http://www.btw.com/corporate/corpback.html (World Wide Web Directory, 06/1995)Books That Work is a new publisher of interactive multimedia software that brings an electronic format to "how-to" publishing. Working with subjects that have previously been the domain of books, magazines and video, Books That Work utilizes the capabilities of personal computers to create products that deliver comprehensive "how-to" information and enhance personal productivity.
Books That Work products will be distinguished by their ability to organize and display information, and to help the user visualize concepts at a higher level of understanding than ever before. The products will create valuable lists and records, perform complex calculations, and feature flexibility so that users can make the program address their own particular set of concerns. Books That Work will develop products for any and all platforms.
Books That Work believes that what print publishers have long called the "how-to" market represents a major opportunity for today's home software market. This category is vast in scope, including such varied topics as home repair and outdoor construction, decorating, gardening, cooking and home entertainment. Subject matter that has long been the exclusive domain of books, magazines and video is about to go digital and interactive. Books That Work aims to integrate "how-to" content and the electronic format, creating relevant products that perform with maximum efficiency and effectiveness for the consumer.
Design & Build Your Deck is a multimedia software program that features an easy-to-use electronic design workshop and a comprehensive electronic book on deck building. The program offers intuitive guidance through every phase of deck design and construction, and shows deck designs in a 3D format.
Home Repair Encyclopedia (formerly Home Survival Toolkit) is a "how-to" multimedia software program for home maintenance and repair. Repair and maintenance information is presented in easy to understand text, sounds and animations, covering topics such as how to fix electrical and plumbing problems, prevent common emergencies, use tools and more. The program is a fast, practical reference that takes the mystery out of troubleshooting and solving common household problems.
Get Wired is a "how-to" multimedia software program on home wiring. Get Wired delivers information crucial to every homeowner, such as how to connect to the data highway, repair switches and outlets, wire sound systems and more. The program is a practical reference that takes the mystery out of troubleshooting and solving household wiring problems, saving homeowners time and money.
3D Landscape is an interactive multimedia software program for landscape visualization, planning and design. The program's cutting-edge 3D modeling technology translates the user's design ideas into 3D representations that include yard slope, terrain, and the areas of greatest sun and deepest shadows -- and let the user examine their design from any angle.
In light of the demographics of today's burgeoning home PC market, Books That Work believes that practical and intuitive home-improvement products will be a rewarding investment for a large segment of software consumers.
Books That work was founded in 1992 in response to the combination of the proliferation of powerful, low-cost PCs in American homes and the surge into multimedia technology by consumer electronics giants. The company plans to service the millions of existing PC owners who are eager customers for applications that focus on personal productivity, as well as the huge audience forming from the synthesis of personal computers and home entertainment systems. Books That Work intends to maintain a strong connection to the practical needs of this market while contributing to the definition of both form and content for the next wave of publishing. The company's investors include Hummer Winblad, Mohr Davidow and Hearst Corporation.
Stuart Gannes, Chief Executive Officer, (stuart@btw.com ) comes to Books That Work after a career in print and electronic publishing at Time-Life Books, Time Teletext, Discover Magazine, Fortune Magazine, Mips Computer Systems, and PC Letter. Gannes managed several successful Time-Life "how-to" book series, pioneered a Time Teletext electronic publishing start-up and worked as an assistant to Mips Computer Systems Chief Executive Robert Miller. Gannes also worked as a staff writer for Discover Magazine and as Associate Editor for both Fortune Magazine and PC Letter. He holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Education from Harvard University.
Daniel J. Levin, President, (djl@btw.com ) brings a combination of technical, marketing and managerial skills to Books That Work. Levin spent the last five years at Mips Computer Systems, where he worked in the Software Engineering and Channel Management organization. Prior to that, he worked for the Wollongong Group in Palo Alto, CA. Levin holds a B.A. from Princeton University.
Eric J. Levin, Chief Financial Officer, (ericjl@btw.com ) brings 13 years of experience to Books That Work from a variety of positions in corporate finance and operations. Prior to joining Books That Work, Levin was an independent corporate finance consultant, providing capital raising and contract CFO services to high tech and specialty retailing companies in Boston and the Bay Area. He has also worked for Ingoldsby, O'Connor and Co., a Boston merchant bank and turnaround firm and Digital Techniques, a Boston area manufacturer of multimedia computers. Mr. Levin holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University and an M.B.A. from Harvard University.
Robert Citelli, Vice President of Sales, (bob@btw.com ) has been active in the computer and electronics industry for more than 16 years. Prior to joining Books That Work, Citelli was Vice President of Sales and Channel Marketing for MySoftware Company. Before that, Citelli was Director of Affiliated Labels at Epyx, Inc., an entertainment software company. Prior to Epyx, Mr. Citelli worked in the publishing field as Associate Publisher and Editor-In-Chief at Gordon Publications. Mr. Citelli received his B.A. from the City University of New York.
Kim Bergeron, Director of Marketing, (kim@btw.com ) is in charge of corporate and product marketing. Prior to joining Books That Work, Ms. Bergeron was Vice President of European Operations for Fifth Generation Systems, Inc., a developer of utility software products. Prior to that she was Fifth Generation's Vice President of Marketing. In this capacity, Ms. Bergeron led product development, product marketing and marketing communications for the company. Ms. Bergeron holds a B.A. from Louisiana State University.
Marc Goldstein, Executive Producer, (marc@btw.com ) has worked extensively in computer technology, finance and journalism. He served as a product manger at GRiD Systems Corp., analyzed corporate strategies and industry dynamics as an equities researcher at SRG Associates, and published articles in a wide variety of newspapers, including the New York Times. Goldstein earned his M.B.A. at Stanford University and B.A. in English at Yale College.
Dianne Jacob, Editor-in-Chief, (dianne@btw.com ) has been an editor and manager for 15 years. Most recently, she won a national design award while editor of Pittsburgh Magazine, and was Executive Editor of Open Computing, an international computer magazine, for four years. Prior to that she served as Vice President of Los Angeles-based Madison-Fielding, Inc., where she handled public relations for computer industry clients. Before that she worked in Canada as a newspaper editor and reporter. Jacob earned her B.A. in Journalism at California State University, Northridge.
Sin-Yaw Wang, Director of Software Engineering, (sinyaw@btw.com ) has worked in the software industry since 1984. Before joining Books That Work, he managed the System Software group at Kubota Pacific Computers. Before Kubota, he managed the Multimedia and Graphics group at Sony Microsystems, where he developed both system and application software on MIPS/NT platform. Before Sony, he worked for Sun Microsystems for four and half years as an engineer. Mr. Wang received a Master degree in Computer Engineering from Santa Clara University in 1991. He also received a Master Degree in Manufacturing Technology (a branch of Mechanical Engineering) from Arizona State, in 1984. His Bachelor's degree is from Tamkang University, Taiwan in Mechanical Engineering.
Books That Work Inc.
2300 Geng Rd.
Building 3, Suite 100
Palo Alto, CA 94043
(415) 843-4400
(415) 812-9700 FAX