The Bluffer's Guide to Computers
By Robert Ainsley and Alexander C. Rae
 
Extracts from the book

 
Computer manuals
Reading the average computer manual, you realise that the industry has been infiltrated at the highest levels by world-class bluffers. If others believe you understand them, your reputation is assured forever.
 
PC power
Increased computer power is not harnessed to make computers work faster. It is used to make them easier and more foolproof. Programmers now make software so intuitive that it is possible to sneeze on your keyboard and discover you have worked out your expenses for last month.
 
Technical questions
Your 'detailed' knowledge of computers may lead someone to ask you a technical question. Never be worried about these; the fact that they ask means they would not understand the answer anyway.
 
Random memory
The term 'memory' refers to RAM (random access or working memory) - the area of the computer where it works out all its sums. Switch off the electricity and it immediately forgets everything in there - rather different from human memory where it takes the infusion of 10 or 12 pints of beer to do the same thing.
 
Word processing
Any word-processing program will give you anything up to 36 different ways of opening a file and 79 ways of emboldening text. (This is to make it compatible with the commands for every other word processor ever written, including some that only sold three copies in Lithuania.)
 
Reviews

 
The Bluffer's Guide to Computers is genuinely funny, which of course it is designed to be. There is nothing like a good laugh to put matters in perspective. In fact the authors are experts indeed. They need to be to clown about as they do, whilst cleverly covering their subject...
Micro Computer Mart
 
Table of Contents
 

Computer Bluff
Four Reasons Why the Personal Computer is the Ideal Tool for a Bluffer

Tricks of the Trade
Computer Training for All
Problem Solving
Using Manuals
Error Messages
Looking Inside a Computer
Bugs
Viruses

Things to Talk About
Components
Calculation
ASCII
Disk or Disc?
Time Saving

Personal Computers
Apple Macintosh
PCs (IBM Compatibles)
Other Equipment
Laptops or Portables
Handheld Computers

Computers in the World
The Internet
Virtual Reality
Educational Software
Multimedia
Computer User Types
Programmers
'I've-Computerised-My-Business' Types
Dedicated Word Processors
Hackers
Netsurfers
Games Players

Applications
Operating Systems
Word Processing
Desktop Publishing
Graphics Packages
Accounts Packages
Spreadsheets
Databases
Mailmergers
Games
PD and Shareware

Languages
Generations

History
Origins
Calculating
Real Computers
World War II
Business
Technology

Glossary

 
Author: Robert Ainsley and Alexander C. Rae
Format: 64 pages, pb
Published: 01/04/04
NEW EDITION
Price: £3.99
ISBN-10 & ISBN-13:
1-903096-40-5
978-1-903096-40-6
  
About the author
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Table of contents
  
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