[jdriselvato]

In 2020 I wrote a book on FFmpeg after going through the entire FFmpeg documentation. I wanted to learn FFmpeg inside and out by actually using it to convert audio/video based on what the documentation offered. In the end I open sourced the results as an extension to the official docs[0] and then released in on Kindle as well[1].

In the last 4 years I've sold 743 books which is just shy of $2000. Still I love the fact that every month I'll get a KDP payout email and it feels more gratifying than my own FAANG+ paycheck for some reason.

[0] https://github.com/jdriselvato/FFmpeg-For-Beginners-Ebook [1] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087GYV15Y/

[langcss]

That is cool! I turned to ffmpeg to reduce the size of some family videos because despite the command line it was possible whereas the Windows flavour of the year editor just can't do it.

This made me think that hey why not use it for all video editing needs! Although harder to use than a UI the commands will be the same in 2050 as they are now! Plus it is scriptable.

[at_a_remove]

This has been in my "to buy" for a while. I am decent with ffmpeg but I could always learn more.

[jdriselvato]

The ebook (.epub or pdf) is for free on the GitHub: https://github.com/jdriselvato/FFmpeg-For-Beginners-Ebook/tr...

[at_a_remove]

I mean, that's well and good but I bought it because that kind of thing deserves at least some sort of compensation for the work.

[sameoldtune]

> for some reason

Because it was entirely^ the fruits of your own labor!

^well everything is connected, I guess you didn’t write ffmpeg nor are you responsible for the creation of video encoding or camera technology, but I’ll go back to splitting my own hairs