I don't really understand this point of view. If you'd prefer not to purchase their book then that's cool - but only Audrey and Daniel are in a position to assess if it was worth their effort to publish an ebook or not, surely you can respect their decision not to do so.
Really, you don't understand why a programmer would want a digital version of a programming book in 2014? You don't have to agree, but I'm surprised that someone would claim to not even understand it.
I don't think they are in a position to assess it, and I think it is a poor decision, so I don't really respect it. This is like saying only the RIAA are in a position to assess the effect of piracy and using this as rationale to keep something off iTunes.
My prediction is that they will soon discover that most of those pirates won't suddenly buy the paper version, and neither will anybody who previously only bought the ebook version. They will also lose a fair bit of the word-of-mouth promotion from anyone who was a fan of the ebook version.
This story ends with them eventually caving and releasing an ebook version again, so they're just throwing away sales between now and then, and since release time is when the majority of purchases occur, they'll permanently lose that benefit.
No, I understand why you might want a digital version.
What I don't understand is why you think you're entitled to a digital version.
These are two independent authors making their own informed decision about which medium they'd like to publish in. Their work, their choice.
(Not the op) I can still be annoyed by their apparent conclusion that 'nobody wants an ebook' and attempt to make them aware that not only do I want an ebook, but I actively do not want a printed book.
It is a dumb decision for it will not prevent a digital version to be shared on the internet and alienating your potential customers is not the best marketing move.
The ability to search and to copy/paste is something programmers usually like, being deprived of these on the premises that the author want to maximize profit is sure to alienate a significant portion of them.
> surely you can respect their decision not to do so.
Personally, I can't. Just as I can't respect any game publisher that decides to tack on an always-online mode for their game with some lame excuse of why they did it when the real reason is that it's a form of DRM.
