Buy this book: Chris Ziegler's 'T-Mobile G1 For Dummies'

Look, we don't normally talk about that wacky old medium -- the printed word -- but this is a special case. Our very own Chris Ziegler, whom many of us refer to around here as "the modern-day Hemingway," has just recently put pen to paper (er, finger to keyboard) and written the definitive tome on all things G1. Namely, T-Mobile G1 For Dummies. If you at all care about the state of our nation, world peace, finding the Ark of the Covenant, creating the perfect salsa, or just figuring out how to set the alarm clock on your phone: this is the book for you. In all seriousness, we're super proud of Chris' efforts here, and we hope -- if you're totally into the G1, like we know you are -- you'll take a peek at these totally boss pages.

[horizontaleight Posted Jan 30th 2009 8:12PM]

Congratulations on the book.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 30th 2009 8:15PM]

Engadget writers never cease to crack me up...brilliant!


For those touting manuals...c'mon...most manuals read like instructions to tax forms. Information might all be there but I'd rather gouge my eyes out than sit down and read them.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 30th 2009 8:15PM]

T-Mobile G1 For Dummies by Me

Go buy an iPhone and never go near an awesome open-source OS in your life again. Ever.

:)

[Solipsism Posted Jan 30th 2009 8:34PM]

The "for dummies" part has never been so appropriate.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 30th 2009 8:28PM]

Good thing this book teaches me how to make calls! I've had my G1 for months and I can't get in contact with anyone.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 30th 2009 8:29PM]

Why would you write a book about the G1? Write a book about android and it will be relevant into the future. Not to mention you'd be able to market it to those who purchase any of the other android based phones that come out. Please don't re-release this book as "(random android phone) for dummies" every time a new android phone comes out.

[Chris Posted Jan 30th 2009 9:52PM]

You know, we actually struggled at length about whether this would become Android For Dummies or G1 For Dummies... we ultimately decided that the G1 was the way to go, considering the mass-market name recognition (relatively speaking) and the fact that it'd still be the only Android device on the market by the time the book was released.

[gadgetfanboy Posted Jan 30th 2009 10:51PM]

It's actually pragmatic on another level too, in addition to what Chris stated. When future mass-marketed Android devices come out (G2?) it will be fairly easy to re-use large portions of the text. Chris will be either be able to quickly write another book or collect royalties from someone who does. Maybe?

Way to go Chris, btw. That's a pretty big deal to author a book. And you get to enter the canon of "for Dummies" books! :D

Keep up the good podcasts too, the Engadget Mobile podcast is quite good.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 30th 2009 8:32PM]

I've always wondered, can I still read the book if I'm just stupid but not a dummy?

Seriously, congrats on the book Chris. I'm sure it isn't easy to get ANY book published, let alone in a series like this.

[KennyB123 Posted Jan 30th 2009 8:33PM]

Isn't everyone with a G1 a dummy? They are on the T-mobile network...

I keed, I keed. :-)

[Jayenkai Posted Jan 30th 2009 8:34PM]

I'd like point out that a Dummy probably wouldn't know what a G1 is..
..

But would probably buy the book to find out..

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 30th 2009 8:46PM]

hehe he sure know how to make money! Great idea. Keep the good work.

[JacobsDream Posted Jan 30th 2009 9:47PM]

Quit whining folks.
Some people WILL buy the book and actually benefit from it. Are you forgetting the word "Dummy" on the cover?
The book is not meant for all the geeks on this board so easy on the self-consciousness :).
Congrats to the author.

[Chris Posted Jan 30th 2009 9:47PM]

Thanks so much for the kind words, everyone! It was pretty amazing to me how much work goes into one of these -- not just by me, but by a whole team of editors, graphics folks, technical advisors... the list goes on. For anyone expecting this to be an Engadget-esque book, fair warning, it's not -- but if you (or someone you know) is looking for a plain-language guide to getting around Android, I hope this little tome does the job.

Thanks again!

[RyanTV Posted Jan 30th 2009 10:01PM]

This is very cool - my brother in law just got a G1, I think I'll get it for him.

[James Posted Jan 31st 2009 12:25AM]

I think you should give iEye one...hes a little slow if you know what you mean...actually your title says it all hes a dummy.

[gp Posted Jan 31st 2009 5:40AM]

"For anyone expecting this to be an Engadget-esque book, fair warning, it's not"

Thank goodness it isn't. I'm quite fed up with the Engadget attitude.

[montysaurus Posted Jan 30th 2009 10:34PM]

is it sad that Chris might have just given me my idea of a perfect valentines day gift?
so tired of being the girlfriend's tutor.

doing it at work is enough for me.

[Chefgon Posted Jan 30th 2009 10:33PM]

I don't want to undermine this effort or anything, but the G1 is extremely straightforward. You can figure out everything on it in an hour or two just by casually looking around.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 30th 2009 10:36PM]

High five! Way to go!

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 30th 2009 11:27PM]

The movie was better.

[keithwwalker Posted Jan 31st 2009 1:32AM]

It should of been entitled, 'Do Androids Dream of Sex with Electric Sheep'

Seriously, who buys these books? Do they have one in the series on home dentistry?

[ashwinmudigonda Posted Jan 31st 2009 2:25AM]

Show me how to code for the G1 and I'll bite.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 31st 2009 2:42AM]

That's the "G1 coding for dummies" book I'd buy.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 31st 2009 2:41AM]

Very nice :) I like how good the G1 actually looks on the cover.

[Iblackdude Posted Jan 31st 2009 2:59AM]

BUT...... Why you hate iEye??????

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 31st 2009 8:32AM]

I am working on a book, too.
It is called:

Writing For Dummies Books for dummies.

[gp Posted Jan 31st 2009 9:34AM]

Ah, so you've read my book, "Writing Writing for Dummies Books for Dummies Books For Dummies", eh?

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 31st 2009 10:29AM]

Ahh!! then u guys definitely must have read my book 'How to be an idiot on the internet'

[gp Posted Jan 31st 2009 2:15PM]

@pol

Actually, no. You remain the sole keeper of the secret.

[r34p3r Posted Jan 31st 2009 8:19AM]

When asked where he gets the inspiration to write all of these useful books, the author bluntly replied:

""Duh, I don't know. Me gotta go to bank now."

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 31st 2009 8:26AM]

No "Look Inside" to preview the book?

[ch3burashka Posted Jan 31st 2009 12:21PM]

I'm gonna have to buy this and put it next to my 'Wii for Dummies' book.

[Churma Posted Jan 31st 2009 2:52PM]

Congratulations Chris.
Next up, How to post on Engadget.com for Dummies

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 31st 2009 3:21PM]

If you are buying this book, you should've ditched your G1 and get an iPhone instead.

[Onashi608 Posted Jan 31st 2009 4:19PM]

Congrats, Chris, I'm excited for you!

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 31st 2009 7:20PM]

Chris,

I love my G1, and would say i'm pretty familiar with it. I'll make you a deal. if you can explain to me how to get the GPS to work much better here in Chicago, or anywhere for that matter, i will buy 1 copy, nay, 10 copies of your book. Thank you.