Books I've written...
Netbooks for Dummies
Published in October, 2009 - They're small, they're hip, they're cheap, they're outselling traditional laptops and PCs left and right. They're netbooks and they're taking the consumer market by storm. This title covers netbooks in general with a focus on models running Windows. (Look for a translated Italian edition coming soon - buono, buono.) More on any of my Dummies books, including tables of contents, sample sections, and indexes, at: www.dummies.com.ASUS Eee PC for Dummies
Published in December, 2008 - This book is devoted to ASUS's groundbreaking Eee PC and covers everything you need to know to use and maximize the little netbook. I primarily deal with Linux models, but there's also a fair amount of Windows-related content.GPS for Dummies - Second Edition
Published in October 2008 - Four years after the first edition came out, I've significantly updated this book. In addition to handheld outdoor units, you'll now find lots of information on automotive GPS receivers, cell phone GPS, marine GPS, and the latest mapping software and Web sites.Geocaching for Dummies
Published in September 2004 - a manual for the then new sport of geocaching. Some things have changed over the years, but the content is still solid. Check out the table of contents and a sample chapter.GPS for Dummies
Published in June 2004 - everything you always wanted to know about GPS and digital maps but were afraid to ask. Here's the table of contents and some excerpts. My editor says this has been one of the best selling GPS titles on the market, which is a nice compliment. The second edition, with lots of new content, is now out (see above).
Secrets of Computer Espionage: Tactics & Countermeasures
My first book came out in July 2003 and was all about computer spying - here are some reviews, a sample chapter and links that go with it. Also see "The Mystery of Damien Casablanca." The book was a bestseller for a bit. A bit dated on some of the technical details now, but a number of the general concepts and ideas are pretty timeless.Secrets of Computer Espionage was translated into Polish (Arkana szpiegostwa komputerowego) and Russian (Секреты компьютерного шпионажа: Тактика и контрмеры), which is cool in a Cold War spy kind of way. Respective covers are to the left.
These days I don't do as much "pure" computer security consulting as I used to, but I still get inquiries about two security-related projects mentioned in the book that I previously worked on. For the record, if a search engine brought you to this page because you're looking for TEMPEST , remailers, or Private Idaho:
- The Complete Unofficial TEMPEST Information Page, was all about electromagnetic radiation eavesdropping and how to prevent it. Much of the mystery that originally surrounded TEMPEST has been revealed thanks to a variety of public disclosures. The TEMPEST page was last updated in March 2004 and is archived here. John Young is still diligently collecting declassified information on TEMPEST, so be sure to also check cryptome.org.
- Private Idaho, was a popular Windows front-end for PGP and anonymous remailers that I wrote 10+ years ago during my Cypherpunk days. I stopped working on the utility in 1997, and released the Visual Basic source code to the public. A few developers released enhanced versions of the program over the years. If for some reason you're interested in ancient history, everything relating to PI is archived here.
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Joel McNamara - last updated December 31, 2009
Primary contact - joelm at eskimo_dot_com (if you're not a Web spam harvester, you should be able to figure it out)
PS - I'm happy to do email interviews (no phone or in-person interviews though, please). Also, any Joel McNamaras you find on fantasy baseball league teams or social networking sites (spacebook, myface, missinglinkedin, twizzle, etc.) aren't me...