Can you tell a book by its cover? In a post-literate society, the wrapper's beside the point. Indeed, if the prerelease Web leak of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" proved anything, it's that a little bit of content is king (or wizard). Whether most people actually read complete books anymore is a separate question.

In that spirit, we've uncovered some upcoming IT business tomes. We bring up these short summaries to save you the trouble of interrupting any Pottering you're planning.

• There's No 'i' In iPhone

True, there actually is. But this book shows you how to take your obsessive-compulsive converged device habit and turn it towards successful workplace teamwork. If you can put the thing down long enough.




• Is Your PC Plugged In?

Heartwarming tales of customer-service teamwork culled from the call centers of Bangalore. And keep your eye out for the sequel: "That's Not A Cup Holder -- It's Your CD Drive."




• Winning Through Obfuscation

All the capabilities and functionality you'll need to achieve a really exciting product launch for your software beta release, blog, or full-blown one-person startup. Learn how to podcast, get written up in the local weekly, and, er, how to podcast. Introduction by Mark Cuban.




• The Outsorcerer

Your IT department's gone virtual, your CEO is working out of a cubicle, and you can't remember whether you're an employee, a consultant, or a stay-at-home early retiree. What's a near-middle-aged professional to do? Call the outsorcerer! He's got advice that'll get your career on track faster than Dr. Phil'll fix your love life. What does the oursorcerer advise? She suggests you hug your customers, change and succeed under any conditions, and don't fight with the boss. Since those are all real business-book titles, maybe the outsorcerer can't change the economic equation after all. Oh well, time for another Starbucks.