TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
David Dvorkin wrote:
>
> Janet Valade wrote:
>
> > I see that the San Diego Technical Book store is having a 20%
> > off sale on
> > O'Reilly books. Does anyone have a recommendation for
> > must-have O'Reilly
> > books?
>
> All of 'em! Whatever subject I want a book on, I first check for an
> O'Reilly book on the topic.
I second that for everything except their programming language books,
which I've found consistently inferior across the board. Their C and C++
books are an especially big waste of money, as there are better books
available elsewhere. I've found their DHTML reference useful but only
because I haven't been able to find one better (so far). It's neither
organized nor formatted the way I would like, and I have trouble finding
things in it.
Also, their book on CURSES is completely lame. It only covers the
original CURSES and not the later implementations, and some of the
samples don't work right in some fairly common UNIX implementations
(like SCO's). I can't imagine that too many TWs would care to know a
thing about CURSES, but if in some moment of temporary insanity the mood
should strike, avoid this book.
Other than that, I've never had an O'Reilly book that didn't have that
oft-thumbed look after a month or two.
Lin
--
Linda K. Sherman <linsherm -at- gte -dot- net>
Freelance Writer: Technical - Business - Government