Tag Archives: computers

Review – The Soul of a New Machine

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Bill Wake

The Soul of a New Machine, by Tracy Kidder. Modern Library, 1997 (originally 1981). This is the story of the Data General Eagle, a computer designed to compete with DEC’s VAX. It tells of a special kind of project where … Continue reading →

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Review – The Victorian Internet

Posted on September 15, 2005 by Bill Wake

The Victorian Internet, Tom Standage. Berkley Press, 1998.A history of the telegraph, from its creation on. The author relates the initial optimism about the telegraph to the similar hype about the Internet – as a tool for bringing about world … Continue reading →

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Review – Computers, Ltd.

Posted on June 15, 2005 by Bill Wake

Computers, Ltd., David Harel. Oxford University Press, 2003.This is a brief explanation of the limits that computers face: non-computable and intractable problems. At the end of the book, the author spends a little time examining approaches that might get around … Continue reading →

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Review – Code, by Charles Petzold

Posted on January 15, 2004 by Bill Wake

Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software, Charles Petzold, Microsoft Press, 2000. It’s safe to assume you will never be called on to build a computer out of relays. But if you were, this book would give you … Continue reading →

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Review – Reinventing the Wheel

Posted on September 15, 2003 by Bill Wake

Reinventing the Wheel, Jessica Helfand. Princeton Architectural Press, 2002.This is a picture book of volvelles, wheel calculators. You typically set a pointer to a particular value, and windows or the edge of the wheel reveal an answer. If you have … Continue reading →

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