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Does This Plug into That?: Simplify Your Electronic Life by Eric Taub
Smartphone, router, Blu-ray, LED—America’s use of electronics has gotten increasingly more challenging since the invention of the light bulb. If you don’t know how many pixels your HDTV should contain for maximum viewing pleasure, or if you are ready to throw your hands up when you hear that you have to configure your Internet router using the WPA-PSK (TKIP) or WPA-PSK (TKIP) + WPA2-PSK (AES) security protocols, then you need Eric Taub’s Does This Plug Into That? Taub ignores the jargon and demystifies the technology that can make our lives easier, but usually leaves us bewildered, flummoxed, and defeated—especially after consulting the manufacturer’s installation and usage instructions. Does This Plug into That? cracks the geek code and offers practical advice and directions for everything from purchasing a new TV, to setting up a Web connection, installing a home network, and more. Does This Plug Into That? is the all-inclusive resource that will make you smarter than your smartphone while enhancing your gadgetry and electronic prowess. Does This Plug into That? is every consumer’s Rosetta Stone, distilling down all the extraneous technical information into simple actions without the gobbledygook. Now you can join the technophile generation without panicking in the process.
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First published February 5, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 25, 2016
Never bring a nerd to a geek fight.
January 7, 2014
What’s the difference between a Kindle, a Nook, and an iPad? Can I use my mobile phone overseas? Why wouldn’t I want to use an LED lamp? How many speakers do I need in my home theater? What’s the cloud? These are just a few of the myriad of questions that Eric Taub answers in his new book, Does This Plug into That?: Simplify Your Electronic Life. Taub, a leading technology consultant and New York Times consumer technology writer, uses a question and answer format to demystify modern technology for those who want to make the most of it but don’t know (and don’t care) what WPA-PSK means.
First, I should add a disclaimer: I’m a geek and I talk geek-speak fluently. Having said that, I’ll also mention that I’ve considered maybe upgrading from my old TV to an HDTV someday (mine no longer receives broadcast signals, in case you’re wondering), but while the cost of them keeps going down, the educational prerequisites for purchasing one keep increasing.
That’s why I was so excited to see this book and I was not disappointed. Taub does a beautiful job delivering on the promise in this book’s title. The book is divided into 22 chapters covering everything from computers and printers, to TVs, to lightbulbs, to car electronics, and so much more. There’s even a chapter entitled “Should I Get Rid of My Landline Phone?”
He answered every question I ever had about HDTVs and even some I hadn’t yet come up with and all in a way that didn’t make me feel stupid – just newly enlightened. I also learned a ton about a lot of other things. That’s right: I, the geek, learned a ton.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who isn’t a walking technology encyclopedia. Go buy it today. You will not be sorry.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
First, I should add a disclaimer: I’m a geek and I talk geek-speak fluently. Having said that, I’ll also mention that I’ve considered maybe upgrading from my old TV to an HDTV someday (mine no longer receives broadcast signals, in case you’re wondering), but while the cost of them keeps going down, the educational prerequisites for purchasing one keep increasing.
That’s why I was so excited to see this book and I was not disappointed. Taub does a beautiful job delivering on the promise in this book’s title. The book is divided into 22 chapters covering everything from computers and printers, to TVs, to lightbulbs, to car electronics, and so much more. There’s even a chapter entitled “Should I Get Rid of My Landline Phone?”
He answered every question I ever had about HDTVs and even some I hadn’t yet come up with and all in a way that didn’t make me feel stupid – just newly enlightened. I also learned a ton about a lot of other things. That’s right: I, the geek, learned a ton.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who isn’t a walking technology encyclopedia. Go buy it today. You will not be sorry.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
September 29, 2014
When I first picked up this book I hoped it would help me unscramble the wire spaghetti that lurks behind, around and under all things electronic in my domain. While I don't have nearly the amount of electronic "stuff" that really with-it folks have, there's enough to present a daunting jumble of wired chaos.
But this book was more than what I was hoping for. It wasn't just about computers, PCs and main frames. It covered a broad range of digital and electronic necessities and intrusions into our modern lives. While it covered the above mentioned items, it went beyond that. For example, it explained the new light bulbs -- the advantages and disadvantages of different types, what's going to be no longer available, and what will be around for a while longer.
This book covers so much more -- for example, understanding the basics of HDTVs, LEDs, tablets, smart phones -- the whole panoply of electronic gizmos we are surrounded by and depend upon. The author demystifies the jargon and writes for non-geeks like you and me. I don't consider myself a technophile after reading this book, but I feel a lot more comfortable trying to navigate the digital terrain after having read it.
This is a slim little volume, but don't let that fool you...it is packed with wonderful, enlightening and down-to-earth information.
But this book was more than what I was hoping for. It wasn't just about computers, PCs and main frames. It covered a broad range of digital and electronic necessities and intrusions into our modern lives. While it covered the above mentioned items, it went beyond that. For example, it explained the new light bulbs -- the advantages and disadvantages of different types, what's going to be no longer available, and what will be around for a while longer.
This book covers so much more -- for example, understanding the basics of HDTVs, LEDs, tablets, smart phones -- the whole panoply of electronic gizmos we are surrounded by and depend upon. The author demystifies the jargon and writes for non-geeks like you and me. I don't consider myself a technophile after reading this book, but I feel a lot more comfortable trying to navigate the digital terrain after having read it.
This is a slim little volume, but don't let that fool you...it is packed with wonderful, enlightening and down-to-earth information.
February 1, 2014
This was written by a total Apple fanboy, if Apple doesn't rule your life skip this book. Hi advise for universal remote controls is wait until apple makes one. The thing I wanted to learn about mainly was DVRs, I've been using the internet to get all the TV I've wanted for over 10 years so DVRs have never been a product I've been interested in. But with net metered internet connections a real possibility I've been thinking of cheap and easy non downloaded or streamed TV. This book gives a total of 2 pages to DVRs, one page compares them to VHS.
In the introduction, the author tells us that this isn't an "Idiots Guide", so instead of learning how to run something, you the reader just want it to work. I love intuitive easy to use products that are simple to use but I also want a lot of features, and if I spend a lot of money on a product I'll probably want to use that product to close to it's full potential.
Sorry rant over, don't bother with this book unless you don't know anything about modern tech, if you haven't bought a computer, telephone, TV, or DVD player in the last 20 years this book may help you out.
In the introduction, the author tells us that this isn't an "Idiots Guide", so instead of learning how to run something, you the reader just want it to work. I love intuitive easy to use products that are simple to use but I also want a lot of features, and if I spend a lot of money on a product I'll probably want to use that product to close to it's full potential.
Sorry rant over, don't bother with this book unless you don't know anything about modern tech, if you haven't bought a computer, telephone, TV, or DVD player in the last 20 years this book may help you out.
June 6, 2014
Nothing really wrong with the information provided, but you can get more detailed (not to mention more up-to-date) information for free online.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews