Hard Drive
#852 of 2,654 all-time
Hard Drive
James Wallace, Jim Erickson
8 people recommended it in 6 threads, 2015–2024.
What people on Hacker News said
It gave me a) a whole new understanding of the computer hardware/ecosystem I grew up with b) a re-newed insight into why Gates was a horrible, horrible monopolist who held back software development for the world quite a bit.
Hard Drive is about the early history of MS and about the stunts Gates pulled to win.
because it came out in 1993 it is interesting to read what they saw as the MS empire back then.
Mostly re-read the parts of the book that talk about the 80s (the creation of the PC, DOS, Windows, the PC clones, Microsoft and Intel outsmarting IBM, Microsoft bullying the rest of the industry, etc.).
I'll make a point to read 'Hard Drive' as well, I find the perspective helpful.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: Which book have you re-read recently? 2017 · 3 recommendations
- DIY MBA: My Reading List (2019) 2024 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2022 and recommend for 2023 2022 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Computer Science/History Books? 2020 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are the must-read books about economics/finance? 2016 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What books are you reading? 2015 · 1 recommendation