how i learned to stop worrying and love pdf books

How I learned to stop worrying and love PDF

books.

Why go with a PDF book?

• PDF books can be purchased, downloaded, and put to use in minutes

• PDF books weigh zero pounds, zero ounces (good for the back)

• PDF books are keyword searchable!

• PDF books tend to be a few bucks cheaper than their paper counterparts

• PDF books can be updated by publishers and redistributed

• PDF books are printable

Beta books

• Reader gets advance access to cutting-edge content

• In return, reader contributes to the editing process by submitting errata

• Reader gets copy of final version when complete

• Great for building relationships with readers!

How beta books work: One example

The reader receives an e-mail when a new version of the beta book is available.

The reader logs into a virtual bookshelf of titles purchased from the publisher, and generates a new PDF.

In a few minutes, a new e-mail message arrives with a unique link to the reader’s copy of the PDF.

The updated PDF is now ready for reading! The PDF has the reader’s name embedded in it, to curtail would-be pirates.

Each page’s footer also includes a link to report errata.

The reader can report a problem in the text, or review problems reported by others.

Final thoughts:

• Probably not practical for any book

• Good for books with text to copy and paste, or with forms to print

• Advance access to cutting-edge material is good! (Just be sure to label it as such)

• I can carry an entire reference library on my laptop