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Show HN: I wrote a modern Command Line Handbook

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Re: Show HN: I wrote a modern Command Line Handbook

#11

Post by username223 »

JLO64 wrote: post #4

Honestly I would’ve liked to fork over cash for a book like this but the deal breaker for me is that it’s in PDF format. I like to read all of my books on a Kindle (with koreader installed) so epub files that can be resized to fit its weird dimensions are a must.

That's a big ask. I've written a couple of books, and PDF/print vs. ePub/webpage is a decision I had to make up front. For anything with more than the most basic formatting (e.g. a novel), the design and layout are different enough that one of them will turn out looking like crap. Given the audience, I probably would have chosen ePub for this one, but the book's done now.

Also, a TOC and sample chapter would be great. A lot more people will be likely to pay if they know what they're getting.

Re: Show HN: I wrote a modern Command Line Handbook

#12

Post by petr25102018 »

username223 wrote: post #11
JLO64 wrote: post #4

Honestly I would’ve liked to fork over cash for a book like this but the deal breaker for me is that it’s in PDF format. I like to read all of my books on a Kindle (with koreader installed) so epub files that can be resized to fit its weird dimensions are a must.

That's a big ask. I've written a couple of books, and PDF/print vs. ePub/webpage is a decision I had to make up front. For anything with more than the most basic formatting (e.g. a novel), the design and layout are different enough that one of them will turn out looking like crap. Given the audience, I probably would have chosen ePub for this one, but the book's done now. Also, a TOC and sample chapter would be great…

Honestly I haven't tried yet. Maybe Asciidoctor (Which I used) has it figured out. It would at least need to have good enough output for the code examples, otherwise it would probably be a non-starter.

I added links to example pages (which include TOC) to the Gumroad page and here, but yeah I should have put it on the homepage.

Re: Show HN: I wrote a modern Command Line Handbook

#15

Post by petr25102018 »

catoc wrote: post #13

Interested, but going to the website told me nothing other than a book about the command line. Would be nice be able to get a preview of a some pages/chapters.

Noted. For now I put links here, in the comments, and in the Gumroad page to sample pages. I will need to change the homepage later. Thanks for the input!

Re: Show HN: I wrote a modern Command Line Handbook

#16

Post by rmahan »

JLO64 wrote: post #4

Honestly I would’ve liked to fork over cash for a book like this but the deal breaker for me is that it’s in PDF format. I like to read all of my books on a Kindle (with koreader installed) so epub files that can be resized to fit its weird dimensions are a must.

Have you tried pdf reflow with koreader? I find it works pretty well

Re: Show HN: I wrote a modern Command Line Handbook

#17

Post by petr25102018 »

nickjj wrote: post #14

How has the "pay what you want" model worked out if you don't mind me asking? It's something I've thought about in the past for selling courses.

I just changed the payment model before posting it here, so there is no past data on this. I don't expect it to generate revenue compared to normal sales (it will most likely be a small fraction). But for normal sales you need to be able to promote it.

My primary motivation is to share the work that I spent a lot of time on because I want to move on and work on other things (I don't want it to just sit on my disk when it can be useful to others before getting outdated etc.). It never was meant to be some primary source of income. In that case I would be writing a book about AI :)

Maybe I will write a blog post with some reflections about making the book at some point :)

Re: Show HN: I wrote a modern Command Line Handbook

#18

Post by ctippett »

petr25102018 wrote: post #17
nickjj wrote: post #14

How has the "pay what you want" model worked out if you don't mind me asking? It's something I've thought about in the past for selling courses.

I just changed the payment model before posting it here, so there is no past data on this. I don't expect it to generate revenue compared to normal sales (it will most likely be a small fraction). But for normal sales you need to be able to promote it. My primary motivation is to share the work that I spent a lot of time on because I want to move on and work on other things (I don't want it to just sit on my disk whe…

I admire your mindset (and humility). Thanks for making this available.
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