`DUMMIES' BOOKS A SMART MOVE.Michael and Mimi Donaldson's ``Negotiating for Dummies'' is the latest in publisher IDG's series of ``... for Dummies'' books, which began five years ago with ``DOS for Dummies,'' by Dan Gookin. The Berlin Wall was being torn down and IDG IDG International Data Group IDG Integrated Drive Generator IDG Installation Design Guide IDG Internet Discussion Group IDG Inset Dielectric Guide IDG International Dangerous Goods (mail, shipping) was making publishing history with Gookin's book, demystifying the technical computer language of the MS-DOS MS-DOS in full Microsoft Disk Operating System Operating system for personal computers. MS-DOS was based on DOS, developed in 1980 by Seattle Computer Products. Microsoft Corp. bought the rights to DOS in 1981, and released MS-DOS with IBM's PC that year. computer operating system operating system (OS) Software that controls the operation of a computer, directs the input and output of data, keeps track of files, and controls the processing of computer programs. for thousands. Since then, IDG has sold more than 30 million books, including ``Sex for Dummies'' and ``The Internet for Dummies.'' You see them in bookstores everywhere; the yellow and black paperbacks sort of scream out at you. That's the whole idea, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. IDG Books Worldwide president John Kilcullen. The popular series is intended to educate the reader while poking fun at the pitfalls of trying to master the particular subject. The IDG philosophy combines neatly arranged chapters in a logical hierarchy with the humorous animated Dummy character, who pops up throughout the books, and the fun icons that guide the reader to various tips and anecdotes. Publishers initially said the first book would never sell. They balked balk v. balked, balk·ing, balks v.intr. 1. To stop short and refuse to go on: The horse balked at the jump. 2. at the notion of calling readers ``dummies.'' Kilcullen stuck to his original idea that people wanted a friendly and fun guide to the information onslaught of the 1990s. He proved the publishing industry experts wrong. ``We believe `dummies' is a term of endearment en·dear·ment n. 1. The act of endearing. 2. An expression of affection, such as a caress. endearment Noun an affectionate word or phrase Noun 1. ,'' Kilcullen says. ``We understand that our readers are smart, busy people who are frustrated by all they need to know to keep pace in the '90s. They want to quickly learn what they need to know and get on with their lives. ``We recognized this trend, embraced it, and so we have become leaders in the knowledge revolution.'' And there are no signs that readers' demand for the books has abated Abated, an ancient technical term applied in masonry and metal work to those portions which are sunk beneath the surface, as in inscriptions where the ground is sunk round the letters so as to leave the letters or ornament in relief. From 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica . There are more than 230 ``... for Dummies'' titles covering topics ranging from dogs and cooking to personal finance and Macintosh computers. IDG Books Worldwide revenues exceed $100 million. |
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