PC Magazine Technology Almanac 2004 [Paperback]

The Editors of PC Magazine (Author), Brian Underdahl (Compiler)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 2003 | ISBN-10: 076454361X | ISBN-13: 978-0764543616 | Edition: 1

What would make 2004 your best year, technically?

Here’s an idea.  Pick up a copy of PC Magazine’s Technology Almanac 2004 and you’ll get a lot more than 52 weeks of technology trivia, dynamite downloads, and product reviews.  You’ll also receive a free one-year subscription to the print edition of PC Magazine* - A $19.97 value!

PC Magazine’s Technology Almanac 2004 is a feast for technophiles – a daily buffet of commentary, tips, memorable moments in tech history and more, from the experts you know and trust.  All your favorite PC Magazine editors are here --  Bill Machrone, Michael J. Miller, John C. Dvorak, and Bill Howard --  with informative articles;  researched and recommended products, vendors and Web sites;  and their favorite tech tips, all related to a different topic each week.  Technically, it could be the best year of your life!

A sample pla tter of weekly topics:

January 18: Burning CDs

February 15: E-mail: Spam

February 29: Digital Imaging: Improving Your Digital Images

March 7: Networking: Wired

March 14: Internet: Booking Travel Online

March 28: Games: Game Controllers

April 4: Security: Anti-Surveillance Techniques

April 11: Microsoft Office: Excel Tips

April 25: Windows: Registry Tweaks

May 2: Multimedia: MP3s and WMAs

July 18: PDAs: Going Solar

August 22: Building Your Own: PVR

November 14: Upgrading: Optical Drives

December 12: Shopping Online: Finding the Best Gifts

The guy who brought it all together:  BRIAN UNDERDAHL is the well-known, bestselling author of more than 65 books on a broad range of computer topics.  He has appeared on The Computer Chronicles and several TechTV programs.  His books have earned an Award of Merit from the Northern California Technical Communications Competition and a Referenceware Excellence Award.  Brian courageously tackled the task of bringing together this year’s worth of information and spicing it up with his magic touch.

* see book for details.  Offer valid only for US addresses.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

52 weeks of technology trivia, cool Web sites, product reviews, and more, from your favorite PC Magazine editors!

Here's a feast for technophiles — a daily buffet of commentary, tips, memorable moments in tech history, and more, from the experts you know and trust. Your favorite PC Magazine editors have contributed informative articles, researched and recommended products, vendors, and Web sites, and shared their favorite tech tips, all related to a different topic each week. Technically, it could be the best year of your life!

From the week of April 4, 2004

Privacy laws are evolving and changing almost daily, and many vary from place to place. And although many European countries consider surveillance by employers to be a human-rights violation, U.S. law currently allows such activity in most cases. New U.S. laws passed since the 9/11 attacks have also expanded the government's powers to spy on you. For more information on this constantly changing field, see the Electronic Privacy Information Center at www.epic.org

A sampler platter of weekly topics

• January 18 Windows: Burning CDs
• February 15 E-mail: Spam
• February 29 Digital Imaging: Improving Your Digital Images
• March 7 Networking: Wired
• March 14 Internet: Booking Travel Online
• March 28 Games: Game Controllers
• April 4 Security: Anti-Surveillance Techniques
• April 11 Microsoft Office: Excel Tips
• April 25 Windows: Registry Tweaks
• May 2 Multimedia: MP3s and WMAs
• July 18 PDAs: Going Solar
• August 22 Building Your Own: PVR
• November 14 Upgrading: Optical Drives
• Decemeber 12 Shopping Online: Finding the Best Gifts

About the Author

The guy who brought it all together
Brian Underdahl is the well-known, bestselling author of more than 65 books on a broad range of computer topics. He has appeared on The Computer Chronicles and several TechTV programs. His books have earned an Award of Merit from the Northern California Technical Communications Competition and a Referenceware Excellence Award. Brian courageously tackled the task of bringing together this year's worth of information and spicing it up with his magic touch.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 17, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076454361X
• ISBN-13: 978-0764543616
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,232,977 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great gift, cool book!, October 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: PC Magazine Technology Almanac 2004 (Paperback)

My sister gave me the book yesterday, and I'm hooked. Like the other reviewers, I'm finding myself reading way ahead (I'm up to Valentine's Day already!).

My favorite stuff so far has been the digital camera articles, and the online searching information. I've been a PC Magazine reader for years, and the book totally captures the PC Magazine style - smart, helpful, and exactly what I need.

The biggest surprise when I got the book was that it comes with a free year's subscription to PC Magazine. Very cool!

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm already looking forward to the 2005 edition!, October 8, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: PC Magazine Technology Almanac 2004 (Paperback)

I've had this book for about 3 days, and I've been able to gain more useful and helpful information about my computer than you could possibly believe! I know I'm supposed to read it day by by, but I can't help myself - I want more information on improving my digital photos, connecting new peripherals to my system and configuring my personal firewalls and this book has it. I've been reading PC Magazine for years (who hasn't?) and I really trust these folks to provide me the best and most up to date information. Another plus - the "page a day" thing makes it a great holiday gift for anyone in your life - from the friend starting out with a new computers, to the geek you love. This book will allow them to have fun while learning new things - who could ask for more?

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Bye Leo - Hello PC Magazine!, October 8, 2003

By 

hang10web (Midwest, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PC Magazine Technology Almanac 2004 (Paperback)

I bought the last 2 versions of Leo Laporte's TechTV book (I even have the one where they misspelled "Almanac" on the cover!) and have been a big fan. But, I have been reading PC Magazine longer than I have Leo's books, and when I discovered this little gem I was very excited.

The PC Magazine Technology Almanac is jam-packed with tips, tricks, and insider information that I can actually use. And I know I am supposed to read it a day at a time, but I find I am already up to March of next year!

And the best part is that is comes with a free subscription to the magazine, so I was able to renew for free! How can you loose?

If you, like me, have been buying Leo's book, take a look at this one from PC Magazine. It is absolutely the better of the 2, and is full of stuff you can really use.

Sorry Leo, but I switched!