Absolutely not - the primary thesis of that book still applies - which is SOLVE A PROBLEM. And don't solve a problem for ANYONE, just SOMEONE. Establish your beach head with a small, niche market, and then expand. I think that ties nicely into the long tail, don't you?
Yeah, I'd add The Search and maybe How Buildings Learn. Tufte's latest could definitely go on there. And then maybe you should include the Flannery O'Connor collection or something, just so someone might accidentally get some culture.
That's not what I remember Crossing the Chasm to be about. I thought it was about when you reach a certain size, as a company, you need to shift into a different way of working in order to get across that chasm where so many companies fall apart.
Anyway, I don't even know what Web 2.0 is. I'm just a mobile software guy. I'm just a caveman who doesn't understand your Web 2.0 speak. :-)
Good list Byrne, but currently mostly for marketers. On the marketing front, I would include Seth Godin's All Marketers are Liars. I think Seth should have called this book All Marketers Are Storytellers, but then he sells half as many copies (why he is Seth and I am not). I would also include Story by McKee. This will seem like a strange choice on its surface since this book is about script writing, but read it and see if you don't think it is also about web design. Finally, I would throw in some open up the platform books like Head Rush Ajax, Ajax Design Patterns,
and Ajax
HacksGoogle Maps Hacks and Flickr Hacks. I cribbed these from this list from Tim . Good post I am heading to B
I cribbed these from this list from Tim . Good post I am heading to B&N now. Thanks and thanks to all comment people. Got good ideas there too.
BTW, I agree Crossing is relevant to 2.0 because it is about the creation of a virus. The fact that back in the day it took 2x as long to create the virus doesn't mean the mechanics of it are all that different. Speed is the issue not mechanics. Mechanics are very much the same, tools are different.
I understand why 2.0 seems like BS. It is just a name for laying the platform out and letting the power of the network take it where it is going to go anyway just not as fast if you don't read these books (lol). Stop by Scenttrail, my blog, if you want to discuss further. Byrne, I subscribed to your blog and look forward to reading your next riff, it is always about the next riff. This one was a good idea. Quick funny story. I walk up to the information counter and B&N the other day and asked if they could suggest Web 2.0 books. Not so much as it turned out. When will B&N learn to put computers in with Google so we can search and then buy I wonder?
Comments
I think I read Crossing the Chasm about 15 years ago. Doesn't that kind of take it out of the running for a Web 2.0 book? :-)
Absolutely not - the primary thesis of that book still applies - which is SOLVE A PROBLEM. And don't solve a problem for ANYONE, just SOMEONE. Establish your beach head with a small, niche market, and then expand. I think that ties nicely into the long tail, don't you?
These are all business/culture books. Is Freakonomics really “Web 2.0?”
How about Don't Make Me Think, Mind Hacks, or the Apple Human Interface Guidelines?
Wouldn't you add Batelle's Google book?
Yeah, I'd add The Search and maybe How Buildings Learn. Tufte's latest could definitely go on there. And then maybe you should include the Flannery O'Connor collection or something, just so someone might accidentally get some culture.
So what do you think... is Crossing the Chasm relevant or antiquated?
Does anyone have an opinion on Getting Real?
Where is Smart Mobs? Where is Linked?! :)
Crossing the Chasm should definitely stay on the list. It is still a very relevant handbook for any technology company just starting out.
I would include The World Is Flat, no? Web 2.0 is all about the flattening of the playing/entry field.
That's not what I remember Crossing the Chasm to be about. I thought it was about when you reach a certain size, as a company, you need to shift into a different way of working in order to get across that chasm where so many companies fall apart.
Anyway, I don't even know what Web 2.0 is. I'm just a mobile software guy. I'm just a caveman who doesn't understand your Web 2.0 speak. :-)
What Mark said.
Aren't these really "Yuppie/Business-Hipster" books?
Or "Jon Stewart's Book Club"?
isn't web 2.0 just shorthand for business-hipster?
It is to many. How much is business-hipster Web 2.0 connected to the “Web 2.0” design and technology phenomena, except in their coincidence?
this question is too difficult for me to respond to. answer unclear, try again later.
Kevin Kelly - Out of Control: The New Biology of Machines, Social Systems, and the Economic World, pre-dated and predicted web 2.0.
Anil, you're totally right. I was making a false distinction between Web 2.0 and business-hipster that just isn't there.
Also I was neglecting the shortitude of "Web 2.0." I'm in favor of shortcuts.
BTW, I agree Crossing is relevant to 2.0 because it is about the creation of a virus. The fact that back in the day it took 2x as long to create the virus doesn't mean the mechanics of it are all that different. Speed is the issue not mechanics. Mechanics are very much the same, tools are different.
I understand why 2.0 seems like BS. It is just a name for laying the platform out and letting the power of the network take it where it is going to go anyway just not as fast if you don't read these books (lol). Stop by Scenttrail, my blog, if you want to discuss further. Byrne, I subscribed to your blog and look forward to reading your next riff, it is always about the next riff. This one was a good idea. Quick funny story. I walk up to the information counter and B&N the other day and asked if they could suggest Web 2.0 books. Not so much as it turned out. When will B&N learn to put computers in with Google so we can search and then buy I wonder?