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Ask HN: How do you read your programming books?

6 points by shuaib ↗ HN
If you are like me, you don't like to carry around a lot of physical books. For the past few years, I have been doing most of my readings off of iPad. But it isn't very easy on the eye, and at least I can't keep on reading off of it for long periods of time without getting eye strain. I hear that even though Kindle and its versions are good for non-tech books, it isn't ideal for tech books. Is that so?

My question to you is: What medium do you find best for heavy tech/programming reads?

7 comments

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asaddhamani
Since learning programming isn't only about reading, but more about execution, I find it better to just read them on the computer I am using at that moment. A Kindle is fine, I don't see why it wouldn't be acceptable for tech books.
valarauca1
Generally I prefer to read from a book. While they are bulky, heavy, not as fashionable as an E-Reader, I like books. I spent a lot of my childhood in the library, I like their smell, texture, the feeling of turning pages.

Also I've never understood the 'carry around' problem. But then I don't do my reading in public, or outside my home. I have a comfortable chair, or my bed.

:.:.:

If I have to read something related to my programming work (I.E.: Reference Material, papers, manuals), second monitor and it better be in a simple text or pdf format.

segmondy
good ol regular kindle. email it to my kindle in pdf format. not the best format, but works for most books.
grn
I'm using Kindle (+ Readability) + printouts. I really like books but they have two disadvantages: they are a little bit more expensive (but that's not the rule) and, what's more important, they occupy space on a shelf. I have a small collection of about 60 books and have no more space available.

When I find an interesting article that I'd like to read I add it to Readability. If the article requires more mental effort to understand, or when I want to have a deeper understanding of the presented topic, I print it on A4 paper, one-sided. The back side of each sheet is for my notes. Because I'm not trying to formulate the Fermat Last Theorem the margins are too narrow. ;-)

I think that Kindle is a good choice for tech books, but you may have trouble reading code or complicated diagrams. It all depends on the type of books you intend to read.

I recommend a mixed approach: Kindle + printouts + books. Discover your own preferences for medium for reading about a particular subject.

michaelchum
I prefer the classical paperback, which you can easily highlight/write notes. However, I just carry a programming book to learn low-level details during my daily commute. Most of my learning is done during practice referring to online resources.
infinii
I don't read technical books back to back which makes using a Kindle difficult. It's hard to jump sections or utilize the ToC/Index effectively on a Kindle.
taternuts
I prefer to read them as PDF's on my computer monitor. Most of the times, I will either follow along or write simple code snippets to reinforce things and I find it annoying to keep bouncing from hardcopy/tablet to the computer so often. I never really get any eye strain, though I do have horrible vision for what it is worth.