Summaries of books about Computers & Technology:
The Bestseller Code
Anatomy of the Blockbuster Novel
Jodie Archer|Matthew L. Jockers
The book analyzes the patterns and elements common to bestselling novels using a data-driven approach, revealing that certain themes, plot points, and character traits resonate more with readers. It employs an algorithm to dissect and predict what makes a book likely to become a commercial success.
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New Dark Age
Technology and the End of the Future
James Bridle
The book explores the complexities and paradoxes of the digital era, arguing that the proliferation of information and technology leads to a kind of collective ignorance and uncertainty. It delves into the impact of data overload, algorithmic governance, and opaque technological systems on society, politics, and the environment, suggesting that we are entering an era of diminished understanding.
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UX for Lean Startups
Faster, Smarter User Experience Research and Design
Laura Klein
The book provides practical advice on how to apply lean startup principles to the user experience (UX) design process, emphasizing the importance of building a minimum viable product, conducting rapid user research, and iterating designs based on feedback to create products that meet customer needs efficiently. It offers techniques and tools for startups to quickly gather insights about their users and make informed design decisions without excessive time or resource investment.
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Tribe of Hackers
Cybersecurity Advice from the Best Hackers in the World
Marcus J. Carey|Jennifer Jin
The book is a compilation of insights and advice from over 70 cybersecurity experts, offering diverse perspectives on personal experiences, career guidance, and strategies for success in the field of information security. It covers topics ranging from ethical hacking to the future of cybersecurity, providing readers with practical knowledge and inspiration from leading professionals.
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Autonomy
The Quest to Build the Driverless Car—And How It Will Reshape Our World
Lawrence D. Burns|Christopher Shulgan
The book delves into the history and development of autonomous vehicle technology, exploring the innovations and challenges faced by pioneers in the field. It also examines the potential societal impacts of driverless cars, including changes to urban landscapes, economies, and everyday life.
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Lean from the Trenches
Managing Large-Scale Projects with Kanban
Henrik Kniberg
The book provides a real-world case study on applying the Kanban method to manage a large-scale software development project, detailing practical strategies, tools, and insights for improving team productivity and efficiency. It covers topics such as workflow visualization, work-in-progress limits, team collaboration, and continuous improvement within the context of a complex, high-pressure project environment.
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Blockchain Chicken Farm
And Other Stories of Tech in China's Countryside
Xiaowei Wang
The book explores the intersection of technology and rural life in China, examining how innovations like blockchain, AI, and e-commerce are transforming the agricultural sector and the lives of farmers. It presents a series of vignettes and case studies that reveal the complexities of modernization and the unexpected ways in which technology is reshaping the Chinese countryside.
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Who Can You Trust?
How Technology Brought Us Together and Why It Might Drive Us Apart
Rachel Botsman
The book explores the evolution of trust in society, particularly how digital platforms and the sharing economy have shifted trust from institutions to individuals and algorithms. It examines the implications of this transformation on personal relationships, business, and governance, and how we might navigate trust challenges in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
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Radical Technologies
The Design of Everyday Life
Adam Greenfield
The book critically examines the impact of various technologies like smartphones, Internet of Things, blockchain, and artificial intelligence on society, exploring how they reshape our relationships, economies, and urban environments. It delves into the design and function of these technologies, questioning their role in everyday life and their potential to either empower or control individuals and communities.
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Back into the Storm
A Design Engineer's Story of Commodore Computers in the 1980s
Bil Herd|Margaret Morabito
The book chronicles the experiences of Bil Herd, a former Commodore engineer, as he recounts the challenges and triumphs of designing groundbreaking personal computers during the 1980s. It provides an insider's perspective on the innovation, corporate struggles, and technological breakthroughs that defined Commodore's role in the early PC industry.
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