Bloomsbury presents Electronic Dreams by Tom Lean, read by Mark MeadowsRemember the ZX Spectrum? How about the BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, or Commodore 64? Did you marvel at the immense galaxies of Elite or master digital kung-fu in Way of the Exploding Fist?For anyone growing up in the 1980s, these iconic computer brands are the stuff of legend. In Electronic Dreams, Tom Lean tells the story of how computers invaded British homes for the ...

How did computers invade the homes and cultural life of 1980s Britain?Remember the ZX Spectrum? Ever have a go at programming with its stretchy rubber keys? How about the BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, or Commodore 64? Did you marvel at the immense galaxies of Elite, master digital kung-fu in Way of the Exploding Fist or lose yourself in the surreal caverns of Manic Miner?For anyone who was a kid in the 1980s, these iconic computer br...

Discover the history of computing through 4 major threads of development in this compact, accessible history covering punch cards, Silicon Valley, smartphones, and much more.In an accessible style, computer historian Paul Ceruzzi offers a broad though detailed history of computing, from the first use of the word “digital” in 1942 to the development of punch cards and the first general purpose computer, to the internet, Silicon Valley, and smartphones and social net...

We've gone from regarding the Net as something exotic to something that we take for granted, like mains electricity or running water. Yet most people have no idea how the network functions, nor any conception of its architecture; and few can explain why it has been - and continues to be - so uniquely disruptive in social, economic and cultural contexts. John Naughton has been thinking, arguing, lecturing and writing about the Net for over two and a half decades, and in FROM GUTENBERG TO ZU...

In 64 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW FOR THEN, Editor-at-Large for Wired magazine and guru of the digital age Ben Hammersley gives us the essential guide to the things we need to know for life in the 21st century. Explaining the effects of the changes in the modern world, and the latest ideas in technology, culture, business and politics, this book will demystify the internet, decode cyberspace, and guide you through the innovations of the revolution we are all living through. This i...

This collection of exclusive interviews provides a fascinating insight into the thoughts and ideas of influential figures from the world of IT and computing, including Sir Tim Berners-Lee, Donald Knuth, Linus Torvalds, Jimmy Wales, Grady Booch, Steve Wozniak, Vint Cerf, Karen Spärck Jones and Dame Stephanie Shirley. With representatives from areas as diverse as programming, development, hardware, networks, interface, internet and applications, this collection also provides an excellent ove...

From the N64 and SNES to the Atari 2600 and Intellivision, this book covers all the classic hardware from days gone by. With in-depth features and lists of the top ten games, this comprehensive guide will take you back to the golden age of videogames.

Sometime in the future the intelligence of machines will exceed that of human brain power.So are we on the edge of an AI-pocalypse, with superintelligent devices superseding humanity, as predicted by Stephen Hawking? Or will this herald a kind of Utopia, with machines doing a far better job at complex tasks than us?You might not realise it, but you interact with AIs every day. They route your phone calls, approve your credit card transactions and help your d...

There is a companion web site asssociated with the book (http://vsicomputer.wordpress.com/). It contains chapter summaries, links to relevant material and posts about items of news relevant to the book's contents. Computers have changed so much since the room-filling, bulky magnetic tape running monsters of the mid 20th century. They now form a vital part of most people's lives. And they are more ubiquitous than might be thought - you may have more than 30 computers in your home: not just ...

Looking forward to 2024 this UKTV book of essays explores the development of programming and technology and predicts who will be the winners and losers of the next decade. This book contains the perspective of a broad range of thought leaders – from creative programme makers and on screen talent to the new broadcasters and professional futurists. It provides a vital roadmap to the future of television. With an introduction from Darren Childs and essays from:Dawn Airey - Bruce Daisl...

50 Best Business Ideas takes a look back at the business world over the past 50 years. Revealing the ideas and innovations that have changed how we do business. From the humble post-it note that we still use and love today, to the revolutionary fax machine that changed business for the better and formed the beginnings of the speedier, fast moving business world as we know it.50 Best Business Ideas takes a look at the ideas, inventions and innovative practices that...

'Tom Chatfield's Fun Inc. is the most elegant and comprehensive defence of the status of computer games in our culture I have read, as well as a helpful compendium of research ... The numbers surrounding the sector are certainly thudding. By the end of 2008, annual sales of video games - not including consoles or devices - was $40 billion, comfortably outstripping the movie business. In the same year, Nintendo's employees were more profitable per head than Google's. The sheer perv...