FROM THE BOOK SHELF of Dr D.C.MISRA: know IT better

Balasubramaniam, Giri Pickbrain (2001): know IT better, Kolkata,India, Macmillan.
First Edition 91 pp. Rs 106/- ISBN 0333 935454

Available: http://www.macmillanindia.com/macnewmain.htm (accessed July 1, 2004).

This is an excellent book, a gold mine for information technology (IT) quiz lovers. Claimed to be India’s first IT quiz book, and India-oriented, it consists of 500 carefully designed questions, each a gem by itself. It has been compiled by Giri Balasubramaniam, popularly known as Pickbrain, a Bangalore-based young quiz enthusiast who has already carved out a name for himself in IT quiz field by hosting a number of quiz shows in India. The blurb very rightly states that ‘Its novelty lies in that it covers the entire gamut of IT, its various aspects, its history and applications without cluttering the readers’ mind with jargon.” Though the book is targeted, according to the author, to the urban and rural children, it can be very profitably read by adults too. Very reasonably priced (Which book, leave alone a quiz book, can you get in about $2?) and printed on good quality paper, it is a “must buy” for any IT quiz lover. The author, who no doubt has taken great pains in compiling it, needs to be congratulated for making his nuggets available to IT quiz lovers. I had purchased this book when it made its first appearance in 2001 and I find it equally entertaining, three years after, in 2004! This goes to the credit of its compiler. Thank you Mr Pickbrain.

Dr D.C.Misra
New Delhi, India
July 1, 2004