It’s been around 3 years since I wrote Pro Oracle Application Express (with a chapter contributed by Scott Spendolini), and like most first time authors I said “That was a great experience, but I’m in no hurry to write another book again!”.
Writing a technical book is a very rewarding experience, but trying to do it alongside your regular day job is tough (tougher than I ever imagined). Trying to meet publishers deadlines while still trying to keep your (paying!) clients happy is very tough indeed.
However, a couple of events made me rethink my “never again” policy, firstly the very sad passing of Carl Backstrom and then the equally sad and unexpected passing of Scott Spadafore.
These two people helped me immensely during my time with Oracle Application Express and since I knew them both personally I wondered what I could do to help the families of two people who I admired immensely and also considered friends.
That’s when I came up with the idea of writing a collaborative book, with each chapter written by a different author who knew both Carl and Scott.
At ODTUG last year I approached people who I knew felt the same way about Carl and Scott as I did and I felt an enormous sense of pride that every single one of the authors didn’t hesitate in agreeing to contribute a chapter, so for that I am eternally grateful to:
- Dietmar Aust
- Doug Gault
- Dimitri Gielis
- Roel Hartman
- Michael Hichwa
- Sharon Kennedy (Sharon you need to blog!)
- Denes Kubicek
- Francis Mignault
- Anton Nielsen
- Raj Mattamal
- Daniel McGhan
- Martin D’Souza
There is some great technical content in this book, written by some of the worlds best known Oracle APEX experts. Even if you don’t think you need this book, buy it…PLEASE.
NOTE: ALL AUTHOR ROYALTIES ARE SPLIT 50/50 BETWEEN THE TWO MEMORIAL FUNDS.
A PLEA FROM ME: If you are only going to buy 1 book on APEX this year…please make it this one, if you are going to buy more than 1…well make sure one of them is this book!
Comments 30
Great that you are doing this to help the families of Carl and Scott.
I pre-ordered it without any hesitation.
Posted 30 Mar 2011 at 1:24 pm ¶Any single name on this author list would be a reason to buy the book, so this will be epic, without a doubt.
Great author line-up, interesting subject, good cause! I see no reason not to buy this book.
Posted 30 Mar 2011 at 1:30 pm ¶Wow, this book seems to have gathered the best-of-the-best APEX experts. It’s definitely a must have… Nice initiative with the memorial funds. Shows true friendship and human value. Congratulations!
Posted 30 Mar 2011 at 1:31 pm ¶Count me in!
Posted 30 Mar 2011 at 3:34 pm ¶Great effort! No hesitation with buying this one.
Posted 30 Mar 2011 at 4:29 pm ¶Pre-order placed.
I only wish the Amazon description of the book had more about the contents of the book and less about the authors. For example, I would hope that Anton Nielsen wrote (or at least contributed to) the security section, but the description doesn’t even say if such a section is included.
But I trust you guys and I’m a sucker for tributes to two great guys. Thanks to all for your efforts.
Posted 30 Mar 2011 at 6:04 pm ¶Stew,
Anton is indeed doing the security section, I asked all the authors to pick the topics they were most comfortable with doing and didn’t pressure anyone to do any particular chapter. I think that will make for a great book overall.
I’ll update the post with a TOC when I get a chance.
Thanks for the support,
John
Posted 30 Mar 2011 at 7:29 pm ¶Brilliant idea!!
Posted 31 Mar 2011 at 3:25 am ¶Done! Pre-ordered!!
I’ve had the pleasure of performing technical review for a number of chapters in this book, and so far it has been outstanding.
Rest assured it will be the best Apex book on the rack for a while – and now I feel better knowing it will be for a good cause.
ScottWe
Posted 31 Mar 2011 at 7:37 am ¶Fantastic idea John. I will definitely buy the book to make a contribution.
Thanks to all authors,
Posted 31 Mar 2011 at 7:53 am ¶Wim
Classy idea, John, and I tip my hat to all those who contributed.
Posted 31 Mar 2011 at 11:20 pm ¶Thanks Doug, much appreciated!
John
Posted 01 Apr 2011 at 10:44 am ¶Any chance this book will have a kindle version anytime soon? I will get this book, but I’d prefer to have it on kindle. That way I can reference it anywhere I am, as long as any of my devices is available. And it does not require killing trees.
Posted 03 Apr 2011 at 10:00 pm ¶Hi Mathias
I’m not sure about the kindle version, but will check on that and post back here.
Thanks,
John
Posted 04 Apr 2011 at 7:52 am ¶Hi Mathias
I checked and it should be available on Kindle too.
Thanks,
John
Posted 04 Apr 2011 at 2:34 pm ¶I’m a bit biased against tech book by multiple authors, and wow this one sure has a lot…..
Posted 04 Apr 2011 at 8:55 pm ¶Robert,
I’m not entirely sure what your point is?
Thanks,
John.
Posted 05 Apr 2011 at 7:44 am ¶Excellent idea John, hats off to you for taking this task in hand. I shall surely will buy the book and have also posted a post to echo what Doug has already put so nicely.
Aman….
Posted 09 Apr 2011 at 8:26 am ¶Looking forward to it , we do a lot of development on Apex and its been a while we have had books on APEX4 covering some of the new features
Posted 11 Apr 2011 at 10:10 pm ¶With a list of contributes like that; I will definitely purchase it.
Posted 29 Apr 2011 at 5:51 am ¶Apex community is like a big family and joining hands by some of the top experts – on this wonderful book project – tells us how much regards and respect we have for the best friends that Apex community has lost and a greatway to remember and acknowledge their great work. Congratulations to John in initiating this project and to all the authors who’re participating in this effort. I’d also recommend everyone not just buying the book but also plan book launch events in all the cities and pay tribute to the good friends that Apex community shall miss. Thanks and looking forward to purchasing the book. Its already on my Amazon Wish List/Preordered.
Posted 29 Apr 2011 at 7:47 pm ¶Great book. I bought it.
Posted 04 May 2011 at 5:37 am ¶I love this idea:
ALL AUTHOR ROYALTIES ARE SPLIT 50/50 BETWEEN THE TWO MEMORIAL FUNDS.
I have great respect for the knowledge both Scott and Carl demonstrated. If only for the sake of the memorial funds, I put in my preorder (still!) today.
Posted 07 Jun 2011 at 11:29 am ¶Sure takes some time to get this printed?
Hi Frank
Thank you very much, it’s very much appreciated.
It should be printed VERY soon now
John
Posted 07 Jun 2011 at 11:37 am ¶And it is available NOW….
Posted 18 Jun 2011 at 7:53 pm ¶Hi,
I’d really like to buy this, but it’s not available on Kindle. I’ve seen your comment above that it should be, but it’s not.
Posted 21 Jun 2011 at 3:36 pm ¶I’d really like to buy this book, but it’s not available on Kindle. Do you know when it’ll be published on Kindle?
Posted 21 Jun 2011 at 3:39 pm ¶Book arrived early this morning. Trying to flick through while doing 1001 other jobs. Looks like it will be an invaluable source of reference.
Posted 28 Jun 2011 at 11:04 am ¶Thanks, John! I ordered the book. Sending the proceeds to the memorial funds is a great idea! May God bless their families with much from this. Carl B. and Scott S. have helped me on *numerous* occasions by openly sharing their APEX insights on their blogs and OTN forum responses.
Posted 29 Jun 2011 at 9:53 pm ¶Thanks again,
Reid
Thanks for the recognition of a brilliant man Scott, gentle in his ways and always willing to share his knowledge. He passed into spirit exctly a year after his older brother, my husband. The Spadafore family’s loss is great.
Posted 05 Sep 2011 at 6:48 am ¶Trackbacks & Pingbacks 3
Highly Recommended…
I’ve built up quite a blogging back-log that I hope to clear a little over the next week, but I saw something today that’s more important than any of the posts to come so I wanted to blog about that quickly first.John Scott, a pillar of the Oracle Ap…
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