Disclaimer:

1. Avoid “Imperial Entanglements” and Other Advice from Two Open-Source Authorsby Jeff Zeager and Carl Stitz

2. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this presentation are (mostly) those of Jeff Zeager and (sometimes) Carl Stitz and do not necessarily reflect those of the faculty, staff, administrations or District Boards of Trustees of Lorain County Community College and Lakeland Community College or, for that matter, any other reasonable adult.

3. Project Timeline • December 2008 – A book is born • August 2009 – Version 0.999… goes live at www.stitz-zeager.com • December 2009 – College Algebra version 1.4142… is released • June 2010 – College Algebra version 1.91293… is released • August 2010 – 900-page Precalculus book escapes prematurely • Fall Semester 2010 – Partner with WebAssign, people start adopting our book

4. Timeline-continued • Spring Semester 2011 – Begin work on Next Generation Learning Challenge grant • July 2011 – Released Precalculus, Edition 3 • January 2012 – “Enhanced” Precalculus released with grant material embedded • Summer 2012 – A well-deserved “break” • July 2013 – Released Chapter 0 • August 2015 (we hope) – Precalculus, Episode IV will be unleashed upon the world

5. Lessons that we’ve learned • You must define your project at the beginning and avoid mission sprawl • Set limits and deadlines – know your limitations • Nothing replaces a caring and competent teacher • You need a partner • Know your audience • You cannot please everyone – especially not your colleagues!

6. Lessons that we’ve learned • Whatever you create will not be perfect but it will be better than nothing • Quality matters – free junk is still junk • Experiment and have fun • Let others take your work and play with it • Understand the politics of your school and state, but above all else, avoid Imperial Entanglements

7. Questions? Email: jzeager@lorainccc.edu Website: www.stitz-zeager.com