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Last Updated: Tuesday, October 16, 2001

*** Douglas Coupland's "fictional" account of life at Microsoft is a very convincing read. We follow the cyber-protagonists through their awe-inspiring, yet miserable, life at Microsoft all the way through the formation of their own company (You do know that just about every employee of Microsoft is a millionaire, don't you?). It is at this new company that most of the action takes place. You have to wonder if Douglas Coupland didn't live this existence himself, but I suspect he achieved this kind of realism through interviews. This book is not for everyone, certainly "knowing" some of these people in your own life would help lend to the story, but, in general, I think most everyone will get something out of this title.
Microserfs
Douglas Coupland / Paperback / Published 1996
Publisher's Price: $13.00.  Your Price: $10.40
 
*****
**** Have you heard of Clifford Stoll? He's the astronomer who was able to track down a notorious German hacker because a .75 cent error was detected in his computer billing. A very engaging read, The Cuckoo's Egg is his story in his words. There are a lot of things the lay person may not understand (UNIX jargon, etc.), but I encourage everyone who has a chance to read this book. In fact, this is probably the book that helped turn me from a Science-Fiction/Fantasy reader into a "Fact" reader. As they say: "The truth is stranger than fiction!"
The Cuckoo's Egg : Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage
Clifford Stoll / Mass Market Paperback / Published 1995
Publisher's Price: $6.99.  Your Price: $5.59

*****

*** Cliff Stoll's second book, Silicon Snake Oil, is not the same engaging, edge of your seat (so sue me I'm a computer geek), read that his first book is, but it is quite entertaining none-the-less. Many accused Cliff of being a luddite when this book came out, but like his 2-3 minute essays on the former MSNBC technology show, The Site, this is simply his way of saying: "Hey! Not everything revolves around computers." (My quote, not his). Organized into chapters dealing with different issues, it is quite easy to set down and then pick up again two weeks later without loosing your place.

Clifford Stoll / Paperback / Published 1996
Publisher's Price: $14.00.  Your Price: $11.20

*****

*** Everyone knows who Bill Gates is by now. I'm not sure if anyone cared just a few short years ago, but now, as one of the industries leaders, it is important to know what direction he would like to see the industry take. This is the second revision of the book, released just a few months after the hardcover. It seems that Bill Gates and, in fact, a lot of the rest of the industry were caught with their digital pants down regarding the Internet. This revision takes into account the major role the Internet will play in our future. This book also contains a CD-ROM which, among other things, contains a walk through of his new home!

It will be interesting to see how the contents of this book are forever changed now that Microsoft has invested $150M in Apple computer to help keep it alive!

Bill Gates, et al / Paperback / Published 1996
Publisher's Price: $15.95.  Your Price: $12.76

*****

NEW (Not Yet Reviewed):  Bill Gates next foray into writing brings us his new vision of the future.  The Digital Nervous System.  I don't know about you, but I'm scared of the notion that we will all be so wired that we will never be out of contact from anyone.  I, personally, like to get away once in a while which is probably why I hate being on call for work.  This book is intended to help show business managers where technology will lead them in the next century.  To Quote: "In his new book, Microsoft chairman and CEO Bill Gates discusses how technology can help run businesses better today and how it will transform the nature of business in the near future."

Should everything be faster, faster, faster?  Should technology run our lives and our businesses?  Are we going to let the computers make the decisions for us?  Pick up this book and see what Mr. Gates thinks.
Business @ the Speed of Thought: Using a Digital Nervous System

Bill Gates / Hardcover / Published March 24, 1999
Publisher's Price: $30.00.  Your Price: $18.00

*****

**** Dilbert is you, Dilbert is me. We all have a little Dilbert in us. This is especially true if you work within a corporate environment. Well, this book is kind of the antithesis to The Road Ahead. Scott Adams provides us with how he thinks the future will shape our lives. Very funny, very poignant. The perfect companion to The Road Ahead.

Scott Adams / Hardcover / Published 1997
Publisher's Price: $25.00.  Your Price: $17.50