3 ms·

I do agree that the current price seems a bit high, but there are significant changes from the first edition: http://twoscoopspress.com/pages/two-scoops-of-dja

by walkon 13y ago

I do agree that the current price seems a bit high, but there are significant changes from the first edition: http://twoscoopspress.com/pages/two-scoops-of-django-1-6-change-list http://twoscoopspress.com/pages/two-scoops-of-django-1-6-cha... In the comments of the announcement, PyDanny lists their reasons why they skipped an ebook format this time: - The print version of Two Scoops of Django 1.5 has been by far the most popular version of the book with readers, selling several times more than the e-books. In addition, the feedback we've gotten has been that technical books are generally better to have in print than as an ebook. - Creating and proofing each ebook format is not a trivial effort. It involves reformatting every code sample to work on every ebook reader, accounting for differences in screen contrast, accessibility testing, and proofreading the text and code samples several times on each device. Instead of spending our time struggling with reformatting, we're choosing to focus on improving the technical material. - Considering that we publicly offered a free electronic copy to those who requested it, seeing piracy of the electronic editions from the first day of sales has been disheartening. As indie authors, it hurts to see this happening. They can't produce a digital edition without extra cost and it would be frustrating to make that investment only to see people immediately circulating copies. Yes, they'll loose readers, but they've estimated that is an acceptable trade off at this time.

thatthatis 13y ago
So only release one ebook format - PDF seems universally supported.
jemeshsu 13y ago
If epub formatting is a problem, they can actually release a PDF version. They probably not realise that printed book also can be pirated. Someone will painstakingly scan the book into PDF.
- walkon 13y ago
  Good point on the PDF version, especially if Amazon allows PDF sales (instead a Kindle version). I am a bit surprised that pirating was a significant issue with the first book. Didn't they offer free or discounted versions if people requested they didn't have the money? If so, that might have gave people the impression that passing around copies wasn't a concern of the authors.
- thatthatis 13y ago
  I give it a week.
- epsylon 13y ago
  It's not even painstaking anymore, even with a cheap diy book scanner.
hysan 13y ago
Also note that they've chopped off all revenue from Asia and Australia since the book is unobtainable there. Whether or not that is a large sum of money (I'm one of their former customers) is probably something they've already taken into account using the 1.5 book sales. Still sad to see them not offer an e-book version.
- targusman 13y ago
  I follow the twoscoopspress twitter account and they're talking about going to printers in Australia. I think they are trying to make it happen, its in their FAQ...
- techdragon 13y ago
  You saved me even bothering to click the link. Thank you sir. Also... Im highly offended by their blatant disregard for the Asia Pacific Region.
  - hysan 13y ago
    Well they put a single sentence in another announcement page that said: > We're also exploring distribution in Australia, Asia, and South America. But considering how money seems to be the primary motivator behind not offering an e-book version, that pretty much means they will never get the print book to any of those regions (distributions to those areas will cost far more than creating the e-book due to demand risk and distributors). I've already emailed them yesterday with information on the major book outlets in Japan, but I have serious doubts I'll ever hear back. Non-English speaking regions in particular are almost guaranteed to never see this book because the distribution cost for a print book far outweighs the market demand.
e12e 13y ago
It's an interesting conclusion the authors have reached. As far as I can tell, they've made sure that they go from poor profit from e-book sales, to no profit, as the only e-book version that will be available (and it will, I'm quite certain) will be a non-sanctioned pdf of the scanned paper edition. Additionally, those that do download the copy, won't have any reasonable recourse to pay for the privilege -- if they want an e-book they're not very likely to want or need a paper edition as well. Additionally, I'm not sure how good one year (or is it two) old data for e-books are -- I know I didn't have a reasonable reading platform for e-books until mid-2013 (and therefore no need for e-books) -- now that I have one, I don't see any reason to put an additional burden on my shelves, the environment etc in purchasing paper books for all but the most exceptional of texts. As I only have a small e-reader -- I'd very much prefer a DRM free epub to a pdf -- but hopefully 2014[1] will be the year of a4(ish) e-ink readers -- in which case I will be more than happy to rid myself of most of my books. [1] http://www.cnet.com.au/sony-launching-13-3-inch-e-ink-pdf-reader-in-japan-339345907.htm http://www.cnet.com.au/sony-launching-13-3-inch-e-ink-pdf-re... http://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/the-best-large-screen-e-readers http://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/the-best-larg...

by walkon 13y ago

thatthatis 13y ago

So only release one ebook format - PDF seems universally supported.

jemeshsu 13y ago

If epub formatting is a problem, they can actually release a PDF version. They probably not realise that printed book also can be pirated. Someone will painstakingly scan the book into PDF.

walkon 13y ago
Good point on the PDF version, especially if Amazon allows PDF sales (instead a Kindle version). I am a bit surprised that pirating was a significant issue with the first book. Didn't they offer free or discounted versions if people requested they didn't have the money? If so, that might have gave people the impression that passing around copies wasn't a concern of the authors.
thatthatis 13y ago
I give it a week.
epsylon 13y ago
It's not even painstaking anymore, even with a cheap diy book scanner.

hysan 13y ago

Also note that they've chopped off all revenue from Asia and Australia since the book is unobtainable there. Whether or not that is a large sum of money (I'm one of their former customers) is probably something they've already taken into account using the 1.5 book sales. Still sad to see them not offer an e-book version.

targusman 13y ago
I follow the twoscoopspress twitter account and they're talking about going to printers in Australia. I think they are trying to make it happen, its in their FAQ...
techdragon 13y ago
You saved me even bothering to click the link. Thank you sir. Also... Im highly offended by their blatant disregard for the Asia Pacific Region.
- hysan 13y ago
  Well they put a single sentence in another announcement page that said: > We're also exploring distribution in Australia, Asia, and South America. But considering how money seems to be the primary motivator behind not offering an e-book version, that pretty much means they will never get the print book to any of those regions (distributions to those areas will cost far more than creating the e-book due to demand risk and distributors). I've already emailed them yesterday with information on the major book outlets in Japan, but I have serious doubts I'll ever hear back. Non-English speaking regions in particular are almost guaranteed to never see this book because the distribution cost for a print book far outweighs the market demand.

e12e 13y ago

It's an interesting conclusion the authors have reached. As far as I can tell, they've made sure that they go from poor profit from e-book sales, to no profit, as the only e-book version that will be available (and it will, I'm quite certain) will be a non-sanctioned pdf of the scanned paper edition. Additionally, those that do download the copy, won't have any reasonable recourse to pay for the privilege -- if they want an e-book they're not very likely to want or need a paper edition as well. Additionally, I'm not sure how good one year (or is it two) old data for e-books are -- I know I didn't have a reasonable reading platform for e-books until mid-2013 (and therefore no need for e-books) -- now that I have one, I don't see any reason to put an additional burden on my shelves, the environment etc in purchasing paper books for all but the most exceptional of texts. As I only have a small e-reader -- I'd very much prefer a DRM free epub to a pdf -- but hopefully 2014[1] will be the year of a4(ish) e-ink readers -- in which case I will be more than happy to rid myself of most of my books. [1] http://www.cnet.com.au/sony-launching-13-3-inch-e-ink-pdf-reader-in-japan-339345907.htm http://www.cnet.com.au/sony-launching-13-3-inch-e-ink-pdf-re... http://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/the-best-large-screen-e-readers http://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/the-best-larg...