Dirtbag Book Endorsement of the Day: "Hackers" by Steven Levy.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

It narrates the birth and evolution of the computer hacker culture and associated principles from the mid-50s until the early 80s, which makes it a bit dated but still a hell of a read.

You don't have to understand a lot about computers to enjoy this book, by the way. All you need is not to have a small mind, if you catch my drift.

Amazon or B&N

[XemaSab]

1. Good book

:thumbsup:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

2. I just began reading it.

I'm in the part where the Tech Model Railroad Club first got their hands in the PDP-1.

Reading about them creating new assembly instructions for the TX-0 read like the hero saving the girl from the evil king. Woo hoo!

[EstimatedProphet]

3. Sounds like a good read

Another good one, IMO: The Difference Engine by the Sterling/Gibson cyberpunk writers. I don't usually care for their stuff, but I liked this one. It postulates that the Difference Engine, which was the first realistic design for a computer invented by Charles Babbage in the 1820's was actually completed and made the computer age a reality by 1840.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

4. I read that one! They actually completed Babbage's machine using only mid-1800's gear.

Thereby proving the machine was viable.