Well, there are some arguments both for and against a book version of this website.

As for the arguments against, the primary one is that CCD imaging technology changes so fast the book would have to be rewritten at least every year.  While the rewriting isn't terrible (the whole website was redone in spring 2005 and again in 2007, with minor updates almost every month), the fact remains that people would have to purchase a new book every year.  Online, it is free and easy to update any time technology changes.  New cameras, telescopes, accessories, software, and operating systems all require that the webpage be updated, and that's obviously tougher to do with a printed book.

Another argument against is simply the volume of information.  A conservative estimate would put the book at around 600-700 pages in length.  Since CCD imagers are always using computers, having a computer version is pretty handy.  No need to carry around a few extra pounds of book, and you can feel environmentally compassionate for not contributing to deforestation (as long as you don't worry about where your computer's power is coming from).  Not everyone will use every part of the website or book, so why charge for the parts you don't need?  Besides, this way you save $50 you can spend on telescope accessories!

Finally, a personal statement from your humble author:  I'm lazy, so there's that factor to consider.  It takes quite a while just to overhaul this website, given my not-so-copious free time.  I'd rather be taking CCD images than rewriting this as a book!

That being said, there is a fair amount of demand for a book version, and there are some benefits to having it, so it may happen at some point in the (hopefully) not-too-distant future.

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