Customer Reviews (4)

The Secret Guide To Computers
This book saved my life and career.You see, I was afraid of computers.I didn't know software from hardware, unitl I found Russ Walter's book "The Secret Guide To Computers.I took this book every where.It was the first thing I picked-up in the morning and the last thing at night.Most of the time falling to sleep with the book.This book was so easy for me to understand and never was I confused.The humor in this book is what took away my fears.My biggest fear was EXCEL software, now EXCEL is my favorite.This book is the reason why I am where I am today with my computer skills.I recommend anyone who wants to know about computers, get your hands on a copy of this book.Believe me, you won't go wrong.When people ask me "Where did you learn so much about computers"?I gracefully tell them "The Secret Guide to Computers, by Russ Walter"!Thank you Mr. Walter for all the info.

THE BEST!!!
This book is better than the " for dummies"seires! If your newto computers tis is great!

The best (and funniest) computer guide I've ever read
This will tell you just about everything you ever wanted to know about computers. It's easy and entertaining to read.

I stumbled upon the 21st edition at my local Borders, but I haven't been able to find any later editions so here I am ordering the latest at Amazon.

The ultimate one-book fun-style computer course
Forget about the "...for Dummies" series.This one covers everything about computers, and does so in an even more friendly and entertaining a way. In fact, it's often very, very goofy.It originated as the collected class notes from the author's collegiate courses on computers, but now he just stays home and updates it for new editions. As an added bonus, on the first page, the author gives you his home phone number, and encourages the reader to call him 24 hours a day with questions about computers!However, I find most of what I need to know is already in the book.He publishes the book himself out of his home, and counts on word-of-mouth and mail order to keep sales up, which explains why Amazon doesn't offer a discount; you can't buy this book in any store.But if you think you need to know anything at all about computers, this is definitely the way to go.I'm about to order an updated edition... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

30 editions...
...and I get to be the first to review "Secret Guide"!

Russ Walter's "Secret Guide to Computers" covers several computer-related topics including hardware, software, the Internet, programming, the people who are likely to use computers, the history of computing and more.Since 1972, "Secret Guide" has undergone several revisions.The most recent was the 30th edition and was released earlier this month (September 2007).

The current "Secret Guide" as well as earlier editions include informative buyers guides to contemporary systems, hardware components and recently-released software as well as older programs that might be available from online retailers, but not on the store shelves anymore.

"Secret Guide" also has sections on how to work with computer operating systems, mostly recent versions of MS Windows, but also covers MS-DOS, and Mac OS X.These combined with chapters on how to get by when using MS Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook and how software, hardware and users work together in easy-to-understand language make for a good introduction for people who are new to these subjects.

The author, Russ Walter, comes from a technical background, especially computer programming.In the early days of micro-computers (before PC's), people who used computers were expected to understand something about how files and data within were managed and accessed, even if they didn't work in a data-processing department.The 29th Edition of "Secret Guide" (2004) is 607 pages long and the sections on programming take up 209 of those pages.If you're interested in programming, the chapters on languages are a good introduction to why programming languages as well as computers in general work the way they do.

The downside to the above is that so much of the sections about programming are rather dated as of the 29th edition.Of the 209 pages on programming, 97 of those pages are a tutorial about a language called "QBasic" which came as a free feature with MS-DOS and early versions of Windows, but has since been available only as an obscure download.The tutorial is extensive and comprehensive, but its usefulness is debatable as many of the principles might not apply when learning programming languages that are taught and used in 2007 (such as Java, PHP, Python, Ruby and newer versions of Visual Basic).

Also, the tutorial on Java seems to require Visual J++, which was Microsoft's implementation of Java and was sold with Microsoft Visual Studio 6.Visual J++ is no longer available for sale, and the Sun Java Development Kit has been available for free download since 1995.The section on C++ requires MS Visual C++.Earlier editions of "Secret Guide" covered the C language, but also required Microsoft C compilers and IDE's (Integrated Development Environments - user interface programs).In future editions, I'd be interested in similar chapters covering languages such as Perl, PHP and other languages that don't need Microsoft interpreters, libraries, compilers or environments.

Walter offers chapters with articles about key persons in the history of computing such as Charles Babbage, Grace Hopper, on down to Gary Kildall, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.I'd like to see more about folks like Richard M. Stallman, Larry Wall, and of course, Linus Torvalds.

"The Secret Guide to Computers" is a good book to buy if it's a first or second book about computers. ...but not the last one.
... Read more

Product Description
21st - 1995 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

The Best Intro To Computing Around
I actually know Russ Walters and he is a great fellow. In fact, I have had the good fortune to work for him for a brief time. The Secret Guide To Computers has been for years the best. The price is more than fair. Thewriting is precise and funny. This is the one computing book that should beon everyone's shelf. One other thing about Russ: He's a humanitarian. Agenuine good guy in the computing world. Without Russ' book, I doubt Iwould have ever had the chance to work later as a technology director inSilicon Valley. Nor would I have launched a web site whose banner ad wasnetcast around the world via Yahoo. Thanks Russ. My career in computing allstarted with you.

The best-kept secret in computing!
The Secret Guide to Computers is without a doubt the best computer book I have ever read.It's very honest and incredibly funny.The book is amazingly comprehensive -- it includes a buying guide and covers all of the popular applications programs.It's perfect for someone who wants to learn programming; it covers BASIC in depth and goes on to Pascal, C, COBOL, and other languages... even assembler!Yes, the cover of the book promises to cover everything from "Accounting" to "Zany sex!"

For me, the best part of the book is the section that deals with some of the history of computing. The author describes classic artificial intelligence experiments, computer art from the 1960's, the history of personal computers, and even his own experiences with computer dating services.I heartily recommend this book!

A Literary Staple for All Computer Users
I started reading Russ Walters' books back in the 12th edition, to learn how to turn my 8088 on and what exactly I could do with it.Now, as an elementary computer teacher, I use the book all the time with my job, as well as personal life!(Oh no!)Russ give excellent descriptions and examples of the topics covered, and gives so much information on such a variety of topics that it's hard-pressed to say what *isn't* covered in this book.His phone number and address are still published in the book, and he is always helpful and very knowledgeable on the phone (I've had a few crashes he's helped me with).

The book makes a great gift for any level of computer user, it is a great supplemental book for educators like me, and, of course, it's thickness helps at Thanksgiving time with young children who can't quite reach the table.

Also, really, I don't know Russ personally or anything - I truly think his books are out of this world!!Worth their weight in Intel chips anytime!

Buy it now, it will save you many headaches
This is one hard book to find, because many books stores only get there books from a limited amount of wharehouses.I used to have several editions, but they borrored when I was in college and never returned, ouch. Russy Poo is one of the few individuals alive who can bridge the wideneng gap between computer nerd and your average computer iliterate, which is most of us.His book is a joy to read.Try finding a computer book that compares, it is not likely and if you do drop me a line.Todd Puls

How books have you read that are into their 23rd edition?
I honestly can't review the 23rd edition of this book. I've bought several previous incarnations of it - and have given them all away to new and fearful computer users. Walter started self-publishing this book a long time ago. At that time he offered FREE computing advice to anyone. His phone number was published nationwide. In previous editions he even published his address and invited everyone to stop by his house. His style is refreshing ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

30 editions...
...and I get to be the first to review "Secret Guide"!

Russ Walter's "Secret Guide to Computers" covers several computer-related topics including hardware, software, the Internet, programming, the people who are likely to use computers, the history of computing and more.Since 1972, "Secret Guide" has undergone several revisions.The most recent was the 30th edition and was released earlier this month (September 2007).

The current "Secret Guide" as well as earlier editions include informative buyers guides to contemporary systems, hardware components and recently-released software as well as older programs that might be available from online retailers, but not on the store shelves anymore.

"Secret Guide" also has sections on how to work with computer operating systems, mostly recent versions of MS Windows, but also covers MS-DOS, and Mac OS X.These combined with chapters on how to get by when using MS Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook and how software, hardware and users work together in easy-to-understand language make for a good introduction for people who are new to these subjects.

The author, Russ Walter, comes from a technical background, especially computer programming.In the early days of micro-computers (before PC's), people who used computers were expected to understand something about how files and data within were managed and accessed, even if they didn't work in a data-processing department.The 29th Edition of "Secret Guide" (2004) is 607 pages long and the sections on programming take up 209 of those pages.If you're interested in programming, the chapters on languages are a good introduction to why programming languages as well as computers in general work the way they do.

The downside to the above is that so much of the sections about programming are rather dated as of the 29th edition.Of the 209 pages on programming, 97 of those pages are a tutorial about a language called "QBasic" which came as a free feature with MS-DOS and early versions of Windows, but has since been available only as an obscure download.The tutorial is extensive and comprehensive, but its usefulness is debatable as many of the principles might not apply when learning programming languages that are taught and used in 2007 (such as Java, PHP, Python, Ruby and newer versions of Visual Basic).

Also, the tutorial on Java seems to require Visual J++, which was Microsoft's implementation of Java and was sold with Microsoft Visual Studio 6.Visual J++ is no longer available for sale, and the Sun Java Development Kit has been available for free download since 1995.The section on C++ requires MS Visual C++.Earlier editions of "Secret Guide" covered the C language, but also required Microsoft C compilers and IDE's (Integrated Development Environments - user interface programs).In future editions, I'd be interested in similar chapters covering languages such as Perl, PHP and other languages that don't need Microsoft interpreters, libraries, compilers or environments.

Walter offers chapters with articles about key persons in the history of computing such as Charles Babbage, Grace Hopper, on down to Gary Kildall, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.I'd like to see more about folks like Richard M. Stallman, Larry Wall, and of course, Linus Torvalds.

"The Secret Guide to Computers" is a good book to buy if it's a first or second book about computers. ...but not the last one.
... Read more