I was in a library the other day and, while browsing through the new non-fiction titles I came across this astounding title: GPS For Dummies. This is a 408 page book about global positioning systems. It is not, apparently, a highly technical book for engineers- I doubt they would read a book with ‘Dummies’ in the title.

I have to ask myself who has the time or interest to buy and read a 408 page book on GPS. And who has the time or interest to write one (it’s my understanding that the Dummies series pays a flat fee without royalties to their writers)? I know I don’t.

However, there may be an audience for a brief, concise book on the subject that gets you up to speed quickly without too much commitment of time and money. And I know that price would not be a factor in my decision to choose the short, concise book over the gargantuan tome. My time is the real cost here. That’s a considerable factor in the planning of my new venture.