Dr. Jim Feher, GTP textbook author, talks about working with Global Text Project to create and publish an open textbook

Associate Editor: Tell us your perspective on creating your textbook, Digital Logic with Laboratory Exercises, with Global Text Project.

Dr. Jim Feher: What can I say, I may be biased, but I think the Global Text Project (GTP) is just a fantastic organization. I've always been a huge proponent of open source software and the free exchange of ideas that is made possible by using the Creative Commons License. So when I was thinking about writing a lab manual and came across the GTP, I was immediately excited about the possibility of working with them to release my manual.

When I contacted the GTP, I was impressed. Not only did I find an organization with an underlying philosophy of making materials freely available that I agreed with; I also found a group that had in infrastructure in place that was able to assist me in the development and distribution of my text. Because the helpful and knowledgeable staff at GTP was able to help in assembling of my materials, I was able to concentrate on writing the text and not get bogged down in so much of the formatting required for the project.

The entire process of writing my text was very rewarding and I look forward to the opportunity to enhance my current edition or starting a new text. I would strongly encourage anyone considering writing a text to look into working with the GTP. They will not only help provide valuable assistance in developing the text, you will also know that your efforts are more likely
to reach a vast audience that could not otherwise afford quality texts.

This is multi-part series, keep checking back! More to come from Dr. Jim Feher!

Dr. Feher teaches Computer Science at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois, USA.