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Comment by bhiggins | Hacker News Reader

these "Learn You..." (NB: this does not include LPTHW) books seem like a post-modern version of the "For Dummies" series. So, if you enjoyed the vapid "For Dummies"-style jokes but wanted more non-sequiturs, these are the books for you.

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I am currently writing Learn You Some Erlang. I have never read one of the 'For Dummies' book, have no idea what tone they employ or what kind of readers they assume they have.

I can say, however, that there already exist a few books on Erlang, quite serious, that actually cost money. I wanted to offer a free resource to learn Erlang, given my frustration at the lack such things when I began learning the language myself. I found a problem, and am currently trying my best to solve it.

If you feel like learning the language but my book's style and/or tone annoys you, you might prefer buying one of the books. There's also an online tutorial on erlang.org and an interactive one on tryerlang.org.

Your book is amazing. I've been trying to learn erlang, and you were the first person I've come across who really explains things well. I just wanted to thank you, and encourage you to keep on writing.

A link, for anybody who's curious:

http://learnyousomeerlang.com/content

YMMV of course but, in my experience these light-hearted free books are better than the For Dummies books, which are also for-profit, and tend to feel factory-churned. That being said, I've only skimmed one or two, and that was in high school. I feel like there is a difference in spirit and motivation which sets them apart.

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