[Savannah-hackers] savannah.gnu.org: submission of The GNU Free C++ Textbook

[gnudev]

A package was submitted to savannah.gnu.org.
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James Alexander Buchanan <address@hidden> described the package as follows:
License: fdl
Other License: 
Package: The GNU Free C++ Textbook
System name: cpptextbook
This package wants to apply for inclusion in the GNU project

My project is free documentation. It is a classroom-oriented CS-101 type C++ 
textbook intended for freshman college/university students. It will have an 
accompanying instructor\'s manual and example programmes.

I have been angered in the past at the price of quality textbooks for college 
students, particularly the very nice, glossy hardcover editions which in terms 
of my currency cost a weeks\' wages per book. If I had to purchase 8 textbooks 
for 8 subjects in one academic year for example, two months\' worth of my wages 
are spent and I either live in poverty with my parents or starve (I\'ve tried 
starving, and it\'s not fun).

The likes of Prentice Hall, McGraw Hill, Saunders, etc publish these textbooks 
and make deals doubtlessly to have them set as required textbooks. They also 
have the cheek to occasionally publish paperback editions with an insulting 
message on the back cover \"Prentice Hall publishes these lower priced editions 
for the benefit of students...\"

Over some time I have discussed these issues with Lisa M. Opus Goldstein, the 
manager of the FSF Press and our goals are essentially the same. I agreed I 
would donate my C++ textbook and to also produce an instructor\'s manual, using 
my free manual/documentation project as a pilot for the FSF to produce more 
educational/classroom oriented materials.

The textbook covers ANSI Standard C++, and contains graded exercises and 
projects for students. It teaches the Standard C++ library from the beginning, 
and is unique in this respect: it is not another \"C first\" C++ textbook.

The first three chapters have been drafted and used successfully with students 
ranging in age from 13 to 60. It is also being reviewed by college professors 
and tutors.

The book is undergoing a change at this point in time, converting the sources 
to DocBook. I expect the first DocBook-based chapter to be uploaded into CVS 
within a fortnight, after I receive my DocBook manual from the bookshop and 
have a chance to convert the first chapter.