Customer Reviews

Release 2.1: A Design for Living in the Digital Age

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

An old Subgenius adage goes "You'll pay to hear what you already know!" So Dyson apparently decided she could write the /best/ book ever by writing things /everyone/ knows. "Email will change business communication'? Oh my God, Esther, thanks for the news flash! What's next for Release 4.0? A timely pensée on how one day we will all own VCRs (that stands for "video-cassette recorder"!), and how this will change everything, /everything/?

How about this wild futuristic scenario: in the future, you (YOU!) will be able to make a book by just buying a microcassette recorder and some blank tape, taking it home and taping your unorganized frappucino-addled ramblings. You'll mail the tapes to a typing service, and have them send the MSWord documents /right/ to the printers. What about editors? In the future, everything is fast, no time for editing! Have the publisher bankroll the printing of a few hundred thousand, and wham! "Just-in-time" publishing! The question is, just in time for what?

Can't let three five-star reviews (okay, two!) go unchallenged. Read the comments over on Release 2.0 for a more complete (and dare I say it? ) and accurate portrayal.

Coming from a technical background and working in the exciting medium which the Internet continues to be, I tend to love most books on the topic. I have to say that I haven't had such a hard time (because of how boring it is) going through a book in quite a while. In fact, I'm selling it... Anyone?

Esther Dyson is called the "First Lady of the Internet". She is a specialist in her topic, and no matter what page you're reading: You feel that she's a really competent and skilful writer. I've learned some important aspects about Online-Communities what is my special interest. Unfortunately she doesn't give a survey about the social psychological research about these communities, and it's not really a scientific book. But what I enjoy most, are the permanent "mind-links" between real life and virtual life. It's more similar than we thought before.

This book leaves a very important question unanswered: why have I even heard of Esther Dyson, and why does anyone care what she thinks? She is the Zsa-Zsa Gabor of the internet: everyone has heard of her, but noone knows why. Sure, she's got the buz, and she rubs elbows with all the right people, but when you sit down to take an extended look at what's inside that head of hers, you find a muddled stew of banal, unimpressive thoughts.

I bought this book and perhaps my expectations were too low, but Ms. Dyson definately impressed me. I deal with so many people in the business who don't "get it" that it is great to read from someone who does. This book is ever better in small snippets (as opposed to cover-to-cover) and I think I prefer it that way. Possibly an update on Tracy Kidder (Soul of a New Machine) more than 20 years later!

This book, based on Dyton's own enterprises in the international business world, has overwhelming persuasive power. I felt so excited and thrilled on reading through the first 2 chapters; I like them best. I totally agree with her when she says lurkers are not really part of the community of the Internet. She commits herself to networking positively, and succesfully gives explicit advice to ordinary readers. This is the best book that I have ever read dealing with the Internet society. I bought 2 hardcover copies; first in the Japanese, then in English, and I feel richer now. (I read Release 2.0.)

Esther does a great job describing the new nternet world that we are building and the potential pitfalls along the way.

Release 2.1 is a great book for how the internet is changing todays world. Many issues are brought up about the proper use and application of the internet and its rescources. A must read for all those interested in the evolution of the internet.

This book, based on her own enterprises in the international business world, is overwhelmingly persuasive power. I felt so excited and thrilled on reading through the first 2 chapters that I like best. I totally agree with her when she says lurkers are not really part of the community of the Internet. She commits herself in networking positively and gives her explicit advice to ordinary readers with success. A most recommendable one that I have ever read dealing with the Internet society. I bought 2 hardcover copies; first in Japanese, then in English. I feel the richer because of this.