Books vs Online Tutorials

1840dsgn · Aug 23rd, 2007, 12:13

Ok...following on from another thread alexgeek suggested we have a poll for books vs online tuts.

So here goes...

I personally think books are the way to go. For reasons I pointed out in the other thread...but I will try summarise here.

- Copying and pasting code from websites is not learning its copying - by typing the code out your learning as you type and it embeds in your memory better

- Books are a good reference...there and then even without a internet connection

- they teach you the "why" as well as the "how" so you can apply the info to other situations

- contrary to some peoples belief you can search a book...its by a method called an index!

So there.

karinne · Aug 23rd, 2007, 12:20

There should be a "Both" there.

I like Both. Online is great for quick stuff and there are ALOT!!! of resources online.

Books are a handy reference when you need them.

I wouldn't be in the position I'm in right now if it wasn't for the internet and the many forums that exists.

1840dsgn · Aug 23rd, 2007, 12:24

Yea but if I pout a "both" options EVERYONE would vote for both...which is boring!

karinne · Aug 23rd, 2007, 12:26

But true!

dab42pat · Aug 23rd, 2007, 12:29

Its books for me. Books are better for quick reference and besides I dont always have access due to kids wanting on MSN.

pa007 · Aug 23rd, 2007, 12:31

I think you can rely on books a lot more and the authors will put more effort into a book as they are getting paid for it. So where a tutorial or article on a certain subject for a blog or whatever may be done in spare time the author will set aside time to write a book. There is also the point that there is more info in a book, it has a start and a finish. They often go through things methodically and so you gradually pick up the skills.

Online tut's are great and so are online articles but usually only when you want to know a specific thing as they often miss out a lot of info. I've learned a lot from both though and the W3C specs are online and they are often my first port of call if I ever question any of my decisions.

So both but if I had to pick, books.

Pete.

dhall · Aug 23rd, 2007, 15:21

I like the book I am using over a video that I also purchased.

Getting distracted, yes I have kids, with the video is a hassle if you need to recap: no problem with the book.

I guess it also depends on the quality and presentation of either. Having knowledge is one thing, knowing how to communicate that knowledge is a skill within it's self.

pa007 · Aug 23rd, 2007, 15:39

Quote:

Having knowledge is one thing, knowing how to communicate that knowledge is a skill within it's self.

That is very true, that's why great teachers are so rare. It's also why a good book is not just full of knowledge but well written as well. Which isn't that common.

Pete.

perform300 · Aug 23rd, 2007, 15:48

id say both and just playing around making mistakes you learn alot books and online tutorials are simply lessons basically the same thing .
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alexgeek · Aug 23rd, 2007, 20:20

Go online-tutorials!

Marc · Aug 23rd, 2007, 20:32

Personally, i go for online tutorials. I feel that i learn better whilst looking at things on a computer and i hate the thought of having 400+ pages still to read. Another reason i like online-tutorials is because they usually cut straight to the point unlike dumb authors of a book that blabber on about useless crap (you can probubly notice by now i hate books).

Saying that, i have been using books recently for ASP.NET as i cant find good online tutorials for it (hint, hint *).

* Does anyone know of any good ASP.NET online tutorials?

alexgeek · Aug 23rd, 2007, 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmfraser

* Does anyone know of any good ASP.NET online tutorials?

Doesn't w3schools do a good one?

simonb · Aug 23rd, 2007, 20:39

i like Online Tutorials you can copy code in.

Marc · Aug 23rd, 2007, 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexgeek

Doesn't w3schools do a good one?

Been there, done it and god, i hate that interface on w3. Thanks anyway!

stormko · Aug 24th, 2007, 05:38

It seems like the internet would be the best resource for any information that is computer related since the most up to date changes can be found immediately. In theory, the internet should be the way to go for anything related to internet technologies. The thing is, it's hard to weed through the information overload that exists.

I do admit, though, that there is something about the tangibility of being able to hold a book. It's nice not to have to always sit in front of a screen. And having the book next to you while you use the computer seems more comfortable than going back & forth between tabs in a browser. Not everyone has dual monitors. heh heh.

I choose internet for it's potential, but books for their reality.

VanessaJW · Aug 24th, 2007, 07:10

Well put stormko.

The internet is likely to have the most up to date information, but it has an awful lot of out of date and inaccurate information also. The trouble with the internet is that anyone can publish anything they want, whereas a book (unless it's self-published of course), has to go through some vetting first. You really have to have had a couple of good web books to appreciate their value. But on the other hand, some of those online tutorials are invaluable too, oh I don't know!

I refuse to vote here because I just can't pick, it's like asking me to pick between chocolate and ice-cream!

pa007 · Aug 24th, 2007, 09:12

And I know better now than to mention chocolate ice-cream.

Pete.

VanessaJW · Aug 24th, 2007, 09:17

Haha