FROM AMAZON: Levy profiles the imaginative brainiacs who found clever and unorthodox solutions to computer engineering problems. They had a shared sense of values, known as “the hacker ethic,” that still thrives today. Hackers captures a seminal period in recent history when underground activities blazed a trail for today’s digital world, from MIT students finagling access to clunky computer-card machines to the DIY culture that spawned the Altair and the Apple II.
Hackers
“Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution” is a book written by Steven Levy and first published in 1984. The book chronicles the early history of the computer revolution, focusing specifically on the people and culture of the hacker community.
Levy’s book is divided into three sections, each of which covers a different era of the computer revolution. The first section focuses on the 1960s and 1970s, when hackers were first emerging as a distinct group within the computer industry. During this time, hackers were primarily interested in exploring the limits of computer technology and creating new software programs.
The second section of the book covers the rise of the personal computer in the 1970s and 1980s. During this time, hackers played a crucial role in the development of the PC, creating new hardware and software that would eventually lead to the widespread adoption of personal computing.
The final section of the book covers the rise of the internet and the modern hacker culture. Levy explores how hackers have evolved in the age of the internet, from the early days of bulletin board systems and online communities to the modern world of social media and online activism.
Throughout the book, Levy emphasizes the importance of the hacker culture in driving innovation and pushing the limits of what is possible with computer technology. He portrays hackers as visionaries and innovators, rather than as criminals or outcasts.
Overall, “Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution” is a fascinating look at the history of the computer industry and the role that hackers have played in shaping it. The book remains a classic in the field of computer science and is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of technology.
My Goodreads Review:
Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution by Steven LevyMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The book is an engaging and well-researched account of the pioneers who laid the foundations of modern computing. The book offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of hacking, exploring the people and events that shaped the computer revolution of the 20th century.
Although a generally boring book to read, I liked it as it is somewhat my history too! I went through almost all the stages of computer hardware, from mainframes, min-computers and now the current personal computers.
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