Computer books (self-learning) - Physical or eBook?

[destrekor]

So I'm in the market for a few books, and I have an Amazon giftcard I could use toward the card if I get an eBook version. Otherwise, I'd pick up said book(s) at Barnes and Noble tomorrow afternoon.

The decision comes down to: will it be a pain in the ass dealing with a Kindle version of the book on a Nexus 7 (which I could also read bits and pieces, when thoroughly bored, wherever I am with my 4" phone), or should I deal with the pain in the ass of actually flipping through a textbook-sized physical book... where I'd need to lug it around if I need it somewhere else (say, on the job as a reference manual).

I need to brush up on even getting a Windows Server/AD Domain/Exchange server up and running. To fall in on an already-established site is something I should be able to manage without much pain even at the moment, but having the base fundamentals would be very nice, and serve to then give me a chance to play around with the rare scenarios before they hit me in the face.

You vote: do I buy eBook or pBook?


edit:
While we're at it: this is a crazy idea, but are there any good Windows Server 2012/2008R2 books that, when purchased in physical format, give you a eBook version too? This would be ideal, but it's a rare concept, and any that offer it might not actually be a good book compared to other similar books.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Now that I have a tablet I think I will be buying future self learning books as digital copies. Like you said being able to open it on my phone when bored would be great.

 

[irishScott]

eBooks are great for text only, but for pictures/other information I'd want the physical book so as to be able to take in more at once.

Why not just buy the physical book from Amazon?

 

[brianmanahan]

mos def the physical books

ebooks are nice for searching, but just dont look or feel as good for actual reading, at least for me

 

[destrekor]

eBooks are great for text only, but for pictures/other information I'd want the physical book so as to be able to take in more at once.

Why not just buy the physical book from Amazon?

That involves waiting for shipping.

And I kind of want it tomorrow. Might have a chance at a job (a second interview might be this week), but I need to brush up before that.

I'm not really worried about falling into an established enterprise environment, I'd be able to get done what needs to be done without question, especially since it's a small company. But I gotta land a job offer first, and thus it'd be good (and for long-term the book would be tremendously useful - I'll be considering MS certs).

Sadly, the books I've been eyeing (I want a Server 2012 book, the most recommended authors won't have one out for a few months) aren't even in stock at my local BN (Mastering Windows Server 2008R2, or the "Unleashed" brand for same).

 

[Newbian]

For anything other then text you will want a physical book not to mention how much easier it is to look back for references in one then on a ebook.

 

[manly]

honestly it sounds like you've already decided (and I agree), eBook is the way to go.

Like others have said, it depends a bit on the material but even for non-textual pages that are too big for a Nexus 7/6" e-reader, you can still read on your PC screen on an as-needed basis.

Lugging around books (or discs) is really for the birds.

 

[Praetor]

Depends on the book. I have a few that are really just scans of the physical pages. There isn't any flow to the ebook otherwise. So, I'd get a sample of the book first to get an idea of how it's laid out. If it's a scan, go for the hard copy.

 

[Linflas]

I would go with eBooks. Given the rate of change in technology very few computer books retain much relevance 5 years after you have purchased them. I have entire bookcases full of Que books from the 90's and 2000's that compel me to say eBook is the way to go.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

eBooks - dumbest idea of all time. What it SHOULD be doing (as well as digital albums / digital movies) is scaring the living shit out of publishers and other fucknuts that say "You need us in order to successfully distribute your book".

Buying a digital file for the same price of a physical copy? BWAHAHAHA. Ur funnay.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I would go with eBooks. Given the rate of change in technology very few computer books retain much relevance 5 years after you have purchased them. I have entire bookcases full of Que books from the 90's and 2000's that compel me to say eBook is the way to go.

Uhhh, are you indicating that if you purchase an eBook that means you get free upgrades for life

 

[lxskllr]

Uhhh, are you indicating that if you purchase an eBook that means you get free upgrades for life

He's indicating that having 2000# of useless books on the shelf is pointless. They're too good to throw away, but not good enough to actually use, so you have an albatross that travels with you every time you move.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

edit:
While we're at it: this is a crazy idea, but are there any good Windows Server 2012/2008R2 books that, when purchased in physical format, give you a eBook version too? This would be ideal, but it's a rare concept, and any that offer it might not actually be a good book compared to other similar books.

Microsoft Press' Sharepoint books typically contain an eBook copy on CD. As to your general question, I'm done with physical books especially big, bulky physical IT training books.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

eBooks - dumbest idea of all time. What it SHOULD be doing (as well as digital albums / digital movies) is scaring the living shit out of publishers and other fucknuts that say "You need us in order to successfully distribute your book".

Buying a digital file for the same price of a physical copy? BWAHAHAHA. Ur funnay.

Most eBooks on Amazon are cheaper than the physical books, sometimes much cheaper.

 

[Red Storm]

eBooks - dumbest idea of all time. What it SHOULD be doing (as well as digital albums / digital movies) is scaring the living shit out of publishers and other fucknuts that say "You need us in order to successfully distribute your book".

Buying a digital file for the same price of a physical copy? BWAHAHAHA. Ur funnay.

Every e-book I've bought has been cheaper than its physical copy.

 

[bigrash]

I read most of my books in ebooks these days, but when it comes to computer books, I prefer a physical book cause I tend to flip pages back and forth a lot.

 

[Linflas]

He's indicating that having 2000# of useless books on the shelf is pointless. They're too good to throw away, but not good enough to actually use, so you have an albatross that travels with you every time you move.

Yep this.

 

[destrekor]

Microsoft Press' Sharepoint books typically contain an eBook copy on CD. As to your general question, I'm done with physical books especially big, bulky physical IT training books.

I had to ask that question because I saw the same thing for their 2008R2 Server Administrator cert training book set (http://www.amazon.com/MCITP-Windows-...ws+server+2008).

But I'm not sure if Microsoft Press's books will do me more or less good compared to a book like, say, Mastering Windows Server 2008R2 (Mark Minasi), regardless of the free ebooks with purchase.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Every e-book I've bought has been cheaper than its physical copy.

Never seen this in my life. I've seen the 2 side by side - both the same price. If eBooks are any less, I have yet to see it.

 

[FelixDeCat]

I hate books, but I hate e-books even more.

 

[djnsmith7]

Personally, I've always enjoyed holding a book while reading. That gets my vote.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I had to ask that question because I saw the same thing for their 2008R2 Server Administrator cert training book set (http://www.amazon.com/MCITP-Windows-...ws+server+2008).

But I'm not sure if Microsoft Press's books will do me more or less good compared to a book like, say, Mastering Windows Server 2008R2 (Mark Minasi), regardless of the free ebooks with purchase.

In my experience, the MS books are good reference books but if you're looking for exam prep, they're not as good. If you have experience, something like Exam Cram works better and isn't 1200 pages long.

 

[Newbian]

Never seen this in my life. I've seen the 2 side by side - both the same price. If eBooks are any less, I have yet to see it.

Then you must live under a rock.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Never seen this in my life. I've seen the 2 side by side - both the same price. If eBooks are any less, I have yet to see it.

You're clearly not looking. Two quick examples:

1. Kindle edition is $9 less than the book.
2. Kindle edition is $30 less than the book.

 

[destrekor]

You're clearly not looking. Two quick examples:

1. Kindle edition is $9 less than the book.
2. Kindle edition is $30 less than the book.

I came across this one, it's on my "will purchase soon" list (eBook version for sure, regardless of any hesitations)
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Exch...mm_kin_title_0

$20 vs $60? hmmm....

Many other books I've looked at (Server 2008R2, Active Directory, Exchange, etc) haven't been so kind as to offer that large of a difference, but at worst they were $2-4 cheaper, some $10-15.