I’ve been writing For Dummies titles ever since, well, ever since the very first book, DOS For Dummies. Just last month my first four-color For Dummies book, Droid X For Dummies, was published.
My very first four-color computer book was a gem called Teach Yourself Excel in 24 Hours or somesuch title. I forget the exact name, but it was a four-color book on Excel.
Though I thought it was something special, I don’t remember the sales figures being that great. I mean, they never did a second edition.
I don’t know which For Dummies book was the first four-color book. It was probably some Photoshop or similar title, and then it was probably only one part of the book that was full-color.
The very first four-color For Dummies book I did, as well as the first phone book I’ve written, was on the Nexus One. Just as I was finished writing Nexus One For Dummies, Google decided that they no longer wanted to sell the phone in the USA. So that book will never be published here, but I hear that Australia, the UK, and possibly Germany are interested in translations.
The second four-color book was Droid For Dummies. Sadly, Motorola discontinued the Droid in favor of the Droid X and the Droid 2. So technically, Droid X For Dummies is the third four-color book I’ve written, but the first one to be published in the US.
Sigh.
It was a surprise that my phone book would be in four color. Normally I don’t create color images for my books. In fact, I strive for monochromatic brilliance. So when the publisher told me that the books would be in color, I had to redo some illustrations.
The resulting book is pretty nifty. I love the feel of the color-color paper. And, naturally, I love the Android OS and the Droid as a phone. As an iPhone user for years, I find Android refreshing and far more logical than the iPhone. I think other smartphone users will agree and, over time, I see Android overtaking the iPhone in sales.
In addition to the Droid X, there will be Droid 2 For Dummies coming soon. I expect it to be out before Christmas. It will also be a four color book.
awesome Dad, I may have to pick this book up
how do you think Android is for developing? do you think anyone who knows Java can make an app pretty easy? Id really like to get an Android device as a mulitimedia device like what Archos puts out, except I want a clamshell keyboard. I while back I heard something about Oracle suing Google over Java pantents that Android infringe on, I hope that matter got settled.
Comment by BradC — October 1, 2010 @ 1:00 pm
If you know Java, then you can program for Android. It’s pretty easy. I’d be doing it now, but I somehow screwed up the SKD in Eclipse and can’t seem to get it back. But I recall the tutorials were very easy and programming was a snap. Good luck if you choose to go there.
Big companies sue each other as a matter of course. I don’t think that will affect independent programmers one iota.
Comment by admin — October 1, 2010 @ 1:04 pm
>awesome Dad, I may have to pick this book up
Dad? 😛
So Android uses Java? Maybe I’ll have to pick up a book on Java…
Comment by linuxlove — October 2, 2010 @ 3:48 am
I am also known as “Dad” by some.
Comment by admin — October 2, 2010 @ 8:06 am
that is one of the stranger typos Ive made, I think I better just leave it at that
Comment by BradC — October 2, 2010 @ 11:53 am
At least you didn’t do this typo, which appeared in a book that sold 50,000 copies:
Or this one:
Comment by admin — October 2, 2010 @ 12:36 pm