Topic: Thank you, David Stein!

[BlackBox]

For those who may not know him, or of his work, David Stein is the author of a book titled The Visual LISP Developer's Bible... Perhaps you've heard of it?

I had the distinct pleasure of communicating with David earlier this year, after purchasing his newest book on the topic The Visual LISP Developer's Bible, 2011 Edition:



Only $7 at Amazon. <-- Shameless plug

Inspired by this thread, I'm starting this topic so that there's a place for people who either know David Stein, or those who may just be fans of his work, can come and say thanks. I've personally learned a lot from reading his books, and I wanted to give others an opportunity to say thanks as well.

Cheers! :beer:

[CAB]

Thanks for the info. I have the 2003 PDF version & it's a good reference.

I see the new version is Kindle only so you may need this Kindle for PC

[JohnK]

...
I see the new version is Kindle only so you may need this Kindle for PC

Or a Kindle?

Or you can do what I consider the right way...

http://calibre-ebook.com/
The Kindle uses the mobi format.
http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/MOBI

[Krushert]

Kindle Newbie Here asking question: 
If I buy and down load the book at home, how do I get it at work?  Basically can the file be transfered from PC to PC without any hassles?

[BlackBox]

I typically use the Kindle iPhone app at work, as IT will not authorize Kindle for PC being installed.

Ideally I wanted to purchase the PDF so that I can utilize the search functionality, etc. But the eReader version will have to suffice for the time being.

[BlackBox]

Kindle Newbie Here asking question: 
If I buy and down load the book at home, how do I get it at work?  Basically can the file be transfered from PC to PC without any hassles?

Actually, anything you purchase is abailable to you no matter what device you use... Even your notes, current page, etc are synced between my laptop at home, and my iPhone (for example).

[JohnK]

You cant convert it (is it DRMed)?

[JohnK]

Send Dave an email asking him if you can convert it. Dave is a super cool guy. Of course it goes without saying that you can't send out his hard work if he doesn't want you to.

[alanjt]

I've never converted a Kindle file, but I know you can easily convert epub files to pdf or txt.

[Krushert]

Kindle Newbie Here asking question: 
If I buy and down load the book at home, how do I get it at work?  Basically can the file be transfered from PC to PC without any hassles?

Actually, anything you purchase is abailable to you no matter what device you use... Even your notes, current page, etc are synced between my laptop at home, and my iPhone (for example).

I just want to move it or have a copy in two places.  Is this possible.

The reason is I typically make on-line purchases at home but if I have buy it at work, no biggie then.

[alanjt]

Kindle Newbie Here asking question: 
If I buy and down load the book at home, how do I get it at work?  Basically can the file be transfered from PC to PC without any hassles?

Actually, anything you purchase is abailable to you no matter what device you use... Even your notes, current page, etc are synced between my laptop at home, and my iPhone (for example).

I just want to move it or have a copy in two places.  Is this possible.

The reason is I typically make on-line purchases at home but if I have buy it at work, no biggie then.

I can't see why that would be a problem. Hell, the only thing stopping RM from posting the file is him - not that I'm requesting, just making a point.

[JohnK]

Krushert,
Yes.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=help_search_1-3?ie=UTF8&nodeId=200386160&qid=1315500725&sr=1-3

[JohnK]

Do NOT post that book! David is selling that book.

[alanjt]

Do NOT post that book!

not at all what I was implying.

[JohnK]

I've never converted a Kindle file, but I know you can easily convert epub files to pdf or txt.

That's because epub is kinda like HTML.

Ive been reading up on the AZW subject and it appears that with a Kindle book you get one of three different kinds.
1. no DRM
2. DRM #1
3. DRM #2

If its DRMed not convert it. Use the free Reader.

[JohnK]

Do NOT post that book!

not at all what I was implying.

k

[alanjt]

Good to know. I still haven't come to terms with buying a digital book. If I'm going to spent the money, I want something tangible. I'm not saying I won't ever warm up to the eReader, but not quite yet - I do read some *free* stuff on my phone/computer, but I just prefer paper.

[Matt__W]

I still have a buying a digital book.

And I has a grammar. 

[alanjt]

I still have a buying a digital book.

And I has a grammar. 

Wow, I left quite a bit out of that sentence.  :ugly:

[BlackBox]

Send Dave an email asking him if you can convert it. Dave is a super cool guy. Of course it goes without saying that you can't send out his hard work if he doesn't want you to.

Funny enough, that's exactly what I did... I submitted an albeit frustrated comment (something to the effect of "Where's the PDF!?"), to which he personally responded. I wasn't expecting a response at all, let alone one from Dave himself. LoL

To clarify, here's an excerpt from that conversation:

I can understand your frustration, but I can't convert it to other formats due to a variety of reasons. The biggest one being the license agreement with Amazon of which I'm bound to.
...
If I released a PDF it would allow unlicensed copies to spread and nobody would buy the book anymore.

Dave is super cool. Unfortunately though, getting a converted copy of the book is not possible (at this time). *kicks dirt*

Hopefully enough people purchase the eBook, so that the PDF, and/or hard copy versions can be made available in the near future.

[MP]

If I released a PDF it would allow unlicensed copies to spread and nobody would buy the book anymore.

An unfortunate myth amazon likes to float around. Various other publishers, like APress, InformIT, O'Reilly etc. don't share that philosophy / policy and ship PDFs. I have purchased many books in PDF form (some are branded at purchase time with my name, others are branding free). I've also tried Kindle eBooks, and sorry but, the Kindle format sucks hard -- I decided awhile ago I would not invest in any more kindle sh1t. Regardless, I wish David well and hope he makes some coin from his efforts.

[JohnK]

The mobi format sucks because its old and outdated. They've tried to update it (improve the compression, DRM, etc. when Amazon purchased it) but its just a major pain the butt for formatting. Especially when it comes to <pre> <tt> sections which reading anything for, or which has to do with, code...well you get my point (It truly is just bad). The mobi format is fine for regular books though; I mean, its been used for years for that so...

If you get a eReader I recommend the Sony. They read the ePub format, which is "open" to BTW, and is far better for code related reads.

Just for the record: eReaders are nothing like reading on the screen. I love my eReader (just wish i could have afforded the good one).

[alanjt]

Just for the record: eReaders are nothing like reading on the screen. I love my eReader (just wish i could have afforded the good one).

What did you go with?

[JohnK]

I have the Sony PRS600. However, I got mine for super-ninja-cheep. I wouldn't pay $200 (or whatever they are going for now). If I were to buy one agin I would try to get the prs950 or prs650 (It has a better screen--mine is a bit reflective).

Notes:
The 900 series is just bigger than the 600 series.
I also think that wifi would be kind of a joke. The OS on these things is about as powerful as a calculator.

[BlackBox]

I'm obviously in agreement with the failing(s) of the Amazon Kindle eBook scenario - that's why I originally voiced my frustration.

I refuse to get an eReader; if a book is not available in hard copy, or a digital file format compatible with my iPhone, iPad, or computers, I don't need the book.

Books I am reading for fun, I still prefer to be in hard copy, whereas reference books (like VLDB mentioned here) I prefer to be digital for the search functionality.

[cmwade77]

Kindle Newbie Here asking question: 
If I buy and down load the book at home, how do I get it at work?  Basically can the file be transfered from PC to PC without any hassles?

Actually, anything you purchase is abailable to you no matter what device you use... Even your notes, current page, etc are synced between my laptop at home, and my iPhone (for example).

I just want to move it or have a copy in two places.  Is this possible.

The reason is I typically make on-line purchases at home but if I have buy it at work, no biggie then.

With Kindle you can have it on any device that is associated with your account. For example my account is on my phone, my wife's phone, my kindle and both of our computers. So, I could put the book on all of those.

Ok, that had spelling errors in it, yikes!

[cmwade77]

I'm obviously in agreement with the failing(s) of the Amazon Kindle eBook scenario - that's why I originally voiced my frustration.

I refuse to get an eReader; if a book is not available in hard copy, or a digital file format compatible with my iPhone, iPad, or computers, I don't need the book.

Books I am reading for fun, I still prefer to be in hard copy, whereas reference books (like VLDB mentioned here) I prefer to be digital for the search functionality.

By the way, there is a free Kindle app for your iPhone/iPad and for your computer. You can read Kindle books on any of them.

[Kerry]

There is also this :

Kindle for PC is a free application that lets you read Kindle books on your Windows-based personal computer--no Kindle required

[BlackBox]

I'm obviously in agreement with the failing(s) of the Amazon Kindle eBook scenario - that's why I originally voiced my frustration.

I refuse to get an eReader; if a book is not available in hard copy, or a digital file format compatible with my iPhone, iPad, or computers, I don't need the book.

Books I am reading for fun, I still prefer to be in hard copy, whereas reference books (like VLDB mentioned here) I prefer to be digital for the search functionality.

By the way, there is a free Kindle app for your iPhone/iPad and for your computer. You can read Kindle books on any of them.

Yes thanks, those (Kindle for Mac, and Kindle for iPhone) are what I've been using since April 2011, when I purchased David's book.

[codered8x]

Thank  David Stein ! I am researching The Visual LISP Developer's Bible 2003, it make me feel so interesting.

[skatterbrainz]

I can't believe it's 2017 and I never saw this thread until now.  Holy cow!  I know it's a little late (ha ha), but thank you!!