Astronomers were among the first scientists to whole-heartedly embrace the computer and the Internet. Not surprisingly, the quantity of astronomy software and Web sites out there can now only be called "astronomical." Astronomer Jeff Foust and writer Ron Lafon have teamed up to sort through the chaff and give you the wheat. The Astronomer's Computer Companion isn't just a book, it's time: the time you could have wasted looking for software, images, animations, and data. With this book you can cut straight to the chase, and use your time to work--or play. The CD-ROM includes a complete e-copy of the book with clickable links, so you can read and surf simultaneously. The collections on the CD are superb, with 132 shareware programs for the PC, 29 for the MAC, 148 images, and 38 animations. The authors' Web site will have updates for the links, so the book won't be outdated as quickly as most Web guides. The book's text is clear and basic enough for high-school students, but it is not simple-minded: even professional astronomers can benefit from the authors' thorough research to track down databases, references, and those all-important screen savers. --Mary Ellen Curtin