Technical Books aren't worthwhile on the Kindle

Nate the great · 03-04-2009, 10:39 PM

I'm in the process of getting another certification. One particular review guide was highly recommended, so I looked on Amazon to see how much it cost.

I immediately noticed that the title was available as a Kindle Edition for about $4 less than paper. Given the convenience of the Kindle, I decided to go with the Kindle Edition.

As soon as I bought it I opened it to the index, and paged through it. The ebook has all the sections of the paper book including a description of what was included on the CD. I didn't expect to get the CD, of course. But I thought it was rather funny that the CD contained not just practice tests. It also held a PDF copy of the review guide.

This is for publishers to ask themselves: What is the point of buying a Kindle Edition when I can get paper+PDF for $4 more?

stevenmoy · 03-04-2009, 10:44 PM

Instant gratification. =D

Nate the great · 03-04-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevenmoy

Instant gratification. =D

That is important for some things, yes. But how often have you needed to get a technical manual this immediate second and not been able to borrow a copy from someone in the office?

meglet · 03-05-2009, 12:16 AM

Because the PDF looks like crap when converted to Kindle?

As an example, my SQL MC-whatever certification guide is horrible to read on Kindle because there are so many tables, and I have not found a way to convert the PDF while keeping the tables readable yet.

KewlKid38 · 03-05-2009, 12:30 AM

The Techincal Manual with the paper and PDF version is the reason I'm getting into having an ebook reader. I've found that the paper editions are to much to carry around with me. I've found it easier to have an ebook as a reference if it's on the computer. I've loaded my work PC and My personal laptop that I do software development on with PDF copies of the books. I imagine that the ebook reader is easier to carry with me to work and home and I can read and take notes in the books and take up less real eastate then the PDF reader on the pc.

Donnageddon · 03-05-2009, 01:01 AM

Welcome KewlKid!

Ervserver · 03-05-2009, 01:14 AM

So you can help Bezos reach his retirement goal

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate the great

.........

This is for publishers to ask themselves: What is the point of buying a Kindle Edition when I can get paper+PDF for $4 more?

unrequited · 03-05-2009, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meglet

Because the PDF looks like crap when converted to Kindle?

I would beg to differ... still though, no PDF searching, but the quality issue isn't one anymore:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...486#post375486

Read the rest of the thread for the work that others have been doing for PDF-->Kindle conversion too, this was just my first attempt and I'm very happy with the results:

Wario · 03-05-2009, 04:18 AM

I don't really read any of these technical books. But wouldn't the new netbooks that are out be better then a ebook reader.

Spectrum · 03-05-2009, 07:21 AM

Does anybody read tech books from beginning to end? I read only sections of interest to me mostly on computer screens.

daffy4u · 03-05-2009, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate the great

I'm in the process of getting another certification. One particular review guide was highly recommended, so I looked on Amazon to see how much it cost.

I immediately noticed that the title was available as a Kindle Edition for about $4 less than paper. Given the convenience of the Kindle, I decided to go with the Kindle Edition.

As soon as I bought it I opened it to the index, and paged through it. The ebook has all the sections of the paper book including a description of what was included on the CD. I didn't expect to get the CD, of course. But I thought it was rather funny that the CD contained not just practice tests. It also held a PDF copy of the review guide.

This is for publishers to ask themselves: What is the point of buying a Kindle Edition when I can get paper+PDF for $4 more?

Did you try this book on K1 or K2? I know you reviewed a K2 but I don't know if you purchased it.

Nate the great · 03-05-2009, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

Did you try this book on K1 or K2? I know you reviewed a K2 but I don't know if you purchased it.

I still only have the original Kindle.

daffy4u · 03-05-2009, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate the great

I still only have the original Kindle.

I just downloaded a sample of the book. I'm not a programmer but it looked good to me. I was able to zoom a chart and read it. And of course, my font size is bumped up.

Not sure why paper plus PDF would be better unless, you feel you need to flip pages back and forth often.

It's a big book. Save your back (unless you need it as part of your weight lifting workout).

Nate the great · 03-05-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

I just downloaded a sample of the book. I'm not a programmer but it looked good to me. I was able to zoom a chart and read it. And of course, my font size is bumped up.

Not sure why paper plus PDF would be better unless, you feel you need to flip pages back and forth often.

It's a big book. Save your back (unless you need it as part of your weight lifting workout).

Perhaps I phrased that wrong. I should have said book+PDF+CD. The combination of the 3 is better than just the Kindle Edition.

I prefer the paper book to the Kindle because the Kindle's screen doesn't show enough text, nor does it turn the page fast enough.

And the weight of the paper copy doesn't really matter because I can carry the PDF instead.

Daithi · 03-05-2009, 10:03 AM

I know where you're coming from Nate. I'd prefer to have all my books on the Kindle, but in my experience the Kindle just doesn't have a big enough screen to handle a lot of textbooks and technical manuals. Plus, you lose items like the CD and those practice tests are a pretty big thing to lose. My hope is that the rumored K3 will address the screen size issue, and maybe publishers can provide a website (password protected?) that will provide the practice tests and other material. It didn't sound like you were looking for any answers, but just wanted to vent some frustration. I just wanted to say, I hear you.

03-04-2009, 10:39 PM	#1
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	Technical Books aren't worthwhile on the Kindle I'm in the process of getting another certification. One particular review guide was highly recommended, so I looked on Amazon to see how much it cost. I immediately noticed that the title was available as a Kindle Edition for about $4 less than paper. Given the convenience of the Kindle, I decided to go with the Kindle Edition. As soon as I bought it I opened it to the index, and paged through it. The ebook has all the sections of the paper book including a description of what was included on the CD. I didn't expect to get the CD, of course. But I thought it was rather funny that the CD contained not just practice tests. It also held a PDF copy of the review guide. This is for publishers to ask themselves: What is the point of buying a Kindle Edition when I can get paper+PDF for $4 more?

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03-04-2009, 10:44 PM	#2
stevenmoy Zealot Posts: 133 Karma: 348 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Kindle 2	Instant gratification. =D

03-05-2009, 12:16 AM	#4
meglet Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 204 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Seattle Device: Kindle 2	Because the PDF looks like crap when converted to Kindle? As an example, my SQL MC-whatever certification guide is horrible to read on Kindle because there are so many tables, and I have not found a way to convert the PDF while keeping the tables readable yet.

03-05-2009, 12:30 AM	#5
KewlKid38 Member Posts: 16 Karma: 20 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: iRex iliad	The Techincal Manual with the paper and PDF version is the reason I'm getting into having an ebook reader. I've found that the paper editions are to much to carry around with me. I've found it easier to have an ebook as a reference if it's on the computer. I've loaded my work PC and My personal laptop that I do software development on with PDF copies of the books. I imagine that the ebook reader is easier to carry with me to work and home and I can read and take notes in the books and take up less real eastate then the PDF reader on the pc.

03-05-2009, 01:01 AM	#6
Donnageddon Now you lishen here... Posts: 2,494 Karma: 479498 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle-ish Device: Sony PRS-650. Kobo Touch, Kindle Fire	Welcome KewlKid!

03-05-2009, 04:18 AM	#9
Wario Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 11 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: UK Device: Sony PRS-505	I don't really read any of these technical books. But wouldn't the new netbooks that are out be better then a ebook reader.

03-05-2009, 07:21 AM	#10
Spectrum Zealot Posts: 126 Karma: 570 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: iPad 1 and iPad 4, KF HD 8.9"	Does anybody read tech books from beginning to end? I read only sections of interest to me mostly on computer screens.

03-05-2009, 10:03 AM	#15
Daithi Publishers are evil! Posts: 2,418 Karma: 36205264 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rhode Island Device: Various Kindles	I know where you're coming from Nate. I'd prefer to have all my books on the Kindle, but in my experience the Kindle just doesn't have a big enough screen to handle a lot of textbooks and technical manuals. Plus, you lose items like the CD and those practice tests are a pretty big thing to lose. My hope is that the rumored K3 will address the screen size issue, and maybe publishers can provide a website (password protected?) that will provide the practice tests and other material. It didn't sound like you were looking for any answers, but just wanted to vent some frustration. I just wanted to say, I hear you.