Author of "Personal Computer Secrets"

August 17, 1999

Bob O'Donnell, author of "Personal Computer Secrets" talks about his new, hit book and answers tons of questions about the Internet, Windows 98 and 2000, and anything computer related!

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TitaniCCC: Welcome to the IDG Books Author Chat Series Tonight we're chatting with Bob O'Donnell, author of "Personal Computer Secrets" presented by IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. and Talk City (tm). Welcome Bob!

SHachi: YAY BobO'D

T0eJaM: BOB! I am your biggest fan!

Bob O’Donnell: Thanks, T0eJaM. Fire away with your questions.

TitaniCCC: Mr O'Donnell thank you so much for being here with us tonight! Computers are becoming such a vital part of life today. How do you feel about your contributions to the field?

Bob O’Donnell: Well, that's a tough question, but I like to think that "Personal Computer Secrets" (PCS) can really help people through common, difficult problems. The book brings together a lot of the issues and problems that I answer all the time on my radio show. So I didn't write it in a vacuum, but really based it on real-world needs.

Blueyes: Does "Personal Computer Secrets" cover ways to pick and upgrade programs for those who are computer illiterate?

Bob O’Donnell: It doesn't cover specific applications (other than browsers and e-mail), but it covers lots of different topics and explains the concepts, which I think is much more important. I do cover what's involved with upgrading apps, drivers, OSes and what have you, but I don't tell you what word processor to use. In Chapters 15 and 16, which cover creative applications such as image editing and music, I do explain what types of things are important in an application.

Kajak402: What are some Talk City chatting secrets?

CCCouGar: Kajak, I'm not sure Bob is an expert on Talk City, per se. That's what hosts are for.

Bob O’Donnell: Well, I don't cover Talk City, but I do cover IRC somewhat in the book. Obviously, the best way to handle a chat is with an IRC client like mIRC. In fact, a demo of that is on the CD-ROM that comes with the book. So yes, I'm hip to IRC.

Ccjc245: Can a person make money off the Internet from their home?

Bob O’Donnell: Sure. I have, by selling copies of my book from my website. However, it's not going to pay the mortgage, that's for sure.

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