Great things and people that I discovered, learned, read, met, etc. in 2017. No particular ordering is implied. Not everything is new. *also: see the lists from [2016](http://blog.fogus.me/2016/12/29/the-best-things-and-stuff-of-2016/), [2015](http://blog.fogus.me/2015/12/29/the-best-things-and-stuff-of-2015/), [2014](http://blog.fogus.me/2014/12/29/the-best-things-and-stuff-of-2014/), [2013](http://blog.fogus.me/2013/12/27/the-best-things-and-stuff-of-2013/), [2012](http://blog.fogus.me/2012/12/26/the-best-things-and-stuff-of-2012/), [2011](http://blog.fogus.me/2011/12/31/the-best-things-and-stuff-of-2011/) and [2010](http://blog.fogus.me/2010/12/30/the-best-things-in-2010/)* Great blog posts read --------------------- * *[What's next?](https://graydon2.dreamwidth.org/253769.html)* - *A wonderful post by Graydon Hoare where he explores what he sees as the direction that compiled languages will/should take in the coming years.* * *[Data Classes for Java](http://cr.openjdk.java.net/~briangoetz/amber/datum.html)* - *Brian Goetz runs through some design considerations for data classes in Java. The post highlights the stunning complexities around adding new features to Java. A very good example of a sorely-lacking genre of posting, namely design-thinking style posts.* * *[AlphaGo Zero: Learning from scratch](https://deepmind.com/blog/alphago-zero-learning-scratch/)* - *The AlphaGo program is generalized to a program that can teach itself game strategies and tactics through self-play.* * *[The languages which almost became CSS](http://blog.cloudflare.com/the-languages-which-almost-became-css/)* - *A fascinating look at some of the languages around at the birth of CSS that might've served the same purpose instead.* * *[Writing an OS in Rust](https://os.phil-opp.com/)* - *A nice introduction to OSDev in Rust. I've been further exploring [Redox OS](https://www.redox-os.org) also and have learned a lot about the Ruut/OSDev possibilities.* * *[The most beautiful program ever written](http://paperswelove.org/2017/video/will-byrd-most-beautiful-program/)* - *Will Byrd talks about the half-page LISP interpreter and its stunning beauty. Best talk of 2017 IMO. I found it inspirational even.* * *[The complete history of the IBM PC, pt. 1](https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/06/ibm-pc-history-part-1/)* - *A very detailed account of the birth of the IBM PC.* * *[An English Guide to Sanuki Udon](http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4502)* - *If you're a fan of Japanese food then this is a must read.* * *[Why Kotlin Is Better Than Whatever Dumb Language You're Using](https://steve-yegge.blogspot.co.nz/2017/05/why-kotlin-is-better-than-whatever-dumb.html)* - *Very typical Steve Yegge post with his normal wit mixed with his flavor of bombastic.* * *[Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Definitive Oral History of a TV Masterpiece](https://www.wired.com/2014/04/mst3k-oral-history/)* - *A history of the greatest television show ever created.* * *[How to see the future](http://www.warrenellis.com/?p=14314)* - *Warren Ellis talks about how to see the future, even when it's already occurred. Inspiring.* Most viewed blog posts by me ---------------------------- I've been scaling back on blogging the past two years and have tried something different instead - [Read-Eval-Print-λove](http://www.readevalprintlove.org). That said, there were a couple of high-traffic posts on my blog. * [Pascal at Apple](http://blog.fogus.me/2017/07/20/pascal-at-apple/) - *a post where I explored some of the history of the Pascal programming language through Apple's history. Some great authoritative commentary occurred. More exploration needed.* * [Computer Archeology: The Intelligent Machines Journal – Issue 1 Dec. 78](http://blog.fogus.me/2017/11/07/computer-archeology-the-intelligent-machines-journal-issue-1-dec-78/) - *I sometimes read old computing journals and try to reason about them from my present perspective. In this post I explored the first issue of the journal that would eventually become InfoWorld.* Favorite technical books discovered (and read) ---------------------------------------------- I've intentionally reduced the number of technical books that I consume, but there are a few that I "found" in 2017 that are stellar. * *[The Implementation of Prolog](https://www.amazon.com/Implementation-Prolog-Princeton-Legacy-Library/dp/069160939X/?tag=fogus-20)* by Patrice Boizumault - *I took some time to explore Prolog implementations in the first half of the year and this book was indispensable. It's a niche topic for sure, but if you're into it then few books match this gem.* * *[Beneath Apple ProDOS](https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Apple-ProDOS-Don-Worth/dp/0835904636/?tag=fogus-20)* - *Continuing my computing archaeology efforts I found this amazing book of old Apple ProDOS hacks.* * *[The Architecture Machine: Toward a More Human Environment](https://www.amazon.com/Architecture-Machine-Toward-Human-Environment/dp/0262640104/?tag=fogus-20)* - *For many of the early years of computing machines a main idea driving many in their efforts was the idea of using computers as mind amplification and augmentation. Negroponte's book explore this notion of augmentation with and eye towards human/computer partnership.* * *[Clause and Effect](https://www.amazon.com/Clause-Effect-Programming-Working-Programmer/dp/3540629718/?tag=fogus-20)* - *In my opinion this is the best introduction to Prolog that I've read so far.* * *[Show Stopper!: The Breakneck Race to Create Windows NT and the Next Generation at Microsoft](https://www.amazon.com/Show-Stopper-Breakneck-Generation-Microsoft/dp/0029356717/?tag=fogus-20)* - *In many ways it's the standard non-technical tech book with tales of overnight coding heroism, broken people, and broken families led by the now legendary (infamous?) Dave Cutler.* Favorite non-technical books read --------------------------------- * *[Finite and Infinite Games](https://www.amazon.com/Finite-Infinite-Games-James-Carse/dp/1476731713/?tag=fogus-20)* - *A game that masquerades about games but that's really about life. Fascinating read.* * *[Eichmann in Jerusalem](https://www.amazon.com/Eichmann-Jerusalem-Banality-Penguin-Classics/dp/0143039881/?tag=fogus-20)* - *Another triumph by Arendt and a perfect companion to [The Origins of Totalitarianism](https://www.amazon.com/Origins-Totalitarianism-Hannah-Arendt/dp/0156701537/?tag=fogus-20). An interesting read for these modern times.* * *[How Green Was My Valley](https://www.amazon.com/How-Green-Was-My-Valley/dp/0684825554/?tag=fogus-20)* - *This is a classic that somehow flew below my radar my entire life. The book describes the trials and times of a humble rural valley intersecting with industrial sensibilities.* * *[Babel-17](https://www.amazon.com/Babel-17-Empire-Star-Samuel-Delany/dp/0375706690/?tag=fogus-20)* - *A nice sci-fi find though it's one that I've put off reading for years. This plays in the same space as the recent film The Arrival, but does so along a slightly different vector.* * *[The Time Traveller's Wife](https://www.amazon.com/Time-Travelers-Wife-Audrey-Niffenegger/dp/1476764832/?tag=fogus-20)* - *A love story masquerading as a science fiction novel but one that tackles both with incredible feeling and thoughtfulness.* * *[The Lathe of Heaven](https://www.amazon.com/Lathe-Heaven-Ursula-K-Guin/dp/1416556966/?tag=fogus-20)* - *My favorite sci-fi discovery of the year about a man whose dreams shape reality and those who would take advantage of such power. Riveting!* ## Number of books published 0 ## Number of books written 1.05 - Wrote a pamphlet of card games that I sent out to friends and family and started on the 3rd edition of *[The Joy of Clojure](http://www.joyofclojure.com)* Favorite musicians discovered ----------------------------- * [Charles Bradley](?tag=fogus-20) - *Found Bradley while watching Luke Cage and have loved every note since.* * [Georgia Sea Island Singers](https://www.amazon.com/Southern-Journey-V-12-Spirituals/dp/B0012JEQBW/?tag=fogus-20) - *Great traditional spirituals. Hauntingly beautiful vocal textures abound.* Interesting tabletop games discovered