Used Books?
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My office is moving to a new building in a few days. We have at least 100 programming books of many flavors which we have accumulated and for which we have no more need. One of them, Teach Yourself Web Publishing With Html 3.2 in 14 Days by Laura Lemay, is available at Amazon starting at a whopping $0.33.
Is there a better alternative than just throwing these books away? Sure, I could post them individually or as a group on Amazon or eBay. However, I am not sure I want to administer that.
I did find Eco Encore that accepts recent technical books and software. I am going to contact them, but I am wondering what other options are there?
This also got me thinking how production of technical books can even be profitable anymore. When was the last time you bought a technical book? If you have a question on a particular topic and you have a book about it on your bookshelf, do you grab the book or hit Google first?
Comments
Even if I’ve a book on the topic, usually the first place I look is via google simply because it’s faster. But here’s the hook -and I don’t know if it’s a generational thing but- if the topic takes a good amount of time to ponder, I’ll go hard copy everytime.
Wrt “what to do” w/the books…middle schools, high schools & public libraries are the first organizations we ask. It helps to have a list you can give the librarians but, usually, the list is picked clean before the public library gets a shot.
The two upsides to giving to the schools we’ve found are: tax detuctions and; developing a relationship with the tech “point person” at the local schools. They, in turn, know the kids who are interested in doing (very decent) piece-work.
ymmv, -Craig
I buy technical books like crazy — at least two a month. I read them in bed, usually.
Interestingly enough, you probably bought half of the books Noel is referring to…
Time capsule!
I bet I did, too. I bought tons of them when I worked there. I want them all back!!
Safari Books Online is pretty nice for research - a searchable e-version of the book. Gets right to what you need to know without wasting a lot of time.