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From: lim@iris.ucdavis.edu (Lloyd Lim)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.programmer
Subject: Re: BOOKS
Summary: new Inside Mac
Message-ID: <8697@ucdavis.ucdavis.edu>
Date: 3 Apr 91 23:29:46 GMT
References: <93RLZ3w163w@shark.cs.fau.edu> <1991Mar30.080621.12862@lynx.CS.ORST.EDU> <1991Apr3.164446.9192@potomac.ads.com>
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Reply-To: lim@iris.ucdavis.edu (Lloyd Lim)
Organization: U.C. Davis - Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Lines: 46

In article <1991Apr3.164446.9192@potomac.ads.com> jtn@potomac.ads.com (John T. Nelson) writes:
>I think the reasons people are reluctant to purchase Inside Mac are
>twofold:
>
>1) Inside Mac is lacking in some information (MultiFinder for example)
>and is poorly written and organized.
>
>2) Cost.  Them there is expensive books guys.
>
>If Apple were to reorganize Inside Mac and include COMPLETE
>documentation then I might consider purchasing them.  It's not simply
>a matter of cost... its a matter of the quality you receive for the
>cost.
>
>Anyone know if Inside Mac is going to be reorganized anytime soon?

Actually, yes, I do know.  I wasn't put under non-disclosure and I don't think
it's a secret.  To answer your questions:

1)  It will include most or all of the stuff that is separate now - that
includes MultiFinder, IM VI, System 7.0, tech notes, etc.  It will be
available in several forms and it will be updatable (yeah!).  The second
edition is huge!

2)  It will get even more expensive.  There are more volumes (if you go
that way) and updating will, of course, cost you money.  The quality of
the documentation should improve (but I also think the format of the
original IM was very good).

I think despite attempts to make it easier to understand, the second edition
will be even more out of reach for novices - mostly because of the vast
amount of information involved.  Beginners have a hard time getting an
overall view of the whole picture and knowing which specific parts they
should read.  I could be wrong because I think the second edition contains
some parts that address this problem.  There's no question the initial
learning curve for Mac programming is very steep.

I have no idea when it will be out although I would guess at the same time
as the System 7.0 release or soon after.  Or maybe IM VI will come out at
release and the second edition will be a year or so later.  I dunno...

+++
Lloyd Lim     Internet: lim@iris.eecs.ucdavis.edu
              America Online: LimUnltd
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