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From: jw@pan.UUCP (Jamie Watson)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.x
Subject: Re: O'Reilly X Books
Message-ID: <479@pan.UUCP>
Date: 18 Sep 88 21:59:24 GMT
References: <469@pan.UUCP> <137@tityus.UUCP> <1625@daisy.UUCP> <1165@ora.UUCP> <3611@encore.UUCP>
Reply-To: jw@pan.UUCP (Jamie Watson)
Organization: Adasoft AG, Solothurn, Switzerland
Lines: 31


I think I started this discussion of the O'Reilly X books.  I'm not sure
that I would call my posting "wild-eyed frothing", but I did say that I
was not thrilled with the books.  On further reflection, and after seeing
some of what has subsequently been posted, I would like to make a few more
comments.

First, I hope that it was clear from my first posting that I don't find
these books to be terrible.  I have some problems with the author's depth
of understanding of the subject matter.  But in general I agree with Barry
Shein's comment; considering the state of the X Window System right now,
O'Reilly has done a commendable job of getting something that is fairly
useful out already.

Another thought occured to me when I was thinking about these being the
very first X books available.  I think the first commercial Unix book
was Yates & Thomas', and compared to that the O'Reilly X books are real
masterpieces.  We should all be thankful that Jean Yates didn't decide
to write an X book or two...

Finally, I would imagine that O'Reilly has made an admirable gesture in
upgrading the first edition for only $15; they could have stuck people
for a lot more than that it they had wanted to.

My overall opinion is that the first volume is marginally useful for
an X novice, but I doubt that it would be of tremendous use to anyone
who has been working with X for very long.  The second volume would be
worth the price of the pair all by itself, if they would just change
the blasted binding...

jw