Well, that title can mean many things, some of which are age-dependent (remember Barry Goldwater?). Anyway, this refers to Barry, Dave. And to an e-mail review from Jim Wedding, computer salesman in Rockford, Illinois. Winter and spring sales have been good, but he's not looking forward to surviving the summer sales doldrums, especially now that Alan Greenspan has decided that wages are too likely to rise.

And which of Barry's many books did Jim read? Well, what would you expect a computer salesman to read? Blushing (for at least two reasons), I quote him in full:

"I know it has been quite awhile since I have found the opportunity--or the book--to review for your, intellectually-stimulating, world-traveled "newsletter" (although I don't believe that "newsletter" actually covers the full definition of your wonderful publication). So I figured that I would take a second to write about one of the books that I got for the holidays. And what could be more fitting for your publication, which now appears on the web, than Dave Barry in Cyberspace by Dave Barry, of course.

"Even while working more hours than should ever be allowed, I still somehow found the time to finish this book within two days. Before anyone gasps in awe, I should let you know that it is a very quick book. Although it spans two-hundred pages, Dave has kindly chosen to use a larger font, and smaller pages. However, once I was finished, I of course wished there was more. The fatal curse of a good book.

"Dave latches onto the world of computers, and the internet, of which he readily admits, he is no expert, and creates a wonderfully witty instruction manual for those looking at buying a computer. In truth, however, anyone who does not already use a computer would probably leave this book much more confused then satisfied. Dave utilizes a few facts, a lot of fiction, with his own brand of humor to take the reader on a tour, from the history of computers to the World Wide Web.

"Dave masterfully tells the reader all the ways they can use the computer to screw-up their lives and work much more efficiently than they could have ever done on their own. He defines the importance of RAM (to increase the speed at which the computer can display error messages, of course) and the glory of the internet (so you can meet 'horny 13-year-olds named Jason').

"He also has collected a group of some of the best WWW pages, that everyone should see; such as 'The Spam Cam' which showed food rotting live on the web.

"I found this book to be a wonderful way to relax after a hectic holiday season -- and was caught a couple of times laughing out loud.

"PS. Dave does make a point of saying that only artist and hippies would use a Macintosh, because true 'men' need much more of a challenge than the Mac could ever provide. Although I do find it interesting to note that the cover picture shows a screen shot of a Macintosh, not a PC. :)"

Okay, Jim, you've made this book sound worthwhile, 
now you're going to have to mail me the book, not 
just a review. And, keep on reading.

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