Synopsis
"Ascertain the meaning before consulting this dictionary," warns the author of this collection of deliberately satirical misdefinitions. New computer cultures and their jargons have burgeoned since this book's progenitor, The Devil's D.P. Dictionary, was published in 1981. This updated version of Stan Kelly-Bootle's romp through the data processing "laxicon" is a response to the "Unix pandemic" that has swept academia and government, to the endlessly hyped panaceas offered to the MIS, and to the P.C. explosion that has brought computer terminology to a "hugely bewildered, lay audience." The original dictionary, an urbane and witty pastiche of Ambrose Bierce's famous work, parried chiefly the mainframe and mini-folklore of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. This long-awaited revision adds over 550 new entries and enhances many of the original definitions. Key targets are "a host of new follies crying out for cynical lexicography [including] the G.U.I.-Phooey iconoclasts, object orienteering, and the piping of Blobs down the Clinton-Gore InfoPike." ack n. [Origin: back-formed negation of nak.] A signal indicating that the error-detection circuits have failed. computer science n. [Origin: possibly Prof. P. B. Fellgett's rhetorical question, "Is computer science? "] A study akin to numerology and astrology, but lacking the precision of the former and the success of the latter. multimedia n. An application attacking all five senses of the user--sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch-but especially, smell.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Stan Kelly-Bootle has been involved in most areas of academic and commercial computing since his EDSAC I days at Cambridge in the early 1950s. He is the author of nine books and is contributing editor for OS/2 Magazine. His monthly "Devil's Advocate" column has been running in UNIX Review since 1984.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for The Computer Contradictionary
Seller Image
The Computer Contradictionary
Seller: Zoom Books East, Glendale Heights, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: very_good. Book is in very good condition and may include minimal underlining highlighting. The book can also include "From the library of" labels. May not contain miscellaneous items toys, dvds, etc. . We offer 100% money back guarantee and 24 7 customer service. Seller Inventory # ZEV.0262611120.VG
Seller Image
The Computer Contradictionary
Seller: Greenworld Books, Arlington, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: good. Fast Free Shipping â" Good condition. It may show normal signs of use, such as light writing, highlighting, or library markings, but all pages are intact and the book is fully readable. A solid, complete copy that's ready to enjoy. Seller Inventory # GWV.0262611120.G
Stock Image
The Computer Contradictionary
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0262611120I4N00
Stock Image
The Computer Contradictionary
Seller: BooksByLisa, Highland Park, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: New. Second Edition. PHOTO AND VIDEO OF PAGES TAKEN TO SHOW CONDITION PRIOR TO SHIPPING; PHOTOS EMAILED FOR MORE SPECIFICS WHEN REQUESTED; Book. Book. Seller Inventory # 6731
Stock Image
The Computer Contradictionary
Seller: Roundabout Books, Greenfield, MA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Clean, unmarked copy with some edge wear. Good binding. Dust jacket included if issued with one. We ship in recyclable American-made mailers. 100% money-back guarantee on all orders. Seller Inventory # 1705360
Stock Image
The Computer Contradictionary, second edition
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR004061715
Buy Used
US$ 21.01
US$ 7.57 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Computer Contradictionary
Seller: SatelliteBooks, Burlington, VT, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: New. 2nd. Softcover. New, unused. For any additional information or pictures, please inquire. Seller Inventory # 210109008
Stock Image
The Computer Contradictionary, second edition
Seller: Sell Books, Elland, YORKS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Good. Our good condition books are generally good for reading but not for gifting or collecting. They could have imperfections such as creasing, fanning, inscriptions, margin notes, yellowing, staining on edge or cover or pages, bumps, scuffs, etc etc (sometimes multiple of these). It's a wide category that encompasses anything that isn't almost-new down to anything that is slightly better than poor. We would NOT recommend gifting Good books - these should be considered reading copies. Our books are dispatched from a Yorkshire former cotton mill. We list via barcode/ISBN so please note that the images are stock images and may not be the exact copy you receive, furthermore the details about edition and year might not be accurate as many publishers reuse the same ISBN for multiple editions and as we simply scan a barcode or enter an ISBN we do not check the validity of the edition data when listing. If you're looking for an exact edition please don't order (at least not without checking with us first, although we don't always have time to check). We aim to dispatch prompty, the service used will depend on order value and book size. We can ship to most countries, see our shipping policies. Payment is via Abe only. Seller Inventory # L-BJD00717-RAG-20240124-G
Buy Used
US$ 17.52
US$ 16.43 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Computer Contradictionary
Seller: GoldBooks, Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # 6M75_82_0262611120
Stock Image
The Computer Contradictionary (Second Edition)
Published by
The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA & London, 1995
ISBN 10: 0262611120
ISBN 13: 9780262611121
Used
Trade Paperback
Seller: gearbooks, The Bronx, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Trade Paperback. Condition: Like New. 2nd Edition. 239 pp. Flawless copy. Includes relevant newspaper article placed by previous owner. Seller Inventory # 3iCb0011