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Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

eloquentjavascript.net

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Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#51

Post by SiVal »

elwell wrote: post #36
UnfalseDesign wrote: post #4

In regards to the book's online version, I like how it has code examples that one can edit and run inline among the book's text. I often find myself, while reading a book on a particular language, opening up a new project in an IDE or a REPL in order to fiddle around with what the book it trying to teach. This makes it much more fluid. It was a pleasant surprise. It is a nice concept I have not previously seen done.…

I just wish we had hi-res, color, e-ink monitors with quick refresh rate. I can't bring myself to read an entire book online; even if it's free.

If a book isn't technical, I can usually read it in audio format as I do something otherwise mindless like washing dishes, so most of what I need to read (with my eyes) contains equations, code listings (like this JavaScript book), diagrams, maps, etc., that don't work well at all on today's e-ink displays: Thousand-page "Introduction to..." technical books, code listings, foreign-language tutorial textbooks, journal articles, etc.

Unfortunately, all the books I really want to read with my eyes are too heavy to tote around or take on plane trips, which is almost the only time I have time to read them.

I need a REALLY GOOD reader. I wish I had a lightweight, clipboard-sized, hi-rez, B&W, PDF reader with the flick scrolling, pinch resizing, etc. of an iPad with the battery life to last a whole delayed flight from San Francisco->Tokyo->Singapore, door to door. I might be able to make do with a jumbo tablet if the USB ports that some airlines now put in the seats can power it.

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#52

Post by SeanDav »

coldtea wrote: post #44
elwell wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just wish we had hi-res, color, e-ink monitors with quick refresh rate. I can't bring myself to read an entire book online; even if it's free.

Well, we do have retina ipads (and other tablets). e-ink I find just a gimmick -- there is no scientific research that shows it being any better than a typical monitor for the eyes (Amazon also retracted such statements IIRC). The only real benefit was resolution (which retina/hi-dpi solved) and reading in the sun (which e-ink retains as an advantage). Sure, one reflects light and the other has a light source embedde…

It may be gimmicky to you, but I cannot read an entire book in a sitting or two (as I often do) on any kind of non e-ink monitor and that includes tablets. I can easily do this on a Kindle or other e-ink device. So, for me, e-ink is no gimmick, it is an essential requirement for prolonged reading.

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#53

Post by doorhammer »

coldtea wrote: post #44
elwell wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just wish we had hi-res, color, e-ink monitors with quick refresh rate. I can't bring myself to read an entire book online; even if it's free.

Well, we do have retina ipads (and other tablets). e-ink I find just a gimmick -- there is no scientific research that shows it being any better than a typical monitor for the eyes (Amazon also retracted such statements IIRC). The only real benefit was resolution (which retina/hi-dpi solved) and reading in the sun (which e-ink retains as an advantage). Sure, one reflects light and the other has a light source embedde…

the thing I really liked about my ereader was the battery life and the size/weight of it. I don't think it weighed as much as my iphone, even. But really, the battery life was the biggest thing.

When I was on a cruise, I read something like four or five books on it and only got halfway through the battery life. I could have plugged it in at night, but it's nice to be able to just forget about it.

Ereaders are also a great option when you're hiking/camping. If I ever go back on the appalachian trail, I'm def bringing an ereader with me.

Anecdotally, they feel more comfortable to me to read long books, but that's really just comparing it to an ipad, which is way heavier, and part of that is probably subconsciously buying into the old info on eye strain.

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#54

Post by doorhammer »

SiVal wrote: post #51
elwell wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just wish we had hi-res, color, e-ink monitors with quick refresh rate. I can't bring myself to read an entire book online; even if it's free.

If a book isn't technical, I can usually read it in audio format as I do something otherwise mindless like washing dishes, so most of what I need to read (with my eyes) contains equations, code listings (like this JavaScript book), diagrams, maps, etc., that don't work well at all on today's e-ink displays: Thousand-page "Introduction to..." technical books, code listings, foreign-language tutorial textbooks, journal…

I hear you.

I tried a lot of options before just settling on an ipad for a reader when it comes to anything that resembles a technical manual or text book.

I'd be interested in knowing if anyone has any other better suggestions, as far as that goes.

I guess you could go the route of bringing an external lithium ion battery w/ usb charger cord, but those are always kind of kludgy

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#55

Post by phren0logy »

marijn wrote: post #47
derengel wrote: post #32

Why is the paper book delayed until november? also the paper book says it has 400 pages, does the paper book has more content?

It'll have a single bonus chapter. But the current text, as it is online, already takes up 390 pages when typeset in No Starch's house style.

Will you consider accepting donations on your site?

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#56

Post by marijn »

phren0logy wrote: post #55
marijn wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It'll have a single bonus chapter. But the current text, as it is online, already takes up 390 pages when typeset in No Starch's house style.

Will you consider accepting donations on your site?

Yes, that's something I planned but haven't gotten around to yet. (Not very clever to leave it after the big announcement, I suppose.)

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#57

Post by mandeepj »

SiVal wrote: post #51
elwell wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just wish we had hi-res, color, e-ink monitors with quick refresh rate. I can't bring myself to read an entire book online; even if it's free.

If a book isn't technical, I can usually read it in audio format as I do something otherwise mindless like washing dishes, so most of what I need to read (with my eyes) contains equations, code listings (like this JavaScript book), diagrams, maps, etc., that don't work well at all on today's e-ink displays: Thousand-page "Introduction to..." technical books, code listings, foreign-language tutorial textbooks, journal…

I had same reasons that you mentioned so I recently ordered kindle paper white. I am not sure if it will fit the bill otherwise I will return it.

Big plus that kindle have over others is e-ink that will make it easy on eyes. It is hard to read (and not good for eyes) on other devices for long.

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#58

Post by the_af »

coldtea wrote: post #44
elwell wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just wish we had hi-res, color, e-ink monitors with quick refresh rate. I can't bring myself to read an entire book online; even if it's free.

Well, we do have retina ipads (and other tablets). e-ink I find just a gimmick -- there is no scientific research that shows it being any better than a typical monitor for the eyes (Amazon also retracted such statements IIRC). The only real benefit was resolution (which retina/hi-dpi solved) and reading in the sun (which e-ink retains as an advantage). Sure, one reflects light and the other has a light source embedde…

Even if there's no scientific research, e-ink doesn't seem a gimmick to me. I find it a pain to read on a laptop, but find a kindle almost as good as a real book. My eyes simply tire a lot faster with an LCD.

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#59

Post by coldtea »

the_af wrote: post #58
coldtea wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, we do have retina ipads (and other tablets). e-ink I find just a gimmick -- there is no scientific research that shows it being any better than a typical monitor for the eyes (Amazon also retracted such statements IIRC). The only real benefit was resolution (which retina/hi-dpi solved) and reading in the sun (which e-ink retains as an advantage). Sure, one reflects light and the other has a light source embedde…

Even if there's no scientific research, e-ink doesn't seem a gimmick to me. I find it a pain to read on a laptop, but find a kindle almost as good as a real book. My eyes simply tire a lot faster with an LCD.

As I said, laptops don't have the e-ink resolution. And depending on what you read, it might not even have the same contrast.

So, unless you adjust the brightness and contrast appropriately and have a hi-DPI laptop, e-ink will come on top for reading. There's also the convenience in holding the reader vs using the laptop to read.

So cannot really compare it to a common laptop. To actually compare like to like, compare an e-ink reader with a hi-dpi ("retina") tablet, with the brightness/contrast configured appropriately.

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#60

Post by coldtea »

SeanDav wrote: post #52
coldtea wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, we do have retina ipads (and other tablets). e-ink I find just a gimmick -- there is no scientific research that shows it being any better than a typical monitor for the eyes (Amazon also retracted such statements IIRC). The only real benefit was resolution (which retina/hi-dpi solved) and reading in the sun (which e-ink retains as an advantage). Sure, one reflects light and the other has a light source embedde…

It may be gimmicky to you, but I cannot read an entire book in a sitting or two (as I often do) on any kind of non e-ink monitor and that includes tablets. I can easily do this on a Kindle or other e-ink device. So, for me, e-ink is no gimmick, it is an essential requirement for prolonged reading.

Well, FWIW, I for one can read a whole books, actually lots of them from both iBooks and iOS's Kindle app (read on a tablet. Heck, even on an iPhone). And don't care particularly for e-ink (I also have a kindle I don't use much).

If you can find some specific scientific argument why e-ink is "an essential requirement" (besides personal choice) then it's just cargo cult.

I listed fairly accurately were e-ink is better, namely reading in sunlight. And battery life, which I forgot.

For reading inside, it's advantages of yore, like resolution have been matched by hi-dpi screens. The only other advantage is better default contrast, which is a configurable setting on a tablet.

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