I’ve been am Apple consultant, an IT analyst, and an author for over twenty years. In short, I’m a professional nerd. Well, former professional nerd. For many, many years I contracted with publishers in the computer book publishing industry. I started as a technical editor, where I checked the authors work and suggested improvements on technical matter, and migrated to revisions, where I'd rewrite out-dated editions to bring it up-to-date for new software releases. I co-wrote a few books that are no longer in print, and then I wrote my own...
Above is the cover of my book published in 2015, Getting an IT Help Desk Job for Dummies. Below is the marketing material from Wiley:
Stand out in one of IT's fastest growing job markets
If you're looking for a job in IT, the help desk is the heart and soul of most IT operations, and an excellent starting point for a promising career. With the help of Getting an IT Help Desk Job For Dummies, you'll gain the knowledge and know-how to cut through the confusion of navigating the Information Technology job market. IT can be intimidating to hopeful-yet-inexperienced job candidates, but this guide will help you find and land the job of your dreams. Through easy-to-follow explanations, authoritative information, and a bit of humor, Getting an IT Help Desk Job For Dummies serves as your thorough and approachable guide to maximizing your competitive edge in this booming market.
The IT job market has continued to expand as technology matures and deepens its roots in business operations. This is good news for you! However, it makes it that much harder to get a job in IT, as recent grads and other professionals are practically stampeding to get their feet in the door of this rapidly expanding industry. Luckily, Getting an IT Help Desk Job For Dummies gives you an advantage by providing expert instruction on how to score an interview and secure a job offer, the skills needed to obtain and maintain an IT position, and authoritative information on how to establish a career path in the IT field.
- Explore careers in the IT Help Desk field and establish the path you want to follow
- Plan for post-education certifications and training to make yourself more marketable
- Get expert guidance for creating a winning resume and cover letter
- Prepare for your IT Help Desk interview
Loaded with simple, straight-forward advice, Getting an IT Help Desk Job For Dummies is your all-in-one guide to starting your IT career on the right foot!
Sadly, Wiley didn’t promote the book so it never reached the New York Times Bestseller list. Boo hoo.
Here’s a selection of some books Rima and I worked on since the mid-90’s:
- ABC's of MS Internet Explorer 4.0
- NT Network Solutions Kit
- HTML No Experience Required
- Perl/CGI No Experience Required
- Mastering HTML 4.0
- Mastering MS Internet Explorer 4.0
- VB5 Developer's Handbook
- Mastering CorelDraw 8
- MS Office 97 User Certification Guide
- Mastering Windows 98
- Windows 98 Premium Edition
- Windows 98 Complete
- Mastering Outlook 98
- PC Complete
- Perl/CGI Handbook
- VB6 Developer's Handbook
- Mastering MS Word 2000 MCSD: Access 95 Study Guide
- Mastering Corel WordPerfect 2000
- Windows 98 Complete
- Windows 98 Instant Reference
- Mastering Windows 98 SE
- Windows 98 SE Complete
- Mastering Windows 2000
- iMac and iBook: I didn't know you could do that
- Mastering MS Windows 2000 Server
- Mastering Corel WordPerfect Suite 2000
- Expert Guide to VB6
- Outlook 97 One Step at a Time
- VB6 The Complete Reference
- SQL 7 From the Ground Up
- Access 2000 From the Ground Up
- Windows Millenium: How To Do Everything
- Access 2002: The Complete Reference
- Access 2002: How To Do Everything
- Mastering CorelDraw 8 (Entire Book)
- Windows 98 Complete Buyer's Guide
- Mastering Netscape Communicator (Entire Book)
- Internet Complete (Entire Book)
- Complete Network Upgrade & Maintenance Guide
- Mastering MS Outlook 2000 Entire Book
- Mastering MS Word 2000 (Ch. 31 33-35)
- Mastering MS Works 2000 (Ch. 16 17)
- Mastering MS Windows 2000 (Chapter 13)
- Complete PC Upgrade and Maintenance Guide
- TCP/IP Unleashed
- Windows Milllenium: The Complete Reference
- Windows XP: The Complete Reference
- Windows 7 In Depth
In general, I like technology, sci-fi, the Art of Animation in all forms, music in many genres but mostly progressive, AAA rock, and power pop, video games and classic consoles, humanism, and people with a weird sense of humor. I write what I want to and will always skew towards human rights for all on most any subject.
You’ll find my little notes on humanism and current events in the postscripts at the end of posts.