4 ms·

can anyone speak of the value of getting a 6-7 year old technology-related book (aside from reminiscing about this and that)? Are readers of HN really the audi

by draz 16y ago

can anyone speak of the value of getting a 6-7 year old technology-related book (aside from reminiscing about this and that)? Are readers of HN really the audience for this book (people who, at least in theory, are do-ers, go getters, etc)? I'm asking not to be the villan of this post, but simply because I haven't read the book and am wondering whether it's worth the read. So, input is appreciated!

nkassis 16y ago
Most of the content is timeless I believe, mostly philosophical ideas. A lot of it is the same as what can be found in Paul Graham's essays on his website but I think the book is a good read nonetheless. I've read it about 2 times by now (when I found it around 05-06, and just this year) and would recommend it.
gsivil 16y ago
This book is not about technologies that tend to fade away fast, and it would becoming irrelevant in a few years. It is mostly about the idea of hacking, connections of this let's call it state of mind to other activities. This book has a number of what is known as PG essays. One of the almost timeless of those about the language for the next hundred years is there. [EDIT: reading that book brought me here. Never regretted that]
yesno 16y ago
The content of the book came from his essays (posted on his website). Whether it is worth or not, it depends on how you define worth. I used to buy the hype cycle out of recommended books by "the internet" (reddit, HN, blogs, etc), for example: the tipping point, wisdom of the crowd, paradox of less, this book, get things done, etc. But then I figured out that I want to (and should) do my own thing, not to follow someone else's lead. I sold mine last month and am now trying to get rid the other books as well. Keep in mind that while it is 6 years old, most of the content are "concepts" of various topics from startups, competition, hackers/recruiting, etc.
- Uchikoma 16y ago
  I also (same book lineup as you and 4 hour week, Godin stuff, those other bad books from Gladwell, yes all of them, I still like Black Swan) came to the conclusion those hype cycle blogosphere books are not for me and only distract.
  - yesno 16y ago
    They do indeed. Funny though, I was cleaning up my bookshelves 2 days ago and I stumbled upon old books "Software Engineering in UNIX/C Environment" (1991)[Honest: I copied the book from my university library before I graduated a few years ago] and "The Greatest Secret in the World" (1997). I browsed found interesting information. For example: SE in UNIX/C Env book mentioned Unit, System, Integration, and Acceptance Testing. Just like those Agilist/Scrum books are doing these days. Og Mandino book is sort of self-help book that seems a combination of a few recent self-help books. They're both thin and easy to read. I suppose I would believe reviews about old books than newer books from now on.
ianl 16y ago
Its more general wisdom from his eassys on his website. I find it timeless. I go back and read it every two or three years and enjoy it thoroughly.

by draz 16y ago

nkassis 16y ago

Most of the content is timeless I believe, mostly philosophical ideas. A lot of it is the same as what can be found in Paul Graham's essays on his website but I think the book is a good read nonetheless. I've read it about 2 times by now (when I found it around 05-06, and just this year) and would recommend it.

gsivil 16y ago

This book is not about technologies that tend to fade away fast, and it would becoming irrelevant in a few years. It is mostly about the idea of hacking, connections of this let's call it state of mind to other activities. This book has a number of what is known as PG essays. One of the almost timeless of those about the language for the next hundred years is there. [EDIT: reading that book brought me here. Never regretted that]

yesno 16y ago

The content of the book came from his essays (posted on his website). Whether it is worth or not, it depends on how you define worth. I used to buy the hype cycle out of recommended books by "the internet" (reddit, HN, blogs, etc), for example: the tipping point, wisdom of the crowd, paradox of less, this book, get things done, etc. But then I figured out that I want to (and should) do my own thing, not to follow someone else's lead. I sold mine last month and am now trying to get rid the other books as well. Keep in mind that while it is 6 years old, most of the content are "concepts" of various topics from startups, competition, hackers/recruiting, etc.

Uchikoma 16y ago
I also (same book lineup as you and 4 hour week, Godin stuff, those other bad books from Gladwell, yes all of them, I still like Black Swan) came to the conclusion those hype cycle blogosphere books are not for me and only distract.
- yesno 16y ago
  They do indeed. Funny though, I was cleaning up my bookshelves 2 days ago and I stumbled upon old books "Software Engineering in UNIX/C Environment" (1991)[Honest: I copied the book from my university library before I graduated a few years ago] and "The Greatest Secret in the World" (1997). I browsed found interesting information. For example: SE in UNIX/C Env book mentioned Unit, System, Integration, and Acceptance Testing. Just like those Agilist/Scrum books are doing these days. Og Mandino book is sort of self-help book that seems a combination of a few recent self-help books. They're both thin and easy to read. I suppose I would believe reviews about old books than newer books from now on.

ianl 16y ago

Its more general wisdom from his eassys on his website. I find it timeless. I go back and read it every two or three years and enjoy it thoroughly.