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Show HN: A coloring book of data structures and algorithms

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Re: Show HN: A coloring book of data structures and algorithms

#81
post #3

I would say it depends on the age of the target audience. I would prefer the colored version of the algorithm, however I would not spend the time to color it myself. This is my personal opinion.

I don't understand the coloring book concept. I wonder if it is an American thing [I am from Europe], especially the recently successful "adult coloring book" concept. Personally I find inconceivable that someone can spend his time doing this. Unless, of course, it's just a pretty excuse for using B/W printing which is cheaper than full color, or you put special meaning in the activity -- apparently some consider it a form of meditation.

Even for kids I have doubts. I remember I once talked to an American 12-year old that loved to color books and at that time I found incredible that too: in my european world, coloring books are for pre-schoolers.

Re: Show HN: A coloring book of data structures and algorithms

#82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When it comes to comics, No Starch Press ( https://www.nostarch.com/catalog/manga ) has manga/comics that describes advanced ideas in a fun way. A Manga Guide to Algorithms and Data Structures sounds like a great addition to the collection

Actually the founder of No Starch reached out to me about publishing this book. Will definitely be following up with him =)

Yes, please do :)

Re: Show HN: A coloring book of data structures and algorithms

#85
post #8

I'm writing this off-the-cuff so don't read too much into it if you don't want to. I love this trend of using comics to describe technical ideas (which, as far as I can tell, started in earnest with Julia Evans). I think it's a great way to remove some of the scaryness-factor that more serious tomes (like Cormen et al) are associated to. I don't think the niche is nearly reaching oversaturation. I think there is plen…

> I love this trend of using comics to describe technical ideas (which, as far as I can tell, started in earnest with Julia Evans). Julia deserves a ton of credit, but I think it's also important to remember whytheluckystiff's "Poignant Guide to Ruby" [1]. Going even farther back, Forrest M Mims' electronics books [2], which I remember being sold in Radio Shacks, get much of their fame and familiarity from being hand…

here's one on soldering, http://cornfieldelectronics.com/cfe/projects.php

Re: Show HN: A coloring book of data structures and algorithms

#86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Forrest Mims III taught me electronics as a teenager. Also Larry Gonick really rounded out my rusty calculus knowledge with his "Cartoon Guide to Calculus" [0] This is just the product page, no stupid referral on the link. [0] https://www.amazon.com/Cartoon-Guide-Calculus/dp/0061689092

I was about to post Gonick's guide to physics. Fantastic series.

Wow, he has many cartoon guides (stats, chemistry, algebra, history..) Check this out https://www.amazon.com/Larry-Gonick/e/B000AQ75IY/ref=dp_byli... Thanks!

Re: Show HN: A coloring book of data structures and algorithms

#87
post #8

I'm writing this off-the-cuff so don't read too much into it if you don't want to. I love this trend of using comics to describe technical ideas (which, as far as I can tell, started in earnest with Julia Evans). I think it's a great way to remove some of the scaryness-factor that more serious tomes (like Cormen et al) are associated to. I don't think the niche is nearly reaching oversaturation. I think there is plen…

How DNS works is a favorite of mine: https://howdns.works/

There's another — extremely NSFW — version on Encyclopedia Dramatica. "DNS comic" should find it...

Re: Show HN: A coloring book of data structures and algorithms

#88
post #8

I'm writing this off-the-cuff so don't read too much into it if you don't want to. I love this trend of using comics to describe technical ideas (which, as far as I can tell, started in earnest with Julia Evans). I think it's a great way to remove some of the scaryness-factor that more serious tomes (like Cormen et al) are associated to. I don't think the niche is nearly reaching oversaturation. I think there is plen…

> I love this trend of using comics to describe technical ideas (which, as far as I can tell, started in earnest with Julia Evans). Julia deserves a ton of credit, but I think it's also important to remember whytheluckystiff's "Poignant Guide to Ruby" [1]. Going even farther back, Forrest M Mims' electronics books [2], which I remember being sold in Radio Shacks, get much of their fame and familiarity from being hand…

Another, from 1978: 'A Fortran Coloring Book' https://archive.org/details/9780262610261

Re: Show HN: A coloring book of data structures and algorithms

#89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually the founder of No Starch reached out to me about publishing this book. Will definitely be following up with him =)

Yes, please do :)

Sorry for the radio silence, Bill. Let's sync up once I have more content and am starting to think about production!
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