Earlier this year we released Essential Silverlight 2: Up-to-Date by Christian Wenz. The format of the book is a new concept for us: it’s publshed in a binder and is kept up-to-date with periodic inserts that cover the latest updates to the software.

The first update to the book is now available. You can download the PDF for free or you can purchase a pre-printed update for $3.99. This update is based on the Beta 1 release from Microsoft. It has two new chapters covering the TextBox control and data binding, as well as a new table of contents and index.

The idea behind it For publishers of printed technology books, it’s always been challenging to get a book written, edited, printed, and delivered while the content of the book is still relevant and needed by the audience. Some of our readers are happy to have the information they need delivered quickly in electronic form, but we hear from others that they still prefer the actual printed page. The Up-to-Date format is our answer to the need to deliver information on new technologies quickly, yet in printed form. And the beauty of it is that the book can take shape right along with the software, providing coverage of the CTPs, betas, and RTM releases as they become available.

Here’s a chance to win a free O’Reilly book of your choice We’ve had mixed reactions to this format. The comments have been overwhelmingly positive, but there have been a few people who were critical, and some who simply didn’t get the idea. There are a couple topics on which I’d like to hear. First, what do you think of this idea? And second, what topics lend themselves to this format and what would not? Post your comments on either of these subjects or post any other comments that relate to this topic. One week from today, on May 27th, I’ll arbitrarily select a winner from among the posts and send you the O’Reilly book of your choice.