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onabug612's review
4.0
A little over my head, but it was interesting and gave me stuff to think about! I feel like I need to educate myself some and then read this again.
bryce_is_a_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating time capsule of the exact second before apple devoured the world and the internet ruined everything.
erikaellr's review
3.0
This essay is outdated, misses the point on a lot of things, and is a bit too dogmatic - everyone must have the same needs and abilities and priorities as I do, so why isn't everyone making the same choice I make. They are obviously the correct choices!
It actually reminds me a lot of American boomer nostalgia for the good old days. Just as they conveniently forget everything shitty about the past, and only wax on about what they remember as the simple and halcyon parts, Neal too willfully judges other computer users for over-reliance on graphical interfaces while glossing over the disadvantages of the command line.
I still really enjoy re-reading it occassionaly. Partly because of the fun and clever metaphors (people buying clunker station wagons while across the street armored tanks are being given away for free), and explorations of themes (Mac vs Windows, software giants business models, and the great power that people give up when they decide they can't or don't want to do something more difficult than the default) that are still relevant. And also partly because I am a nerd who loves the command line and Linux, and I like reading about other people who feel the same way, even when their fondness and assessment of virtues aren't as well reasoned as I could wish.
It actually reminds me a lot of American boomer nostalgia for the good old days. Just as they conveniently forget everything shitty about the past, and only wax on about what they remember as the simple and halcyon parts, Neal too willfully judges other computer users for over-reliance on graphical interfaces while glossing over the disadvantages of the command line.
I still really enjoy re-reading it occassionaly. Partly because of the fun and clever metaphors (people buying clunker station wagons while across the street armored tanks are being given away for free), and explorations of themes (Mac vs Windows, software giants business models, and the great power that people give up when they decide they can't or don't want to do something more difficult than the default) that are still relevant. And also partly because I am a nerd who loves the command line and Linux, and I like reading about other people who feel the same way, even when their fondness and assessment of virtues aren't as well reasoned as I could wish.
bigbeardedbookseller's review against another edition
4.0
It’s been quite a while since I read this and I remember it being a book that helped me navigate the social phenomenon of the Internet and how it has developed.
Mainly humorous, definitely tongue-in-cheek, this book still makes points that are worth exploring today even though it is almost 20 years old.
An updated version would be appreciated.
Mainly humorous, definitely tongue-in-cheek, this book still makes points that are worth exploring today even though it is almost 20 years old.
An updated version would be appreciated.
haakansoderstrom's review against another edition
5.0
Outdated but highly interesting. Worth the time spent reading it.
authorjbr's review against another edition
3.0
Very dated by now, but a very interesting perspective on mediated experience, how OS fit into that, Stephenson’s perspective on that cultural/systemic approach, and even the fact that this conversation may not be super impactful if you are trying to optimize happiness.
ashtardeza's review against another edition
4.0
This essay is 12 years old, and apart from the obvious technical content it was fun to see the seeds of the ideas that would form Cryptononicon and Anathem.
I don't fully agree with his description of society, but he does make some interesting observations. Well worth the read.
I don't fully agree with his description of society, but he does make some interesting observations. Well worth the read.
sbenzell's review
4.0
Unique book length essay about operating systems circa 1999: their relative merits, their business models (some of the discussion a prefiguring the two-sided platform business/econ lit by half a decade!), and their metaphysical meaning.
Engaging throughout. I far from agree with everything written, but strongly recommended.
Engaging throughout. I far from agree with everything written, but strongly recommended.
caedocyon's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty outdated. Stephenson trying not to be an elitist prick, and occasionally succeeding. Eh.
Three stars largely because it made me really want a Linux box to play with. And because it did straighten out some things I was hazy about.
Three stars largely because it made me really want a Linux box to play with. And because it did straighten out some things I was hazy about.