Is anyone going to buy Dan Klass's book?

[obtuseangle]

I mean, seriously. A book on podcasting? Why would someone buy that, when there's a mountain of free information online?

After all, we (current podcasters) figured it out somehow.

Am I missing something here? What's the added value?

Really, I just wish Dan would quit dicking around with the book and get back to podcasting. He hasn't put out a decent show in months -- or at least it seems that way.

Steve
The Obtuse Angle

[Craig]

Really Dan, you have some nerve trying to get paid for your time when you should be entertaining us all for free.

Craig

[Charles]

What is the exact title of Dan Klass's book?

Looking at Todd Cochrane's book info & available chapter it sure seems to be much more comprehensive and detailed than anything else out there. I think it is out next month.

If he provides updates it would be a good resource.

[Craig]

Todd's book is available now...Amazon even offers an eBook version. And a search for "Dan Klass" at Amazon shows the title of his book to be "Podcast Solutions". So does a quick visit to www.thebitterestpill.com :wink:

Craig

[kickasspodcast]

People write books about everything, thank God.




jack

-if someone buys it or not is usually out of the Authors hands.

[docsnavely]

-if someone buys it or not is usually out of the Authors hands.

I agree to a point (i.e. poor marketing), but wouldn't poor content be one of the main reasons for a non-famous author/subject to not sell books? crapcasts (not you chris) don't get many subscribers since, well, they usually produce crap.

And If any of these 2 books go into explecit detail about everything imaginable, I would actually consider buying. You never know when you might learn something new that you have not seen online.

[indiekid]

I for one will be purchasing Dan's book because I firmly believe he's really doing his reserach and trying to make it somewhat timeless. I for one have been asked some questions in regards to what should be in there...so I personally think that he's really searching for THE BEST information available.

it will be good...dan...you have my support

[Craig]

-if someone buys it or not is usually out of the Authors hands.
This used to be true but not so much any more. The internet gives the author tremendous marketing capabilities and places like Amazon.com don't require the author to be dependent on the publisher stocking local bookstores. This means that if the author decides to get his or her hands dirty in the marketing of the book then they can have a huge impact on sales, especially with technical books.

FWIW, I've already bought a copy of Todd's book and placed an order for Dan's.

Craig

[TINKOFF RADIO]

I would buy it just because he's so **** cool and it's sorta like I know him - or at least know the details of his life in a weird way. I saw his CSI promo and couldn't explain that the writer dude was someone I know - but not really...

It's the podcast community thing - it's intimate.

I think it's awesome that we are experiencing in an offhand way the development of this book - and I can bet you it will sell very well to the folks that visit this forum, and to tell you the truth, I hope that Dan makes a whack of cash and turns it into a best selling made for TV docu-drama that he can star in...

PODCAST SOLUTIONS starring Dan Klass and Micky G., featuring Suzanne Pleshette as "The Beaver"...

I truly am happy for the dude. Way to go man! Take your time and write the hell out of that sucker. I bet it will be an informative, entertaining and funny read.

Adam Tinkoff
TINKOFF RADIO

[Charles]

Todd's book is available now...Amazon even offers an eBook version. And a search for "Dan Klass" at Amazon shows the title of his book to be "Podcast Solutions". So does a quick visit to www.thebitterestpill.com :wink:
Craig

You're right Craig, Cochrane book was out May 30, 2005. I was thinking of the Bart Farkas book coming out next month called 'Secrets Of Podcasting' - 224 pages, Peachpit Press, July 29, 2005

The Podcasting Solutions book is by Geogheghan & Klass. It is more expensive and has less pages at only 200 so it will be a bit thin.

There is about a half dozen books listed on podcasting(all in paperback) with much more to come I'm sure. And of course the inevitable 'Podcasting For Dummies' book.

The problem is that the technology is moving so fast that any book on podcasting will be dated as soon as it is published. The big development of iTunes 4.9 supporting podcasting coming out early in July 05, probably isn't even in any of the half dozen books listed.

Do any of these books have their own website and do they say that they will post an update there??

[Craig]

Do any of these books have their own website and do they say that they will post an update there??
The only web site I'm aware of at the moment is the one for Dan's book:

http://www.podcastsolutions.com

I haven't really look though; I just assume tech books have a limited shelf life when I buy them. In this case, the information these books give on what a podcast is and what an RSS file is will have a decent shelf life, the information they give on how to produce a good show (which should make up at least half the book if it's a good book) will have a long shelf life, and the shelf life of the rest will vary.

Craig

[jeffoest]

Yep on the production part. I still have books that were written four for five years ago on audio engineering that are extremely useful to me.

How do you make a recorded voice sound great? Heck, some of the equipment has changed a bit, but the fundamentals (understanding the dymaics of digital recording, signal chain requirements and considerations, room acoustic considerations, appropriate use of compression, reverb, eq and effects) haven't changed in years.

It's always handy to have a good comprehensive book on your desk, possibly more value if you are absolutely new to a lot of this, but I'm sure there will be useful information even to experienced podcasters.

Think of the countless hours you all have spent on the internet plowing through 'crap' to try to learn something as you've climbed your podcasting learning curve. Having a good book available would've have been gold, eh?

Even when technology does change, a good book will focus on the description and considerations of the various pieces of the puzzle so the reader can understand how to best read the specs and ask the manufacturer the right questions concerning those new products.

[no1slistening]

Definitely. Dan's the man. And Michael, too. Plus, I love to read. It'll give me something to do at work.

[owyn]

Yep on the production part. I still have books that were written four for five years ago on audio engineering that are extremely useful to me.

LOL. I just checked, my copy of "Sound Reinforcement Handbook" was published in 1987. Still has a lot of relevant information. Weak on the digital but real strong on the theory and analog connections. And most of the digital tools are modeled on the original analog tools.

[owyn]

PS: I probably will buy the book. The Podcast Solutions interviews are informative. Very interested in seeing how the whole thing comes together.

[Illinoise]

Yeah, I'll definitely be buying the book. I understand there are "other" podcasting books out there, but it's a bit like buying a book on basketball:

Do you want the book written by Michael Jordan or by Danny Ange?

Non-sports fans, do you want the biography ... or the auto-biography? I like the fact that Dan and Mikey (I'm sure he's cool with me calling him that) are the guys who I listen to, who I learned podcasting from, and who have connections to the other podcasters I enjoy.

I'm not buying the book as a practical guide to improve my podcasting form. I see it more as swag from podcasters I like.

And if they have a coffee mug, I'll buy that, too.

[Craig]

So how do you really feel about the book Pete?

Craig

[Illinoise]

You know who should do a book? This guy right above me. He would make a killing if he would just stop producing everyone else's podcasts!

[Craig]

Thanks for thinking of me, but I don't have the time. I actually pitched a podcasting book to my agent (I've written a few tech books in the past) right around the time Todd signed with Wiley before deciding it would be too much of a time commitment. I've turned away several publishers since then.

You'll see my name pop up in a couple of books as contributing in one way or another though.

Craig

[jeffoest]

Awww darn!

Well, in retrospect, it's probably wise - it looks like this year's round of podcasting books will fill the need sufficiently (really, how many do we need? lol).

There will probably be other windows of opportunity in the next couple of years for more.

[obtuseangle]

Hey now! Looks like, as per usual, I'm outside even the verge of the fringe of the mainstream ...

Seriously though, I was playing devil's advocate to a certain degree -- I'm a big advocate of devil's advocacy -- truth is, I'll probably buy the book, too, assuming it looks like a solid resource.

Furthermore, I'm certainly not bashing Dan for trying to make money off his podcast fame, and I realize that I have no right to demand a free product ...

But ******, I'm selfish. I want two Bitterest Pills a week and I'm willing to pay for it. How much is another discussion altogether.

Steve
The Obtuse Angle

[Charles]

I'm wondering why the Geogheghan & Klass book is a little thin at only 200 pages, making it the lowest amount of content of the Six podcast books announced:

http://podcastalley.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2570

****

[Patrick]

I'm wondering why the Geogheghan & Klass book is a little thin at only 200 pages, making it the lowest amount of content of the Six podcast books announced:

http://podcastalley.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2570

****

Maybe it's the book with the most amound of content, and it's printed in a 2 point typeface.