Bastard Operator from Hell II (Son of the Bastard) 125
Bastard Operator from Hell II (Son of the Bastard) | |
author | Simon Travaglia (Illus., J. D. "Illiad" Frazier) |
pages | 152 |
publisher | Plan Nine Publishing |
rating | 9 |
reviewer | Craig Maloney |
ISBN | 1-929462-40-9 |
summary | The continuing adventures of the Bastard Operator from Hell in paperback format, illustrated by User Friendly's J.D. "Illiad" Frazier. |
> DUMMY MODE ON <
If you've been around computers for a while, you've probably read the adventures of "The Bastard Operator from Hell" (or BOFH). Throughout the years, Simon Travaglia's version of the BOFH has become the canonical version with its witty and humorously sadistic vignettes. Bastard Operator from Hell II (Son of the Bastard) is a compilation of some of the more recent tales of treachery similar to the ones that appear at http://www.theregister.co.uk.
"Hello?"
If you've enjoyed reading any of the BOFH stories, you'll love this collection. The stories are written with the same overall style that has made the BOFH series so popular. Whether the BOFH is trying to revive his boss with PC parts (after showing his boss the bill for his new "work wear") or taking the reins of (horrors) management (where the managers have such exciting meetings such as trying to figure out whether to rent the plants for the building), Bastard Operator from Hell II delivers 37 fiendishly funny glimpses into the life of a truly evil operator. The stories themselves are only a few pages, so the casual reader can take in a few without much trouble. The truly voracious reader will look at this book as merely an appetizer. What it lacks in quantity it more than makes up for in quality. There are some real laugh-out-loud moments in this book which have to be read in context in order to appreciate them. Suffice to say, readers of this book won't be disappointed.
"It's a dog's life really..."
Plan Nine Publishing did a great job of laying out this book. The six illustrations "Illiad" illustrated are sprinkled in various sizes throughout the 151 pages of the book (with some repetition, but unless you're really picky it won't bother you too much). Speaking of nitpicks, a small table of contents would be helpful in locating choice stories quickly.
So, what's in it for me?
At $12.95, the book is a bit pricey for the amount of content. Fans of the BOFH series should not hesitate to get this latest installment. Those who don't feel the need yet should check out the older stories archived in various places on the net before pulling out their wallets. Once you've picked this book up, though, you'll want to read it cover to cover. You'll find it hard not to wish you were inflicting some of the bastardly acts yourself. Now where did I leave my clue-by-four ...?"
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Re:Sysadmins are sad (Score:3, Interesting)
Obviously you've never seen "The Devil's Dictionary" (likely out of print now, though).
Re:Salmon Days (Score:3, Interesting)
Almost anyone who's worked with clueless users will double over laughing at this: a live-action, Internet-only video series called "Salmon Days [salmondays.tv]", starring the Bastard Operator from Hell [ntk.net]. Featured are a thrashing of the Microsoft Paperclip, an inter-office porn show, and lots of idiot users getting their comeuppance. You have to call a phone number and pay a small fee to gain access to the full episodes, but just the trailer [salmondays.tv] is hilarious, and the profits go to charity [riders.org].