Ok, the book itself isn’t free. You can either purchase the paper book for $25 or download the PDF version for $19… but 37 Signals has made all of the content of their new book, Getting Real free on their website.

I point this out for three reasons. One, Getting Real offers a new approach to developing web applications. It promotes a paired-down, no nonsense strategy to web development in todays could-based internet world. Awesmone. As a programmer, this is really close to me heart.

Second… Free.

Third, I think this is a marketing model that is well worth examining. 37 Signals is essentially giving their content away for free, yet still offering a premium option of actually owning the content. Will they make any money this way? Is that really their goal? Or are they more interested in spreading their word, and their philosophy?

Obviously, this approach isn’t going to work for everyone, or every book. This looks to be as much a manifesto and reference as anything else. But whether or not it will work for you… it is still worth keeping an eye on.

And the unusual nature of the deal is, at least, garnering them a little extra press.

Skimming the content I will say that it looks good to me so far. I plan to look into it a little deeper, as I am really interested in their ideas. Will I buy it? I would say, if it really strikes me as an essential book to have on my shelf as a reference I wouldn’t hesitate to pay for it. Otherwise, I will be glad to have had the opportunity just to know a little bit more about their ideas.

You can read the book here and purchase the paper version here, and the PDF is here.