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Imagine if he had made people sign up to his mailing list in exchange for the free download. Even if it reduced downloads by 50%, he would still have 168,000 pe

Imagine if he had made people sign up to his mailing list in exchange for the free download. Even if it reduced downloads by 50%, he would still have 168,000 people on his list that are actively looking for programming material. His next book that he's charging $1 for? 168,000 prospects to start the ball rolling. Or he could set up an auto responder and ask for donations a set amount of time after the download. Your mailing list is one of your most valuable assets! Don't ignore it :)

duopixel 16y ago
Programmers are a very different crowd, they will give you throwaway accounts to get past e-mail barriers. They will mark you as spam in Gmail, lowering your reputation. Don't push programmers stuff they don't want, let them reach you easily (RSS, twitter).
- bmelton 16y ago
  This isn't something they want? LPTHW is perhaps the best regarded intro to Python book I've heard tale of anywhere, and there's been 300k+ downloads of it in digital format. Also worth considering is that it's probably newer programmers downloading it at this point. I know when it was first released EVERYbody downloaded a copy, to see what was what, but now that's worn off, I suspect the demographic is more 'those who need it', and are less experienced.
- rch 16y ago
  Agreed. I was one of those downloads, but I wouldn't have handed over an email address for the privilege. One thing though... if I do opt-in for something, I wouldn't mark it as spam in a web mail client. That is strictly non-programmer behavior.
  - dpritchett 16y ago
    I'll mark your newsletter as spam in gmail if you don't provide an easy way for me to unsubscribe - preferably without having to remember my account info.
    - rch 16y ago
      Good point. I still might start with a friendly email though.
zedshaw 16y ago
I probably would just do that as more of a opt-in signup than a barrier. As much as your mouth waters at this, I'm more cognizant of how that short-term myopic goal undermines the long-term goal of universal education.

duopixel 16y ago

Programmers are a very different crowd, they will give you throwaway accounts to get past e-mail barriers. They will mark you as spam in Gmail, lowering your reputation. Don't push programmers stuff they don't want, let them reach you easily (RSS, twitter).

bmelton 16y ago
This isn't something they want? LPTHW is perhaps the best regarded intro to Python book I've heard tale of anywhere, and there's been 300k+ downloads of it in digital format. Also worth considering is that it's probably newer programmers downloading it at this point. I know when it was first released EVERYbody downloaded a copy, to see what was what, but now that's worn off, I suspect the demographic is more 'those who need it', and are less experienced.
rch 16y ago
Agreed. I was one of those downloads, but I wouldn't have handed over an email address for the privilege. One thing though... if I do opt-in for something, I wouldn't mark it as spam in a web mail client. That is strictly non-programmer behavior.
- dpritchett 16y ago
  I'll mark your newsletter as spam in gmail if you don't provide an easy way for me to unsubscribe - preferably without having to remember my account info.
  - rch 16y ago
    Good point. I still might start with a friendly email though.

zedshaw 16y ago

I probably would just do that as more of a opt-in signup than a barrier. As much as your mouth waters at this, I'm more cognizant of how that short-term myopic goal undermines the long-term goal of universal education.