Synopsis
With more than 160 entries detailing everything from the junk buried in desk drawers to that mysterious box blinking away in the coat closet, this practical guide navigates through modern office technology. Each entry includes a functional description of a device (what it is and how it works) as well as particulars on who invented it and how its design has evolved over the years. Devices are grouped according to their habitats—in the conference room, hanging from the ceiling, or connected to a computer—to assist in quick and easy identification. Solving office mysteries, such as why telephone keypads have their ones in the upper left corner while calculator keypads place the ones in the lower left corner, this fascinating resource decodes the often confusing technological landscapes of everyday offices.
School Library Journal
Adult/High School In the same breezy, nontechnical language as his books on household technology and roadside technology, Sobey examines some 160 items in and around the average desk environment. Arranged by habitat (on the floor, on the walls, connected to a computer, behind-the-scenes), the entries explain the item's behavior, its location, and how it works. For many of the devices, he adds "unique characteristics" and/or "interesting facts." The author moves effortlessly and unapologetically from the simple to the complex and back again. The paper clip, pen, and pencil receive as much attention as the network server, GPS, and Split 50. Some items seem odd choices for inclusion. While readers might expect to find the proverbial watercooler, the flushless urinal is not always thought of as office technology. Teens will appreciate Sobey's sense of humor: in addition to binding papers and other materials together, another purpose of a rubber band is to fly across the office from the fingertip of a bored employee. Each entry has a small but serviceable black-and-white photo. A fun, informative survey.-Robert Saunderson, Berkeley Public Library, CA