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Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

eloquentjavascript.net

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Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#71

Post by chatmasta »

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.

I agree completely. I would love to be able to sit outside and code on my laptop, but the glossy Macbook air screen makes this almost impossible. I would pay good money for a barebones, development only laptop with an e-ink monitor.

For what it's worth, some people have hacked around with the Kindle to try to make this a reality, but as you say, the refresh rate is the bottleneck. [1]

[1] http://www.ponnuki.net/2012/09/kindleberry-pi/

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#72

Post by SeanDav »

coldtea wrote: post #60
SeanDav wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

Off the top of my head there are 2 major differences between e-ink and non e-ink displays that could potentially explain differences in comfort level for prolonged use:

- Non e-ink displays have a refresh rate, therefore continuous "activity" on the screen. People can have different sensitivities to this.

- Non e-ink displays tend to have higher contrast and/or brightness. This would normally be considered an advantage, but again perhaps not for prolonged use.

I don't need scientific papers to tell me I find e-ink more comfortable or not, it becomes very quickly apparent when I try to read a book on a tablet. Obviously you have a different perception, that does not invalidate mine.

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#75

Post by marijn »

oweiler wrote: post #74

Should I buy/read the second edition when I already own the first one?

Only if you feel you want to go over that material again, in a more up-to-date format, and with better/more example projects. If you've already mastered JS and web development, the new edition probably won't teach you anything new.

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#76

Post by HolyHaddock »

poxrud wrote: post #43

Good read. After you finish this book I'd suggest the free Javascript Allonge https://leanpub.com/javascript-allonge/read An excellent intermediate/advanced javascript book.

Seconded.

I'm currently using it as a beginners Javascript book and find it extremely accessible.

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#77

Post by humpt »

donniezazen wrote: post #73

I want to learn decent amount of HTML/CSS/JS to beautify and improve the usability of my webpage. What would be a good source to learn these things?

When I started this about 8 years ago or so, i used [this book](http://www.headfirstlabs.com/books/hfhtml/). It's structured as a case study, a coffee shop owner who wants to make a small webpage.

It's amazing how it's well written and fun to read. I like it puts some effort in showing you quickly the benefit of what you learned, you never get the impression something is pointless. (NB: it's big but you don't have to read it all. I read say the first half, than used it more like a reference book.)

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#79

Post by humpt »

fixnum42 wrote: post #18
isaacdl wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you like Python, check out How To Think Like A Computer Scientist ( http://interactivepython.org ). It's aimed at introductory CS classes, but the inline interactivity is pretty cool! (Shameless plug: a couple of my professors developed this, and I spent last summer contributing to it).

For those who don't like Python, and want to think like a real computer scientist check out Interactive SICP ( http://xuanji.appspot.com/isicp/ ) It is also aimed at introductory CS classes.

this is theses other forks which can be nicer on mobile: - html: http://sarabander.github.io/sicp/ - epub/pdf in the repo: https://github.com/sarabander/sicp
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