SitePoint, a global leader in publishing for web developers and designers 
for more than 15 years, is piloting “Live Update,” a new project using GitHub that allows readers to explore books in progress. The project gives the SitePoint community greater transparency into traditionally closed book publishing processes and enables them to collaborate on the book and even ask questions of its authors.
“’Live Update’ is an exciting development for us,” says Simon Mackie, Content Manager for SitePoint Books. “By taking advantage of GitHub (a tool we were already using and one many developers are intimately familiar with), we can open up the once-closed writing and editing process and allow the entire SitePoint community, including Learnable, to get involved in our publishing projects.”
The Live Update pilot will produce a completed second edition of one of SitePoint’s most popular titles — HTML5 & CSS3 for the Real World. Both the original book and the new edition are written by renowned developer-authors Alexis Goldstein, Louis Lazaris and Estelle Weyl. Alexis Goldstein is enthusiastic about Live Update and says, “It’s exciting to know how many people are interested in watching the process unfold and helping to be a part of it.“
“Live Update” is another reflection of SitePoint’s commitment to creating innovative learning experiences that cater to diverse students and learning styles. According to Erica Wass, Learnable’s Business Manager, Live Update participants are following along as the authors and editorial team revise the book and are asking questions and providing valuable feedback as the work is done. Erica says, “The end result is continuous learning for the participants and an even better, more useful book for the world.”
Ethan Glass, a developer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is an active Live Update participant. Ethan was drawn to participate in Live Update because he enjoys computer programming and thought he could learn from it. Ethan has submitted many GitHub Issues to the authors that included questions or notes on the text or code. “It has been a great experience so far,” Ethan says. “I have found that the authors are very responsive and I have gotten into some good discussion.” Ethan already calls the pilot a success and is eager for Live Updates of other SitePoint books as well.
In addition to the educational benefits of participation, active Live Update participants will receive a mention in the completed edition as well as a free ebook when the work is published.
With HTML5 now having reached the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) ‘Recommendation’ status there is no better time for developers of all backgrounds and skill levels to join in and take part in the Live Update of HTML5 & CSS3 for the Real World and the larger SitePoint community.
