Undeterred by the slump in sales of computer books, Microsoft Press has just released the first 11 titles in what it envisions as an ongoing series. Faster Smarter is aimed at "the vast middle ground between computer novices and geeks," explained Matt Sullivan, lead project manager for the line. Sullivan said Microsoft's research has found a shift in the marketplace—instead of looking for basic information, most people are interested in learning how to use their computers more productively.
Books cover a range of computer topics and include Faster Smarter Digital Photography, Faster Smarter Internet Basics, Faster Smarter Office XP and Faster Smarter Programming. Print runs average 50,000 copies and the books are priced at $19.99. Sullivan said Microsoft will wait until January to begin promoting the series, following the standard operating theory among computer book publishers that consumers will wait to see what computer they receive for Christmas before buying a book.
Sullivan said that while the soft computer book market gave the company pause, sales of Microsoft Press's other titles have held up well enough that the company believes Faster Smarter will do well in an untapped computer book niche.
