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Bit Literacy: Productivity in the Age of Information and E-mail Overload

Bit Literacy: Productivity in the Age of Information and E-mail Overload

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."

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Book Info

Authors: Mark Hurst
Binding: Hardcover; 192 pages
Publication Date: 3/28/09
Publisher: Good Experience Press
ISBN: 0979368103
Bookhuddle Average Rating: (4.5)
Amazon.com^® Average Rating: (4.5)

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Number of Reviews: 114, Amazon.com^® Average Rating:

(4.5)

(5) More than well worth the time

I first heard of Bit Literacy during a podcast interview with Mark Hurst over at Precision Change. I was intrigued, and decided to check out the book. So glad I did! Mark's concepts are simple, radical, incredibly useful and revolutionary. I am currently taking a year off of employment to write, so some of the concepts in the book are not directly applicable to my needs, but those were not the core concepts. Mark's revolutionary concept that bits have weight in terms of time, and emotional impact (stress levels caused by dealing with the ubiquitous suckers) was a huge breath of fresh air. Truly Bit Literacy is a guide to survival and sanity in the Information Age. Simple, straightforward, no nonsense, worth it.

I no longer dread my inbox.

(3) Fairly basic introduction to email / computer management

I thought this book was ok, but I suspect that anyone who reads Lifehacker on a regular basis, or is a GTD devotee, will find themselves finishing the book with few new practical tips. In fact, I flat out disagree with some of his advice. For example, the author recommends naming all files with the initials of the author first. To me, this significantly limits sorting abilities within a folder. I just don't get that.

The best news about this book is that it is extremely inexpensive on the Kindle. For that reason, I might recommend it to that audience. As well, I thought his writing in the first two chapters was superb (though I found it dropped off in quality later in the book).

(5) Ultimate Bits of Advice

Leonardo da Vinci said, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Bit Literacy provides simple methods for choosing to let bits go or for storing them wisely. Mark Hurst has mastered the art of teaching us his solutions. They are easy to understand and easy to implement. Emptying your inbox daily, managing follow-up items on time, and finding files quickly so you can do your work and enjoy your life; now that's the ultimate sophistication!