This book by Joshua Feinberg was released October 2002 and lists for $19.99, but sells for $13.99 on Amazon.com ($7.75 used). It is 288 pages with the last 8 pages of the book listing more things for sale by the author such as workshops on how to buy computers, audio tapes, CDs and two pages devoted to selling this book. Before all the ads in the back is a decent 31-page glossary.

This book has a catchy title for anybody who has ever had to hire a computer consultant. The first 30 pages deals with warranties and the dos and don'ts of getting them. The only software application that is talked about is Microsoft. One of the "secrets" regarding Microsoft was how to recover a lost toolbar in Word (Secret tip # 46). I was surprised not to see Intuit, the makers of Quick Books, mentioned nor any word about using Microsoft's defrag or scandisk. Another "secret", (secret # 21) is to only buy external modems whenever possible. In a Tip at the bottom of the page the author says to use Velcro to fasten the external modem on top of the PC or monitor. This will prevent it from falling and breaking. Ingenious you say, how about saving half the cost of an external modem and putting an internal modem inside your computer, it will not fall and break and you have one less wire coming out of your computer. "Secret" #39 says you should add RAM to your laser printer for better performance but no where in the book does the author recommend adding RAM to your computer, as a matter of fact the author recommends against adding RAM if your computer is more than 2 or 3 years old but rather to buy a new computer.

The 101 secrets span topics from buying computers to antivirus protection but I find very little in the way of "secrets." Like the title, there are some great headliners but not much in the way of information, much less secrets, under the headline captions. I would call it information overload. For example, there were 9 secrets that "expensive techies" are trying to keep from you about virus protection; the first one is "secret" #93, "Purchase and install antivirus software for all of your desktop PCs, notebooks and servers." I think I've heard that secret somewhere else.

The book that I reviewed did not come with the Companion CD so I cannot attest to its value; however, the author gives you a link to his Web site Small Biz Tech Talk, where among other things, you can buy the book, the companion CD and audiotape, for $60.00.

I tried to be optimistic about this book, but I simply did not find any secrets. What I did find was too many frivolous "tips" and I found most of them to be an insult to most computer user's intelligence.

Save the money you would spend on this book and Velcro and buy an internal modem.