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CD-ROMs with Books -- Worth Your While?
An anonymous submitter sends: "I'm working on a new book which would have the Open Source/Linux/BSD/etc community as its target audience, and the editors are very interested in having a CD-ROM included with it. I personally feel that a CD only adds a few bucks to the cost for negligible benefit, since the code is probably outdated by the time you get it. What are your thoughts? Do you get something out of having the code on CD, or would you rather have references in the book or online and download the software yourself? (And lest you wonder why I'm posting as AC, this is a serious question, not a PR attempt.)" I have several technical books with CD-ROMs. I've never used any of them. I'd rather the book have an accompanying website to provide code and errata. But maybe other people feel differently.
I would be willing to pay a good deal more if publishers would include a PDF of the book on the CD. While I know this is not going to happen, its the only reason a CD would have any real use.
Put the code on the website, most everyone has internet access. If you are concerned about those who do not, have a mail in offer for the CD and charge for the price of shipping & handling.
Well, ask yourself - are you targetting the savvy, internet experienced people with broadband, or are you targetting an introductory crowd?
When I was younger, I bought a Java book that came with a CD. In those days I didn't have high-speed internet, and (more importantly) I didn't really have much understanding of how to research things, or find out which packages were best for me.
I would recommend that if your book takes the attitude that your readers are experienced and savvy, a few words on locations to find the software would be much more valuable than the value-added-CD that comes in the back. But if you're targetting a crowd that perhaps isn't as comfortable navigating, finding out which versions of software to trust and rely on, then I would say definitely include your "Picks" for which software packages are trustworthy, up-to-date, et cetera.
Chances are, the advanced user wouldn't trust the CD, so code out-datedness wouldn't be as crucial, whereas the beginner would be satisfied not having bleeding-edge code.
These are just my opinions - I know that I typically no longer use CDs that come with the books I buy, but I also know that if I were a beginner (particularly modem-based) I would probably swear by them.
I find it immensly useful to have the text of the book on the CD that accompanies it.
Everything else I prefer to have on a website. Of course if the website ever becomes defunct and I go to look for it I'm not a happy camper.
Actually, if you believe in free software you should include it. 5 years from now the publisher may go bankrupt, you may be unavailable and the book may be useless without the code, which will be abandonware...
Secondly, I have a broadband connection, but I find I reach for the CD first because it's right there and it's easier/faster/etc.
Lastly, I have a book which doesn't include the source code on an media, but does include it online - the problem is that it doesn't include COMMENTS! The code printed in the book does have comments, so I can only assume they are trying to make the online code useful only to those that have the book - the reality being that it's almost less useful.
It adds a buck. It is useful for 10% of those who buy it, and it is a marketting gimmick. There really isn't a reason to not go with it.
But PLEASE include the text of the book on CD if you can manage it! PLEASE?!??!
-Adam