Once we feel like we've picked our book, let's decide on a date to start; 2 weeks from that date, one of us will just post a "STUDY HN:" post for the first chapter.
We can figure out the formalities, like, what do those threads look like, once we get started. :)
There are feature-y-er places to do it, but this place actually works.
It's hard to beat an elegant site like this that we're already registered for, but I'm having trouble visualizing matrices in this markup.
[ 1 0 0 ]
[ 0 1 0 ]
[ 0 0 1 ]
Can always link pictures to threads if ASCII gets too hard.
As for what book: "Linear Algebra and its Applications" by Strang does sound like a good fit for hackers. I was convinced by this review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R289C7K1TN2RO2/ref=cm_cr_pr_per.... Some cheaper copies are available on Abebooks.
There's a case to be made for the other Strang, but again - origins are magic, so unless there's a compelling negative I say we stick with tptacek's original inspiration.
Should we wait a week before starting so people can get their hands on the text?