I was on the road this past week.

As was expected, this past week brought the breaking news of the new iPhone. It wasn’t really a surprise, as all the Mac fanboys were expecting it. I’m happy about the new iPhone features, but like many others I’m kinda bummed that the device lacks a “front-facing” camera. That would have allowed easy video chat. Picture phones exist, but a picture iPhone would be awesome. I’ll have to wait for that. (And I predict it’s coming.)

While I was gone I got a chance to address a group of fans at the Nantucket Atheneum, located in Nantucket, Massachusetts. I spoke about how the For Dummies series started and where it is now. It was a good talk and a lot of people had questions.

The most common question I get is that the For Dummies books rarely hit their true target of the absolute — and frightened — beginner. I agree.

These days, For Dummies books are general references. They are not “for the rest of us.” While the information in a For Dummies book isn’t technical, and it’s (supposedly) light-hearted, it’s just too complex and advanced for many readers. That’s too bad. I’d like to address the issue, but the publisher probably would frown on it.

For Dummies books are “category killers.” People don’t pick up Windows For Dummies or Word For Dummies and expect an easy, hand-holding, steady-paced guide. They want a general reference. They want all the information.

The publisher would dislike it if I devoted 80 percent of my book to explaining basic topics. They would say, “You forgot to cover this feature” or something similar. That’s because reaching a larger market is more important to them than addressing the purpose that launched the entire series in the first place: Good information for people who want to know, but are frustrated. That market exists, but it doesn’t blow up the publisher’s skirt.

Bottom line: I hear you. While I can’t redirect the behemoth that has become the For Dummies line, I can address readers needing better information in other venues. Stay tuned to the Wambooli home page for my future efforts. I promise not to disappoint.