Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW WELCOME TO I.T. A Humorous Peek into the World Known as Information Technology (I.T.) VERNON HILLS, Ill. - February 19, 2002 - Welcome to I.T. will make you grin, laugh, chuckle, giggle and groan as you read true stories about the wild and crazy world of I.T. The book, compiled by "Fred, the I.T. guy," is a collection of more than 120 humorous stories, cartoons, jokes and puns submitted from I.T. professionals across the nation. The fictitious Fred has become a tech culture icon and modern day superhero to I.T. professionals across the country. Fred gained hero status after he was highlighted in an advertising campaign from CDW Computer Centers, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDWC), a leading provider of technology products and services to businesses and the public sector. CDW's TV commercials feature Fred as the unseen overworked I.T. professional, bombarded with endless problems and unreasonable requests from non-technical co-workers. After the commercials aired, Fred's desk was flooded with I.T. pros sending their own amusing to downright outrageous true "Fred stories." With a wealth of Fred stories piled high, Fred decided to honor I.T. professionals throughout the world and compile this book. According to Fred, "Truth is stranger than fiction." Here are a few humorous Fred stories that will leave you in stitches: I.T. Bizarre Drawer (true quotes and comments) Someone sent out email to tell coworkers the email is down. "The computer said DEBUG, so I sprayed it with bug-spray and now it's not working. Should I have used a special brand?" One executive asked for the Internet to be reset. I.T. Hall of Fame (actual questions and stories) The Fat Laptop -- "My laptop gets heavier each time the I.T. department installs new programs. Is there anything you can do to make my laptop lighter?" Peeping-Tom Laptop -- One individual believed the I.T. department could see her through her laptop's monitor when logged on at home. She went so far as to power down her laptop and close the cover while she was dressing. I.T. "Double Meaning" Drawer (puns and plays-on-words) "Does the firewall get hot?" "Is a mouse pad efficient mouse support?" "Why is it called a mouse? We should call it a frog instead." "I am dieting. I am doing my best except when it comes to my computer tempting me everyday with cookies. Can you please have my computer stop tempting me with cookies? By the way, do you know if they are chocolate chip cookies?" I.T. Food Buffet (items found in office and computer equipment) Biscuits (in a hard drive) Mashed potatoes & gravy (found jamming a printer) Fish Fry. Water ruined a computer keyboard. Further investigation revealed several goldfish flopping around the office. Apparently a very large fish bowl had overturned and ruined the keyboard. The book is a complete collection of I.T. humor for techies and non-techies alike. If you or a techie you know likes a good laugh, you will enjoy this book. Welcome to I.T. is available for $11.95 U.S. by calling CDW at 800-797-4239 or at www.cdw.com (enter "Fred book" as a search term on the homepage). Have any true Fred stories of your own? Share them with Fred at fredrequests@cdw.com. About Fred (the I.T. guy) After Fred was featured in CDW's TV ads, he gained popularity among I.T. professionals and made an impact on the industry. Fred's trials and tribulations inspired I.T. pros from across the country to share their favorite stories. As a result, Fred received hundreds of stories via e-mails and phone. Fred compiled the humorous stories in Welcome to I.T. About CDW CDW®(Nasdaq: CDWC), ranked No. 435 on the Fortune 500, is a direct solutions provider of complete, customized technology solutions for businesses, government agencies and educational institutions nationwide. CDW is a leading source of technology products and services from companies such as Cisco, Compaq, Computer Associates, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Toshiba and other top name brands. CDW distributes contracts to end users for customized and standardized on-site services provided directly by firms such as Compaq Global Services and DecisionOne and for training programs provided directly by KnowledgeNet and Productivity Point. CDW was founded in 1984 as a home-based business and today employs more than 2,800 coworkers whose efforts generated net sales of approximately $4 billion in 2001. CDW's direct model offers one-on-one relationships with highly trained account managers; purchasing by fax, telephone, the company's award-winning www.cdw.com Web site or customized CDW@work™ extranets; custom configured solutions and same day shipping; flexible financing solutions; and phone and online technical support, with more than 100 factory-trained and A+ certified technicians on staff. Additional information can be found by visiting www.cdw.com.