Summaries of books about Computers & Technology:
Tubes
A Journey to the Center of the Internet
Andrew Blum
The book explores the physical infrastructure of the internet, taking readers on a tour of data centers, undersea cables, and other tangible components that make up the global network. It demystifies the internet by revealing the actual buildings and hardware that enable our digital connectivity.
See full summary
Because Internet
Understanding the New Rules of Language
Gretchen McCulloch
The book explores the evolution of language in the digital age, examining how internet communication through social media, memes, and texting has influenced grammar, punctuation, and style. It delves into the linguistic quirks and emerging norms that characterize online discourse, reflecting on how technology shapes the way we communicate.
See full summary
UNIX
A History and a Memoir
Brian Kernighan
The book provides a personal account of the development of the UNIX operating system, detailing its evolution, impact, and the contributions of key figures involved. It offers insights into the technical innovations and design philosophies that have made UNIX foundational to modern computing.
See full summary
Data Science from Scratch
First Principles with Python
Joel Grus
The book introduces fundamental concepts of data science, such as statistics, probability, and machine learning algorithms, using Python code examples. It provides a hands-on approach to learning by building tools and models from scratch, aiming to give readers a deeper understanding of how data science methods work under the hood.
See full summary
Extreme Programming Explained
Embrace Change
Kent Beck|Cynthia Andres
The book introduces the principles and practices of Extreme Programming (XP), a software development methodology that emphasizes customer satisfaction, simplicity, and frequent iterations. It covers techniques such as test-driven development, pair programming, and continuous integration, aiming to improve software quality and responsiveness to changing customer requirements.
See full summary
Excel All-in-One For Dummies
Paul McFedries|Greg Harvey
The book serves as a comprehensive guide to mastering Microsoft Excel, covering everything from basic spreadsheet creation to advanced functions, data analysis, and macro programming. It provides step-by-step instructions, practical examples, and tips to help users of all levels improve their Excel skills and productivity.
See full summary
Predictive Analytics
The Power to Predict Who Will Click, Buy, Lie, or Die
Eric Siegel
The book explores the use of predictive analytics in various industries, illustrating how data and machine learning can forecast individual behavior and trends. It delves into real-world examples, ethical considerations, and the impact of predictive technology on business and society.
See full summary
The Master Switch
The Rise and Fall of Information Empires
Tim Wu
The book examines the cycle of information technology industries, from open platforms to consolidation and control by monopolistic entities, and the impact on innovation and free expression. It explores historical case studies, such as the telephone and film industries, to understand the ongoing struggle between consumer freedom and corporate power in the digital age.
See full summary
Working Effectively with Legacy Code
Michael Feathers
The book provides strategies for improving and refactoring legacy codebases, focusing on techniques to identify change points, add tests, and incrementally improve the structure and design of existing code. It emphasizes the importance of testing in understanding and safely altering legacy systems, offering practical advice for dealing with large codebases and complex dependencies.
See full summary
The Big Nine
How the Tech Titans and Their Thinking Machines Could Warp Humanity
Amy Webb
The book explores the potential future impact of artificial intelligence by examining the influence of the nine major tech companies that dominate the field. It discusses the ethical, social, and political challenges posed by AI and suggests strategies to ensure that AI development benefits humanity as a whole.
See full summary