If someone were to make an updated 500-some-odd page book detailing many features of BYOND, and walking the reader through the game creation process, would anybody buy it?
What would be a fair price for such a thing?
I'm so sick of waiting for the Blue Book to be updated for BYOND 4.0 would you guys be interested if a third party were to do this?
ID:183262
 Sep 5 2007, 1:38 pm
|
|
|
Sep 5 2007, 1:43 pm
|
|
Danial.Beta
 |
You are assuming the Blue Book will be updated. I wouldn't buy one, because I own a signed copy of the old Blue Book. Honestly, the BYOND F1 help menu mixed with a few tutorials should be plenty of knowledge for anyone.
|
True, but a lot of people would prefer to have a hard-copy guide as well. While, yes, I myself own a Blue Book, I'd still like to have a more recent production out there, so that we can draw in new users who want to learn, help teach those who have not yet learned how to program, and help give the basic members a leg up.
Hell, I'd publish it myself if need be. I've already got like, 50 pages written of a long set of tutorials I need to update, and I'm certain if I look into the more advanced phases of BYOND game creation, community management, proper administration, etc. I could come up with another 400+ pages. =/ | |
Agreed. Besides that, don't you think it would be more likely to convince schools to allow DM to be put in the curricula for the programming classes if there was an issuable textbook?
| |
I've actually spoken with representatives from the Kansas School district about replacing their current use of Alice to teach introductory programming. A lot of people have been interested in using BYOND educationally. I'd like to make a textbook as well, but I can't see the merit in purchasing a 9x11" full color hardback book with the production cost at $70 per volume. Now, if the school district wanted to purchase them from me at let's say, $100 per volume, I'd be more than willing to go into that deal...
I couldn't imagine the nightmare of actually writing a full textbook, though. It'd be so time consuming. | |
The Blue Book is already a text book as it is. All it really needs is some "Review Exercises" at the end of each chapter.
| |
Jamesburrow wrote:
The Blue Book is already a text book as it is. All it really needs is some "Review Exercises" at the end of each chapter. And updates for 4.0 will be needed. | |
Agreed; Though a lot of the 4.0 features are still up in the air, by the time I finish writing a book about them, they will be done, and I'll have to rewrite major portions of the book...
=/ I'm serious about this guys. BTW: TheDreamer is my alternate key, I didn't realize I was logged in as him when I made this post. He's just my front for this book writing project. | |
Ter13 wrote:
by the time I finish writing a book about them, they will be done, and I'll have to rewrite major portions of the book... I think it'd be best to leave the book writing to the people who officially know what they're talking about. It wouldn't be any good to have an "official" textbook with misinformation because the writer wasn't entirely certain about a thing or two. | |
Thing is alot of people can't stand to look at a computer screen all day, so reading things for a long time is very stressful. A blue book for 4.0 would be very nice.
| |
Signaki Corp wrote:
Thing is alot of people can't stand to look at a computer screen all day, so reading things for a long time is very stressful. A blue book for 4.0 would be very nice. That's what printers are for. | |
Waste of ink if you ask me -_-, im not going to print 500 pages or so just to have to replace my ink cart's. I rather just buy a blue book.
Thats nice and neat | |
Which is why I'd be asking people with whom I have been working with for the last six years. People like you, and Lummox, and Gughunter, and Mike H, who have all helped me in some way since I arrived at BYOND.
| |
Signaki Corp wrote:
Thats nice and neatAnd cheaper. IDK about you, but ink cartridges here are close to $50 a piece. I'd probly use about 2.5 worths of ink, so thatd be $125, basically. So.... $125 for one you print out yourself (plus paper costs) or $10 (the price Tom gave at [link]) Very tough decision. P.S. Yes, I realize an updated blue book would likely cost more than $10, but I cant see it costing too much more. $25-$35 at the most. | |
Not really. The blue book only teaches beginner topics, and maybe like one intermediate topic. A text book should be well-rounded have many beginner topics (syntax), many intermediate topics (general programming), and at least a few advanced topics (features of the language and getting the most out of the language).
I wouldn't buy it as I have no need for one, but there is a need for a better DM book/e-book. I would have done it myself, but I am not very good at creative writing. | |
Luckily for me, I just got my Mom to print it for free at her job..And now I have my own
| |
I can't agree more. It's really nice to have a hard-copy of documentation that you can access at any time rather than having to be at a computer to access. It's a lot less painful because I find that turning pages are a lot less of a hassle than switching windows all of the time. I also tend to just skim over things on the computer where I would take my time to read and analyze the text of books.
| |