Interactive programming books
By Paul Biba
This looks like an interesting concept. You can upload a programming book to the roorky site and set your sales price. Roorky will add $0.99 as its cut and convert the book to their iPUB format. A reader then downloads their iPUBReader reading program and can do the following:
Execute code or circuits while reading
Change code/ciruits and see its effect
Change input and observe output
Make and share notes at any point
Discuss/comment on each page of the book
Currently they have two free books on their site to try out: Programming Ruby and A Byte of Python.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:51 am
Nice concept..
BUT
(1) Their iPub reader application doesn’t work on a Mac (at least not under Snow Leopard)
(2) Their feedback link for bug reporting doesn’t work either (at least not on a Mac)
(3) Their e-mail address (support@rooky.com) doesn’t exist
So, it needs more work but I don’t see how they can possibly operate on a gross income of $0.99 per book.
Too bad. It seems like a great way to teach programming.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:59 am
Correction. That address is support@roorky.com. It doesn’t work, The other address they give on their Web site, invest@roorky.com, doesn’t work either.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:52 am
Hi Paul,
Thanks a lot for mentioning Roorky on your blog. We really appreciate it.
Hi GNV,
We are extremely apologetic about our email ids not working. Some email configuration caused this problem and is resolved now.
Please write your opinion and feedback to support@roorky.com. We are eager to fix the problems and serve our readers better.
The iPUBReader is in Beta version and is not tested under “Snow Leopard”. Its only developed and tested under “Tiger”. Please send a mail to support@roorky.com. We are desperate to fix the problem and would request more information from you for the same.
Once again we are very sorry for the emails not working.
Thanks
– Roorky