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Que Publishing Announces the Release of the White Collar Slacker’s Handbook: Tech Tricks to Fool Your Boss.

Offbeat book provides employees with tips and tricks for regaining precious personal time.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - April 25, 2005 -- Que Publishing today announced the release of the White Collar Slacker’s Handbook: Tech Tricks to Fool Your Boss. The book, by tech industry veteran Marc Saltzman, offers tips, tricks and techniques on using technology to help break away from work and regain a little sanity or at least a little fun in one’s life.

Technology has over the years created a 24/7 work culture, where the employee is always expected to be available, either via cell phone, BlackBerry, IM program or laptop computer. Fortunately, a handful of savvy white-collar cubicle dwellers are standing up to the "the man" and using these very same (de)vices to make it look like they're working when and where they're not.

"Despite what your digital day-timer tells you, it's not too late to take back your personal life" says Saltzman. "After all, we were promised as kids that technology would free up more personal time when in fact it's done the exact opposite. Does anyone remember working just 9 to 5?"

"This humorous handbook teaches how to use and abuse your favourite programs and gadgets – all in a non-technical language you’ll understand,” adds Saltzman.

The White Collar Slacker's Handbook: Tech Tricks to Fool Your Boss teaches you how to get away with slacking off in a corporate world and not just get away with it but even make it look like you're a dedicated, tireless workaholic at the same time. Techniques include setting email timers to create the illusion of burning the midnight oil, editing your favorite instant messaging program to make it look like you're in an offsite meeting (when you're really on the golf course), and using cell phone sound effects that play traffic noises as you tell your boss why you're late for work. Each chapter features step-by-step instructions and visuals to help you pull it off without a hitch.

Best of all, in learning how to abuse technology to slack off, this handbook will in fact help you learn more about your PC, popular software and portable devices. How's that for irony?

Marc Saltzman has reported on the bourgeoning consumer technology industry for the past nine years as a freelance journalist, author, lecturer, consultant, and radio and TV personality. His specialties lie in computer software and hardware, Internet trends, video gaming, gadgets and consumer electronics. He has written 10 books with Pearson and McGraw-Hill/Osborne. Along with his weekly syndicated columns for Gannett News Service and CNN.com, Marc contributes to USA Today, L.A. Times, Playboy, and also makes regular appearances as a high-tech expert on CNN.

About Que Publishing
Que Publishing (www.quepublishing.com) is an imprint of Pearson Technology Group (PTG), the world's largest provider of consumer and professional computer, information technology, engineering and reference content. As one of the industry's leading innovators in both print and digital formats, PTG imprints include Sams Publishing, Addison Wesley Professional, Prentice Hall PTR, New Riders Publishing, Cisco Press, Peachpit Press, Adobe Press, Macromedia Press, and BradyGAMES Strategy Guides. Pearson Technology Group is a part of Pearson Education, (NYSE: PSO), the world's leading education and professional publisher.

Contact:
Kit Kemper
Que Publishing
317.428.3221
kit.kemper@pearsoned.com