MORE DOS for Dummies [Paperback]

Dan Gookin (Author), Gookin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 4, 1994 | Series: For Dummies (Computers)

A sequel to "DOS for Dummies", this book covers the latest version of the biggest selling DOS in history. Other titles in this series include "Excel for Dummies", "Word for Windows for Dummies", and "More Windows for Dummies".

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dan Gookin got started with computers back in the post slide rule age of computing: 1982. His first intention was to buy a computer to replace his aged and constantly breaking typewriter. Working as slave labor in a restaurant, however, Gookin was unable to afford the full "word processor" setup and settled on a computer that had a monitor, keyboard, and little else. Soon his writing career was under way with several submissions to (and lots of rejections from) fiction magazines.

The big break came in 1984 when he began writing about computers. Applying his flair for fiction with a self-taught knowledge of computers, Gookin was able to demystify the subject and explain technology in a relaxed and understandable voice. He even dared to add humor, which eventually won him a column in a local computer magazine.

Eventually, Gookin's talents came to roost as he became a ghostwriter at a computer book publishing house. That was followed by an editing position at a San Diego computer magazine, at which time he also regularly participated in a radio talk show about computers. In addition, Gookin kept writing books about computers, some of which became minor best-sellers.

In 1990, Gookin came to IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., with a book proposal. From that initial meeting unfolded an idea for an outrageous book: a long overdue and original idea for the computer book for the rest of us. What became DOS For Dummies® blossomed into an international bestseller with hundreds and thousands of copies in print and many foreign translations.

Today, Gookin still considers himself a writer and computer "guru" whose job it is to remind everyone that computers are not to be taken too seriously. His approach to computers is light and humorous yet very informative. He knows that the complex beasts are important and can help people become productive and successful. Yet Gookin mixes his knowledge of computers with a unique, dry sense of humor that keeps everyone informed -- and awake. His favorite quote is, "Computers are a notoriously dull subject, but that doesn't mean I have to write about them that way."

Gookin's titles for IDG Books include: DOS For Dummies®, Windows® 95 Edition; PCs For Dummies®, 6th Edition; and Discovering Windows® 95. Gookin holds a degree in Communications from the University of California, San Diego, and lives with his wife and four boys in the rare and gentle woods of Idaho.

Product Details

• Paperback: 418 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (January 4, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568840462
• ISBN-13: 978-1568840468
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,599,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dan Gookin has been writing about technology for over 20 years. He combines his love of writing with his gizmo fascination to create books that are informative, entertaining, and not boring. Having written more over 120 titles with 12 million copies in print translated into over 30 languages, Dan can attest that his method of crafting computer tomes seems to work.

Perhaps his most famous title is the original DOS For Dummies, published in 1991. It became the world's fastest-selling computer book, at one time moving more copies per week than the New York Times #1 bestseller (though as a reference, it could not be listed on the NYT Bestseller list). From that book spawned the entire line of For Dummies books, which remains a publishing phenomena to this day.

Dan's most popular titles include PCs For Dummies Word For Dummies, Laptops For Dummies, and Droid X For Dummies. He also maintains the vast and helpful Web site, www.wambooli.com.

Dan holds a degree in Communications/Visual Arts from the University of California, San Diego. Presently, he lives in the Pacific Northwest, where he enjoys spending time with his sons playing video games inside while they watch the gentle woods of Idaho.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More Dos for dummies, January 10, 2000

By 

Ronald Nissley - See all my reviews

This review is from: MORE DOS for Dummies (Paperback)

If you need a reference book for MS-DOS, this is one of the best. You can learn a lot about DOS -- anything from futzing with the dos prompt to learning how to use batch files. Oh, one more important detail -- you learn that an elephant's appendix is nearly five feet long :-) The light-hearted approach is refreshing!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, December 4, 1999

By 

Chris Miller (Tennessee, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MORE DOS for Dummies (Paperback)

This is a great book. I was a complete novis with DOS, and actidently picked up the 2nd version. I began to read it, but it was amazingly simple to understand, even though you are expected to know what was in the first version!

Highly reccomend.