Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW Humorous stories of everyday technology mix-ups and errors win CDW's "FRED" awards VERNON HILLS, Illinois, - Oct. 9, 2001 - Does a laptop get heavier when you load more software onto it? Or does "backing-up" your computer have something to do with where it sits on your desk? These and other amusing questions come from winning entries in the FRED Story contest, sponsored by CDW Computer Centers Inc. (Nasdaq:CDWC), a direct solutions provider of technology to businesses, government agencies and educational institutions. The stories are everyday experiences of information technology (IT) professionals, who work to keep their company's technology systems up and running. The contest was inspired by CDW's 2001 branding campaign, which humorously illustrates what it can be like to work in IT. In the campaign, an unseen IT pro named "Fred" is on the receiving end of numerous problems from coworkers who mean no harm, but need an IT manager to help them. CDW received countless phone calls and e-mails from customers who enjoyed the ads and requested their own copies of the commercials. In response, CDW created the FRED Story contest so IT pros could share their own FRED-like experiences. "With the branding campaign, we clearly demonstrate that CDW understands what it can be like in IT," said Joe Kremer, CDW's vice president of marketing. "This contest gave IT professionals the chance to share their own 'Fred' experiences. The stories paint a funny yet realistic picture of some of the challenges IT professionals face on a daily basis, many of which stem from helping coworkers deal with unfamiliar technology." The Winners CDW received more than 700 FRED Story entries. Fourteen finalists were selected and posted on CDW's Web site at www.cdw.com, where the public could vote for their favorites. Based on the results, five winners will receive an all expenses paid trip to COMDEX Fall, a major technology trade show scheduled for November in Las Vegas. The five winners and their workplace stories: Robert from Charleston, W.Va. wrote about a coworker who thought his laptop was getting heavier because he was loading more and more data and software onto it. Bob from Appleton, Wisc. told of a coworker who thought the IT department could see her through her laptop screen. In fact, the coworker reportedly closed the cover while she dressed every morning. One day, when he and the coworker were discussing a routine IT problem over the phone, Bob casually remarked, "Nice sweater!" Minutes later, Bob and his boss were summoned to an executive's office to explain that he was just kidding and that there was no way they could see anyone through laptop screens. Jeff from Plano, Texas wrote about a coworker who thought the IT department was watching her through an animated paper clip on her screen whose eyes blinked and followed her wherever she went. Jeff told his coworker to click on the "x" above the paperclip's head, which would put it in a place where it couldn't see her. The coworker was satisfied by this remedy. David from Chicago told of a coworker who complained her monitor would go blank in the morning, but not in the afternoon. When David sat down in front of the monitor to investigate, he noticed words would appear on the screen in the shadow of his head. David closed the window blinds behind the desk, and the problem was solved. Donna from Hoffman Estates, Ill. wrote about a coworker whom she told to back up his computer to prevent the loss of data. The coworker literally moved the computer further back on his desk. 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. CDW was founded in 1984 as a home-based business and today employs more than 2,700 coworkers whose efforts generated net sales of $3.8 billion in 2000. 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 80 factory-trained and A+ certified technicians. Additional information can be found by visiting CDW.com.