Paul Graham's Hackers and Painters is $9.49 on O'Reilly's deal of the day.

jaekwon wrote: post #4

nickcharlton wrote: post #2

...with code: "DDHPT"[1]. [1]: https://twitter.com/#!/oreillymedia/status/21836062456283136

FYI this appears to be for the ebook edition.

Indeed. They do something similar everday weekday.

Re: Paul Graham's Hackers and Painters is $9.49 on O'Reilly's deal of the day.

#6

Post by draz » Mon, Jan 03, 2011, 3:08 PM UTC

can anyone speak of the value of getting a 6-7 year old technology-related book (aside from reminiscing about this and that)? Are readers of HN really the audience for this book (people who, at least in theory, are do-ers, go getters, etc)? I'm asking not to be the villan of this post, but simply because I haven't read the book and am wondering whether it's worth the read. So, input is appreciated!

Re: Paul Graham's Hackers and Painters is $9.49 on O'Reilly's deal of the day.

#7

Post by CrazedGeek » Mon, Jan 03, 2011, 3:13 PM UTC

Alternatively, if you want to buy it from Amazon for whatever reason, it's $9.99: http://amzn.com/B0026OR2NQ

Re: Paul Graham's Hackers and Painters is $9.49 on O'Reilly's deal of the day.

#8

Post by nkassis » Mon, Jan 03, 2011, 3:14 PM UTC

draz wrote: post #6

can anyone speak of the value of getting a 6-7 year old technology-related book (aside from reminiscing about this and that)? Are readers of HN really the audience for this book (people who, at least in theory, are do-ers, go getters, etc)? I'm asking not to be the villan of this post, but simply because I haven't read the book and am wondering whether it's worth the read. So, input is appreciated!

Most of the content is timeless I believe, mostly philosophical ideas. A lot of it is the same as what can be found in Paul Graham's essays on his website but I think the book is a good read nonetheless. I've read it about 2 times by now (when I found it around 05-06, and just this year) and would recommend it.

Re: Paul Graham's Hackers and Painters is $9.49 on O'Reilly's deal of the day.

#9

Post by gsivil » Mon, Jan 03, 2011, 3:15 PM UTC

draz wrote: post #6

can anyone speak of the value of getting a 6-7 year old technology-related book (aside from reminiscing about this and that)? Are readers of HN really the audience for this book (people who, at least in theory, are do-ers, go getters, etc)? I'm asking not to be the villan of this post, but simply because I haven't read the book and am wondering whether it's worth the read. So, input is appreciated!

This book is not about technologies that tend to fade away fast, and it would becoming irrelevant in a few years. It is mostly about the idea of hacking, connections of this let's call it state of mind to other activities. This book has a number of what is known as PG essays. One of the almost timeless of those about the language for the next hundred years is there.

[EDIT: reading that book brought me here. Never regretted that]

Re: Paul Graham's Hackers and Painters is $9.49 on O'Reilly's deal of the day.

#10

Post by yesno » Mon, Jan 03, 2011, 3:23 PM UTC

draz wrote: post #6

can anyone speak of the value of getting a 6-7 year old technology-related book (aside from reminiscing about this and that)? Are readers of HN really the audience for this book (people who, at least in theory, are do-ers, go getters, etc)? I'm asking not to be the villan of this post, but simply because I haven't read the book and am wondering whether it's worth the read. So, input is appreciated!

The content of the book came from his essays (posted on his website).

Whether it is worth or not, it depends on how you define worth.

I used to buy the hype cycle out of recommended books by "the internet" (reddit, HN, blogs, etc), for example: the tipping point, wisdom of the crowd, paradox of less, this book, get things done, etc.

But then I figured out that I want to (and should) do my own thing, not to follow someone else's lead.

I sold mine last month and am now trying to get rid the other books as well.

Keep in mind that while it is 6 years old, most of the content are "concepts" of various topics from startups, competition, hackers/recruiting, etc.