> From: Dave Thomas [mailto:Dave / PragmaticProgrammer.com]

> > "Ben Tilly" <ben_tilly / hotmail.com> writes:

> > I'm curious though, no party's had an objection to releasing the
> > book online in fear that it would decrease sales of the book?
> 
> I don't know what's going to happen. I'm not really that worried, to
> be honest. Selling books is not really a living, it's just fun. What
> _would_ give me a buzz though is seeing the Ruby community grow. This
> might be a small step along the way.
> 
> So there's no problem, really.
> 
> Share and enjoy.
> 
> Dave

Bruce Eckel lists reasons he published his material online.
(About halfway down.)

http://www.mindview.net/notes.html