roller
skates, while my white gloves caress an African spear. Why?
Because it's fun!
Did you write the whole Guide yourself? Yes, but I received
many suggestions from my readers, friends, and staff, who also
contributed some examples and phrases.
What's your background? I got degrees in math and education
from Dartmouth and Harvard, taught at several colleges
(Wellesley, Wesleyan, and Northeastern), and was a founding
editor of Personal Computing magazine. But most of my expertise
comes from spending long hours every day reading computer books
and magazines, discussing computer questions on the phone, and
analyzing the philosophy underlying the computer industry.
About the so-called author
Since the author is so
lifeless, we can keep his bio mercifully short.
Birth of a notion The
author, Russy-poo, was conceived in 1946. So was the modern
(``stored-program'') computer.
Nine months later,
Russy-poo was hatched. The modern computer took a few years
longer, so Russ got a head start. But the computer quickly caught
up. Ever since, they've been racing against each other, to see
who's smartest.
The race is close,
because Russ and the computer have so much in common. Folks say
the computer ``acts human'' and say Russ's personality is ``as a
dead as a computer''.
Junior Jews Russ
resembles a computer in many ways. For example, both are Jewish.
The father of the modern
computer was John von Neumann, a Jew of German descent. After
living in Hungary, he fled the Nazis and became a famous U.S.
mathematician.
The father of Russy-poo
Walter was Henry Walter, a German Jew who fled the Nazis and
became a famous U.S. dental salesman. To dentists, he sold teeth,
dental chairs, and balloons to amuse the kids while their mouths
were mauled.
The race for brains To
try beating the computer, Russ got his bachelor's degree in math
from Dartmouth in yummy '69 and sadly remained a bachelor ever
since (unless you count the computer he got married to).
After Dartmouth, he got
an M.A.T. in math education from Harvard. Since he went to
Harvard, you know he's a genius. Like most genii, he achieved the
high honor of being a junior-high teacher.
After his classes
showered him with the Paper Airplane Award, he moved on to teach
at an exclusive private school for girls who were very exclusive.
(``Exclusive'' means everyone can come except you.)
After teaching every
grade from 2 through 12 (he taught the 2nd-grade girls how to run
the computer, and the 12th graders less intellectual things), he
fled reality by joining Wesleyan University's math Ph.D. program
in Connecticut's Middletown (the middle of Nowhere), where after
18 months of highbrow hoopla he was seduced by a computer to whom
he's now happily married.
Married life After the
wedding, Russ moved with his electrifying wife to Northeastern
University in Boston (home of the bean and the cod), where he did
a hilarious job of teaching in the naughty Department of
``Graphic Science''. After quitting Northeastern and also
editorship of Personal Computing, he spends his time now happily
losing money by publishing this book.
Since his wife was
lonely, he bought her 40 computers to keep her company, with
names such as ``Anita Atari'', ``Aphrodite the Apple'', ``Baby
Blue Burping Bonnie'', ``Coco the Incredible Clown'', ``Jack the
Shack'', ``Kooky Casio'', ``Slick Vic'', and ``Terrible Tina with
her Texas Instruments''. He hid them in a van and drove them
around the country, where they performed orgies and did a strip
tease, to show students a thing or two about computer anatomy.
Banned in Boston, Russ
and his groupies moved north, where they hide in a pleasure
palace underneath the Porter Square pine tree. Each room in the
palace has a nickname. Come visit the ``Input Room'' (kitchen),
bathroom (``Output''), three hi-tech rooms (``Production'',
``Research'', and ``Creativity''), and four devilish rooms
(``Sunshine'', ``The Cavern'', ``Pleasure'', and ``Pain'').
Russ's body Here are Russ's stats, from head to toe: head in
the clouds, hair departing, brow beaten, eyes glazed, lashes 40,
nose to the grindstone, mouth off, smile bionic, tongue bitten,
teeth remembered, cheeks in a royal flush, chin up, shoulders
burdened, wrists watched, hands some, thumbs up, ring finger
naked, heart all, back got everyone on it, ass unintentionally,
buns toasted, knees knocked, heeled well, arches gothic, and toes
stepped on.
He wears a stuffed shirt, slick slacks, and sacramental socks
___ very holy!
Russ's resumé We told Russ to write this book because when he
handed us the following resumé, we knew he was the kind of author
that publishers dream about: nuts enough to work for free!
Age: too. Sex: yes! Race: rat. Religion: Reformed Nerd.
Address: wear pants instead. State: distressed. Father: time.
Mother: earth. Spouse: Brussels. Occupation: vegetable. Career
goal: play dead. Hobbies: sleeping and crying. Sports: dodging
tomatoes. Greatest pleasure: hiding under the sink. Favorite
food: thought. Humor: less.
About the company
What company? C'mon over, bring milk and cookies, and then
we'll have some helluva company!
Come visit our Home Office, in Russ's home. It includes our
Production Department, near or in Russ's bed. Russ gave birth to
this book himself; nobody else would dare!
Special services
We do everything possible to make you happy. . . .
Discounts We give you a 20% discount for buying 2 copies of
this book, 40% for 4 copies, 60% for 60 copies, and 67% for 666
copies (so you pay just $4.95 per copy). Use the coupon on the
back page.
Use your past You're reading the 19th edition. To compute your
discount, we count how many copies of the 19th edition you've
ordered from us so far. For example, if you previously ordered 30
copies of the 19th edition and order 30 more, we say ``Oh, you're
up to 60 copies now!'' and give you a 60% discount on the second
order.
If you got a discount on the 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, or 18th
edition (because you bought many copies), we'll give you the same
discount on the 19th even if you're buying just one copy.
To get a discount based on past orders, mail us the coupon on
the back page. Next to your name, write your phone number and
say, ``I'm taking a discount because of past orders.''
Free reprints You may
copy this book free. Copy as many pages as you like, make lots of
copies, and don't pay us a cent! Just phone Russ first and say
which pages you're going to copy. Put this notice at the
beginning of your reprint:
Most of this material comes from the 19th edition of The Secret
Guide to Computers, copyright 1994 by Russ Walter and reprinted
with permission. Get FREE LITERATURE about the complete Guide by
phoning Russ at 617-666-2666, 24 hours (he's almost always in);
or send a postcard to him at 22 Ashland Street (Floor 2),
Somerville, MA 02144-3202.
Then send us a copy of your reprint.
You may give ___ or sell
___ the reprints to anybody. Go distribute them on paper, on
disk, or electronically by phone. The Guide's being distributed
by thousands of teachers, consultants, and stores and translated
to other languages. Join those folks! Add your own comments, call
yourself a co-author, and become famous! It's free!
Books on disks Instead
of books printed on paper, you can request books printed on
disks. For example, if you're ordering 4 books, you can scribble
this note on the coupon: ``Send 3 on paper and 1 on disk.'' Say
which kind of disk you want (360K, 1.2M, 720K, or 1.44M) and
which format (Word Perfect 5.1 or ASCII).
The disks will help you
write your own book and develop material to put on a computerized
bulletin board. The disks include 41 files that total about 3
megabytes.
If you get books on
disk, get at least one book on paper since the disks do not
contain headlines, graphics, special symbols, and printer
drivers.
An independent company,
Window Book, has printed the book on hypertext disks, which let
you bounce to different topics quickly. For details, phone them
at 617-661-9515.
Preserved classics
You're reading the 19th edition. We've also reprinted the 11th
edition, a 750-page mammoth bound in 2 volumes, and offer it for
just 40¢ per volume (80¢ total). It includes extra details about
the famous old computers and software that became classics. It's
ideal for schools on tight budgets and for low-cost gifts to your
friends. For details, ask us to send the free ``classics memo and
order form''.
Blitz courses Russ gives
his ``blitz'' course all over the world. Offered several times a
year, it turns you into a complete computer expert in an
intensive weekend.
Saturday (from 9AM to
9PM) covers the first four chapters: buyer's guide, operating
systems, word processing, and databases. Sunday (9AM to 5PM)
covers the other four: spreadsheets, wild applications,
programming, and endnotes.
The entire 20-hour
course costs just $50. That's just $2.50 per hour! To pay even
less per person, form a group with your friends. For details,
phone or use the back page's coupon.
Strange stuff We're
developing future editions, videotapes, and The Secret Guide to
Tricky Living. Get on our mailing list by using the coupon on the
back page. Russ answers questions about life ___ everything from
sex to skunks. Phone 617-666-2666 anytime!