Product Description

Bit Literacy is essential reading for anyone who has experienced "digital overload": the daily flood of e-mail, multiple todo lists, a cluttered desktop, documents in various file formats, and the constant distraction of cell phones and other devices. More than a quick fix or another "how-to" guide, this book offers an entirely new way of attaining productivity that users at any level of expertise can put into action right away. This is "bit literacy," a method for working more productively in the digital age, with less stress. Mark Hurst - who has reached hundreds of thousands of readers through his Good Experience e-mail newsletter, Uncle Mark technology guides, thisisbroken.com, and other websites - has revealed the way to survive, and thrive, in the digital age: "Let the bits go."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17274 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

From the Back Cover
Praise for Bit Literacy

This is The Elements of Style for the digital age.
- Seth Godin, author, The Dip

Mark Hurst has written the indispensable guide to the digital era. Instead of a mere "how-to" guide, Hurst shows what's really going on when we struggle with e-mail and todo lists. For anyone who has ever used a computer, this will not just wildly increase their productivity (as it has for me!) - it'll also let their ideas fly.
- David Bodanis, author, E=mc2 and Passionate Minds

An informative and clear step-by-step guide on how to turn the ever-increasing avalanche of bits into a force that will propel your life and career.
- Tom Hughes, Chief Design Officer, Idealab

Mark Hurst is the smartest person thinking about ways technology can make our lives easier rather than harder. If you're willing to give up some of your useless bytes for true knowledge and crowded RAM for zen clarity, then get bit-literate today.
- Douglas Rushkoff, author, Get Back in the Box

A lot of people feel left out of the whole Internet and computer thing, but realize it could be really valuable for them. Bit Literacy provides the basic skills required for anyone to engage the wave of informational change.
- Craig Newmark, founder, craigslist.org

Most of us learned how to deal with digital technology in piecemeal fashion. We developed habits that served us well for a time. But for the modern digital age, almost all of our habits are bad. In Bit Literacy, Mark Hurst provides brief, no-nonsense, clear, and unbelievably helpful advice on how to replace those bad habits with good ones. Take his advice and instead of being tyrannized by the overload that comes at you daily, you'll be liberated.
- Barry Schwartz, author, The Paradox of Choice

The word 'empowerment' should be included in the subtitle of this book, as I believe reading it reduces the hypertension involved in our daily journey through the flotsam and jetsam of life. Bit Literacy helps make the complex clear.
- Richard Saul Wurman, author, Understanding USA

About the Author
Widely credited for popularizing "customer experience" online, Mark Hurst has worked since the birth of the Web to make Internet technology easier to use. Named one of the 1,000 most creative individuals in the U.S. by Richard Saul Wurman, and Netrepreneur of the Year by InfoWorld magazine, Hurst is a leading authority on making people more productive with technology. As the founder of Creative Good and Good Experience, and host of the renowned Gel conference (Good Experience Live), Hurst and his companies help organizations work more productively and create better customer experiences. Hurst holds bachelor's and master's degrees in computer science from MIT. He lives in New York City with his wife.

Customer Reviews

Great Book
Bit Literacy helped me realize how inefficient my relationship with email and digital media was. I am now much more efficient and timely in my responses to associates and customers and it has certainly made a difference in the bottom line. Great book!

From 1900 Emails to 0 in 1 Day!
I was so mesmerized by this book that I read it nearly cover to cover in the in-between times during a recent college reunion weekend. I had to table the recommendations until several months later, when I returned to work after a week's vacation abroad. Determined to put the ideas into practice, I performed "email induction" using the steps outlined and got my inbox from 1900 messages to 0 in just one day - the first day I returned to work from vacation.

Since then, I've heralded the book on my IM status message and have sung its praises to anyone who complains of being overwhelmed by the stresses of knowledge work. Apparently, I've made several disciples of Bit Literacy and a few are giving the book as Holiday presents to family and colleagues this year!

Get Bit Literacy now and become 100x more productive.

Quick Read - Great Advice
I felt like every page of this book was speaking to me - it articulated the struggles I have with managing my digital life, and then gave me real concrete steps on how to regain control. It's a quick read and is very worth it. Also worth checking out the companion website, [...].