Flemington, NJ (Dec. 19, 2000) – In the book publishing industry, one magazine stands as the trade publication of record: Publishers Weekly. For the first time ever, Publishers Weekly has given a full-page review to a new publisher, and it’s a glowing one, at that. Paul Hilts describes Nerdy Books, publisher of the “Just the tips, man” series, as “a company with a brand-new idea -- ease of use.“
Written by Wendy Richardson and Bob Flisser, each of the “Just the tips, man” series of computer software reference books is a miniature flip-chart the size and shape of a desk calendar. Each book has a Wire-O binding across the top (similar to a spiral, but doesn’t snag) and a cardboard easel in the back, so the book can stand open on a desk next to the mouse pad for quick reference without taking much space.
While computer books are often long-winded, repetitive and incomprehensible, Nerdy Books breaks topics down into small chunks. What a traditional book might say in one to three pages, Nerdy Books says in one sentence. Each page has a tip presented by one of six cartoon characters, who speaks in his or her own voice, explaining the tip and sometimes adding a minor tip. Nerdy Books uses the characters instead of rating tips on a hard/easy scale. For example, Guy Martini, the cool guy with the sunglasses, is on the cool tips. Kenneth, wearing a propeller beanie, is on the easy tips. Professor Lester is on the advanced tips. And so on.
Flisser states “Most software users know only one way of accomplishing a task. Often, there are faster ways of accomplishing the same task, but the method isn’t obvious or even documented in the online Help or in traditional computer books. Many users wish they knew of more efficient ways of using the software, but don’t know where to look, or even that better methods are possible. That’s why we wrote Nerdy Books."
Co-author Richardson agrees. “We find the ‘heavy half’ rule in these programs applies: about eighty percent of the users know how to use only twenty percent of the software. People have these great – and expensive -- tools in front of them, but aren’t nearly getting the full benefit. Nerdy Books can unlock the power of costly hardware, software and employee time, paying for themselves many times over. We’re very proud of that.”
The first four titles are in production now, with initial printings of 10,000 each. The first to hit the market will be Just the tips, man for Microsoft Word 2000, which will be in stores in April through Seven Hills Books in Cincinnati at $15.95 retail. The Word 2000 title will be followed within a month by three more books: Just the tips, man for PowerPoint 2000, Excel 2000, and Windows Millennium Edition.
For additional information, visit www.nerdybooks.com.
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