RIP: Tom West (Data General, "Soul of a New Machine")

#1

Post by joe_bleau » Tue, May 24, 2011, 11:31 PM UTC

RIP: Tom West (Data General, "Soul of a New Machine")
articles.boston.com

Re: RIP: Tom West (Data General, "Soul of a New Machine")

#2

Post by mindcrime » Tue, May 24, 2011, 11:38 PM UTC

RIP, Mr. West. I read the Kidder book in high-school, and it was definitely a factor that motivated me to get involved with computers and this industry. Feeling a tinge of nostalgia, I went back and re-read it a few months ago... and found that it stands the test of time well. It's a very interesting read, even if the technology has moved on considerably since the Data General days. And I still wish I'd had the chance to meet Tom West, but sadly, 'twas not to be.

Re: RIP: Tom West (Data General, "Soul of a New Machine")

#3

Post by joe_bleau » Tue, May 24, 2011, 11:40 PM UTC

mindcrime wrote: post #2

RIP, Mr. West. I read the Kidder book in high-school, and it was definitely a factor that motivated me to get involved with computers and this industry. Feeling a tinge of nostalgia, I went back and re-read it a few months ago... and found that it stands the test of time well. It's a very interesting read, even if the technology has moved on considerably since the Data General days. And I still wish I'd had the chanc…

I just found my copy, so I think I'll try and reread it this weekend.

Re: RIP: Tom West (Data General, "Soul of a New Machine")

#4

Post by barkingcat » Tue, May 24, 2011, 11:43 PM UTC

mindcrime wrote: post #2

RIP, Mr. West. I read the Kidder book in high-school, and it was definitely a factor that motivated me to get involved with computers and this industry. Feeling a tinge of nostalgia, I went back and re-read it a few months ago... and found that it stands the test of time well. It's a very interesting read, even if the technology has moved on considerably since the Data General days. And I still wish I'd had the chanc…

For me, that book will always mark the standard for technical journalism. Compare the depth of research of the Kidder book to today's techcrunch, or any of the dozens of books written about Google and you can see how far this generation of journalists have yet to go.

Re: RIP: Tom West (Data General, "Soul of a New Machine")

#5

Post by mikecane » Wed, May 25, 2011, 12:17 AM UTC

One of those books I never got around to reading. So I went to check Amazon. And it's still not available as an eBook! What a travesty.

Re: RIP: Tom West (Data General, "Soul of a New Machine")

#6

Post by SwellJoe » Wed, May 25, 2011, 12:28 AM UTC

mindcrime wrote: post #2

RIP, Mr. West. I read the Kidder book in high-school, and it was definitely a factor that motivated me to get involved with computers and this industry. Feeling a tinge of nostalgia, I went back and re-read it a few months ago... and found that it stands the test of time well. It's a very interesting read, even if the technology has moved on considerably since the Data General days. And I still wish I'd had the chanc…

That book is probably the most significant reason I'm a tech entrepreneur today. It also partially funded my first startup, indirectly. I researched and ended up investing in Data General, because of the book. It was acquired by EMC about a year after I invested, and I made a very nice profit. That, plus Netbank and Sano (acquired by Elan) added up to the $30k, or so, that I used to start my first company.

So, a pretty good book, all around. West, and the rest of the Data General crew, were heroes to me during my entrepreneurial formative years.

Re: RIP: Tom West (Data General, "Soul of a New Machine")

#7

Post by tokenadult » Wed, May 25, 2011, 12:48 AM UTC

"'What he told them was that if you win at this level, then your reward is that you get to play again at the next level, but guess what: The next level is more difficult,' said Don McDougall of Palo Alto, Calif., a former vice president of technical products at Data General."

That's great insight into how to motivate people to do their best.

I read the book The Soul of a New Machine many years ago, but already long enough after it was published that the technology sounded a bit primitive. It was a grippingly good read, a glimpse into how different personalities mesh to solve a tough technical problem.

Re: RIP: Tom West (Data General, "Soul of a New Machine")

#8

Post by shareme » Wed, May 25, 2011, 12:53 AM UTC

Damn,

I had the opportunity to use some Data General Machines in the 1980s..fine machines, reliable, etc...

I am the only older one here that remembers using the machines?

Re: RIP: Tom West (Data General, "Soul of a New Machine")

#9

Post by jcardente » Wed, May 25, 2011, 1:06 AM UTC

I worked at DG during its last four years. I briefly encountered Mr. West a couple of times. His aura was palpable in the hallways. He remains a legend among DG alumni.

Around 1998, West started a new internet focused business unit called THiiNLINE. One of the unit's products was an embedded Linux based wireless router for the home. As a lucky beta-tester, I enjoyed wireless laptop access to my dialup internet connection well before such devices became common. At the time, THiiNLINE was considered a crazy venture. The past thirteen years have proven that West's vision was on the right track.

I had the extreme good fortune of having a Microkid as my mentor for seven years. I learned a ton from him and like to think that I picked up some of the "The Soul of a New Machine" ethos. For that, I will always be thankful to Mr. West and the Eagle group he created.

RIP, Mr. West.

Re: RIP: Tom West (Data General, "Soul of a New Machine")

#10

Post by caf » Wed, May 25, 2011, 1:06 AM UTC

shareme wrote: post #8

Damn, I had the opportunity to use some Data General Machines in the 1980s..fine machines, reliable, etc... I am the only older one here that remembers using the machines?

Well, I've never used one, but I did do a double-take when I walked past an Eclipse still ticking over in a data centre about 4 years ago.