The Secret Guide to Computers
Encyclopedia
The Secret Guide to Computers is a large, softcover book
written by computer
expert Russ Walter. Its various editions have been in publication since 1972. The latest edition is the 31st for 2011, released in August 2011. It's a single volume and weighs in at 703 pages. Previous editions were either pamphlets (very early editions) or multi-volume sets.
The Secret Guide has attracted a cult following because of Russ Walter's distinctive, hilarious writing, its low price (now $25 list, $10 in quantity, $3 for classic editions), and the author's extreme devotion to his readers. He refers to himself as "Russy-Poo" (and instructs his readers to do the same) and gives out his phone number in the book, in case any questions come up.
The Guide covers everything relating to computers, from their hardware
to their software
to their history. Many people have learned to program using the Guide.
Book
A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
written by computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
expert Russ Walter. Its various editions have been in publication since 1972. The latest edition is the 31st for 2011, released in August 2011. It's a single volume and weighs in at 703 pages. Previous editions were either pamphlets (very early editions) or multi-volume sets.
The Secret Guide has attracted a cult following because of Russ Walter's distinctive, hilarious writing, its low price (now $25 list, $10 in quantity, $3 for classic editions), and the author's extreme devotion to his readers. He refers to himself as "Russy-Poo" (and instructs his readers to do the same) and gives out his phone number in the book, in case any questions come up.
The Guide covers everything relating to computers, from their hardware
Computer hardware
Personal computer hardware are component devices which are typically installed into or peripheral to a computer case to create a personal computer upon which system software is installed including a firmware interface such as a BIOS and an operating system which supports application software that...
to their software
Computer software
Computer software, or just software, is a collection of computer programs and related data that provide the instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it....
to their history. Many people have learned to program using the Guide.
External links
- Russ Walter's website about all editions of The Secret Guide to Computers and Tricky Living
- Excerpts from the 31st edition of The Secret Guide to Computers & Tricky Living
- Josh Feingold's website about the 28th edition of The Secret Guide to Computers
- Memo from Russ Walter August 2011 http://zork.net/dsaklad/russ110803