Les Freed has been a contributing editor at PC Magazine since 1994 and a frequent contributor since 1990. Before joining PC Magazine, Les was founder and CEO of Crosstalk Communications, developers of the popular Crosstalk data communications program for PCs—back in the days before the Internet made communications software obsolete. Prior to founding Crosstalk, Les was a Senior Technician and Videotape Editor at CBS News from 1976 to 1981 and a Cameraman and News Editor at WTVJ-TV in Miami from 1972 to 1976. He graduated from the University of Miami in 1974 with B.A. in Electronic Journalism. Les is the author or co-author of 14 books on networking, computing, and digital photography.
Les and long-time collaborator Frank Derfler shared the 1993 Computer Press Association award for Best How-To Book for their book How Networks Work, still in print in its 6th edition.