3 ms·

The book is probably the most important influence on my career in software. I read it when I was about 11, and it was a very reassuring narrative from the point

The book is probably the most important influence on my career in software. I read it when I was about 11, and it was a very reassuring narrative from the point of view of an intelligent and curious person -- who wasn't already an expert in what he found himself working on. His explanations of the inner workings of networks and computer operating systems both moved the story along, and helped bridge the gap between Logo and BASIC programming and the impenetrable technical manuals for the computers I was using at the time. It also helped that the commands he listed in the book worked on my school's A/UX computers. I think reading all of that strengthened my confidence to explore programming and systems without either feeling overwhelmed by information, or restricted to narrow specializations.

deltarholamda 4y ago
His "Silicon Snake Oil" was equally important to me in the mid-90s. As a computer guy who was running as fast as I could into everything Internet, it was a real eye opener. It made me look at what I was doing and flip it around. I still ask "is what I'm doing really an improvement, or am I just making a box go 'bing' in a new way?" It's easy to forget all the nerd stuff we do is supposed to be serving the interests of society, mankind, real people, however you want to think of it. And, sometimes, the question that should be asked is not "can we do it?" but "should we do it?" Social media, for example, should probably have done a bit more introspection before turning us into click-farmers.
- ok123456 4y ago
  I remember their being a negative backlash against that book. Most of the Stoll fans on the early internet were expecting some futurist pablum, which he certainly could have sold out and done, but instead offered a polemic. I read both "The Cuckoo's Egg" and "Silicon Snake Oil" as a young teen and it shaped and tempered my view of technology.
  - CliffStoll 4y ago
    You betcha, OKserialdigits -- and thank you. When I wrote a critique of the early internet, my sister warned me of the costs: Nobody thanks Cassandra. But -as techies- I believe it's our responsibility to speak against thick hyperbole and unrealistic projections. Progress grows from realistic evaluations and honest criticisms.
    - deltarholamda 4y ago
      I don't keep a lot of computer books, but I still have "Silicon Snake Oil" and Jaron Lanier's "You Are Not A Gadget".
    - sillyfluke 4y ago
      >Okserialdigits I like how this contains more characters than ok123456

deltarholamda 4y ago

His "Silicon Snake Oil" was equally important to me in the mid-90s. As a computer guy who was running as fast as I could into everything Internet, it was a real eye opener. It made me look at what I was doing and flip it around. I still ask "is what I'm doing really an improvement, or am I just making a box go 'bing' in a new way?" It's easy to forget all the nerd stuff we do is supposed to be serving the interests of society, mankind, real people, however you want to think of it. And, sometimes, the question that should be asked is not "can we do it?" but "should we do it?" Social media, for example, should probably have done a bit more introspection before turning us into click-farmers.

ok123456 4y ago
I remember their being a negative backlash against that book. Most of the Stoll fans on the early internet were expecting some futurist pablum, which he certainly could have sold out and done, but instead offered a polemic. I read both "The Cuckoo's Egg" and "Silicon Snake Oil" as a young teen and it shaped and tempered my view of technology.
- CliffStoll 4y ago
  You betcha, OKserialdigits -- and thank you. When I wrote a critique of the early internet, my sister warned me of the costs: Nobody thanks Cassandra. But -as techies- I believe it's our responsibility to speak against thick hyperbole and unrealistic projections. Progress grows from realistic evaluations and honest criticisms.
  - deltarholamda 4y ago
    I don't keep a lot of computer books, but I still have "Silicon Snake Oil" and Jaron Lanier's "You Are Not A Gadget".
  - sillyfluke 4y ago
    >Okserialdigits I like how this contains more characters than ok123456