Date: Sat, 17 Dec 1994 15:52:30 EST From: "Rob Slade, Social Convener to the Net" Subject: "Hard Drive" by Wallace/Erickson BKHRDDRV.RVW 941028 "Hard Drive", Wallace/Erickson, 1992, 0-471-56886-4 %A James Wallace %A Jim Erickson %C 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158-0012 %D 1992 %G 0-471-56886-4 %I John Wiley & Sons, Inc. %O 800-CALL-WILEY Fax: 212-850-6799 jdemarra@jwiley.com aponnamm@jwiley.com %P 426 %T "Hard Drive" This book will be interesting for those wanting anecdotes about various figures in the computer industry. Those wanting insights into Bill Gates, Microsoft, or the computer industry, in general, will be disappointed. While the book is not strictly linear, the organization and thread of developments can be very hard to follow. The failure to outline a topic, though, is probably less important given the failure to provide any analysis of the stories. The volume of the material is impressive, and some attempts have been made to demolish persistent myths. It is also understandable that some very important events have been obscured by inattention (of the participants) or simple wish-fulfillment. However, to present a story of Gates' (or his parents') poor choice of footgear for a hike and subsequent pull out of the first practical moment as evidence of "persistence and tenacity" shows a less- than-objective attitude. The book overall, while not outright hero-worship, nevertheless is quite fawning. Some may not agree with this last. They will point to references to Gates' dandruff, nerdish looks, squeaky voice, and abrasive manner, to say that this is a "warts and all" portrait. Certainly, those references do exist--but they are inevitably followed by a more glowing assessment. The total impression left is, "Yes, Gates is socially inept, intolerant and cut-throat, but you have to forgive him all of that because he is brilliant, visionary, and a winner." The brilliance and vision, though, are more often stated and assumed than proven. For those in the personal computer realm, an amusement. But not an assessment. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1994 BKHRDDRV.RVW 941028 ====================== DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters Editor and/or reviewer ROBERTS@decus.ca, RSlade@sfu.ca, Rob Slade at 1:153/733 Author "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses" 0-387-94311-0/3-540-94311-0