(no subject)

[zana16]

So, I've never actually made a pumpkin pie from scratch before. Is it supposed to puff up like that? It seems to be collapsing slowly now. Huh.

Sir Now Appearing has asked for a book for Christmas that will explain the internet. I told him there was no explanation for the internet, but he wants to know the history, and understand how things came to be the way they are now. Things like, what is an IP address; how does it work; why did they decide to do it that way? Anyone know of any good books in this vein? He's more interested in the internet pre-2000 or so, since he's been on the internet since then.

Am trying hard not to panic at all the crap I need to finish, both in work and in personal life. I finally started my Yuletide story, but it is unsatisfactory. Bah.

Comments

[twistedchick]

No idea about the pie, but Steve may be able to suggest a book on the 'Net. I've been online since about 1986, but the only book I can suggest is Cuckoo's Egg, which is about international spies on the precursors to the current Internet. It's interesting, though.

[zana16]

That sounds fascinating. I've been playing with a plot idea that is sounds like this would feed into. It wouldn't do to give Sir NA a book and then borrow it immediately, would it? :)

[twistedchick]

Cuckoo's Egg is here in hardcover; it should still also be available in paperback. And I have a story of my own about part of it if you will ask me sometime offline.

[ambyr]

It's not technical, but I think he might enjoy Rheingold's The Virtual Community.

[ambyr]

Oh, I'm a dork. For an overview of the technical aspects, he'll want Segaller's Nerds 2.0.1.

[nakedbee]

I don't have any modern internet explaining books, but I can recommend this book on the telegraph: The Victorian Internet by Tom Standage. I was intrigued by how the early days of the telegraph resembled the early days of the internet boom in terms of culture.

[zana16]

Huh! That looks fascinating. I'll add it to my To Read list. Thanks!