Leo Laporte's 2005 Technology Almanac [Paperback]

Leo Laporte (Author), Michael Miller (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0789733196 | ISBN-13: 978-0789733191 | Publication Date: October 24, 2004

Leo is back! Leo Laporte, TV and radio's most recognized and prolific technology personality, has sought out the best of the best in everything technology and put it all into Leo Laporte's 2005 Technology Almanac. You'll have something to look forward to every day as one page is dedicated to each day of the year to bring you anecdotes, tips and factoids about the machines and technology at the center of your life. Learn about everything from ergonomics to processor overclocking to tips on using discount-travel websites, all while discovering how to keep your PC hassles to a minimum. Leo's musings on the world of technology are sure to keep you entertained throughout 2005!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Leo Laporte has made it his mission to help people master technology since 1984, working as an author, speaker and radio and television broadcaster. He hosted two shows on TechTV and is currently a regular contributor to television programs such as "ABC's World News Now" and "Live with Regis and Kelly."

Michael Miller has written more than 50 nonfiction books, including Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics and Absolute Beginner's Guide to eBay. He was also a contributor to Leo Laporte's 2003 Technology Almanac.

About the Author

Leo Laporte has made it his mission to help people master technology since 1984, working as an author, speaker and radio and television broadcaster. He hosted two shows on TechTV and is currently a regular contributor to television programs such as "ABC's World News Now" and "Live with Regis and Kelly."

Michael Miller has written more than 50 nonfiction books, including Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics and Absolute Beginner's Guide to eBay. He was also a contributor to Leo Laporte's 2003 Technology Almanac.

Product Details

• Paperback: 552 pages
• Publisher: Que (October 24, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789733196
• ISBN-13: 978-0789733191
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,293,057 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank You Leo, January 16, 2005

By 

Paul R. Ladd "Geek, gearhead, and audiophile ... (Newberry, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leo Laporte's 2005 Technology Almanac (Paperback)

We have TechTV no more, we no longer can watch The Screen Savers and see Leo, and I can not watch Call For Help anymore now that it is only shown in Canada. All of those things are sad but we still do have Leo's wisdom, teaching, and advice coming to us each day through the pages of his new almanac. Just like the past three almanacs...the information is clear, simple, and to the point. I enjoy getting my daily dose of help and technology with this book. Yes you can search the web for this info, but that is not the point. This is a daily one stop source for some everyday, useable information on computing. I own all the almanacs that have been produced and this new 2005 version holds true to it roots of teaching, humor, and just plain fun.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Technology Fix for every day of 2005, November 9, 2004

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leo Laporte's 2005 Technology Almanac (Paperback)

This is a daily guide to technology for 2005. Each day of the year there is a page for just that day. The page contains a bit of history, a short essay on some technology subject and a small snippet about a gadget, download or factoid.

For instance on July 8th, the history note is on the Roswell incident - you remember, where either an Air Force experimental balloon blew up or else a UFO crashed in Roswell New Mexico.

On April 24th the essay is on closing stuck programs in XP.

On January 25, the download of the week is the Picasa software for organizing photographs.

There's enough information here that you almost absolutely certainly will find something that is useful. You may have to search for it however.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Short vignettes on current technology trends, November 17, 2004

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Leo Laporte's 2005 Technology Almanac (Paperback)

After reading the 2003 edition, I never want to be without the latest issue of the Technology Almanac. Laporte & Miller use the calendar format to present historical tidbits, not all technological in focus, as well as information on trends in technology.
Each month begins with a calendar and for each day there is a caption describing a significant event that occurred on that day. There is a focus on a specific aspect of technology for each week, for example, the emphasis for the first week of August is web design. Each technical segment for the days in that week describes some aspect of the focus. Two other items also appear on the page devoted to the day. The first is another significant event for the day with a companion web site containing additional information. The second is one of seven different "of the week items." They are:

*) PC gadget of the week.
*) Download of the week.
*) Mac gadget of the week.
*) Web site of the week.
*) Portable gadget of the week.
*) Fact of the week.
*) Software of the week.

Since only one page is devoted to each day, the explanations are very short. Nevertheless, they are thorough enough to satisfy any initial interest you may have and easily point you in the appropriate direction. An additional list of historical facts for each day of the month is included after the last day of the month.
This book is a joy to read, it presents most of the significant trends in technology in short, easily digestible bytes. It is also a primary resource in the true sense of the word. It gets you started with the appropriate and understandable initial information.