Re:Best-selling organic chemistry textbook becomes open access
by insightcheck on Wednesday August 24, 2022 @07:49AM
(#32578106)
Eh, the McMurry textbook is fine and credible. At least several universities with top undergraduate chemistry programs still use it for assigned reading for their introductory courses.
> "It has nothing to do with students - it is all about the publisher wanting more money and wanting to shut down the used book market."
The publisher could have charged for both the book (at the least, a relatively small fee just for online access to a version with DRM that needs special software to view) and the online supplementary materials.
The move initiated by the author to make the book open source leaves money on the table, while also making the latest edition of the book easier to access for students.
> Cengage will still make money from McMurry’s book through the supporting online material. ‘We like to have them continue selling that because a lot of students want that,’
It has nothing to do with students - it is all about the publisher wanting more money and wanting to shut down the used book market.