The Elements of Computing Style: 200+ Tips for Busy Knowledge Workers

by Diomidis Spinellis

The Elements of Computing Style deals with the effective use of computing a work style that can readily increase your productivity. Bookstore shelves are full of beginners’ guides and software-specific manuals. These, occasionally useful, books won't help you if you're already versant in computer technology but use it in a suboptimal way, wasting your valuable time performing repetitive tasks or struggling with easily avoidable problems. Computing style is what distinguishes a computer expert from a user who just gets by. Although following a few tips won't make you a computing guru, you can readily bridge a large part of the productivity gap between you and an expert by following this book’s advice. The 200+ tips included in the book can provide 80% of an expert’s effectiveness. The text covers all aspects of computing computer-related work habits; web searching and surfing; email handling and etiquette; working with documents, spreadsheets, and presentations; essential advice on typography, data management, security, privacy, and digital preservation; travelling; IT equipment; system administration; ergonomics; entertainment. Most professionals, even seasoned computer users, fail to use computing technology in its full potential. This short book provides specific advice that delivers immediate improvements in effectiveness and job performance. Through this book's 200+ tips you will learn things like the following.

166 pages, Paperback

First published August 25, 2014

Reviews

[Christos Kontas]

A short and nice, easily readable book. It contains many tips and advises on how to better work and live in the modern, digitized era.

For example, I loved the chapter regarding the email etiquettues. It doesn't mention how to use an email client or what an email is, but more importantly how to use this technology, especially the social aspects around it.