Comment by SCdF
7 years ago
Side note: I find it really weird that a book about software design released in this day and age has no plans for an ebook edition[1].
I've had this book on my radar since it came out, but no library near me is going to stock it, and I just don't have the space in my tiny apartment for books unless they are very important to me.
[1] https://twitter.com/JohnOusterhout/status/989581205799452672
I don't know why Ousterhout doesn't want to release an ebook version, but I do know that some authors refuse because of typography limitations in the mobi and epub formats and popular ebook readers.
On one hand it's annoying to not be able to buy something in the format you want, but on the other, it's nice to see people refuse to compromise on aspects they consider important.
I'd settle for a PDF then. No limitations whatsoever, and trivial to generate from whatever the author's toolchain is.
I suspect the reasons have nothing to do with typography or technology limitations, and are more related to a contract with the publisher.
In Australia I had to pay 50% over RRP because the only vendor is Amazon and .com.au is a mere shell of its American parentage - filled with profiteers reselling at huge margins. :(
Interlibrary loan is fairly cheap, and since this book is so small, the short lending term shouldn't be a problem.