Usborne computer and coding books from the 1980s
Report a link problem
The originally submitted URL now redirects to the address above. Updating the destination does not change the item’s HN history, Hall membership, or rank.
Submission timeline
2007–2026One slot for every year since HN launched. Height is that year's peak points; orange marks a 100+ point or 50+ comment breakout. Select a bar to open its strongest thread.
First comments on top threads
HN comment orderThese 1980s computer books are great and have been discussed in past HN threads. The most striking about these books: they are more readable and enjoyable than many programming and computing books published for adults today. The books use illustrations extensively to explain concepts, and the layouts are varied and lively to keep readers attentive. (Compare to the stranglehold of markdown for any technical documentation). Not only are these Usborne books well-written with clear, concise explanations, they are also…
The "Practice your BASIC" book was in my school library, and in the spring of 1989, I was able to take said book to the computer room at lunch breaks and for a donation of 40p to charity (Cafod, it was a Catholic school), I could do what I wanted on the computers. I learned to code. Most of the other kids played games. That book started a remarkable journey. By 1996 I was at University studying Software Engineering, already…
I started out programming with BASIC. After later using C for years, and thinking about developing D, I realized I longed for the easy string handling that BASIC did. D was going to have simple string handling, dang it! And it does. Thank you, BASIC!
The first top-level comment from each of the four biggest threads, in HN’s own order. Excerpts are shortened; open a comment for full context.
- Breakout years
- 3
- Total points
- 510
- Total comments
- 195
100+ points or 50+ comments
reference only — not used in Hall rules or ranking
reference only — not used in Hall rules or ranking
Every submission
| Date | Title as submitted | By | Points | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-03-05 | Free downloads of the 80s Usborne Programming Books | nvader | 2 | 0 |
| 2022-01-08 | Usborne 1980s Computer Books Available as Free PDFs | sanketpatrikar | 13 | 0 |
| 2022-07-23 | Usborne computer and coding books from the 1980sFirst breakout · Best thread | rwmj | 188 | 98 |
| 2024-02-11 | Usborne 1980s Computer Books | ustad | 120 | 37 |
| 2026-05-24 | Usborne 1980s Computer BooksLatest 20+ point return | ngram | 187 | 60 |