[Steve]

I am interested in fnding a SF book I read 10-15 years ago, by a name author. The book's premise was that the computer became commercialized perhaps two centuries earlier, with steam powering it. The location was The Republic of Texas. I loaned it out - never to see it again, and now I want to reread it. Thanks

[fourwalker]

I know William Gibson and some other guy, wrote a story with that premise, I think it was called "The Difference Engine".

[This message has been edited by fourwalker (edited July 12, 2000).]

[Black Echo]

Kind of late on this thread, but...

http://aikakone.org/kolahtaneet/kannet/dengine.jpg

Is *this* the book you were looking for. I have it in my WG collection but haven't read it yet... You can still find them pretty easy in used book stores.

[Ntschotschi]

The story reminds me of "A canticle for Leibowitz" by Walter M. Miller(or its follow up) Wasn't there a Republic of Texas?

[PENTIAK]

"some other guy?"
Bruce Sterling.
He's got a book floating around the web called "Hacker's Crackdown." A non-fictional tale which, is suprisingly fictional in so far as it's hard to believe. I recommended it as it's really interesting, well written, with good backround, highly informative.
Having sed that I ain't read Diff Engine yet, which is annoying as I've read most Gibson? Somebody start talking Gibson. He's the main man.