Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution (Penguin Press Science)

Levy, Steven

ISBN 10: 0140232699 / ISBN 13: 9780140232691

Published by Penguin Books Ltd, 1994

About this Item

Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading.

Seller Inventory # CHL10612637

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution (Penguin Press Science)
• Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
• Publication Date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0140232699
• ISBN 13: 9780140232691
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Used; Good

About this title

Synopsis

Steven Levy's classic book explains why the misuse of the word "hackers" to describe computer criminals does a terrible disservice to many important shapers of the digital revolution. Levy follows members of an MIT model railroad club--a group of brilliant budding electrical engineers and computer innovators--from the late 1950s to the mid-1980s. These eccentric characters used the term "hack" to describe a clever way of improving the electronic system that ran their massive railroad. And as they started designing clever ways to improve computer systems, "hack" moved over with them. These maverick characters were often fanatics who did not always restrict themselves to the letter of the law and who devoted themselves to what became known as "The Hacker Ethic." The book traces the history of hackers, from finagling access to clunky computer-card-punching machines to uncovering the inner secrets of what would become the Internet. This story of brilliant, eccentric, flawed, and often funny people devoted to their dream of a better world will appeal to a wide audience.