Paul McFedries

Paul McFedries is a Canadian technical author and programmer who has written over 90 books focused on computers, programming, and technology. His works have sold more than 4 million copies worldwide and have been translated into over 25 languages. McFedries specializes in explaining complex technical concepts in accessible language, with books covering topics from Microsoft Office applications to programming languages, web development, and general computing. He founded Word Spy, a website that tracks and documents new words and phrases entering the English language, particularly those related to technology and modern culture. Since the 1990s, he has been a prominent voice in technology education through his "...Simplified" and "...For Dummies" series books. His writing style focuses on practical applications and step-by-step instruction, making technical subjects approachable for beginners while maintaining enough depth for intermediate users. Beyond his books, McFedries operates the popular website logophilia.com and contributes regularly to technical publications. He holds degrees in Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto, bringing a strong technical foundation to his writing work.

Readers find McFedries' technical writing clear and accessible for beginners, particularly in his "Teach Yourself" series and Excel guidebooks. Multiple reviews note his step-by-step instructions and practical examples. What readers liked: - Break down of complex topics into manageable pieces - Screenshots and visual aids that match the text - Inclusion of time-saving tips and shortcuts - Comprehensive indexes for quick reference What readers disliked: - Some books become outdated quickly as software versions change - Basic content repetition across different titles - Limited coverage of advanced features - Occasional editing errors Amazon ratings average 4.3/5 across 50+ titles, with his Excel guides rating highest. Goodreads shows similar scores (4.1/5 average). One consistent comment from Amazon reviewers is that his books work well as reference materials but less so as cover-to-cover reads. "Perfect for the absolute beginner but might be too basic for intermediate users," notes a common thread in reviews of his Windows guides.

Excel 2013 Formulas and Functions Covers Excel formulas, functions, and features including PivotTables, charts, and data analysis tools.

Word 2013 On Demand Step-by-step instructions for using Microsoft Word 2013's features and functions.

Social Media Marketing in an Hour a Day Instructions and strategies for managing social media marketing campaigns across multiple platforms.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Website Basic guide to website creation covering HTML, CSS, and web design principles.

Twitter Tips, Tricks, and Tweets Technical manual explaining Twitter functionality, features, and common usage patterns.

Windows 10 Simplified Illustrated guide covering the basic and intermediate features of the Windows 10 operating system.

iPad Simplified Instructions and explanations for using iPad hardware features and iOS software functions.

Microsoft Office 2016: The Complete Reference Comprehensive coverage of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook 2016 applications and features.

Firefox and Thunderbird Garage Technical guide to customizing and optimizing Mozilla Firefox browser and Thunderbird email client.

Complete Idiot's Guide to Microsoft Windows Vista Basic instructions for using Windows Vista operating system features and functions.