Book Project: RKRM AmigaDOS: What is the demand?

Thomas Richter · 03 July 2024, 18:22

Hi folks,

the book project on the "ROM Kernel Reference Manual" on AmigaDOS curretly found here:

https://github.com/thorfdbg/rkrm-dos

is closely coming to an end. I have read the volume multiple times, fixed, added, corrected, and it seems to be in pretty good shape (nevertheless, there is still the chance to submit defect reports).

So it is about time to think about publication, on paper (old-school). To avoid creating a financial blind flight for a potential publisher, it would be great to have in advance an idea how many people would be actually interested in buying a copy.

This is not a preorder thread. I only want to assess the demand.

The price will depend on the demand, of course. If there is only little interest, there is always the option for "print on demand" where you order your copy at a printshop of your choice, of course at a higher price than going through a publisher. Nevertheless, please be honest and only check the options you are really interested in buying.

Thanks,
Thomas

paraj · 03 July 2024, 20:17

Thanks for your great work with this Thomas. I like the idea of having a hardcopy of your book, but realistically I already have physical copies of HRM and MC68000-060UM gathering dust and mold in the basement, and I reference those fairly regularly, but it always ends up being the digital versions.

Matt_H · 03 July 2024, 20:36

Even though I never learned to code, I still intend to someday and will enjoy a paperback hard copy to match my other RKMs.

P.S. - take a look at IngramSpark for print-on-demand with near-global distribution. Readers can then order a copy at (almost) any bookstore. It’s very inexpensive to set up.

Locutus · 04 July 2024, 09:34

Physical documentation for software development is a bit too 1980's in the wrong way, paper programming docs at this point feels more like a memorabilia then a useful thing.

jman · 04 July 2024, 10:34

I agree with the other comments that for practical purposes a digital version is better, but for preservation purposes the best medium is still paper, so I will support this effort buying a physical copy.

javierdlr · 04 July 2024, 11:41

@thomas
Hi, I'm interesting in "old fashioned" paper copy.

kamelito · 04 July 2024, 13:26

I posted this on X

jman · 04 July 2024, 14:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamelito

I posted this on X

Good idea!

If someone has the time, this could also be posted on other Amiga forums and news sites (like https://www.amiga-news.de)

malko · 04 July 2024, 14:16

@Thomas : I don't know which solution you had a look at already but bought some books with this site in the past. Maybe worth a look ?
https://www.lulu.com/

Krashan · 04 July 2024, 18:33

+1 for a paper copy.

View Poll Results: Format for the RKRM AmigaDOS Book
Thanks, I'm fine with the digital edition	10	37.04%
Paperback, paper size does not matter as long as it is cheap	2	7.41%
Paperback, US Letter fitting nicely to the original volumes	14	51.85%
Hardcover, high quality (if I pay, I want something serious)	8	29.63%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 27. You may not vote on this poll

03 July 2024, 18:22	#1
Thomas Richter Registered User Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Germany Posts: 3,330	Book Project: RKRM AmigaDOS: What is the demand? Hi folks, the book project on the "ROM Kernel Reference Manual" on AmigaDOS curretly found here: https://github.com/thorfdbg/rkrm-dos is closely coming to an end. I have read the volume multiple times, fixed, added, corrected, and it seems to be in pretty good shape (nevertheless, there is still the chance to submit defect reports). So it is about time to think about publication, on paper (old-school). To avoid creating a financial blind flight for a potential publisher, it would be great to have in advance an idea how many people would be actually interested in buying a copy. This is not a preorder thread. I only want to assess the demand. The price will depend on the demand, of course. If there is only little interest, there is always the option for "print on demand" where you order your copy at a printshop of your choice, of course at a higher price than going through a publisher. Nevertheless, please be honest and only check the options you are really interested in buying. Thanks, Thomas

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03 July 2024, 20:17	#2
paraj Registered User Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Denmark Posts: 1,232	Thanks for your great work with this Thomas. I like the idea of having a hardcopy of your book, but realistically I already have physical copies of HRM and MC68000-060UM gathering dust and mold in the basement, and I reference those fairly regularly, but it always ends up being the digital versions.

03 July 2024, 20:36	#3
Matt_H Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 952	Even though I never learned to code, I still intend to someday and will enjoy a paperback hard copy to match my other RKMs. P.S. - take a look at IngramSpark for print-on-demand with near-global distribution. Readers can then order a copy at (almost) any bookstore. It’s very inexpensive to set up.

04 July 2024, 09:34	#4
Locutus Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Finland Posts: 1,187	Physical documentation for software development is a bit too 1980's in the wrong way, paper programming docs at this point feels more like a memorabilia then a useful thing.

04 July 2024, 10:34	#5
jman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: . Posts: 385	I agree with the other comments that for practical purposes a digital version is better, but for preservation purposes the best medium is still paper, so I will support this effort buying a physical copy.

04 July 2024, 11:41	#6
javierdlr Registered User Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Donostia (GUIPUZCOA) Posts: 8	@thomas Hi, I'm interesting in "old fashioned" paper copy.

04 July 2024, 13:26	#7
kamelito Zone Friend Join Date: May 2006 Location: France Posts: 1,863	I posted this on X

04 July 2024, 14:16	#9
malko Ex nihilo nihil Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: CH Posts: 5,068	@Thomas : I don't know which solution you had a look at already but bought some books with this site in the past. Maybe worth a look ? https://www.lulu.com/

04 July 2024, 18:33	#10
Krashan Hardware Designer Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Bialystok/Poland Age: 51 Posts: 181	+1 for a paper copy.

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