Author Topic: Help Me Decide How to Giveaway Some C++ Books Here on DC (Read 23,204 times)

tinjaw · « **on:** February 16, 2010, 08:08 PM »

I am moving into a new home in about six months so I am starting to determine what I can get away with not moving. I have about 6-8 brand new never-been-opened C++ books. I decided to learn C++ once and for all about a year ago and bought the best I could find and then promptly decided that it wasn't worth my time.

So, I want to find them a good new home. I want them to be used by somebody who will wear out the bindings from use. And I would like your help in coming up with some ideas about how to best find them a home.

What ideas to you have?

KynloStephen66515 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2010, 08:12 PM »

Quote from: tinjaw on February 16, 2010, 08:08 PM

I am moving into a new home in about six months so I am starting to determine what I can get away with not moving. I have about 6-8 brand new never-been-opened C++ books. I decided to learn C++ once and for all about a year ago and bought the best I could find and then promptly decided that it wasn't worth my time.

So, I want to find them a good new home. I want them to be used by somebody who will wear out the bindings from use. And I would like your help in coming up with some ideas about how to best find them a home.

What ideas to you have?

How about running some sort of competition on DC and the winner gets them? - or maybe run an 'auction' for which, the users much donate to DC if they win, once they win and donate, they must send credits to you (to be passed into the site fund)

f0dder · « **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2010, 10:28 PM »

Quote from: tinjaw on February 16, 2010, 08:08 PM

What ideas to you have?

Ship them all to me or Jibz

mwb1100 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2010, 06:30 AM »

Quote from: tinjaw on February 16, 2010, 08:08 PM

I want them to be used by somebody who will wear out the bindings from use. And I would like your help in coming up with some ideas about how to best find them a home.

Have a DC C++ programming contest, and the worst programs win the books.

mouser · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2010, 06:40 AM »

Quote

Have a DC C++ programming contest, and the worst programs win the books.

mouser · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2010, 06:42 AM »

very nice gesture tinjaw

(i think your initial instinct was right to just give them away to someone who knows they will really use them rather than do contest).
maybe list what books they are?

tinjaw · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2010, 01:20 PM »

I meant to list them here last night when I got home from work, but I forgot. I'll try to remember to list them tonight.

rno2 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2010, 11:22 PM »

What about giving them to a programmer that is just starting out. One who is serious about learning of course.

tinjaw · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2010, 12:57 AM »

I have created an Amazon Wish List with the books.

Almost every one of them is in new condition with some minor exceptions. I bought some of these used, but they are in excellent condition.

If you purchased all of these books new from Amazon, the total price is about $450.00 USD.

It is difficult for me to part with these books. I love my books. But the combination of me moving, loving python more than any other programming language I have ever used, and knowing they will go to good homes, is enough to get me to part with them.

These books are definitely not for you if you are the type that likes "in 24 hours", "in 10 days", or "For Dummies" books.

I am still looking for a way to improve the odds that they go to loving homes. Please contribute your ideas.

thanx,
tinjaw

tinjaw · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2010, 12:59 AM »

Quote from: rno2 on February 17, 2010, 11:22 PM

What about giving them to a programmer that is just starting out. One who is serious about learning of course.

Yes. Anybody who is serious about learning C++. Even somebody who has written Hello World in C++ and has decided that is something they want to learn on their own.

tinjaw · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2010, 02:00 AM »

Here they are...

[attachthumb=#]

mouser · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2010, 04:47 AM »

Well that is a nice set of C++ books for sure.

f0dder · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2010, 01:04 PM »

There's some good books in that list, I own several of them already

- I'd be interested in the Data Structures & Algorithms book, still haven't got one of those. And browsing the TOC, this one seems good.

I wonder if there's any "DS&A in 24 hours for dummies" books...

scancode · « **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2010, 01:09 PM »

Wait, that means that there are people who willingly learn C++?
Ouch!

Crush · « **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2010, 01:18 PM »

I have a few books about C++, but nothing from yours. I also could need them because I constantly reread all my books after some time to refresh forgotten knowledge.

Eóin · « **Reply #15 on:** February 18, 2010, 02:10 PM »

@f0dder - Effective STL perhaps?

f0dder · « **Reply #16 on:** February 18, 2010, 02:14 PM »

Quote from: Eóin on February 18, 2010, 02:10 PM

@f0dder - Effective STL perhaps?

Nah, wouldn't say so - fordummies/xx-timeunits tend to be pretty dumbed down. It's been a couple of years since I read Effective STL, but I definitely don't remember it (or other of Meyer's works, for that matter) as being dumbed-down to the point of uselessness

RedPillow · « **Reply #17 on:** February 25, 2010, 08:21 AM »

I don`t know how you`re gonna give them away, but I can tell you that I just got interested in C++ and I could use those books so if there`s any competiton or stuff - COUNT ME IN =D (Send pm or something).

tinjaw · « **Reply #18 on:** February 25, 2010, 02:34 PM »

I haven't really thought of a good way to find these books a good home. There haven't been any ideas here that sound viable.

I'm thinking the next question is can we at least identify those people who desire the books and consider themselves "candidates". Maybe I should create a new post that asks people to "sign up" and explain why they want the books and what they would use them for? And mouser could feature it some way?

What do you folks think?

mouser · « **Reply #19 on:** February 25, 2010, 03:17 PM »

i don't think it's worth the hassle of having a contest.. i've come to believe few things are

BUT what about this instead:

Give them to the first person who has done more then 3 Coding Snacks and requests them.

OR

Give them to the first person who has completed 5 or more assignments in the Programming School section and requests them.

8 is a bit much for one person, maybe split into 2 packages of 4 books each, and give one to each of the above criteria.

mouser · « **Reply #20 on:** February 25, 2010, 04:19 PM »

The badges page lists people who have done coding snacks and programming school stuff, and nany stuff:
http://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?action=badges

Maybe what would be useful would be for us to set up a mailing list for such people who are involved in such things, and when people have things they want to give away, it could go to this mailing list?

tinjaw · « **Reply #21 on:** March 18, 2010, 02:10 AM »

Wow. I have been bringing home work for over a week. And it will continue for another. Most things are backed up, piled up, dangling, unread, unprocessed, unfinished. This is one of them.

OK folks. Nothing has inspired me yet it terms of how to give these away. I will probably just end up giving them to whoever asks for them. Seems like a waste.

Maybe sell them and donate the proceeds instead to a good cause. Comments?

rno2 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 21, 2010, 11:59 PM »

What about an auction with the proceeds going to donationcoders?

Target · « **Reply #23 on:** March 22, 2010, 01:17 AM »

Quote from: rno2 on March 21, 2010, 11:59 PM

What about an auction with the proceeds going to donationcoders?

or an 'auction' with the proceeds going to the charity of your choice?

actually, why not just put a price on them with the above as a criteria, ie i assume from your descriptions the books are all mint, so 50% of the replacement price probably wouldn't be unreasonable (YMMV - I have no experience here, but this seems like a reasonable guesstimate). User pays shipping, and the funds to go the charity...