purchasing 'bound hard-copies' of the book
Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2017 10:53 am
I get periodic requests/queries concerning the availability of the 'MARK book' in bound hardcopy format. The book has gotten rather large (1100+ pages, and growing), and simply hitting the 'print button' for the whole thing will eat a toner cartridge (or two).
However, sometimes, such a printing is needed (say, for teaching purposes, or because you find hardcopy more convenient). There are now a couple of solutions -- you can either
(i) download a rotated, double-columned version of the book - smaller font size, but still quite legible, (this option has been available for some time, and works quite well if you have cheap local printing)
or (the new option )
(ii) purchase a printed/bound copy of the book - split into two volumes: Volume I (covering chapters 1 to 11; the 'core material'), and Volume II (chapters 12 to 21, and the appendices). Cost is very reasonable ($18-22 per volume, plus shipping, probably ~$45 or so for both volumes -- cost is 100% production only -- no profit to anyone involved with the book), and the quality of the printed copy is actually very good (IMO).
Of course, the downside of any 'hardcopy' is that it runs the risk of being 'out-of-date' over some time horizon (especially for Volume II), but thats a risk you run, balanced against whatever benefit you might see in having a printed version of things...
However, sometimes, such a printing is needed (say, for teaching purposes, or because you find hardcopy more convenient). There are now a couple of solutions -- you can either
(i) download a rotated, double-columned version of the book - smaller font size, but still quite legible, (this option has been available for some time, and works quite well if you have cheap local printing)
or (the new option )
(ii) purchase a printed/bound copy of the book - split into two volumes: Volume I (covering chapters 1 to 11; the 'core material'), and Volume II (chapters 12 to 21, and the appendices). Cost is very reasonable ($18-22 per volume, plus shipping, probably ~$45 or so for both volumes -- cost is 100% production only -- no profit to anyone involved with the book), and the quality of the printed copy is actually very good (IMO).
Of course, the downside of any 'hardcopy' is that it runs the risk of being 'out-of-date' over some time horizon (especially for Volume II), but thats a risk you run, balanced against whatever benefit you might see in having a printed version of things...