©1992 by Lawrence I. Charters
AppleTree, December 1, 1992, p. 3.
Kawasaki, Guy. The Computer Curmudgeon. Carmel, IN: Hayden, 1992. Approx. 250 pp. $16.95. ISBN 1-56830-013-1.
As with most Kawasaki books, the little details are often as interesting as the “meat.” The title page, for example, has a footnote that says “I wanted to call this book The Macintosh Companion but the marketing weenies insisted this title would sell more copies.” Aside from the fact that most people don’t footnote their titles, this note is also true: The Computer Curmudgeon is a book filled with insights, inside jokes, potshots, and comments aimed specifically at Macintosh owners and users.
SINC.
Single Income, No Clones.
Most of the book is composed of short definitions, in the manner and style of Ambrose Bierce, author of The Devil’s Dictionary. The definitions are, like those of Bierce, both more accurate and less kind than those in common use.
After Dark.
Proof that Macintosh owners have too much money.
These definitions are fleshed out (“padded,” if you are feeling unkind) with selections from his previous books and reprints of some of his columns in Mac User. On the whole, the reprints are the less valuable, usually because the material is dated, but there are some gems as well. The most “quoteworthy” portions, however, are the definitions.
footprint.
The amount of space an IBM PC wastes on your desk.
Quotations are what this book is all about. In an age that both complains about the shallowness of the sound-bite while simultaneously insisting that resumes, business letters and memos be kept to one page, The Computer Curmudgeon is light, easy reading, written with wit.
Perot.
To unexpectedly quit an application.
In an exhibition of great consideration (or adept self-promotion), Kawasaki sent manuscripts of the book to major user groups, requesting a quick review in time for Christmas. This review, in fact, was based on the manuscript, so page counts, illustrations, price, and availability are all subject to change, but Kawasaki did note that the publisher made special arrangements with Mac Zone (1-800-248-0800) to speed deliveries to lucky recipients in time for Christmas.