This is something that the "old" HNers would've eaten up, not because they needed it but because their non-technical employees need it. Mary, the office admin, needs to have a basic understanding of this stuff. I wish there was a better preview version - seems like it would fit that market but I can't really tell enough w/ their crappy Slideshare version.
thanks for the feedback. Are you saying the preview isn't long enough or that the viewing format is poor on slideshare?
Both!
I think you should add in a later chapter to the preview. For example, the chapter on Redis or Memcache. Basically, I want to know how in depth you explain each topic.
Also, I think making this ebook only missed 90% of the actual target market. Does Mary, the office admin, have a Kindle/ebook reader? She may, but statistically if she does she probably needs this book less than someone who does not have a Kindle/ebook reader.
I should have mentioned this up front on the sales page. Buyers can be issued a full refund if they don't find it helpful at all. I just added a note right below the "Buy" button.
Great idea. I suggest changing the title. 'Non-technical' people don't think that they're not non-technical since they can open a spreedsheet, gmail and use dropbox. I'd actually recommend making the book broader - not just for non-technical staff - but for any stakeholder.