Rating ⭐⭐⭐
I typically love books like this, how technology has come to be what it is today. I vividly recall the days up dial-up, waiting impatiently to connect, tying up the phone line all night because MSN chat rooms and groups were the place to be. Netscape was our portal to the world and we dove in every chance we got.
Unfortunately the beginning was a bit rough for me, and not because Mosaic is boring or anything, but maybe because I knew a lot of the information already? I'm not sure, honestly. It was definitely a dry read for me for quite a while. Things picked up a bit more when we got about 1/3 of the way in, which is odd I know, writing styles don't just change mid-book. Either way, it became much more readable and maybe I just have to accept the fact that the beginning is just kind of boring, considering where the technology has gone today.
The book is an easy read and not at all technical, so it does its job as more of a popular history. I am of the Xennial generation that grew up learning the technology as it developed from an early age, so that could also be why this one did not exactly WOW me. The trip down memory lane was great, especially when it came to the products and services I used most. I think the generations after mine, who grew up never knowing the world any other way, would definitely either really love to see how far things have come, or on the other end of the spectrum think it is all incredibly boring because none of the technology would impress them.
The focus here is also on US companies in the technology game, so it is not all-encompassing of how this worked out around the world. Believe it or not, tech advances happened in places BESIDES Silicon Valley, but those are not given any mentions here.
Overall if you are someone like me who grew up as the technology grew too, you might enjoy it as a trip down memory lane. I would definitely recommend it more for the generations who have never known life without smart phones and WiFi.
I've started a History of Computer Games today which might be more your thing.... Should finish it on Thursday/Friday. Review might be a little while though... I have (gulp) EIGHT books to review ATM!
ReplyDeleteI am going to take a look, that one might definitely be more my thing. Good luck with those eight reviews...I am about 200 behind lol
Deletei should read this, incompetent blogard that i are...
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting ride once things pick up in the 90s. You might like it!
DeleteI sympathize with your troubles on this one. In fact, I am amazed you finished the book, but then you don't usually DNF on books, do you?
ReplyDeleteI have definitely DNF-d many more in the past couple years than I would have been comfortable with before I made it a rule to do so. I did want to DNF this a few times, but I knew the upcoming material would be more of interest to me. But in the end, it probably was not worth it because it was not new.
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