Citation
Webb, K. (2000), "Reviews. Architects of the Information Society: 35 Years of the Laboratory for Computer Science at MIT", Internet Research, Vol. 10 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/intr.2000.17210aaf.006
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2000, MCB UP Limited
Reviews. Architects of the Information Society: 35 Years of the Laboratory for Computer Science at MIT
Reviews
Architects of the Information Society: 35 Years of the Laboratory for Computer Science at MIT
Garfinkel, Simson (Abelson, Harold (Ed.))The MIT PressCambridge, MA72 pp.ISBN: 0-262-07196-7, $20Available: MIT Press, 5 Cambridge Centre, Cambridge, MA 02142-1493, USA. Tel: +1 800 356 0343 or +1 617 253 5646; Fax: +1 617 258 6779; E-mail: mitpress-orders@mit.edu
This book celebrates the first 35 years of one of the world's pre-eminent computing research organisations, and in three essays describes some of its most notable projects. They cover the development of time-sharing systems (the work which led to Multics and then UNIX), networking technology (featuring the creators of ARPAnet, Ethernet, X-Windows and Kerberos) and networked information (in particular the genesis of RSA security and the World Wide Web Consortium). A notable list of accomplishments indeed!
It is not a history as such, but Garfinkel has addressed his task well and through many interviews with the participants has managed to convey the breadth of the Laboratory's achievements and the impact that they have had on the global community.
The book itself is short (with only 72 brief pages) and strangely shaped (7 ½ in²) and very attractive in appearance. It could be seen as just an adornment for a small coffee table but the end result is something much more.
Kerry WebbProject Officer, Electronic Service DeliveryACT Department of Urban Services