A few years ago, I visited Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center. There, a host of researchers were working tirelessly to create what they referred to as a "paperless society." They said everything from newspapers to training manuals would be replaced by digital alternatives.

Now, almost four years later, I have seen little indication that their vision has been met - at least not in the world of training and education. Instead, each week, I receive in the mail books that number more than 500 pages each on topics such as voice over IP, wireless networks and security. Rather than going digital, they seem to be getting larger, with print houses trying to pack everything into what the binding can support.

"Books have maintained their popularity," says Cisco Press spokesman, Doug Ingersoll.

He says that instead of the demise of books, he's finding them being extended in creative ways. "Books are finding multipurpose uses," he contends.

From having online counterparts to working hand-in-hand with simulation tools, books are becoming a launching pad for resources online.

Web sites, such as Safari, have aggregated the text of technical books and made it fully searchable online. Safari, which employs a subscription model, includes titles from Cisco Press, O'Reilly, Peachpit Press and Prentice Hall. The company culls the latest offerings so users can create their own libraries of textbooks to search through for troubleshooting and exploring new technologies.

Another hot area for textbook publishers is certification. Companies such as Cisco Press are continuing to improve the link between book learning and hands-on learning. They are also extending beyond CD-ROM to work with lab scenario simulators and practice exams that are available online. "Not everybody can go out and buy tens of thousands of dollars in computer equipment," Ingersoll says. The goal is to help them get the experience they need remotely.

As Cisco adds more simulations to its lineup of certifications, Cisco Press hopes to complement its textbooks with tips on accessing those practice simulations. Ingersoll says the focus on simulations helps certifications hold their tread because employers will know that applicants have a proven skill set.

And if you're wondering what the hottest areas are for textbooks? CCNA, security and convergence, he says.
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