Imagine that you would like to study for the LPI certification exam, and you have two choices regarding your study materials (and, because you are poor like me, you don’t have choice number three, the option to participate in a local training course). 
Okay, so you could buy the newest LPI Linux Book, or you could study using online LPI Linux screencasts.

1.
Linux Books versus Screencasts
Imagine that you would like to study for the LPI certification exam, and
you have two choices regarding your study materials (and, because you
are poor like me, you donʼt have choice number three, the option to
participate in a local training course). Okay, so you could buy the newest
LPI Linux Book, or you could study using online LPI Linux screencasts.
Letʼs have a look at both options, and then you can decide for yourself
which option is best for you. (I already did…):
Number one, buy the book:
Okay, there you are, owner of the latest LPIC-1 Training book. Here
some facts about your new friend:
- A book is “one-dimensional” study material. The only information you
get is pure text, nothing extra!
- You read the text and what you hear is always your “own voice”, and
thereʼs nothing exciting about that anymore. Falling asleep after one
hour is almost guaranteed.
- Your new friend is heavy. Do you really want to take him with you
everywhere you go?

2. - Within a month your friend maybe outdated, and there is nothing you
can do about that! Itʼs a bit like buying a new car, used after the first
day…
- Any errors you may find, and the ones you donʼt, will never be
corrected (until you buy the next edition).
- In books you only see what the author wants you to see, and you
certainly never can see in real-time what happens in a terminal when
you run a command, right?
- Oh, you have gone to visit your parents this weekend, but you left your
book on your kitchen table. How do you study now? Buy a new copy
somewhere?
Number two, following Screencasts:
- Screencasts are (at least) “three-dimensional”. In a screencast, you get
audio and visual information at the same time, as well as some
information presented in text form as tables or flowcharts.
- You will always hear another voice than your own, which is much more
stimulating and helps to keep you engaged.
- Watching on an iPad or an iPhone? Yes, absolutely possible, anytime,
anywhere. Weight: 600 g.
- Screencasts are easily updated as technology evolves, so you always
have the latest version.
- Listen, watch, then do it yourself. Screencasts feel just like a teacher
working individually with you.
- You can see what really happens in the terminal when you enter a
command in real time, with all errors and the whole output and
everything.

3. - Screencasts challenge your cognitive skills much more than any book!
This stimulates you much more and allows you to learn much faster!
- Perhaps one day somebody offers you the ability to watch the same
screencast in your native language … this would be cool too wouldnʼt
it?
- Oh, yes, back to your parents. You have your tablet with you. What a
pleasure that you can leave that heavy book on your kitchen table. You
switch on your tablet and start to study. Even that is a lot to carry, so
you decide just to watch the screencast on your ultra-slim
smartphone…much better!
Okay, thatʼs my opinion. Now itʼs up to you…You have made your
decision already? Fantastic!