[OT] Packtpub?

[Lynn Fredricks]

> Packtpub, apparently an India-based published operation 
> concerned largely with computer stuff have asked me to be 
> involved in editing a publication.

They are India-based, but they do get technical books into retail. Ive seen
plenty and read a couple - a Joomla book, plus another one.

> Is opaque in the extreme: what discussion? where? and what on 
> earth would that actually tell you about either my ability to 
> review a publication or my academic bona fides vis-a-vis 
> computer programming.
> 
> Now all they are offering me for my work seems to be a hard 
> copy of the book plus another from their "stable" of 
> publications. That is all very jolly, but it is not what 
> motivates me; what does is the fact that my c.v. has got a 
> bit thin on the ground recently, and the odd editorship 
> and/or publication would spice things up a bit when/if I 
> decide to apply for a new job.
> 
> What I am really wondering is whether this will have any sort 
> of clout in a c.v at all, or is just a bit of fun to get a 
> couple of books.

They aren't as well known as O'Reilley but they are willing to publish books
on relatively new (or not that well known) technologies.

Sometimes they get a bit spammy on promotions, but I lay that more to
someone inside being assigned to promote a book and getting overzealous.

It wouldn't look good if they paid you to review a book - getting a free
copy is about what they can do. Its not like doctors going to pharma
lectures ;-)

Best regards,

Lynn Fredricks
President
Paradigma Software
http://www.paradigmasoft.com

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