Some specific recommendations from these authors, to give back a bit :)

A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge is a book I've read three times and consider essential reading for any sci-fi fans and in particular hackers -- it has space usenet! It's an epic space opera with an incredible setting and a gripping conflict on a galactic scale which many sci-fi novels promise but few deliver on. 

 A fire upon the deep is the best. If you like that you may like house of suns. 

 @jb55 I finished writing my recommendation of House of Suns just as your post came in :) 

 Haven’t tried revelation space… adding to my reading list. Started reading diaspora by greg egan to try something a bit different. 

 +1 for house of suns, this is one of my favorite books