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About Me

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Hello, I’m Cooper (Chinese name: 周悦秋, Zhou Yueqiu), a “novice” with 20 years of experience in the IT industry. This field evolves rapidly, with technologies constantly renewing themselves. What you learn today might become obsolete tomorrow; just when you think you’ve figured things out, a flood of new terms and concepts emerge. I’m learning every day, and my understanding is constantly refreshed. From this perspective, I’m not just a novice, but also a greenhorn.

My IT journey began when I graduated from middle school in 1998. That year, my family bought a computer with a Cyrix MII CPU and a green CRT monitor. Initially, it was for gaming - “The Legend of Sword and Fairy,” “Red Alert,” and “Dune 2000” consumed most of my free time. But as I played, I discovered that computers were more than just gaming machines—they could “perform magic.” Later, I became fascinated with software localization and published several small works on “Localization New Century.” I then became obsessed with cracking, breaking software protection mechanisms. The satisfaction of seeing a WinZip serial number lying quietly in memory remains unforgettable. During my time on the XiaoXue Forum, I wrote cracking tutorials and discussed technology with like-minded friends. Looking back, those nights of coding were simple and joyful.

My first job after graduation was as a network administrator, running around server rooms, connecting network cables, and fixing computers. Later, I moved to software testing and entered the world of software development under the guidance of department head Teacher Liu. For those three years, I was immersed in C and C++ (MFC), writing interfaces and debugging logic, coding at work and continuing at home. When the code ran successfully and the desired results appeared on screen, the satisfaction was indescribable. That was the most focused and happiest time of my career, which laid the foundation for my technical skills.

After that, my career resembled an RPG game, with many different “levels.” I worked in system maintenance for a telecom operator, where I first encountered large-scale servers and Linux, transitioning to become a systems engineer. My experience in operations at a gaming company showed me the passion of virtual worlds. Later, I joined an internet company, catching the wave of mobile internet.

In 2015, my colleagues and I started a business, creating a containerization platform—Rainbond. That zero-to-one experience taught me to make tough choices when resources are scarce and gave me my first taste of the satisfaction of creation. Now, I serve as the technical director at a well-known open-source project management software company in China—ZenTao Software, leading a team to refine products and finding balance between management and technology.

These 20 years have been a mix of sweet and bitter experiences. I’ve felt proud in success and lost in failure. But looking back, each experience was a puzzle piece that formed who I am today.

In life, who doesn’t face challenges? I’m no exception. In both life and work, perplexing problems constantly emerge. When facing these, I like to calm down, break the problem apart, and gradually clarify the situation. With time, most issues become clearer. But for some matters, relying solely on oneself isn’t enough, and external help is needed. My external help comes in two forms:

  1. Colleagues and Community Experts: When I first graduated, anyone around me seemed like an expert. As I gained experience, finding mentors became harder, so I took initiative to seek out experts in communities and attend offline events. Although these relationships might not be deep and meeting opportunities few, most people are willing to share their knowledge when sincerely asked.

  2. Leadership Perspective: Some believe leaders aren’t necessarily better than themselves, but I disagree. Those who reach such positions have exceptional qualities. Even if technically not superior, their elevated position, perspective, and access to information are beyond your reach. I often use a metaphor: “When a group of monkeys climb a tree, those at the bottom look up and see red bottoms above.” This means if you focus only on flaws, everyone has issues. But conversely, those “red-bottomed” monkeys climbed high for a reason—they must have skills worth learning. Focus on their strengths; what you can learn becomes yours, and ignore the rest.

More often, answers come from books. Books are condensed experiences of authors, crystallizations of wisdom. Even novels like “Life is an Ocean” offer glimpses into human complexity and life’s unpredictability. I also enjoy foreign classics like “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and “The Pyramid Principle,” which taught me to think more rationally and comprehensively. However, translation quality varies: good ones are refreshing, poor ones can be misleading and confusing. Fortunately, with the rise of large language models in recent years, I use them to assist with translation or even read the English originals directly, opening a door to a new world and achieving true “reading freedom.” Of course, if capable, I still recommend tackling the original versions, as their authentic impact is irreplaceable by translations.

I always believe: “The challenges I face have surely been encountered by others, and the answers already exist—I just haven’t found them yet.” This belief guides me forward like a lighthouse.

Thus, I created the public account: 91 Smart Reading — Seeking Wisdom Beyond Books.

Why “91”? Life is like a spiritual journey, with 100 being perfection, but we’re always on the path. 91 represents a state close to perfection yet still striving. Additionally, “91” sounds like “just want” in Chinese, symbolizing the pursuit of wisdom through reading and practice.

What will I share here?

  • Gains and Losses from 20 Years in the Industry: From network admin to technical director, the pitfalls I’ve encountered and rivers I’ve crossed, those lessons and insights might help you.
  • Large Models Unlocking Global Books: Using technology to break down classics, distilling wisdom, and sharing my thoughts after reading.
  • Moments of Enlightenment: Those experiences and reflections that suddenly brought clarity might brighten your day.

As an IT veteran, I hope to explore wisdom from multiple perspectives, not just technology. This public account isn’t just about reading notes; it’s a journey of growth I’m taking with all of you. Wisdom isn’t just in books; it’s embedded in every trial and breakthrough in life.

Follow “91 Smart Reading,” and join me in finding life insights from code, extracting wisdom from books, and discovering light through the cracks of technology.

The road ahead is long; would you like to join this journey of seeking wisdom? Let’s walk together and illuminate each other’s lives!

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