The Pattern On The Stone: The Simple Ideas That Make Computers Work - Hardcover

Hillis, W. Daniel; Hillis, Daniel

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0465025951 ISBN 13: 9780465025954

Publisher: Basic Books, 1998

Synopsis

The head of Disney's Imagineering Works dissects the workings of computer logic and breaks it down into simple procedures, clarifying, for the computer illiterate, what makes computers tick, and discusses the exciting developments available today. Tour.

About this title

Review

PRAISE FOR "THE PATTERN ON THE STONE"
"This is the best book on computers I have ever read. Hillis takes us on a lightening tour of the fundamentals of computing... Nowhere does [he] lose sight of the fact that what is important is not the detail of these issues, but the story that flows through them and rationality of thought that connects them." --Peter Thomas, "New Scientist"
"[Hillis'] conclusion is thoughtfully optimistic--and appealing even to a skeptic." --Dan Brekke, "WIRED"
""The Pattern on the Stone" illustrates basic computing concepts with line drawings of Tinkertoys in various positions--a surprisingly helpful approach... The book's gradual pace, low-tech design and gentle title are meant to bring hope to those who feel swamped by a tidal wave of computer-wrought change. And the approach succeeds, by showing the reader how humans, not magicians, discovered a few basic principles and built these amazing machines." --Bill Brazell, "The Industry Standard"
"Hillis...provides an almost philosophical approach to the machine that has changed our lives....[He] writes with the authority of an expert and the rigor of a logician....A helpful and succinct volume."--"Publisher's Weekly"
"Everyone has sorted socks and played tic-tac-toe. Hillis uses these simple examples and similar everyday experiences to explain the ideas that make computers work.... Highly recommended." --"Library Journal"
"Here's a straightforward answer to the question every parent has been asked, and few can answer: How do computers really work?" --"Kirkus Reviews"
"A delightful all-in-one introduction to computer science." --"Booklist"
"An accessible, fascinating account of the fundamental processes that make computers tick." --"Hartford Courant"
Peter Thomas, "New Scientist"
"This is the best book on computers I have ever read. Hillis takes us on a lightening tour of the fundamentals of computing.... Nowhere does [he] lose sight of the fact that what is important is not the detail of these issues, but the story that flows through them and rationality of thought that connects them."
Dan Brekke, "WIRED"
"[Hillis'] conclusion is thoughtfully optimistic--and appealing even to a skeptic."
Bill Brazell, "The Industry Standard"
""The Pattern on the Stone" illustrates basic computing concepts with line drawings of Tinkertoys in various positions--a surprisingly helpful approach.... The book's gradual pace, low-tech design and gentle title are meant to bring hope to those who feel swamped by a tidal wave of computer-wrought change. And the approach succeeds, by showing the reader how humans, not magicians, discovered a few basic principles and built these amazing machines."
"Publisher's Weekly"
"Hillis...provides an almost philosophical approach to the machine that has changed our lives.... [He] writes with the authority of an expert and the rigor of a logician.... A helpful and succinct volume."
"Library Journal"
"Everyone has sorted socks and played tic-tac-toe. Hillis uses these simple examples and similar everyday experiences to explain the ideas that make computers work.... Highly recommended."
"Kirkus Reviews"
"Here's a straightforward answer to the question every parent has been asked, and few can answer: How do computers really work?"
"Booklist"
"A delightful all-in-one introduction to computer science."
"Hartford Courant"
"An accessible, fascinating account of the fundamental processes that make computers tick."

Peter Thomas, "New Scientist"
This is the best book on computers I have ever read. Hillis takes us on a lightening tour of the fundamentals of computing.... Nowhere does [he] lose sight of the fact that what is important is not the detail of these issues, but the story that flows through them and rationality of thought that connects them.
Dan Brekke, "WIRED"
[Hillis ] conclusion is thoughtfully optimisticand appealing even to a skeptic.
Bill Brazell, "The Industry Standard"
"The Pattern on the Stone" illustrates basic computing concepts with line drawings of Tinkertoys in various positionsa surprisingly helpful approach.... The book s gradual pace, low-tech design and gentle title are meant to bring hope to those who feel swamped by a tidal wave of computer-wrought change. And the approach succeeds, by showing the reader how humans, not magicians, discovered a few basic principles and built these amazing machines.
"Publisher s Weekly"
Hillis provides an almost philosophical approach to the machine that has changed our lives.... [He] writes with the authority of an expert and the rigor of a logician.... A helpful and succinct volume.
"Library Journal"
Everyone has sorted socks and played tic-tac-toe. Hillis uses these simple examples and similar everyday experiences to explain the ideas that make computers work.... Highly recommended.
"Kirkus Reviews"
Here s a straightforward answer to the question every parent has been asked, and few can answer: How do computers really work?
"Booklist"
A delightful all-in-one introduction to computer science.
"Hartford Courant"
An accessible, fascinating account of the fundamental processes that make computers tick. "

Peter Thomas, New Scientist
"This is the best book on computers I have ever read. Hillis takes us on a lightening tour of the fundamentals of computing.... Nowhere does [he] lose sight of the fact that what is important is not the detail of these issues, but the story that flows through them and rationality of thought that connects them."

Dan Brekke, WIRED
"[Hillis'] conclusion is thoughtfully optimistic--and appealing even to a skeptic."

Bill Brazell, The Industry Standard
"The Pattern on the Stone illustrates basic computing concepts with line drawings of Tinkertoys in various positions--a surprisingly helpful approach.... The book's gradual pace, low-tech design and gentle title are meant to bring hope to those who feel swamped by a tidal wave of computer-wrought change. And the approach succeeds, by showing the reader how humans, not magicians, discovered a few basic principles and built these amazing machines."

Publisher's Weekly
"Hillis...provides an almost philosophical approach to the machine that has changed our lives.... [He] writes with the authority of an expert and the rigor of a logician.... A helpful and succinct volume."

Book Description

The classic, easy-to-understand explanation of how computers perform their amazing feats

Edition details

• Publisher: Basic Books
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0465025951
• ISBN 13: 9780465025954
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 164