University of Utah explores using free, online, open-source textbooks

[mike_c]

1. I completely understand this...

I've dropped texts from one of my main classes and now use extensive digital handouts that are, in essence, a self authored entry level text, with topic coverage limited to the subjects I cover. The cost of the two texts that I'd otherwise need to use was just too burdensome for students.

But I still think it's a shame. I have most of my college texts still, on bookshelves in my office or at home, and they are prized possessions I've owned and used for half my life. I would never prefer electronic files to actual, ink on paper books. They are expensive, but they're a lifetime investment.