Geckos that won't die (was Re: Use Something Different)

As an aside why is there a Learning Perl and a Learning Perl for Win32?

There really shouldn't be, any more. We worked hard to eliminate the Unix-knowledge bias for the 3rd edition of the Llama. But when I suggested that this signaled the end of the Gecko book, the O'Reilly staff said "why stop printing a book that sells?".

So, the Gecko continues to sell, but in an ideal world, it'd be gone by now.

When we teach a "Learning Perl" class, we always use the Llama, regardless of the mix of the students between 100% Unix and 100% Windows. I don't think I've ever even ordered the Gecko for a class.

-- Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker
Be sure to read my standard disclaimer if this is a reply.

Comment on Geckos that won't die (was Re: Use Something Different)

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Re: Geckos that won't die (was Re: Use Something Different)
by mikeraz (Friar) on Jul 05, 2005 at 22:44 UTC

I refer nervous, fearful people who live in the Win world to the Gecko Book. It reassures them to see Win32 in the title. They open it with the expectation that they will have the comforts of their familiar environment. To someone who lives i a world of hierarchical menus this is a big thing.

Be Appropriate && Follow Your Curiosity

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Re: Geckos that won't die (was Re: Use Something Different)
by Ninthwave (Chaplain) on Apr 13, 2005 at 12:58 UTC

Thank you for the hard work, it shows and I have been sending people to the Llama no matter what the platform, I can now do it with a bit more confidence that they won't be stuck.

"No matter where you go, there you are." BB

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Re: Geckos that won't die (was Re: Use Something Different)
by apotheon (Deacon) on Jan 01, 2006 at 03:14 UTC

Hmmm. I just noticed that my copy of Learning Perl says "UNIX Programming" at the top of it. I'm guessing the unix bias was weeded out after the second edition of the book. Since I currently don't even have a Windows system of my own, though, this bothers me not one whit.

print substr("Just another Perl hacker", 0, -2);
- apotheon
CopyWrite Chad Perrin

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