Stephen Manes

Stephen Manes (born 1949) wrote the "Digital Tools" column that appeared in every issue of "Forbes" until recently when he took a break. He is expected to return in the future. He also writes the long-running "Full Disclosure" column that anchors the back page of "PC World." He is also co-host and co-executive editor of the public television series "PC World's Digital Duo," a program he helped create.

Manes was previously the Personal Computers columnist for the Science Times section of "The New York Times" and a regular columnist for "InformationWeek." He has been on the technology beat since 1982 as a columnist and contributing editor for "PC Magazine, PC/Computing, PC Sources, PCjr," and "Netguide." The now defunct "Marketing Computers" named him one of the four most influential writers about the computer industry and called him "a strong critical voice."

Manes is coauthor of the best-selling and definitive biography "Gates: How Microsoft's Mogul Reinvented an Industry--and Made Himself the Richest Man in America." He also wrote "The Complete MCI Mail Handbook" and programmed much of the "Starfixer" and "UnderGround WordStar" software packages.

Manes is also the author of more than 30 books for children and young adults, including the "Publishers Weekly" bestseller "Make Four Million Dollars by Next Thursday!" and the award-winning "Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days!," which was adapted for the public television series Wonderworks. His books include the cult favorites "Chicken Trek" and "The Obnoxious Jerks" and have won a commendation from the National Science Foundation, International Reading Association Children's Choice awards, and kid-voted awards in five states. His writing credits also include television programs produced by ABC Television and KCET/Los Angeles and the 70s classic 20th Century-Fox movie "Mother, Jugs & Speed."

Manes is currently serving his fourth term as an elected member of the National Council of the Authors Guild, the country's oldest organization of book authors. Born and raised in the hills of Pittsburgh, he now lives in hillier Seattle.