Comment by tptacek | Hacker News Reader

Comment by tptacek | Hacker News Reader

* Because server software configuration sucks much less now (compare sendmail.cf to Postfix or qmail)

* Because modern server software is more sophisticated and delegates less to insanely complicated configurations; more unicorns and fairy dust, more "batteries included"

* Because things that involve complex configurations are more likely to sprout "aftermarket" utilities (like monit or god)

* Because a 5-minute "get it up and running" first user experience is now the barrier to entry for new server programs

* Because so much server software starts out pure open source and requires good documentation just to get people to use it in the first place

* Because high-end sysadmins are far more likely to be Python, Perl, or Ruby programmers now than they were in 1996

Because after the author has spent a year putting words to the page, getting it printed, putting it on the shelves, getting positive reviews, and getting word of mouth out there, the software I'm using has gone from 2.x to 3.x, the config file format has changed, and it's compatible with the thing I couldn't figure out already.

I could understand buying RHEL books, since RHEL (by virtue of 'tested and supported' software), is typically a few years behind the times anyway, or 'starter' books for people who aren't familiar with the topic, but there are so many good howtos, config examples, setup scripts, utilities, IRC channels, etc. that spending $80 on a book that will likely only come in handy two or three times before it's completely out of date just makes no sense at all.

Software these days moves too fast for dead trees to keep up. Give me a Safari Bookshelf app on my iPad and maybe we can talk.

Just in case you didn't know, the Safari Bookshelf mobile website is quite good. Most of the books I use are deemed "mobile friendly" and the experience is good enough that at times I will choose to read on my iPhone rather than on my desktop.

I didn't know, but I'll consider taking a look. I find it's far too expensive to be worthwhile though, at least at the advertised prices.

Become an ACM member. Membership includes access to a subset of Safari Books and Books 24x7.

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