There are hyperlinks (cross references), keyword search (indexes) and you can use those little sticky paper tabs to bookmark the references as you are working.
I think people are lazy or have forgotten how to use books.
Yes, absolutely yes, I prefer paper.
I can have half a dozen datasheets/books whatever open in front of me, I appreciate the searchable PDF versions etc. but paper still has more utility when it comes to data or textbooks.
If I'm reading fiction or something that stands alone then Kindle every time.
That's actually a good point. Anything you read linearly (fiction etc) works fine on the computer (or ebook reader). Jumping around, paper!
That's actually a good point. Anything you read linearly (fiction etc) works fine on the computer (or ebook reader). Jumping around, paper!
I'm the opposite -- linear reading works fine on paper, but if I need to follow references or search for something, I want an electronic medium. Google is a hell of a lot better at indexing a document than any living editor I have found. You cannot "control-F" a book.
So, that's my biggest want: a Google-indexed document that can also be read off-line on a tablet.
That said, I have a fetish for hard-bound books. And keep AoE3 within ready reach in my office.
Paper first, please. Preferably on the Tyvek fiber based paper the US Navy supposedly uses for Reactor Manuals... You can get it wet and still read it. That way the book will outlive me.
Then maybe PDF for all four texts...
I own all editions to date.
Don't believe me,,? Well:
https://www.workman.com/brands/indestructiblesSteve
Art of Electronics Going Digital
...
How valuable would an enriched digital edition be for you?
...
David Tranah
Cambridge University Press
aoegrand@cambridge.org
Not at all. I've been through too many "Textbooks" that lose "Enriched content" after one use, or when the enrichment company decides to "Upgrade". A companion App would be quickly useless and forgotten about. Further, The enriched content of Cambridge University Press has a different interface than the other enriched content, which is different than the next one and so on. A dead-tree with ink doesn't change interface that I need to re-learn how to use, or have hidden objects that only reveal themselves when accessed via a particular (5+deep?) series of clicks.
If I'm going to buy a book, I want to BUY the book so I can keep on my shelf for reference for years and I can pass on the knowledge to whoever want to read it.
Have you seen "The Art of Computer Programming" by Knuth? It's a series of Tomes, which I am glad to pay $100 each for, because they are great. If AoE is the same standard as it has been, I'll gladly pay a pretty penny for it.
Jeb
Dead tree version as physical heirloom to worship at on the altar. PDF for actual use and errata correction.
I'd say no matter what will be the final decision, it's totally worth making a plain old pdf. It's zero efforts to produce (not sure how much it takes to publish, drm considerations, etc), so go for it.
Ideally, I would like to have a pdf of every book I buy. I can even pay bit extra (but not too much as for me I'm not buying a book or a file, I'm buying content, which is the same not matter what media).
That's actually a good point. Anything you read linearly (fiction etc) works fine on the computer (or ebook reader). Jumping around, paper!
I'm the opposite -- linear reading works fine on paper, but if I need to follow references or search for something, I want an electronic medium. Google is a hell of a lot better at indexing a document than any living editor I have found. You cannot "control-F" a book.
So, that's my biggest want: a Google-indexed document that can also be read off-line on a tablet.
That said, I have a fetish for hard-bound books. And keep AoE3 within ready reach in my office.
And CTRL-F works beautifully if you're only reading one document, definitely useful, I agree.
However, if you've half a dozen documents I find it becomes way more tricky to cross reference and flip between/compare unless you have a screen large enough to display them side by side or a screen for each document.
As for dead tree fiction, yeah, I do like my books and some I only ever read on paper (Marvin Minsky, The Turing Option for one, all the Pratchett books), but I find my Kindle Paperwhite has become my go to on most occasions, if a book really grabs me then it might make it onto my bookshelf in physical form too.
It is the 21st century. Do we still favor smears of black stuff on beaten mats of tree fiber?
Yes!
To AoE Grand: A PDF would be great as long as it doesn’t delay the print version. Also, the only feature I want in a PDF is links from the ToC and index to the contents.
However, if you've half a dozen documents I find it becomes way more tricky to cross reference and flip between/compare unless you have a screen large enough to display them side by side or a screen for each document.
I think paper books is much worse in this regard because the reader:
1) Cannot open same book twice (or more time)
2) Cannot open all the books where they were open last time
3) Cannot easily free working space by hiding unused windows in the tray/another desktop.
4) Cannot copy-paste and easily exchange data from the book (arguable as everyone has a smartphone with a camera)
Not sure what "X grand" version is. However I would like a searchable PDF of AoE 3rd. I already have the book and workbook. I prefer paper for reading and skimming looking up a section,examples
, but searching for a specific term or example..PDF hands down.
However, if you've half a dozen documents I find it becomes way more tricky to cross reference and flip between/compare unless you have a screen large enough to display them side by side or a screen for each document.
I think paper books is much worse in this regard because the reader:
1) Cannot open same book twice (or more time)
2) Cannot open all the books where they were open last time
3) Cannot easily free working space by hiding unused windows in the tray/another desktop.
4) Cannot copy-paste and easily exchange data from the book (arguable as everyone has a smartphone with a camera)
1 is rarely necessary IME but see point 2 which makes it very easy to flip between places in a book.
Bookmarks or postit note page markers make 2 simple.
3, I shuffle documents so I can stack them up, spread them out, pin them to the wall, it's rarely a problem unless I'm working on an A3 or A2 printed schematic, which would be similarly difficult to read on screen IMO.
4 is a good point but not a problem as most 'multiple' documents I use are electronic format, I print out the necesary bits so I can shuffle them, if I need to copy n paste then I open the elctronic version but I don't think I've ever needed to copy and paste from AoE.
It's personal preference, mine is for printed material because it works for me, other people prefer documents on a screen, I'm unlikely to change unless I can suddenly find and afford to buy multiple 23" or larger displays that are as nice to read from as the one on my Kindle Paperwhite and also work as well as my 23" TFT monitor for video, graphics etc.
It's personal preference
Yep, let's agree on that, and also admit that both paper- and pdf-version totally make sense to co-exists. And also pdf-version is so low effort to produce
. Although, last statement can be wrong due to bureaucracy/copyright/protection issues.
It's personal preference
Yep, let's agree on that, and also admit that both paper- and pdf-version totally make sense to co-exists. And also pdf-version is so low effort to produce . Although, last statement can be wrong due to bureaucracy/copyright/protection issues.
Absolutely, PDF versons should exist and they're trivial to produce for any text that's been 'typeset' in an electronic format.