Customer Reviews

Zen Computer

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

 

 

I have to disagree with the other reviewers who have posted so far. I didn't like "Zen Computer" at all. This, coming from someone who found Sudo's "Zen Guitar" a very interesting and enlightening book. I have read a lot of books on Zen and have worked with computers extensively for many years. After reading this book, I feel like I haven't learned anything new about either Zen or computers. Or about not letting the occasional difficulties caused by computers to get to me. It seemed like this book couldn't make up its mind: was it a book on Zen set in a computer context, or was it a book on computers set in a Zen context? Perhaps the appropriate answer is "yes". I had anticipated something as least as informative and profound as "Zen Guitar", but that was not the case. Much of what I read seemed trite, even so silly at times I wondered if Sudo was trying to be humorous and I was taking it all too seriously. I strongly recommend "Zen Guitar" instead of "Zen Computer". At least in "Zen Guitar" the principles of Zen more naturally come forth because playing a guitar or any musical instrument is an art, and touches us in deep ways. I believe there can be mystery behind technology and its use, but that didn't come out in "Zen Computer". For anyone wanting to read about *that*, I recommend "Techgnosis" by Erik Davis.

I've been working in and around computer systems and networks for a long time and it still always amazes me how much there is to `take in' when solving any particular issue. I wonder if a well-prepared zen mind is especially suited to success in computer endeavor. The author, Mr. Sudo, possesses both zen sense and computer sense -so sometimes what he says seems like non-sense -until you mull over it (and then you smile!). Ahhh, Zen...

He humbly presents a different way of seeing the computer as tool. Really, I'm sure most of us have not become slave to our PC. Still, how many would think to treat it as a samurai would treat his sword -viewing our daily work as a part of spiritual training!

His presentation of ZC (ZenComputer) strikes a wonderful balance between an overview and a detailed analysis of the marvelous 20th century tool that so many of us take for granted. If you've often thought of your system as a source of frustration or an obstacle in your work path there are many interesting and relaxing side-roads to travel with him. Together, we connect seemingly cold and confusing technological terminology to a warm, beautiful tapestry of Japanese tradition (personal honor, samurai maxims, tea-ceremony, zen mind stories, etc.).

Personally, I feel encouraged to continue my chosen work (systems engineer / consultant) as I listen to someone treat the underpinnings of our daily existence in such thoughtful fashion. And, set in such familiar milieu, I may even have gained some slender ray of zen enlightenment from Mr. Sudo's good work, too!

What a wonderful book!

Quick read... 216 pages. ... easy enough to drop and then pick up again; yet just as easy to devour on a quiet evening in front of the hearth.

This book, Zen Computer: Mindfulness and the Machine, is written on many levels. It is a guide to a new way to work at a computer terminal. The first level message is to remain cool and "mindful" in order to work more quickly and efficiently. The Seven Principles of Zen Computing in the chapter called "Install" constitue a checklist for knowledge workers and computer programmers in dealing with their daily grind. But the book is much more. In the Zen way Philip Sudo uses the computer person relationship to teach truths both profound and simple. The computer is our new tool that connects us with the outside world much as the Samauri's sword was his tool and connection the world. Written in the idiom for the installation and use of a simple computer application, the book leads us on a journey both pratical and spiritual into the zen of the computer way. I recommend this book for computer users from extreme novice to computer scientists. Its a beautifully easy read with a wealth of wisdom.

It could be argued that Philip Toshio Sudo is formuliac. But I have to say he has found a great formula, having read Zen Guitar,Zen Sex and now Zen Computer, I had a pretty good idea what to expect and Zen Computer delievers. Sudo writes in a warm reassuring voice and gives a beautiful Ying Yang balance to each chapter, encouraging you to focus on the small detail and the big picture equally. And despite the fact that he repeats himself I think that he is worth listening to and re-reading again and again and again. In fact I finished ZEN COMPUTER and started reading it again when I got to the end. It is rich and simple and I thoroughly recommend it.

I purchased this book for a college course and I enjoyed it so much I read it in one sitting. An entirely different way of "seeing" and interacting with technology. Even if you do not already incorporate Zen into your life, this book will definitely reduce the stress of working with computers!

Change your relationship with your computer from an adversarial one to a cooperative one. This book shows you how to relax and meditate on the machine and what you are doing with it. If you are calm and centered, your machine will react to these feelings by being calm and centered also. This book should be on every computer user's shelf - from programmer to end-user. You'll learn to be mindful of yourself and your work and you'll see the difference immediately. After all, it is all just ones and zeros.

Having read extensively on Zen literature, I found this little book one of the most valuable resources on the subject, combining the timeless wisdom of Zen budhism with the ubiquitous computer and its day to day use. Highly recommended and kudos to the author!