Hey, can someone tell me how important it is to buy the latest edition of the textbook you need for class assuming this is what your professors listed on the mcmaster bookstore site

Well, it's not terribly important that you get the same edition, although there might be significant differences depending on the textbook. You may want to shoot your professor a quick e-mail and ask them if the certain edition you're looking at is okay for the class. :]

Here's my question with regards to this thread, and I think it is closely related to the original:

How important are certain books? Like, sure, getting the right edition is one thing, but then I'm told that books like the Solid Edge Manual, and the Materials book are just pointless to buy; You can use the Solid Edge help files instead of the manual, and apparently the MAterials textbook is available on DC++ ?

Any others that might help save money?

Sorry if I'm hijacking this thread I thought this question was very closely related to yours, and I think it might be focusing on the same idea as you have in your mind: Saving money.

Originally Posted by mike_302

Here's my question with regards to this thread, and I think it is closely related to the original:

How important are certain books? Like, sure, getting the right edition is one thing, but then I'm told that books like the Solid Edge Manual, and the Materials book are just pointless to buy; You can use the Solid Edge help files instead of the manual, and apparently the MAterials textbook is available on DC++ ?

Any others that might help save money?

Sorry if I'm hijacking this thread I thought this question was very closely related to yours, and I think it might be focusing on the same idea as you have in your mind: Saving money.

Some people learn from books other do not. Also, some books aren't actually used by the professor and are supposed to be used for supplementary learning. You won't really know how important the book is until first class when you can ask the professor if they will be assigning readings.

Oh also, some books are used for the questions in them.

Originally Posted by mike_302

You can use the Solid Edge help files instead of the manual....

Heh... I wouldn't say that's much more useful :p.

Originally Posted by 1mcmas

Hey, can someone tell me how important it is to buy the latest edition of the textbook you need for class assuming this is what your professors listed on the mcmaster bookstore site

This depends on the book. Some books have practically no differences between 1 or 2 editions. Some are like completely different books. Email the prof and ask how important the edition is.

Originally Posted by mike_302

Here's my question with regards to this thread, and I think it is closely related to the original:

How important are certain books? Like, sure, getting the right edition is one thing, but then I'm told that books like the Solid Edge Manual, and the Materials book are just pointless to buy; You can use the Solid Edge help files instead of the manual, and apparently the MAterials textbook is available on DC++ ?

Any others that might help save money?

Sorry if I'm hijacking this thread I thought this question was very closely related to yours, and I think it might be focusing on the same idea as you have in your mind: Saving money.

It depends what program you're in and what the books are being used for. I'm in Social Sciences and I could have easily gone through first, second and maybe even third year without buying half my textbooks. I just don't buy any at first and if it turns out I need one (like we have an essay or exam question based on a book), then I'll buy it.

Keep in mind that a lot of text books are on reserve, if you have breaks between classes you may want to opt for that if the prof isn't using the text.

For first year science, getting old editions of physics/chemistry/math should be okay as the subjects don't exactly change. Double check with the professor first through e-mail to make sure. Second year organic chemistry's new edition is pretty much identical to the older ones.