Althought the Happy Hacker's first computer was made by Radio Shack, he no longer professes any brand loyalty. Sure, Tandy makes some reasonably priced IBM compatibles, but why waste your time looking at them at the Harvard Computer Society show when you can see them at your local Radio Shack.

Desktop Publishing

Many of the vendors displaying their wares are sure to have an adequate supply of the latest hardware and software to fulfill everybody's desktop publishing needs. From laser printers to page layout software, manufacturers are jumping into the business of selling publishing aids. It seems that word processing no longer provides the necessary quality, and so now companies are urged to produce their own `publication quality' documents in-house.

Academic Courseware

Although the Happy Hacker has yet to see more than a few successful applications of personal computers to the classroom, educators across the country have been writing software to assist and drill their students in everything from Algebra to Zoology. Kinko's copies, the Happy Hacker's favorite 24-hour copy center, has been the sponsor of a nationwide exchange program in which people at colleges across the country can trade various educational software. Look for their booth at the show and then make sure that you distract your chemistry professor should he attempt to gain more information. After all, building stick models of molecules is difficult, but trying to explain the task to your Mac is infinitely harder.

It's Free

Of course the Happy Hacker's real motivation for going to the show is to pick-up t-shirts from IBM and Apple--the latest in techno-chic worn at the Science Center basement. And, the Happy Hacker is certain to also look for the free highlighters, baseball caps and other hackerobelia. Even if he doesn't go home with a new computer, the trinkets gained are certain to make the show worth the trip.