A Blog for Graymad

Personally, I'd like a book which covered just the new features (and where appropriate, instances where existing features had become obselete / replaced by a new method (e.g., DataGrid versus GridView) - frankly the need for some online / CD supplement is kind of lost on me...
I have no doubt there's a market for the big, catch-all book, just not for me (got way too many HUGE books - with the old Wrox being the biggest culprit)

Just the new features. The online/cd supplement sounds like a good idea, just in case.

I really like the idea of providing a book with just the new features. Also provide some insight on what may have changed between Whidbey and 1.0/1.1

I'd like to see a book published that takes you step by step through creating a common project using all of the new stuff in Whidbey and using best practices. Something like a community site or an online store.

I'd like to see a focused, hands-on book that covers the new features. I am thinking almost exactly same as previous posters. Should it be small or large, hmm, let's say large enough to cover the most important new features but absolutely *not* like some old Wrox books (as Scott said).

Thanks

I find Jim's comments interesting, a project led book - to be honest, this is pretty much the last thing I'd personally want; excellent if trying to learn from scratch, but just limiting if you're trying to add to your knowledge - and also of limited continuous use. In the Windows Forms arena, I have two books which kind of mirror that, Erik E. Brown's book on Windows Forms programming is VERY project oriented whereas Chris Sell's book makes little example apps in each chapter and uses them to illustrate the meaning - I prefer Chris's approach. I read Erik's book once - but that was it, those types of book cover what they have to but by the nature of the fact they're developing an application - that can severely limit the amount of coverage they give to particular topics - ah well, just my 2p...

I am interested to see a book with new features based on the Patterns they implement. I got installed Whidbey and it is changes a lot.

thanks, Maxim

I don't know what I might want, as I don't know what I might find interesting ;)

but... If the book begins with basic programming, I won't waste a cent on it, it will go right back onto the shelf.

I want a reference. I don't want 50 pages on how to use drag and drop tools I will never use, I want something I will still want to keep by my desk 5 months from now.

Real examples, not rehashes of MS's examples.

Wally

Hi Andrew,

I think both. Personally I would like to see a supplemental book with only new features covered, as my current investment in books covers the 1.0/1.1 features (and this is probably in line with most .Net veterans), BUT here at work there would be a definite need for a complete book. Many individuals either haven't yet purchased a relevant book or have smaller books on specific subject matter and would also enjoy a complete book, rather than a supplemental one. Bit of a cop out I know but the both book syndrome would not go to waste in my organisation.

The only thing that might provoke me into spending money on a book would be a very good guide to best practises in development for this version of the framework.

I would love to see a specific 'ASP.NET Whidbey release' book that explains new features of the Whidbey release via a worked out website example. A kind of hands-on-lab so to say.

Then I also would like to see a book like 'Inside Visual Studio.NET' on the latest Whidbey release.

Thanks for asking for our opinion

I would like just to know about the new features