Word of Mouse

June 10, 2013
In his latest book, serial entrepreneur Ostrofsky (Get Rich Click!), a domain-name investor best known for selling the name Business.com for $7.5 million, offers a trove of advice to consumers and marketers who want to better understand how to leverage technology. Equally relevant for the tech-savvy individual who wants cutting-edge insights or the beginner who just wants to turn on his or her first mobile device, Ostrofsky’s guide demystifies and simplifies all things tech, covering topics ranging from “recommerce” (reselling goods online) and smartphone apps to smart whiteboards for e-learning. At first glance, the sheer volume of advice can seem too much to tackle, but the book’s straightforward structure makes navigating this potentially intimidating topic easy. Ostrofsky breaks up the text with eye-catching graphics, cartoons, catchy pull-quotes, and includes sections called “Marc my words,” as well as liberally using case studies from companies that benefitted from using new technology. For any overwhelmed, overloaded, or intimidated consumers or marketers, this book is a helpful, entertaining, and motivating resource.

August 1, 2013

The Internet has changed the way people do most everything--from getting a job (and keeping it) and staying in touch with friends to entertaining kids, shopping, and even attending school. New York Times best-selling author and successful serial entrepreneur Ostrofsky (Get Rich Click!) has written previously about the business side of the web; in this current effort, he touches on a wide variety of tech "trends," including crowdsourcing, data analytics, augmented reality, mobile shopping apps, and growing up digital, and gives pointers on how to put them to use. This results in a busy book full of lists, tips, brief case studies, tables and charts, QR codes, and a few cartoons. Studded with personal anecdotes and written in a breezy, conversational style, this book is a grab bag of information. Some may be new and useful, depending on the knowledge of the reader. VERDICT A sort of digital toolbox, aimed (at times confusingly) at parents, consumers, employees, and entrepreneurs. Recommended for public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, 8/15/12.]--Susan Hurst, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, OH

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2013
Learn, understand, compete, and win. So advises Ostrofsky, entrepreneur and investor, who emphasizes the need to understand the opportunities offered by the tools and assistance of technology. He cites the tremendous benefits that can be derived personally and professionally from a variety of technologies, including social-media sites, apps, and many online resources. We are in the early stages of the Internet, and since technology is the language of the future, we must learn it for advancing in our personal and business lives. The author explains the many ways technology can empower us, such as by engendering parenting skills, consumer expertise, cyber safety, and education. Businesses must incorporate technology in their operations or lose market share to competitors, and Ostrofsky stresses that technology should not be feared: know what you don't know, he suggests, and hire your weaknesses. This excellent book will appeal to a wide range of library patrons who seek a practical approach to technology and advice in how to maximize its use to grow and prosper.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)