jbuch Obsolesence in ou field is a novelty. For eg Steel Castings Handbook by ASM 6th edition is 1995 publication and there has been no new edition published. I am sure lot of new applications and technologies can be incorporated or illustrated, but we still continue to refer the old edition.
I quite agree with you that formal methods of learning cannot be substituted, though these latest advances in communication makes it possible for us to communicate. Quite often I find that no efforts are made by the questioner before putting it in any forum It is like an assignment being done at somebody's experience and efforts. Perhaps this harsh stand by me dissuades the post graduate students to work with me for their projects. I believe they have got into a post graduate program for the sake of learning and not earning a degree which is always there at the end.
There is a superb collection of about 75 weblilnks on materials and
> processing issues at this link. It figuratively covers Aluminum to Zinc > ( A to Z)....
>
>
formatting link
> For a practical interest, a really good reference which can be
> affordable are the "Engineering Materials" : Properties and Selection"
> by Kenneth Budinski and Michael Budinski.
>
> I purchased a brand new 7thg edition for under $15.00 about a year ago
> as the new edition made the old "obsolete".
>
> If you want a materials education, there is nothing like books and
> classes. Asking one hundred questions in a newsgroup is a waste of many
> people's time and effort. Books are still the most effective storehouse
> of knowledge and training. Some books are better than others.... much, > much better.
>
> My point of view is, if after a while, the questioner won't buy a book,
> and read some of it or all of it, I would rather not deal with her or him. >
> Jim